The Greatest NBA Teams of All Time: The Top 10
The NBA has had many great teams over the years, but what are the greatest of all time? The article discusses the top ten basketball teams.
1. Boston Celtics (1957-1966)
The Celtics were one of the original eight franchises in the NBA. They quickly became legendary for their hard play and savvy coaching.
Led by players like Bob Cousy and Bill Russell, Boston won six championships between 1957 and 1966. Those years saw them battle against tough competition. These include the Lakers and Hawks, but they always managed to come out on top.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (1960-1972)
The Lakers were one of the most popular teams in NBA history thanks to their incredible talent pool and superstar players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. They dominated the league during its early years, winning five championships between 1960 and 1972.
However, they couldn’t keep up with Boston’s impressive record, later on, losing four consecutive titles from 1980 to 1983. Nonetheless, they remain one of the most successful franchises in NBA history.
3. Philadelphia 76ers (1970-1983)
The Philadelphia 76ers of the 1970s and early 1980s were one of the NBA’s most dominant teams. Led by Hall of Famers Julius Erving and Moses Malone, the 76ers won three straight NBA Championships from 1980 to 1982. And they appeared in the NBA Finals five times in that span.
They were also one of the league’s best regular season teams. They won at least 60 games in each of those seasons.
4. Detroit Pistons (1972-1989)
The Detroit Pistons teams of the 1980s were among the greatest in NBA history. The Pistons won NBA championships in 1989 and 1990 and reached the NBA Finals in 1988 and 1989.
The Pistons were led by a core of Hall of Fame players, including Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Dennis Rodman.
The Pistons also had one of the best defenses in NBA history and were known for their physical style of play. The Pistons of the 1980s were truly one of the greatest NBA teams of all time.
5. Golden State Warriors (1995-2016)
The Warriors are a relatively new team in the NBA, but they have quickly become one of the league’s biggest attractions. They won their first championship in 1975, but they didn’t reach their true potential until they moved to the Bay Area in 1995.
Since then, they have won three more championships, most recently in 2015. They remain one of the most successful teams in NBA history. And their dominance looks set to continue for years to come.
6. Chicago Bulls (1996-1998)
The Chicago Bulls of the 1990s are widely considered one of the greatest NBA teams of all time. The team was led by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman, and won six NBA championships in eight seasons.
The Bulls of the 1990s were dominant, winning at least 60 games in each of their championship seasons. They are also remembered for their rivalries with the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat.
7. Seattle SuperSonics (1968-2007)
The 10 greatest NBA teams of all time are the Seattle SuperSonics (1968-2007). They were the most dominant team in the NBA during their time, winning 8 championships and making the Finals 11 times. They had Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan.
They were the only team to ever win a championship with 3 different superstars. They were the most popular team in the NBA during their time and had the most fans.
8. San Antonio Spurs (1996-2017)
The San Antonio Spurs are one of the greatest NBA teams of all time. They have won 5 NBA championships, and have been to the playoffs 19 times in their 22 years in the NBA.
They have had many great players, such as Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. The Spurs have been a model of consistency, and have been one of the most successful teams in the NBA.
They remain one of the most durable teams in the league. They never lost more than two consecutive games throughout their illustrious history.
9. New York Knickerbockers (1941-1949)
The New York Knickerbockers were one of the greatest NBA teams of all time. They were led by players like George Mikan, Dolph Schayes, and Bob Cousy.
They won five championships in a span of nine years. They were the first team to win back-to-back titles. They also set the record for the most wins in a season.
10. Los Angeles Lakers (2010-2017)
There is no question that the Los Angeles Lakers teams of the last decade are among the greatest of all time. With two NCAA Championships and five NBA titles, they have cemented their place in history. But what separates these Lakers teams from the others?
First, it is the level of talent on the rosters. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were two of the best players in the world. And they were surrounded by other great players like Derek Fisher, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom.
Second, it is the team’s overall success. The Lakers won at least 50 games in each of the last eight seasons, and they made it to the NBA Finals six times.
Finally, it is the impact that the team had on the league. The Lakers were must-see TV, and their games were always some of the most highly-anticipated of the season.
There is no question that the Los Angeles Lakers teams of the last decade are among the greatest of all time. With their combination of great talent, overall success, and impact on the league, they will be remembered as one of the top teams in NBA history.