Best NBA Teams Of All Time

Posted on by Max Clark

The “best NBA teams of all time” is a topic often debated among basketball fans, but several teams stand out due to their dominance, all-star talent, and championship success. Here are some of the most frequently cited teams in NBA history:

1. 1995-96 Chicago Bulls

  • Record: 72-10
  • Key Players: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; this team set the record for the most wins in a single season, a record that stood until 2016. Their dominance in both the regular season and playoffs makes them a top contender for the best-ever team in league history.

2. 2016-17 Golden State Warriors

  • Record: 67-15
  • Key Players: Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green
  • Achievements: NBA Champions. This team had one of the most dominant postseason runs in NBA history, going 16-1 in the playoffs and showcasing an unprecedented level of offensive firepower.

3. 1985-86 Boston Celtics

  • Record: 67-15
  • Key Players: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; often considered the best Celtics team ever, they were nearly unbeatable at home (40-1) and had incredible depth and star power.

4. 1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers

  • Record: 65-17
  • Key Players: Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; the “Showtime” Lakers thrived on Johnson’s assists and Worthy’s timely steals, paired with Kareem’s rebounding. This team was the epitome of fast-paced, high-flying basketball and secured the Lakers’ fourth title of the decade.

5. 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers

  • Record: 56-26
  • Key Players: Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; this team is known for its dominant postseason performance, going 15-1 in the playoffs, with Shaq and Kobe at the height of their powers.

6. 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers

  • Record: 69-13
  • Key Players: Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; this team set a then-record for most wins in a season and holds the record for the longest winning streak (33 games).

7. 1991-92 Chicago Bulls

  • Record: 67-15
  • Key Players: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; this was Jordan’s second championship team, and it showcased his peak form, both individually and as a team leader.

8. 1988-89 Detroit Pistons

  • Record: 63-19
  • Key Players: Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; known as the “Bad Boys,” this team was tough, defensive-minded, and relentless, winning back-to-back titles.

9. 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers

  • Record: 68-13
  • Key Players: Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; this team ended the Boston Celtics’ dominance and is considered one of the best teams of the pre-modern era.

10. 2007-08 Boston Celtics

  • Record: 66-16
  • Key Players: Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; after assembling the “Big Three,” this team had the best defensive rating in the league and won the Celtics’ first title in over two decades.

11. 2012-13 Miami Heat

  • Record: 66-16
  • Key Players: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; went on a 27-game winning streak and repeated as champions, solidifying LeBron’s legacy.

12. 1996-97 Chicago Bulls

  • Record: 69-13
  • Key Players: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; nearly matched their previous season’s win record and secured another championship in the Jordan era.

13. 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks

  • Record: 66-16
  • Key Players: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; dominated the league with a young Kareem (then Lew Alcindor) and won their first and only title.

14. 2015-16 Golden State Warriors

  • Record: 73-9
  • Key Players: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green
  • Achievements: With help from former player-turned-head coach Steve Kerr, this team set the record for most wins in a season (73) but fell short in the Finals, losing in 7 games to the Cavaliers.

15. 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers

  • Record: 65-17
  • Key Players: Moses Malone, Julius Erving
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; dominated the playoffs with a 12-1 record after Moses Malone’s famous “Fo’, Fo’, Fo'” prediction.

16. 1999-2000 Los Angeles Lakers

  • Record: 67-15
  • Key Players: Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; the first of the Lakers’ three-peat teams, led by an MVP Shaq and emerging star Kobe.

17. 1959-60 Boston Celtics

  • Record: 59-16
  • Key Players: Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Tommy Heinsohn
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; one of the most dominant teams in the Celtics dynasty, laying the foundation for their 11 titles in 13 years.

18. 1993-94 Houston Rockets

  • Record: 58-24
  • Key Players: Hakeem Olajuwon, Kenny Smith, Robert Horry
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; won the first of back-to-back championships in the Jordan-less years, with Hakeem at his peak.

19. 2003-04 Detroit Pistons

  • Record: 54-28
  • Key Players: Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Richard Hamilton
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; known for their suffocating defense, the Pistons upset the heavily favored Lakers in the NBA Finals.

20. 1997-98 Chicago Bulls

  • Record: 62-20
  • Key Players: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; the final season of the Jordan era, capturing their sixth title in eight years during “The Last Dance.”

25. 1964-65 Boston Celtics

  • Record: 62-18
  • Key Players: Bill Russell, John Havlicek
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; one of the strongest teams in the Celtics dynasty.

26. 2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers

  • Record: 52-19
  • Key Players: LeBron James, Anthony Davis
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; the Lakers won the title in the NBA “bubble,” securing their 17th championship.

27. 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers

  • Record: 49-33
  • Key Players: Bill Walton, Maurice Lucas
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; their only championship, led by a dominant playoff performance from Bill Walton.

28. 1981-82 Los Angeles Lakers

  • Record: 57-25
  • Key Players: Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; the Lakers won their second title in three years with their “Showtime” style.

29. 1961-62 Boston Celtics

  • Record: 60-20
  • Key Players: Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Sam Jones
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; one of the key teams in the Celtics’ era of dominance.

30. 2010-11 Dallas Mavericks

  • Record: 57-25
  • Key Players: Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion
  • Achievements: NBA Champions; the Mavericks pulled off one of the most impressive playoff runs, defeating LeBron’s Heat in the Finals.

These NBA players and teams are celebrated for their combination of talent, teamwork, and success in the NBA championships, solidifying their places in basketball history.

Honorable Mention: 1992 USA Olympic Team

The best American Olympic basketball team is widely regarded as the 1992 “Dream Team,” which competed in the Barcelona Olympics. This team is considered one of the greatest collections of basketball talent in history and is credited with popularizing basketball globally. The roster included 11 future Hall of Famers such as Michael Jordan (widely regarded as the best player of all time), Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, John Stockton, Clyde Drexler, and Chris Mullin.

Coached by Chuck Daly, the Dream Team dominated the competition, winning every game by an average margin of over 40 points. Their gold medal victory helped cement basketball’s popularity worldwide and set a standard for international basketball excellence.