From 1946, when the National Basketball Association (NBA) started with only ten teams, to today, where it has grown to thirty teams, the NBA has witnessed some truly remarkable teams. These teams did not just win championships; they also captured the hearts and emotions of the fans and the world. These teams have made NBA history hard to forget and will forever be remembered as the greatest NBA teams of all time.
Choosing the 10 greatest NBA teams of all time was challenging because each team has different strengths and weaknesses. However, some teams have risen above others and have surpassed expectations. Their successful squads, superb strategy, and sheer determination have made them stand out. Join me as we view the dominant teams in NBA history.
1. Chicago Bulls (1995-96)
The Chicago Bulls lead the NBA in offensive and defensive net rating and set a regular-season record with 72 wins. The easiest way to win is to identify your opponent’s weakness and exploit it to win. Unfortunately, the teams that faced the Chicago Bulls on the court got lost in the pursuit of trying to find any deficiencies in the team; the team had none. This is why the team beat most of their opponents and is ranked number one.
The team was led by the fan’s favourite player, Michael Jordan, who has performed outstandingly over the years. The Bulls were even more dominant in the playoffs, posting a 15-3 record and winning six titles. The best Bulls squad was the ‘96 team, which was the best in terms of statistics.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (1986-87)
After losing to the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference finals, the 1985-86 Los Angeles Lakers failed to make it to the finals. They had to reclaim the throne. The following year, they were focused from the start and determined to win. Magic achieved his initial regular-season MVP with an average of 23.9 points, 12.2 assists, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. Meanwhile, his teammate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s performance fell off at 39, but he still managed to maintain an average of 17.5 points per game.
3. Chicago Bulls(1991-92)
This is the second time a ’90s Chicago Bulls team has appeared on the list. Coach Phil Jackson helped the Bulls win 67 games in the 1991-92 season after they had won the franchise’s first title the year before. What is more fascinating is that the team worked as a unit. Even if Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen scored the most points that year, they both did it with other teammates involved.
Each player in the team understood their role and executed it as it should be. Horace Grant in the rebounds was spectacular, B.J. Armstrong, John Paxon, and Craig Hodge were the three-point kings, while Bill Cartwright provided exemplary leadership. The Bulls’ dominance in the season saw them win the 1992 NBA finals and become the world champions.
4. Detroit Pistons (1988-89)
The 1988-89 Detroit Pistons were the most loathed team in the NBA’s history due to their unique style of play. Their intensity of defense was unmatched by any other team. Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer, and John Salley were complete barriers; no one had an easy go to the basket. Everyone on the team embraced their strong suits, making them even stronger.
Thomas excelled at penetrating and passing, Laimbeer was a superb three-point shooter, and Dumars excelled at perimeter scoring. The rest of the team contributed an honorable number of points. They finished the season with 63 wins.
5. Chicago Bulls (1990-91)
The Chicago Bulls’ core players were present for all six championships in the 1990s, but it’s important to recognize their first title season. Michael Jordan’s dominance over the league, previously led by Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, was nearly absolute. Jordan only lacked postseason success, as he faced the formidable Detroit Pistons in two consecutive seasons. Jordan’s fierce rival Isiah Thomas motivated him to prepare for the following season during the 1990 offseason.
Scottie Pippen’s rise as an all-star was instrumental, as he maintained averages of 17.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. Although Jordan recorded his lowest points per game in five years at 31.5, he was transitioning into a more team-oriented style of play.
The team concluded the season with a 61-21 record but had their eyes on the ultimate prize. On their way to the finals, the Bulls defeated all the top teams in the Eastern Conference, overcoming the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and finally the Detroit Pistons. They capped it off by triumphing over Magic Johnson and the Showtime Lakers, solidifying Jordan’s status as the NBA’s preeminent figure, a title he held for the next eight years, except for his hiatus from playing baseball.
6. Los Angeles Lakers (1986-1987)
Magic Johnson’s rivalry with Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics was a big inducement for him. The Lakers had lost to the Celtics (won the third year in a row), thus missing out on their first finals in five years. The Lakers were determined to return at the top.
7. Philadelphia 76ers (1982-83)
Imagine how frustrating it can be to work hard and reach the finals only to be knocked out. This is what happened to the Philadelphia 76ers. They disappointed the fans, the management, and themselves. They promised to redeem themselves the following season, but unfortunately, they did not.
They thought Julius Erving was not capable of doing the job independently, so they acquired Moses Malone to assist him. Moses and Erving became a duo that dominated the Atlantic division and won 65 games, of course, with help from the rest of the team. The 76ers were determined and optimistic about the title. They made it to the finals and won against the Lakers, awarding Dr. J his only NBA title.
8. Los Angeles Lakers (2000-01)
For the Lakers, this was not an easy season. They had to deal with numerous injuries and internal conflict. Derek Fisher, their point guard, missed almost the whole season due to injuries, and Shaquille O’Neil and Kobe Bryant began to clash. The Lakers finished with a 56-26 record and were among the worst teams in the conference. The team won eight consecutive games to conclude the regular season, laying the groundwork for one of the most remarkable postseasons in history.
The Western Conference Finals were the most challenging as they played against the San Antonio Spurs, the league’s leaders. They won and went on to the finals against the underdog Philadelphia 76ers. Taking their opponents lightly, they lost the first game, but they redeemed themselves in the next four games, going 16-1 in the postseason and 24-1 combined to the end of the season.
9. Miami Heat (2012-13)
The Miami Heat had won the NBA title 2012 and looked forward to becoming back-to-back champions for the first time since Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. The team’s standout players, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwayne Wade, required an additional component to solidify their position as one of the top 10 teams ever. They acquired Ray Allen, who was a valuable addition to the team. During that season, the Heat achieved a 66-16 record, with James leading the team in points, rebounds, and assists.
James’ outstanding performance saw the Heat advance to the NBA finals, where they played against the San Antonio Spurs. It was a tough game for them, but the Heat won in overtime.
10. Boston Celtics (1985-86)
In the 1984-85 season, the Celtics lost to the Lakers in the NBA finals. Larry Bird and the team had to redeem themselves the following year and win the title back. The 1985 season was smooth for them. Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge added a lot of intensity to the team’s backcourt, and Robert Parish was a defensive powerhouse. The Celtics beat the Houston Rockets in the NBA finals and won back the title.