NBA, or National Basketball Association, was founded in 1949. Since then, the NBA has seen many teams that have been great in the league thanks to their highly skilled players, genius coaches, and pure talent. But, few could rightfully call themselves one of the best NBA teams of all time.
But only a handful of those teams have achieved numerous championships, formed successful superteams, and just dominated the NBA until redefining how the game of basketball is played.
Now, I’ll walk you through the top 6 best NBA teams ever.
Without delay, let’s begin!
Rules for Ranking the Top NBA Dynasties
When it comes to the criteria for ranking, some of the factors that I’ll take into consideration are:
- Number of championships
- Number of years appearing in the Finals in their era
- Finals record
Some of the more subjective factors I’ll include are the toughness of other NBA teams compared to the NBA dynasties and to what degree those dynasties revolutionized how basketball is played today.
#6 – Golden State Warriors (2015 – 2022)
- Number of championships (4)
- Number of years appearing in the Finals in their era (6)
- NBA Finals record (4 – 2)
The Golden State Warriors have left an enormous legacy in the 21st century, specifically from 2015 to 2022. They set a great example of how sharing and passing the ball means teamwork is the key to a successful team.
Also, they revolutionized the game with their shots beyond the arc, which led to more and more NBA teams focusing on their 3-point shooting.
The leading player of the Golden State Warriors is the incredible Stephen Curry, the best-ever shooter in the NBA. Alongside him was Klay Thompson, the 3-point shooting master, and the robust defensive player Draymond Green in the paint.
The first season of their domination was 2015/16, when they won 73 games, breaking the record of the Chicago Bulls of 72 wins in the 95/96 season. Eventually, they became NBA Champions after losing only one out of 17 games in the 2015/16 season playoffs.
The following season, the Warriors signed NBA sharpshooter Kevin Durant to create a super team.
Warriors became back-to-back champions, winning the titles in 2017 and 2018, with Kevin Durant being the finals MVP in both years. Many thought the Warriors dynasty died after the 2017/18 Warriors season.
However, Steve Kerr’s Warriors made a comeback in 2022, winning the NBA title, thanks to many exceptional players, but especially because of the finals MVP, Steph Curry. In the finals, he managed to average an amazing 31.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG as well as 5.0 APG.
The Golden Warriors dynasty is one of the most remarkable in NBA history and one that many NBA teams should look up to.
#5 – LA Lakers (2000 – 2004)
- Number of championships (3)
- Number of years appearing in the Finals in their era (4)
- NBA Finals record (3 – 1)
The shortest among all NBA dynasties that we’ll mention are the LA Lakers. From 2000 to 2002, the team from LA won a three-peat thanks to one of the best duos in NBA history – Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. These seasons were the start of Kobe’s legacy in the NBA as one of the best players ever.
On the other hand, the Lakers had the big and fast Shaq, who just bulldozed everyone in his path. During their three consecutive championships in a row, Shaq was the Finals MVP in all three.
Besides this duo and the coach Phil Jackson, others who contributed significantly to this team’s success were Glen Rice, Ron Harper, Robert Horry, etc.
In the 1999/00 Finals, the Lakers played Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose-led Pacers. The LA Lakers eventually won the series 4 – 2, with Shaq destroying the Pacers and averaging a mind-blowing 38.0 PPG alongside 16.7 RPG. Meanwhile, the young Kobe managed to average 15.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, and 4.2 APG.
The following season (00/01), the Lakers met with the Philadelphia 76ers and their superstar, Allen Iverson. The Sixers barely succeeded in not getting swept by winning one game in the whole Finals series. Shaq was again incredible by averaging 33.0 PPG, 15.8 RPG as well as 3.4 BPG. In the meantime, talented Kobe got better and averaged 24.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 5.8 APG.
In 2002, which was the last year of this LA Lakers dynasty, they faced the Brooklyn Nets. Jason Kidd, the Nets’ best player, and the rest of the team lost to the Lakers 4 – 0. Shaq and Kobe were monstrous once again and averaged similar numbers from the previous Finals.
This NBA dynasty started to fall apart in the following seasons, mainly because Shaq and Kobe weren’t getting along. Eventually, Shaq left the team in 2005. Who knows how long this NBA dynasty could’ve lasted if it weren’t for their feud?
Overall, the 2000-02 LA Lakers will be remembered as one of the best NBA teams in history.
#4 – San Antonio Spurs (1999 – 2014)
- Number of championships (5)
- Number of years appearing in the Finals in their era (6)
- NBA Finals record (5 – 1)
When we talk about consistency, one of the first teams that comes to mind is the San Antonio Spurs. From 1998 to 2019, this NBA team appeared every season in the playoffs, making that an NBA record—breaking 22 — year streak.
From 1999 to 2014, under the mastermind head coach, Greg Popovich, Spurs won 5 NBA titles. During these 15 years as an NBA dynasty, coach Gregg emphasized the constant development of his players and created an atmosphere of trust in one another.
During that time, this NBA dynasty built itself around its best player, the power forward Tim Duncan. He was a double-double machine throughout his career, averaging 19.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, and 2.0 BPG.
At the beginning of this dynasty, Duncan guarded the paint alongside another Spurs legend, David “The Admiral” Robinson. This duo won the 98/99 NBA Championship by beating the New York Knicks 4 -1.
Besides Tim Duncan being the star player, there were other players who also reached the status of Spurs legends during their title runs in 2003, 2005, and 2007. Manu Ginobili, the fantastic shooting guard, and the playmaker magician Tony Parker were those players.
When the Spurs won the NBA title in 2014, the previously mentioned trio were at the end of their careers, and a new star appeared on the team. The young, small forward Kawhi Leonard was a force to be reckoned with in the finals series against the Heat, averaging 17.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 2.0 APG.
This Spurs dynasty will go down as one of the best NBA teams of all time.
#3 – LA Lakers (1980 – 1989)
- Number of championships (5)
- Number of years appearing in the Finals in their era (8)
- NBA Finals record (5 – 3)
The NBA dynasty that was most successful during the 80s was one of the best NBA teams in the sport — LA Lakers. Their style of play was fast, flashy, and entertaining.
The “Showtime” Lakers were led by one of the most superior duos in basketball history — Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. The whole team mostly used the fast break as their major weapon and moved the ball in such an impressive way that they didn’t even bounce it from time to time.
A big 6 ft 9 in Magic Johnson, the greatest point guard in NBA history, was magical with the ball. His passing skills were unparalleled, and his shooting skills were no joke either. During his 13-year NBA career, Magic averaged 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 11.2 APG.
The other star of the team was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, known for his high-sky hooks and for achieving a double-double in most of the games he played. He is the second all-time score in the NBA with 38,387 points. Now you got a glimpse of how incredible this duo was.
In 8 seasons, this NBA dynasty managed to win 5 NBA Championships. In 1980 and 1982, the Lakers beat the 76ers in the finals, with Magic Johson being the MVP in both. Then, in 1985 and 1987, the star-studded Celtics, led by Larry Bird, were beaten both times in the Finals against the dominant LA Lakers. In these two finals, Kareem took the MVP award.
Meanwhile, in 1988, the Lakers beat the Pistons in a 7-game thriller, with James Worthy being the best player in the NBA finals.
After the 1998 Championship, they appeared in the 1989 and 1991 NBA Finals but unfortunately lost both times. Those events marked the end of the “Showtime” Lakers.
Without a doubt, they are one of the best NBA teams of all time.
Also, check out HBO’s documentary “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” and get a closer look at how good this dynasty was.
#2 – Boston Celtics (1957 – 1969)
- Number of championships (11)
- Number of years appearing in the Finals in their era 12)
- NBA Finals record (11 – 1)
I know that most NBA fans like yourself thought an NBA dynasty that won 11 championships in a 13-year span could be the greatest of all basketball dynasties. But, the fact that in time when the Boston Celtics won the NBA Championships in 1959, only 8 teams existed in the NBA doesn’t go in Boston’s favor. When they won their last championship in 1969, the NBA consisted of 14 NBA teams, 7 in each conference.
Basically, the reason I put the Chicago Bulls as the greatest NBA dynasty is because they managed to win 6 championships in a very tough and competitive era with 30 teams in the NBA.
The beginning of this Celtica era started in 1956, when the brilliant head coach of the Boston Celtics, Red Auerbach, traded Cliff Hagan as well as Ed Macauley in exchange for the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft, Bill Russel. The rest is history.
When it comes to his overall performance in the NBA, he averaged 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RPG, and 4.3 APG.
Besides Bill Russel as the star of Boston Celtics, John Havlicek was a fantastic playmaker who possessd great ball handling skills. During his NBA career, he averaged 21.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 4.1 APG.
Other players who contributed greatly during the Celtics era were Bob Cousy, known as the “Houdini of the Hardwood.” Bob was incredible in fast breaks. Also, Sam Jones and Tom Sanders were crucial for the Celtics.
As for the NBA Championships, they beat the Lakers 6 times in their 1957 – 69 era, the St. Louis Hawks 3 times, the San Francisco Warriors, and the Minneapolis Lakers once.
No one can deny that there possibly won’t be a team in basketball history that will repeat what the 1957 to 1969 Boston Celtics did.
#1 – Chicago Bulls (91 – 99)
- Number of championships (6)
- Number of years appearing in the Finals in their era (6)
- NBA Finals record (6 – 0)
A team that left a massive impact on NBA basketball was the best dynasty of all – the Chicago Bulls. From 1991 up until 1998, the Bulls dominated the league by winning six championships.
The team’s leading player was Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time. Another irreplaceable Bulls legend in this team was the legendary small forward Scottie Pippen. As a rebound expert, the eccentric Dennis Rodman was crucial in the defense.
Apart from this trio, the head coach, Phil Jackson, was the tactical genius in helping the Bulls win six championships. Other notable players in this NBA dynasty were Horace Grant, Steve Kerr, and Toni Kukoc.
Offensively and defensively, the Bulls were very fun to watch, thanks to their sheer tenacity to win and unmatched competitiveness.
In 1991, they faced the back-to-back NBA champions, the tough Detroit Pistons, in the Eastern Conference finals. Jordan and the team managed to dismantle them 4 – 0. In the NBA finals, they faced the LA Lakers, who were led by the great Magic Johnson and beat them 4 – 1 in impressive fashion. Jordan averaged 31.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 11.4 APG.
In 1992, they stopped Portland Trail Blazers and Clyde Drexler in the finals.
The following year, Phoenix Suns and their superstar Charles Barkley failed to stop the mighty Bulls, losing 4 -2. Remember that these Phoenix Suns were one of the best NBA teams to never win a championship.
After 1993, Michael Jordan and the Bulls went on a two-year drought with no NBA championship.
Then, in 1995/96, Jordan made an epic comeback. He, Pippen, Rodman, and others broke the record for most wins (72) in one NBA season. This was one of those records that cemented the Bull’s legacy as the greatest NBA dynasty of all time and the best team in NBA history.
In 95/96, the Bulls won the title against Seattle Supersonics in the NBA finals.
After this season, the Chicago Bulls defeated the Jazz two years in a row (96/97, 97/98), who were led by the powerful duo Karl Malone and John Stockton.
Once again, Michael Jordan was everywhere on the court, scoring points, assisting, stealing and rebounding. In his final game for the Bulls, Jordan scored 45 points against the Utah Jazz in game 6 in 1998. His most memorable moment from those NBA Finals was when he scored the winning shot in the final seconds of that game. MJ announced his second retirement that evening.
MJ was the finals MVP of all 6 NBA Championships the Bulls won from 1991 to 1998.
If you want to get an in-depth look into this NBA dynasty, watch the Netflix documentary “The Last Dance.”
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