Top 10 all-time best NBA teams

Nearly eight decades separate Joe Fulks’ Philadelphia Warriors from SGA’s Oklahoma Thunder. During this time, the NBA has seen multiple eras of dominance, each one different from the last.

Even today, the debate over the best dynasty of all time continues to rage online.

In order to answer this existential question as judiciously as possible, this Top 10 list is based on the following criteria, listed in order of importance: dominance, duration of hegemony, achievements, legacy and epic moments.

10) Detroit Pistons’ Bad Boys (1987-91) : While all dynasties have their own unique characteristics, the Bad Boys are by far the most atypical. The Showtime Lakers of Magic (a name to remember) accentuate the contrast. Over the course of three seasons, the glitz and glamour demanded by the NBA gave way to vice. Or rather, the art of vice as we had never seen it before. With a deep roster and a robust defence, Isiah Thomas’ teammates made their opponents sick. The NBA had to endure Chuck Daly’s men for five seasons crowned with a back-to-back after their defeat in the 1988 Finals. All this was accompanied by regular ‘less dominant’ performances than their current rivals. Hence the fact that we cannot rank them higher. Even if this 10th place already reflects their legacy in the Big League.

9) The Heatles (2011-14) : The Decision, LeBron-Wade-Bosh, Ray Allen’s shot against the Spurs… From 2011 to 2014, the Miami Heat lit up the big league with their talent. After the franchise’s first title with Shaq, LeBron James literally broke the NBA by leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for South Beach. This team then boasted one of the greatest Big 3s in the history of our sport. So yes, it only lasted four seasons. But during that short period of time, this team became the fifth in history to reach four consecutive finals for a memorable back-to-back against OKC followed by the Spurs. This consistency was also reflected in the regular season with a more than impressive record (224-88). In addition to the statistics, we can also add the impression made by this team full of Avengers, each as talented as the next. But, much like the Bad Boys, this dynasty did not span enough generations to hope for a higher ranking. It is even the team with the fewest games to its credit (63 behind Shaq and Kobe’s Lakers).

8) Shaq and Kobe’s Los Angeles Lakers (1998-2004) : The Lakers make their debut in this ranking. Be sure to use the plural form in the previous sentence, as this is the most represented franchise in our Top 10. Starting with Shaq and Kobe’s team, or vice versa (you be the judge). Because yes, despite the omnipresent rivalry between the Big Diesel and the Black Mamba, Los Angeles dominated the NBA with an iron fist at the beginning of the century. The last team to achieve the coveted three-peat, at its peak this dynasty was virtually UNBEATABLE. Opponents were constantly faced with a difficult choice: get run over by Shaq or be worn down over time by an increasingly clutch Kobe. In the end, their worst enemy was… themselves! While this partnership still had many good years ahead of it, the defeat in the 2004 Finals blew everything apart. These Lakers had two seasons of adjustment, three seasons of domination and one playoff too many. Once again, their lack of longevity at the highest level worked against them.

7) Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics (1980-1988) : At first glance, this may seem strange. How can these legendary Celtics be ‘only’ in 7th place? A few years after the rocket Russell, the high-speed train Bird took over to bring Boston back to the forefront. When the three-point shot was introduced in 1979, this team quickly recognised its potential. As a result, they became the first team to win titles thanks to shots from the parking lot. Speaking of victories, these Celtics racked up a lot… A LOT! During the nine seasons included here, Boston had the best record in their conference eight times, the best record in the NBA six times, and reached five NBA Finals, winning three championships. For almost a decade, they were the standard, the supreme force to be reckoned with in the East. Their run is all the more impressive given that they were up against Magic’s Lakers (keep that line-up in mind). This partly explains why Larry Bird’s team cannot claim a higher place. They never really dominated the league and, incidentally, never won back-to-back titles. Their opponents were such that, starting with Shaq and Kobe’s Lakers, all the teams were neck and neck.

6) George Mikan’s Minneapolis Lakers (1949-54) : Rarely mentioned. Often overlooked in discussions, the Minneapolis Lakers are the only team, along with Russell’s Boston Celtics, to have won five NBA titles in six years. This was thanks in large part to the NBA’s first SUPERSTAR: George Mikan. If the MVP trophy had existed during his era, the 2.12 m giant would have won at least five, such was his dominance. After leading the Chicago American Gears to victory in the National Basketball League (NBL), the centre signed with the Lakers in 1946. It was one of the best moves in the history of the Major League. Just two years after he signed, the franchise won its first NBA trophy. Better still, they achieved a back-to-back and then a three-peat. Their only elimination in the playoffs came in the 1951 conference finals against the Rochester Royals, who went on to win the championship. It should be noted that a certain player was missing due to injury (George Mikan). In fact, the Minneapolis Lakers never finished lower than second place in the regular season. Of course, this was a different era, when the league had fewer than 10 teams. This factor – although external to this team – must be taken into account in our analysis. Perhaps that 1951 ring would have put them in our Top 5… But ahead of them are simply undisputed heavyweights.

5) Tim Duncan’s San Antonio Spurs (1999-2014) : This is the longest dynasty in this ranking. Fifteen years separate David Robinson’s first title from Kawhi Leonard’s. An eternity in an era where everything is moving faster and faster. However, these two epic stories have two things in common (or rather two talismans): Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich. This is partly why, despite the gap between the titles, we are indeed talking about one and the same team. We could even extend this to 2017, the date of the last conference finals. First, David Robinson led the franchise before giving way to the Duncan-Parker-Ginobili trio. But unlike most of the teams mentioned, the Spurs did not rely on one superstar. This surely explains why this team has managed to stand the test of time without ageing. Another explanation lies in their atypical style of play based on ultra-collective defence and attack, with constant passing. Their heyday was between 2003 and 2007, a period synonymous with three titles in five years. However, they shone more for their consistency. Always more than 50 wins in the regular season, always among the top five favourites… But can we really talk about ‘great domination’? Not sure! The proof is that, like Bird’s Celtics, there are no back-to-back titles. This is a fatal argument that weighs too heavily at this stage of the Top 10.

4) Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors (2015-2022) 🍫 : This is the apotheosis of basketball 2.0. The beginnings of a new wave that will sweep across every continent in the basketball world. The pinnacle of ultraspacing. In short: Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors. As mentioned in our ranking of the best NBA coaches of all time, nothing predestined this team to reign over America. Their franchise player: Stephen Curry – 7th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. Alongside him were Klay Thompson and Draymond Green – 11th and 35th picks respectively. When Steve Kerr took over the team in 2014 for his first experience as head coach, it was hard to believe that the Warriors could even reach the Conference Finals in the next three seasons. Indeed, they didn’t. Instead, they racked up six NBA Finals appearances and four championship rings, along with the best all-time regular season record (73-9). These achievements were made possible by a unique philosophy that combined Phil Jackson’s triangle offence, Gregg Popovich’s pace and rhythm, and Mike D’Antoni’s run-and-gun style. The story is all the more beautiful because, after Klay Thompson’s cruciate ligament injury against Toronto in the 2018 finals, Golden State came back from the abyss to win their last title in 2022… at least for now! Unfortunately for them, LeBron James’ Cleveland team has come along to cloud this bright picture a little.

3) Magic Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers (1980-1991) 🥉 : IT’S SHOWTIME!!! The last Lakers team in this ranking, Magic’s team traumatised Larry Bird’s Celtics for a whole decade. This spectacular run, characterised by non-stop run-and-gun play, began in their first Finals appearance in 1980 against the 76ers. Notably, when young rookie Magic Johnson finished the game… at centre in place of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar! From then on, Californian madness took hold of the league. Architect Pat Riley built a SPECTACULAR war machine. In 12 seasons, they reached 9 Finals and won 5 titles, including 1 back-to-back. Few dynasties have shown such consistency in such a highly competitive era. Alongside Boston were Olajuwon’s Rockets, Barkley’s 76ers, the Bad Boys and the debut of a young Jordan. The team is so memorable that its story has been made into a series: ‘Winning Time’. Superstar players, innovative play, character… These Lakers tick a lot of boxes. But not enough to make it into this Top 2 XXXXXXL.

2) Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls (1989-1998) 🥈 : Among the general public, the term ‘dynasty’ is directly associated with our GOAT’s Chicago Bulls at Paris Basketball. The most dominant team of the modern era has it all: storytelling, achievements, exploits, consistency… It’s no coincidence that the most famous series in the world of basketball is about this team (The Last Dance). And in the film category, it’s MJ who’s in the spotlight (Spice James) (There’s only one instalment, the second never existed). Let’s leave marketing aside and focus on the sport. Drafted in 3th position, Michael Jordan made his debut in Illinois during the 1984-85 season. Although the Celtics and then the Pistons stood in his way at first, he rose through the ranks before DOMINATING the nineties. First alongside Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant for a three-peat (1991-1993). Then he did it again after a year and a half break (1996-1998). Six finals for six wins, no dynasty has ever achieved a 100% success rate at this stage of the competition. And on the court, Phil Jackson’s assistant coach, Brian Shaw, revolutionised the world of basketball forever with his triangle offence. The NBA literally owes its popularity to this team, which became a veritable cash cow for the sport. Perhaps one day another team will manage to match the performance of these Bulls. Perhaps. What is certain, however, is that NO team will ever come close to our GOAT of the day !

1) Bill Russell’s Boston Celtics (1957–1969) 🥇 : 11 titles – including 8 consecutive ones – in 13 years. This utterly crazy statistic, across all sports, is enough in itself to justify our Top 1 ranking. There’s being dominant and then there’s BEING DOMINANT! At this point, we can even describe this dynasty as a dictatorship, with Red Auerbach at the helm. His soldiers included Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Sam Jones, Tom Heinsohn and, above all, Bill Russell. Ahead of its time in its choices, this team simply laid the foundations for all future champions. Namely, a true collective game plan, defensive schemes and, above all, a strong identity. This may seem basic today, but in the late 1950s, these precepts did not exist. Especially since the Celtics had the greatest defender of all time in their ranks in the form of Bill Russell. He was the one who held the keys to the Garden. And without his permission, it was impossible to penetrate the green racket. This hegemony is all the more mystical given that they faced the Warriors and then Wilt Chamberlain’s 76ers, to whom they conceded only one small trophy. Another mind-boggling statistic: this team has more titles than 93.55% of NBA franchises. That’s just crazy! By way of comparison, Di Stefano’s Real Madrid, Tom Brady’s Patriots, Stengel’s Yankees and Ken Dryden’s Montreal Canadiens have never achieved such a feat. It’s simply unprecedented !