Top 10 Best NBA Teams of All Time
When you think about the greatest NBA teams ever, your mind probably races to dominant records, jaw-dropping plays, and that one squad you still bring up during heated group chats. This list isn't just about win totals or MVP trophies. It's about the squads that felt unstoppable, looked like they were playing a different game, and made you question how anyone even managed to keep up.Maybe you lived through the chaos and glory firsthand, or maybe you've devoured the highlight reels like late-night snacks. Either way, you know greatness when you see it. Some teams bullied their way through the regular season and playoffs like it was light work. Others hit their stride at just the right time, turned up the chemistry to max, and steamrolled the competition when it mattered most. Rings were won. Legends were made. Fans were left speechless.
This isn't a science. It's more like a debate that never really ends. Was dominance more impressive in the '70s when the shorts were tiny and the paint was full of elbows? Or do you give the nod to more recent dynasties that ran modern systems with machine-like precision? It's part nostalgia, part stats, and a lot of I saw it with my own eyes. Don't be shy about bringing your bias. That's part of the fun.
They swept two playoff series, including the 60-win Magic, and took down a 64-win team in the finals after leading 3-0. They were never tied or behind in any playoff series. This was the 4th of 6 NBA titles and the front end of a three-peat. They won 72 games and had the best athlete of the 20th century. This is not a close call, except that the 1997 Bulls (69 wins) were not too far behind.
They just are! No competitors. I know there are other amazing teams, but it's just simple... the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls are the best of all time! With the best, one and only Michael Jordan, and other greats like Scottie Pippen, as well as help from Rodman and the rest of the team, it's no competition as to who is the best.
With everyone finally healthy, including Walton, they were the best team ever. People forget Bird from '84 through '87, but really '84, '85, and '86 was the greatest three-year window of anyone in NBA history. He could basically do anything needed at the time.
This team was by far the greatest passing team ever. #2 doesn't even come close. The Lakers passed due to fast break points, which you can't have on every possession. The Celtics would make the extra pass to the open guy, who would find an even more open guy, ultimately passing to someone with nobody within 8 feet of him.
This '86 Celtics team was the best ever.
Wilt was at his most powerful during this period, around 315 pounds of solid muscle and almost 2 inches taller than Shaq. Wilt would chew LeBron up and spit him out.
Jerry West never played in the 3-point era, but he would have torn the league up even more if given that opportunity. By the way, West STILL holds the NBA scoring record for a playoff series.
They had the greatest player of all time, Wilt. Arguably the greatest PG of all time, West. Goodrich was basically Manu Ginobili. They certainly have the best starting lineup with the greatest center of all time, the greatest PG of all time, and one of the best shooting guards. They are one of the greatest teams of all time.
I was able to see this team during the '86/'87 campaign. I was not sure how they possibly lost more than five games. Just tremendous talent and so much fun to watch. Abdul-Jabbar was still magnificent at his advanced (basketball) age.
Showtime Lakers, baby.
The way they dismantled the defending champions, the Miami Heat... they should be higher than the Raptors that didn't even make the finals... ever.
Should be higher up on the list. The Big O plus Sweet Lew and an awesome supporting cast. This team was unstoppable. Swept the Bullets in 4. Would have won more, but Lew took his show to LA.
Should be higher on the list. Lew and the Big O.
Kareem and Big O.
Should be number one.
Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde "The Glide" Drexler.
Greatest team of all time, in my opinion. Top 5 scorer of all time in KD. Best shooter of all time in Curry. Second-best shooter of all time in Klay. Dray is a heavily underrated player but the glue for the team. And Iggy is Iggy.
In the five players I mentioned, three are top-tier defenders, and the fourth is pretty good. Their bench is no slouch either. Steve Kerr is an amazingly underrated coach, and they went 67-15, a pretty good record, and 16-1 in the playoffs. Best ever, you realize?
They are stupid good.
They had the best team around that time. They had Shaq and Kobe, the best two of the 2000s era.
Kobe Bryant, the Black Mamba.
The Newcomers
Given the rigorous travel schedule in '66-'67 and a 43-4 start to the season, this is the greatest NBA single-season team ever assembled. From Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Wali Jones, Luke Jackson, and Chet Walker, all in their prime, to the younger future all-stars like Billy Cunningham, this team was without equal during this year. Even with the tiring schedule, they won 68 games.
Wilt Chamberlain is better than Shaq.
Dr. J and Moses Malone.
This was a great team back then.
Hold on, 11? You had to put this at 11? You've got to be kidding me. People don't know basketball. The best record, Bulls had 72-10, but the Warriors got 73-9. Oh wait, is it because we blew a 3-1 lead in the finals? Eh, we won it back-to-back in 2017 and 2018. Also, this team has the biggest names in the NBA: Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Iggy. And now we have Demarcus Cousins.
They are comparable to the '96 Bulls. At the very least, they deserve to be top 5 or 10. One of the greatest teams ever. (And that's saying something since I personally hate them! I'm a huge Jordan fan!) But you gotta give credit where it's due. They should be higher.
Got screwed in '88. Should have been 3 in a row. Isiah should have been on the Dream Team. Stockton couldn't carry his jock strap.
Hell yeah they were. Isiah and Laimbeer were unstoppable.
They were so good back then.
Best team ever. Tim Duncan in his prime. David older, but still amazing, especially on the boards. Young Manu and Parker. Bruce Bowen, the best perimeter defender. Steve Smith, a good shooter, and Stephen Jackson was there to do anything needed. Malik Rose was good too. Gregg Popovich, best coach of all time! Nothing more needs to be said.
The Twin Towers plus Tony and Manu would crush anything.
One of the greatest teams ever!
Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili
They beat Shaq and Kobe. 'Nuff said.
Best all-around team of all time!
Hakeem the Dream.
This team had KD, but he left. Too bad, so sad.
#KD Best Player
OKC Russell.
LeBron and Wade and Bosh and Allen should be Top 10.
Went on the 3rd longest win streak in history.
Beat the juggernaut of the Spurs.
They had the best record, plus they had the elite three.
Best big three of all time. Period.