Continuing on from where I left off, even more important than individual players, is the team as a whole. After all, a team with no superstars but plays cohesively (2013 Nuggets) will beat a team with superstars that don’t play cohesively (see 2013 Lakers as an example). But ideally, a dominant team is one that features superstars and plays cohesively (2013 Heat). So here’s my top 15 ranking of the greatest and most dominant NBA teams ever, featuring some of the greatest legends in the NBA. I’ve noted all their winning percentages (including playoffs as each team obviously won a championship), and bolded the players that are Hall of Famers.
1. 1996 Chicago Bulls
Record (regular season): 72-10
Record (playoffs): 15-3
Head Coach: Phil Jackson
Lineup: Ron Harper, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Luc Longley
Finals MVP: Michael Jordan
Notes: They are considered the greatest NBA team, having a record of 72-10 during the regular season, and best record overall of any team in NBA history.
2. 1972 Los Angeles Lakers
Record (regular season): 69-13
Record (playoffs): 12-3
Head Coach: Bill Sharman
Lineup: Gail Goodrich, Jerry West, Jim McMillan, Happy Hairston, Wilt Chamberlain
Finals MVP: Wilt Chamberlain
Notes: They have a currently unbeaten record of 33-game winning streak during the regular season.
3. 1997 Chicago Bulls
Record (regular season): 69-13
Record (playoffs): 15-4
Head Coach: Phil Jackson
Lineup: Ron Harper, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Luc Longley
Finals MVP: Michael Jordan
4. 1967 Philadelphia 76ers
Record (regular season): 68-13
Record (playoffs): 8-4
Head Coach: Alex Hannum
Lineup: Wilt Chamberlain, Luke Jackson, Chet Walker, Hal Greer, Wali Jones
Finals MVP: Wilt Chamberlain
5. 1986 Boston Celtics
Record (regular season): 67-15
Record (playoffs): 12-3
Head Coach: K.C Jones
Lineup: Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Bill Walton
Finals MVP: Larry Bird
6. 1971 Milwaukee Bucks
Record (regular season): 66-16
Record (playoffs): 12-2
Head Coach: Larry Costello
Lineup: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Greg Smith, Bob Dandridge, John McGlocklin, Oscar Robertson
Finals MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
7. 1983 Philadelphia 76ers
Record (regular season): 65-17
Record (playoffs): 12-1
Head Coach: Billy Cunningham
Lineup: Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney, Julius Erving, Marc Iavaroni, Moses Malone
Finals MVP: Moses Malone
8. 1987 Los Angeles Lakers
Record (regular season): 65-17
Record (playoffs): 15-3
Head Coach: Pat Riley
Lineup: Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, James Worthy, A.C. Green, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Finals MVP: Magic Johnson
9. 2000 Los Angeles Lakers
Record (regular season): 67-15
Record (playoffs): 15-8
Head Coach: Phil Jackson
Lineup: A.C Green, Shaquille O’Neal, Glen Rice, Kobe Bryant, Ron Harper
Finals MVP: Shaquille O’Neal
10. 2013 Miami Heat
Record (regular season): 66-16
Record (playoffs): 16-7
Head Coach: Erik Spoelstra
Lineup: Mario Chalmers, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, Udonis Haslem, Chris Bosh, Ray Allen
Finals MVP: LeBron James
11. 2008 Boston Celtics
Record (regular season): 66-16
Record (playoffs): 16-10
Head Coach: Doc Rivers
Lineup: Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo
Finals MVP: Paul Pierce
12. 1965 Boston Celtics
Record (regular season): 62-18
Record (playoffs): 8-4
Head Coach: Red Auerbach
Lineup: Bill Russell, Satch Sanders, Tom Heinsohn, Sam Jones, K.C Jones, John Havlicek
Finals MVP: Bill Russell
13. 1985 Los Angeles Lakers
Record (regular season): 62-20
Record (playoffs): 15-4
Head Coach: Pat Riley
Lineup: Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, James Worthy, Kurt Rambis, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bob McAdoo
Finals MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
14. 1970 New York Knicks
Record (regular season): 60-22
Record (playoffs): 12-7
Head Coach: Red Holzman
Lineup: Willis Reed, Dave DeBusschere, Bill Bradley, Dick Barnett, Walt Frazier
Finals MVP: Willis Reed
15. 2003 San Antonio Spurs
Record (regular season): 60-22
Record (playoffs): 16-8
Head Coach: Gregg Popovich
Lineup: David Robinson, Bruce Bowen, Stephen Jackson, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginóbili
Finals MVP: Tim Duncan
