Greatest NBA Teams
Ranking the top 5 single-season NBA teams of all-time
When people debate the greatest NBA teams of all time, the conversation usually drifts toward dynasties. But if we’re judging teams based on a single season, the criteria become a little clearer. Regular-season dominance matters. Playoff performance matters. The level of competition matters. Put those factors together, and a handful of teams separate themselves from the rest.
Here are my five greatest single-season NBA teams ever.
5. 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers
This team doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, largely because its stars were no longer in their primes.
Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West were both in their mid-30s, yet they still led one of the most dominant seasons in league history. Gail Goodrich and Jim McMillian provided crucial support, helping the Lakers achieve a then-record 69 wins.
Most famously, they won 33 consecutive games which is a record that still stands today. For nearly a quarter-century, they held the NBA’s single-season wins record as well. Their sustained excellence over the course of the season earns them a place among the very best teams ever assembled.
4. 1986–87 Los Angeles Lakers
The Showtime Lakers simply changed the way people viewed the game of basketball.
Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar formed one of the greatest duos the sport has ever seen. Around them were ideal complementary pieces: James Worthy, Michael Cooper, Byron Scott, and A.C. Green.
What separated these Lakers from most championship teams was their versatility. They could overwhelm opponents in transition, execute in the half court, and defend at a championship level. Their style was extremely entertaining, but it was also ruthlessly effective.
3. 1985–86 Boston Celtics
Many historians still consider this the greatest Celtics team ever assembled.
Larry Bird was at the height of his career, flanked by Kevin McHale and Robert Parish to form what is the greatest frontcourt in NBA history. The supporting cast was equally impressive. Danny Ainge and Dennis Johnson provided toughness and reliability in the backcourt, while Bill Walton and Scott Wedman strengthened an already loaded bench.
The combination of skill, basketball IQ, physicality, and unselfishness made this team a nightmare matchup. They dominated opponents while playing some of the most beautiful basketball the league has ever seen.
2. 2016–17 Golden State Warriors
If the Bulls were the ultimate two-way team, the Warriors were the ultimate offensive machine.
Adding Kevin Durant to a 73-win core created a level of firepower the league had never seen before. Stephen Curry and Durant gave Golden State two of the greatest offensive weapons in basketball history, while Klay Thompson’s shooting stretched defenses beyond their breaking point. Draymond Green served as the emotional and tactical engine, pushing the pace and anchoring the defense.
The Warriors finished their playoff run with a 16–1 record, the best postseason mark ever. For long stretches, they looked completely unbeatable.
1. 1995–96 Chicago Bulls
The standard by which every great team is measured.
The Bulls finished 72–10, a record that stood for two decades, and then lost just three games during their championship run. Michael Jordan was at the peak of his powers, Scottie Pippen remained arguably the league’s best two-way wing, and Dennis Rodman provided elite rebounding and defensive versatility.
What made this team truly special, however, was its depth. Ron Harper, Toni Kukoč, and Steve Kerr all understood their roles perfectly, while Phil Jackson orchestrated everything from the sidelines. The result was a team with virtually no weaknesses and an unmatched balance between offense and defense.
Final Thoughts
Every era presents different challenges, making cross-generational comparisons imperfect. Still, these five teams combined overwhelming talent, elite coaching, postseason success, and historic achievements in a way few others have managed.
If I had to choose one team at its absolute peak, I’d still lean toward the 1995–96 Bulls. But the margin between these teams is razor thin, which is exactly why the debate remains one of the NBA’s most fascinating discussions.
Let me know which other all-time great championship teams deserve a shoutout.