The Sporting News' 10 greatest NBA teams ever

[FirstTimer]

1. 1995-96 Chicago Bulls
2. 1971-72 LA Lakers
3. 1986-87 LA Lakers
4. 1985-86 Boston Celtics
5. 1964-65 Boston Celtics
6. 1966-67 Phil. 76ers
7. 1982-83 Phil. 76ers
8. 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks
9. 1991-92 Chicago Bulls
10.1988-89 Detroit Pistons

[Warner2BruceTD]

I'm sure I can come up with a team that would run the Pistons off the floor (pretty much any vintage Magic, Jordan, or Bird team that isn't listed for starters), but why gripe over #10?

[NAHSTE]

Bill Simmons is gonna throw a shit fit when he sees this.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Bill Simmons is gonna throw a shit fit when he sees this.

Yeah, he's gonna write 10,000 words about "killer instinct" and lots of splitting hairs about losing random home games in the second round.

[G-men]

I'm shocked that one of the Kobe-Shaq teams aren't listed.

[Senser81]

I'm sure I can come up with a team that would run the Pistons off the floor (pretty much any vintage Magic, Jordan, or Bird team that isn't listed for starters), but why gripe over #10?

Because its the 1988-89 Pistons? Even the Rockets managed to win a couple titles in a power-vacuum, much like the Pistons did. And the Rockets even had a few decent players. I would even put the lame-ass Spurs teams above the Pistons. Tim Duncan >>> Bill Laimbeer.

I think the one team on that list that no one would want to play is that 1982-83 Sixers team. Unstoppable.

[FirstTimer]

I'm shocked that one of the Kobe-Shaq teams aren't listed.

Yes and no.

Those Lakers teams were damn good but they also beat some weak ass teams in the Finals to win it all. When they finally met a decently challenging team in the Finals they lost.

It sucks, but part of the reason that team didn't make it could have been because the EC was so shitty during their run.

[A Tasty Burgerr]

Assuming they chose teams considering they were in different eras (96-97 Bulls otherwise should have been on it) I have no complaints with the 10 chosen.

Looking only at teams that won a title, I would consider the 2007-08 Celtics along with the 1999-2000 Lakers and the 69-70 Knicks being good enough to make it.

[red33]

I was thinking one of the lakers teams from the 3peat would be on there. what about the team tht had only 1 loss the whole playoffs?

[nflman2033]

I'm sure I can come up with a team that would run the Pistons off the floor (pretty much any vintage Magic, Jordan, or Bird team that isn't listed for starters), but why gripe over #10?

Umm the 88-89 pistons beat the 88-89 lakers, how much worse were they only a year removed from #3 on the list. so not sure how you figure on them wiping the floor with em.

[FirstTimer]

Umm the 88-89 pistons beat the 88-89 lakers, how much worse were they only a year removed from #3 on the list. so not sure how you figure on them wiping the floor with em.

Obviously a decent amount.



But even in two seasons Jabbar has fallen off quite a bit more.

They were missing Cooper etc.

They just weren't as deep a few years later.

[Saluki]

1. 1995-96 Chicago Bulls
2. 1971-72 LA Lakers
3. 1986-87 LA Lakers
4. 1985-86 Boston Celtics
5. 1964-65 Boston Celtics
6. 1966-67 Phil. 76ers
7. 1982-83 Phil. 76ers
8. 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks
9. 1991-92 Chicago Bulls
10.1988-89 Detroit Pistons

[Senser81]

Umm the 88-89 pistons beat the 88-89 lakers, how much worse were they only a year removed from #3 on the list. so not sure how you figure on them wiping the floor with em.

I think the Lakers were two years removed. 86-87 LA beat Boston in the Finals, and in 87-88 LA beat Detroit in the Finals, 4 games to 3 IIRC. In 88-89 Detroit beat LA in the Finals (4-0) IIRC.

I think even by 86-87 Jabbar was slowing down. I personally think the 84-85 LA team was stronger than the 86-87 version.

[nflman2033]

I think the Lakers were two years removed. 86-87 LA beat Boston in the Finals, and in 87-88 LA beat Detroit in the Finals, 4 games to 3 IIRC. In 88-89 Detroit beat LA in the Finals (4-0) IIRC.

I think even by 86-87 Jabbar was slowing down. I personally think the 84-85 LA team was stronger than the 86-87 version.

Yeah it was 2 years

[jeffx]

1. 1995-96 Chicago Bulls
2. 1971-72 LA Lakers
3. 1986-87 LA Lakers
4. 1985-86 Boston Celtics
5. 1964-65 Boston Celtics
6. 1966-67 Phil. 76ers
7. 1982-83 Phil. 76ers
8. 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks
9. 1991-92 Chicago Bulls
10.1988-89 Detroit Pistons

I would put Wilt's Lakers at #1, and the '69-'70 Knicks at #10...otherwise, the list is fine.

To me, the first three-peat Bulls were stronger top-to-bottom than the ones that followed.