Although the EuroLeague is a good standard of basketball to follow, there is no doubting that the ultimate feast of basketball action is on show in America. Over the years, some of the greatest players and teams to have ever graced the court have shone in the States and achieved some memorable successes along the way.
When assessing some of the greatest NBA teams ever put together, the league’s 65-year history certainly hasn’t been short on talent. In fact, the array of championship-winning teams we’ve seen over the years all stand out, but some certainly seem stronger than others. This year, when it comes to betting on basketball, the likes of the Boston Celtics at 5/1 and the Golden State Warriors at 6/1 will be aiming to replicate some of the sport’s most legendary teams that came before them. From the 1987 Los Angeles Lakers to the 1997 Chicago Bulls, the NBA has played host to some truly excellent sides in its rich history. With that in mind, let’s take a look at just some of them below.
2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have had a number of memorable teams during their rich history, but not many could compete against the 2000-01 line-up that breezed through the NBA Finals before eventually coming out on top and claiming the NBA championship. With the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant leading the troops, they were a truly formidable opponent. Both players not only went on to make even more of a name for themselves, but they actually had unforgettable campaigns on the whole. For example, Shaq averaged 33.0 points, 15.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 3.4 blocks during the Finals.
2016-17 Golden State Warriors
Officially the most effective team in NBA history, the 2016–17 Warriors squad featured a star-studded line-up that most definitely didn’t disappoint. With the likes of Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry within their ranks, the Warriors were impossible to play against when they were all on song. It’s a side that managed to have a record of 16-1, making it the most effective postseason record in league history alongside the 2001 Lakers team.
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1991-92 Chicago Bulls
While the aforementioned 1997 Chicago Bulls setup was immense, many people preferred the 1991-92 team that featured iconic names from the sport like Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan. Not only did both players lead from the front, particularly the legendary Michael Jordan, but everyone understood their roles in a well-drilled side that knew exactly what was needed to reign supreme. This was perhaps in evidence more than any other occasion in the 1992 NBA Finals, when the talented line-up put on a show against the New York Knicks in one of the greatest playoff series in NBA history.
2015-2016 Cleveland Cavaliers
Offering an average of 104.3 points per game, the way the Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the sport in 2015-2016 is impossible to ignore. A side containing the likes of Lebron James and Kyrie Irving, once they found their rhythm it was a team that couldn’t be stopped when in full flow. Taking part in a number of memorable match-ups throughout the year, most notably when they came back to defeat the Warriors 4-3, it’s a line-up that will certainly be regarded as one of the best Cleveland Cavaliers sides ever.
1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks
With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar taking charge, the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks have to go down as one of the most impressive NBA sides ever. Such was Abdul-Jabbar’s influence that the Bucks were devastating on occasions, winning numerous NBA Finals match-ups and, eventually, a championship. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the undoubted star of the team, too, averaging 31.7 PPG and 16.0 RPG in what was a highly productive season for the Bucks.
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