NBA dynasties have come and gone, but their supremacy legacy endures beyond short periods.
These teams were more than just exceptional; they were forces that shattered expectations, reset records, and etched their names into the annals of basketball history.
Though titles are the primary metric to determine a team's brilliance in the NBA, some teams stand out from the rest and become historical dynasties.
1. Golden State Warriors (2016-17)
- NBA titles - 5
- Postseason record - 16-1
- Regular season record - 67-15
The Golden State Warriors of 2016–17 were more than another championship team; they were a basketball dance of defensive domination and offensive ferocity.
Led by the legendary duo of Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, the Warriors boasted the then league's highest-ever regular-season offensive rating (114.8).
The Warriors had the best postseason record in NBA history, going 16-1. They exacted revenge for their devastating setback the previous year by sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals.
2. Chicago Bulls (1995-96)
- NBA titles - 4
- Postseason record - 15-3
- Regular season record - 72-10
The Chicago Bulls of 1995-96 were more than just a team; they were an incredible force that devoured the Seattle SuperSonics in the Finals.
The team was a juggernaut, having set a record for most wins in a regular season with 72 victories and a play style enthralling spectators worldwide.
Jordan scored unstoppable, averaging 30.4 points per game and showcasing a lethal arsenal of moves, while Rodman secured a league record of 14.9 rebounds per game.
3. Milwaukee Bucks (1970-71)
- NBA titles - 1
- Postseason record - 12-2
- Regular season record - 66-16
The 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks was an underdog squad led by the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then Lew Alcindor).
Oscar Robertson's floor leadership and Kareem's unstoppable skyhook allowed the Bucks to dominate the Eastern Conference and finish with a franchise-best 66-16 record.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, having won the NBA MVP, was also named the Finals MVP and the league's scoring champion after the Bucks' first title.
4. Los Angeles Lakers (1971-72)
- NBA titles - 6
- Postseason record - 12-3
- Regular season record - 69-13
Although dynasties frequently last for several years, the Los Angeles Lakers of 1971–72 stood out as a one-season phenomenon that cemented their place in the history of the NBA.
This team was a basketball basketball symphony led by the great Wilt Chamberlain and the dynamic pair of Jerry West and Gail Goodrich.
Their 69-13 record, an NBA record for 24 seasons, was evidence of their supremacy. Chamberlain's ability to grab rebounds (19.2 per game) and West's scoring (25.8 per game) made them formidable opponents.
5. Boston Celtics (1985-86)
- NBA titles - 16
- Postseason record - 15-3
- Regular season record - 67-15
The 1985-86 Boston Celtics, led by the seasoned duo of Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, and Larry Bird, was a basketball basketball symphony.
A master class in collaboration was displayed by Bird's deft passing and clutch plays, McHale's elegant post moves, and Parish's defensive anchor presence.
The team with the most NBA titles, the Celtics, possessed a relentless spirit, a hunger for victory that fueled their legendary comebacks and fourth-quarter dominance.
6. Chicago Bulls (1990-91)
- NBA titles - 1
- Postseason record - 15-2
- Regular season record - 61-21
While the Chicago Bulls dynasty is famously associated with Michael Jordan's reign in the late 90s, the seeds of greatness were sown in the 1990-91 season.
Even though its championship-winning successors frequently take center stage, the Bulls established the groundwork for a legacy that still inspires today.
Michael Jordan demonstrated his unstoppable scoring ability by averaging a season-high 31.5 points per game while still on his way to becoming a household name.
7. Los Angeles Lakers (1986-87)
- NBA titles - 10
- Postseason record - 15-3
- Regular season record - 65-17
Led by Magic Johnson's intriguing no-look passes and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's indomitable skyhook, the 1986-87 LA Lakers redefined basketball as a ballet of athleticism.
The Lakers were unstoppable, winning an incredible 65 games in the regular season, with Magic directing the show and coach Pat Riley stifling the opposing team's offense.
8. Los Angeles Lakers (2000-01)
- NBA titles - 13
- Postseason record - 15-1
- Regular season record - 56-26
The 2000-01 LA Lakers, led by the unstoppable duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, owned an electrifying blend of superiority and entertainment that etched itself into basketball lore.
They had a dominant 56-26 regular season record and a championship run that saw them lose only one playoff game.
Kobe's scoring prowess and clutch intuition combined with Shaq's overpowering force in the paint to form an attacking juggernaut.
9. Chicago Bulls (1996-97)
- NBA titles - 5
- Postseason record - 15-4
- Regular season record - 69-13
One name inevitably rises to the top when conferring the NBA's greatest teams: the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls.
The Bulls, led by the invincible Michael Jordan, tied the record for the most remarkable season ever at the end of the regular season with a stunning 69-13 record.
Jordan reached the height of his genius during this season. He demonstrated his deadly scoring ability and exceptional leadership with a game average of 29.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
10. Golden State Warriors (2014-15)
- NBA titles - 4
- Postseason record - 16-5
- Regular season record - 67-15
The Golden State Warriors of 2014-15 were a squad that rocked the NBA and reinvented offensive basketball with their 4th NBA title.
Led by the dynamic duo of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, aptly nicknamed the "Splash Brothers," the Warriors rained three-pointers with a never-before-seen accuracy.
Andre Iguodala's defensive skills and clutch shooting provided the ideal counterbalance, while Draymond Green's defensive adaptability and playmaking genius directed the attack.
11. Detroit Pistons (1988-89)
- NBA titles - 1
- Postseason record - 15-2
- Regular season record - 63-19
Led by the formidable duo of Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas, the 1988-89 Detroit Pistons were well-oiled.
Their tenacious pressure defense dubbed the "Jordan Rules" stifled even the likes of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls during the semi-finals.
The Pistons concluded with a franchise-best 63-19 record, showcasing their balanced attack and defensive prowess against the Lakers.
12. Philadelphia 76ers (1982-83)
- NBA titles - 2
- Postseason record - 12-1
- Regular season record - 65-17
A dynasty normally lasts for several seasons, but the 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers are a particular case in point.
Under the direction of the invincible Moses Malone, this legendary team created a one-season masterpiece deserving of its place in NBA history.
With a 65-17 record, the team was superior. Opponents shuddered at Malone's "four, four, four" forecast, which predicted four championships in four years.
He was a formidable player with an MVP-caliber season in which he averaged 24.5 points and 15.8 rebounds.
13. Los Angeles Lakers (1984-85)
- NBA titles - 9
- Postseason record - 15-4
- Regular season record - 62-20
The 1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers hold a special place in NBA lore. After two heartbreaking Finals losses, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy led a retribution tour.
Their 62-20 regular season record remains one of the best in Lakers history, a testament to their dominant play.
14. Philadelphia 76ers (1966-67)
- NBA titles - 1
- Postseason record - 11-4
- Regular season record - 63-13
The Philadelphia 76ers of 1966-67 are a squad that should be given more credit, even if teams like the Celtics, Lakers, and Bulls frequently dominate the pantheon of NBA dynasties.
Coach Alex Hannum masterfully staged their offense, creating a fast-paced, high-scoring system that averaged over 125 points per game to win the 76ers' first NBA title.
15. Chicago Bulls (1997-98)
- NBA titles - 6
- Postseason record - 15-6
- Regular season record - 62-20
The 1997-98 Chicago Bulls, led by the unstoppable Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Phil Jackson, were a masterpiece of cohesion, talent, and sheer will.
Their 62-20 regular season record demonstrated their unwavering commitment, bringing home the franchise's sixth title.
With Pippen's expert cutbacks and Jordan's gravity-defying dunks, their attack flowed like a well-planned ballet, leaving opponents gasping for air.
16. San Antonio Spurs (2013-14)
- NBA titles - 5
- Postseason record - 16-7
- Regular season record - 62-20
The 2013-14 San Antonio Spurs were an example of what could be accomplished by a unified, well-functioning team.
They were more than simply another outstanding basketball team; they were a well-balanced orchestra, with every player adding their special note to a masterwork of dominating basketball.
Duncan provided stability to the squad with his incredible post skills and defensive strength, while Ginobili delivered clutch moves and erratic scoring surges.
17. Miami Heat (2012-13)
- NBA titles - 3
- Postseason record - 16-7
- Regular season record - 66-16
A team born out of the "Big Three" era, the Miami Heat of 2012-13 shone briefly but brilliantly in the annals of NBA dynasties.
While their reign was short-lived, they demonstrated their domination with the best record in team history, 66-16.
The Heat were a formidable combination of defensive toughness and offensive firepower, led by Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James.
18. Golden State Warriors (2017-18)
- NBA titles - 6
- Postseason record - 16-5
- Regular season record - 58-24
The 2017-18 Golden State Warriors are uniquely positioned in the "greatest NBA teams" conversation.
Their 58-24 record, fourth straight championship appearance, and 16 consecutive postseason victories confirm they were a dynasty in their heyday.
Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green formed a core envied by all, boasting offensive firepower and defensive versatility.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers (2015-16)
- NBA titles - 1
- Postseason record - 16-5
- Regular season record - 57-25
While not boasting the flashiest style of play or holding the most championships, the 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers deserve a place in the conversation for the NBA's greatest teams ever.
LeBron played some of the best basketball of his career, fueled by a desire to deliver a championship to his hometown.
Since the Cavaliers made it in Game 7, Kyrie Irving's clutch shot has symbolized defiance and hope in basketball history.
20. Chicago Bulls (1991-92)
- NBA titles - 2
- Postseason record - 15-7
- Regular season record - 67-15
Regarding NBA dynasties, the Chicago Bulls of 1991-1992 hold a special place in history. They were a championship-caliber team that redefined greatness.
At his peak, Michael Jordan was a prolific scorer with moves as fluid as silk and a competitive spirit that outshone the lights in any arena.
Basketball legend will never forget his 30.1 points per game average and memorable plays like "The Shot" against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
21. Chicago Bulls (1992-93)
- NBA titles - 3
- Postseason record - 15-4
- Regular season record - 57-25
Few NBA teams arouse the imagination as much as the Chicago Bulls of 1992-93 when it comes to dynasties.
They finished with a 57-25 record, their offense averaging a potent 105.2 points per game and their defense stifling opponents with an impressive 98.9 points allowed per game.
22. Boston Celtics (2007-08)
- NBA titles - 17
- Postseason record - 16-10
- Regular season record - 66-16
After acquiring Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, the 2007-08 Celtics went from being a poor team to a contender for the championship.
Their record of 66-16, the most remarkable comeback in NBA history, was evidence of their improved defensive skills and togetherness.
Led by Garnett's intensity and Doc Rivers' defensive schemes, the Celtics boasted the league's best defense.
23. Los Angeles Lakers (2008-09)
- NBA titles - 15
- Postseason record - 16-7
- Regular season record - 65-17
The 2008-09 Los Angeles Lakers are worth a dynasty as this goes beyond their record of 65-17, the most victories in the franchise's history since 1999–2000.
The engine of this Lakers team was the legendary Phil Jackson, the Zen Master himself, leading the team to a convincing 4-1 NBA Finals triumph over the Orlando Magic.
And the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant, was the star that glowed the brightest. With an average of 26.8 points per game, he led the Lakers and was a continuous threat, thanks to his unrelenting scoring, fierce defense, and killer instinct.
24. San Antonio Spurs (1998-99)
- NBA titles - 1
- Postseason record - 15-2
- Regular season record - 37-15
The 1988-99 San Antonio Spurs wasn't just a team dominated by the iconic "Twin Towers" of David Robinson and Tim Duncan. It was a symphony of complementary pieces, a testament to Coach Gregg Popovich's tactical brilliance.
The elegant behemoth Robinson and the irrepressible youngster Duncan made up a formidable inside-out combo that averaged 37.5 points and 21.4 rebounds per game.
