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The 256 Best Teams in Basketball History

Friday, January 1, 2021

Through 2022

I'm using Simple Rating System with a bonus given for conference titles and World Championships; ELO, and a time adjustment.  All prior rankings are superseded by this one.  256 allows for a tournament.



1. 2017 Golden St Warriors 67-15  NBA Champions (Cavs 4-1)

2. 1996 Chicago Bulls 72-10          NBA Champions (Sonics 4-2)

3. 2015 Golden St. Warriors 67-15   NBA Champions (Cavs 4-2)

4. 1997 Chicago Bulls 69-13           NBA Champions (Jazz 4-2)

5. 1986 Boston Celtics 67-15          NBA Champions (Rockets 4-2)

6. 1992 Chicago Bulls 67-15           NBA Champions (Blazers 4-2)

7. 2016 San Antonio Spurs 67-15    Lost West Semis (Thunder 4-2)

8. 1991 Chicago Bulls 61-21           NBA Champions (Lakers 4-1)

9. 2016 Golden St Warriors 73-9     Lost Finals (Cavs 4-3)

10. 2014 San Antonio Spurs 62-20    NBA Champions (Heat 4-1)

11. 1972 Los Angeles Lakers 69-13  NBA Champions (Knicks 4-1)

12. 1971 Milwaukee Bucks 66-16     NBA Champions (Bullets 4-0)

13. 2009 Los Angeles Lakers 65-17    NBA Champions (Magic 4-1)

14. 1998 Chicago Bulls 62-20           NBA Champions (Jazz 4-2)

15. 1987 Los Angeles Lakers 65-17   NBA Champions (Celtics 4-2)

16. 2009 Cleveland Cavaliers 66-16   Lost East Finals (Magic 4-2)

17. 2008 Boston Celtics 66-16             NBA Champions (Lakers 4-2)

18. 1967 Philadelphia 76ers  68-13      NBA Champions (Warriors 4-2)         

19. 2007 San Antonio Spurs 58-24      NBA Champions (Cavs 4-0)

20. 1997 Utah Jazz 64-18                    Lost Finals (Bulls 4-2)

21. 1972 Milwaukee Bucks 63-19       Lost West Finals (Lakers 4-2)

22. 1999 San Antonio Spurs 37-13     NBA Champions (Knicks 4-1)

23. 2013 Miami Heat 66-16                NBA Champions (Spurs 4-3)

24. 1983 Philadelphia 76ers 65-17      NBA Champions (Lakers 4-0)

25. 2002 Los Angeles Lakers 58-24    NBA Champions (Nets 4-0)

26. 1950 Minneapolis Lakers 51-17    NBA Champions (Nationals 4-2)

27. 1985 Los Angeles Lakers  62-20    NBA Champions (Celtics 4-2)

28. 2005 San Antonio Spurs 59-23      NBA Champions (Pistons 4-3)

29. 1989 Detroit Pistons 63-19            NBA Champions (Lakers 4-0)

30. 2018 Houston Rockets 65-17        Lost West Finals (Warriors 4-3)

31. 2000 Los Angeles Lakers 67-15    NBA Champions (Pacers 4-2)

32. 2004 San Antonio Spurs 57-25     Lost West Semis (Lakers 4-2)

33. 2012 San Antonio Spurs 50-16            Lost West Finals (Thunder 4-2)

34. 2016 Oklahoma City Thunder 55-27   Lost West Finals (Warriors 4-3)                   

35. 1996 Seattle SuperSonics 64-18          Lost Finals (Bulls 4-2)

36. 2013 Oklahoma City Thunder 60-22   Lost West Semis (Grizzlies 4-1)

37. 2010 Orlando Magic 59-23                 Lost East Finals (Celtics 4-2)

38.   2022 Boston Celtics 51-31                 Lost NBA Finals (Warriors 4-2)

39. 2008 Los Angeles Lakers 57-25         Lost Finals (Celtics 4-2)

40. 1993 Chicago Bulls 57-25                  NBA Champions (Suns 4-2)

41. 2019 Milwaukee Bucks 60-22            Lost East Finals (Raptors 4-2)

42. 2002 Sacramento Kings 61-21           Lost West Finals (Lakers 4-3)

43. 2018 Golden St Warriors 58-24         NBA Champions (Cavs 4-0)

44. 1991 Trail Blazers 63-19                   Lost West Finals (Lakers 4-2)

45. 1994 Seattle SuperSonics 63-19       Lost West 1st Round (Nuggets 3-2)

46. 1960 Boston Celtics 59-16                NBA Champions (Hawks 4-3)

47. 2013 San Antonio Spurs 58-24         Lost NBA Finals (Heat 4-3)

48. 2011 Miami Heat 58-24                    Lost NBA Finals (Mavs 4-2)

49. 2003 San Antonio Spurs 60-22         NBA Champions (Nets 4-2)

50. 1962 Boston Celtics 60-20                NBA Champions (Lakers 4-3)

51. 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers 57-25       NBA Champions (Warriors 4-3)

52. 1984 Boston Celtics 62-20               NBA Champions (Lakers 4-3)

53. 2020 Los Angeles Lakers 52-19       NBA Champions (Heat 4-2)

54. 2001 San Antonio Spurs 58-24         Lost West Finals (Lakers 4-0)

55. 1965 Boston Celtics  62-18              NBA Champions (Lakers 4-1)

56. 1998 Los Angeles Lakers 61-21      Lost West Finals (Jazz 4-0)

57. 2005 Phoenix Suns 62-20                Lost West Finals (Spurs 4-1)

58. 2019 Toronto Raptors 58-24            NBA Champions (Warriors 4-2)

59. 1964 Boston Celtics 59-21               NBA Champions (Warriors 4-1)

60. 2012 Miami Heat 46-20                   NBA Champions (Thunder 4-1)

61. 1981 Boston Celtics 62-20               NBA Champions (Rockets 4-2)

62. 1995 Seattle SuperSonics 57-25      Lost West First Rnd (Lakers 3-1)

63. 1992 Portland Trail Blazers 57-25   Lost NBA Finals (Bulls 4-2)

64. 2003 Dallas Mavericks 60-22          Lost West Finals (Spurs 4-2)

65. 1980 Los Angeles Lakers  60-22     NBA Champions (Sixers 4-2)              

66. 2015 Los Angeles Clippers 56-26          Lost West Semis (Rockets 4-3)

67. 1973 Milwaukee Bucks 60-22                Lost West Semis (Warriors 4-2)

68. 1981 Philadelphia 76ers 62-20               Lost East Finals (Celtics 4-3) 

69. 2019 Golden St. Warriors 57-25             Lost NBA Finals (Raptors 4-2)

70.   2022 Golden St Warriors 53-29             NBA Champions (Celtics 4-2)

71.   2021 Milwaukee Bucks 46-26               NBA Champions (Suns 4-2)

72. 2007 Phoenix Suns 61-21                       Lost West Semis (Spurs 4-2)

73. 2014 Los Angeles Clippers 57-25          Lost West Semis (Thunder 4-2)

74. 1990 Detroit Pistons 59-23                     NBA Champions (Blazers 4-1)

75. 2015 San Antonio Spurs 55-27              Lost West First Rnd (Clips 4-3)

76. 1981 Milwaukee Bucks 60-22               Lost East Semis (Sixers 4-3)

77. 1998 Utah Jazz 62-20                            Lost NBA Finals (Bulls 4-2)

78.   2021 Utah Jazz 52-20                            Lost West Semis (Clips 4-2)

79. 1980 Boston Celtics 61-21                    Lost East Finals (Sixers 4-1)

80. 1985 Boston Celtics 63-19                    Lost NBA Finals (Lakers 4-2)

81. 1982 Boston Celtics 63-19                    Lost East Finals (Sixers 4-3)

82. 1973 New York Knicks 57-25              NBA Champions (Lakers 4-1)

83. 2008 Utah Jazz 54-28                           Lost West Semis (Lakers 4-2)

84. 1986 Milwaukee Bucks 57-25              Lost East Finals (Celtics 4-0)

85. 2006 Dallas Mavericks 60-22              Lost NBA Finals (Heat 4-2)

86. 2009 Orlando Magic 59-23                  Lost NBA Finals (Lakers 4-1)

87. 1974 Milwaukee Bucks 59-23             Lost NBA Finals (Celtics 4-3)

88. 2000 Portland Trail Blazers 59-23       Lost West Finals (Lakers 4-3)

89. 2003 Sacramento Kings 59-23            Lost West Semis (Mavs 4-3)

90. 2004 Detroit Pistons 54-28                  NBA Champions (Lakers 4-1)

91. 2020 Milwaukee Bucks 56-17            Lost East Semis (Heat 4-1)

92. 1989 Los Angeles Lakers 57-25         Lost NBA Finals (Pistons 4-0)

93. 2007 Dallas Mavericks 67-15            Lost West First Round (Warriors 4-2)

94. 1973 Boston Celtics 68-14                Lost East Finals (Knicks 4-3)

95. 2020 Toronto Raptors 53-19              Lost East Semis (Celtics 4-3)

96.   2021 Phoenix Suns 51-21                  Lost NBA Finals (Bucks 4-2)

97. 1991 Los Angeles Lakers 58-24        Lost Finals (Bulls 4-1)

98. 2009 Boston Celtics 62-20                Lost East Semis (Magic 4-3)

99. 2006 San Antonio Spurs 63-19         Lost West Semis (Mavs 4-3)

100. 1975 Kentucky Colonels 58-26        ABA Champions (Pacers 4-1)

101. 1963 Boston Celtics 58-22                NBA Champions (Lakers 4-2)

102. 1973 Los Angeles Lakers 60-22        Lost NBA Finals (Knicks 4-1)

103. 2011 Dallas Mavericks 57-25            Lost NBA Finals (Heat 4-2)

104. 2011 Chicago Bulls 62-20                 Lost East Finals (Heat 4-1)

105. 1996  Utah Jazz 55-27                       Lost West Finals (Sonics 4-3)

106. 2002 San Antonio Spurs 58-24          Lost West Semis (Lakers 4-1)

107. 2017 San Antonio Spurs 61-21          Lost West Finals (Warriors 4-0)

108. 1987 Boston Celtics 59-23                 Lost NBA Finals (Lakers 4-2)

109. 2020 Boston Celtics 48-24                 Lost East Finals (Heat 4-2)

110. 1959 Boston Celtics 52-20                 NBA Champions (Lakers 4-0)

111. 1982 Philadelphia 76ers 58-24          Lost NBA Finals (Lakers 4-2)

112. 1998 Indiana Pacers 58-24                 Lost East Finals (Bulls 4-3)

113. 1961 Boston Celtics 57-22                 NBA Champions (Hawks 4-1)

114. 1987 Atlanta Hawks 57-25                Lost East Semis (Pistons 4-1)

115. 1950 Rochester Royals 51-17           Lost Central Semis (Pistons 2-0)

116. 1994 New York Knicks 57-25           Lost NBA Finals (Rockets 4-3)

117. 1990 Phoenix Suns 54-28                  Lost West Finals (Blazers 4-2)

118. 2010 Los Angeles Lakers 57-25             NBA Champions (Celtics 4-3)

119. 1995 Utah Jazz 60-22                             Lost West First Round (Rockets 3-2)

120. 1988 Detroit Pistons 54-28                    Lost NBA Finals (Lakers 4-3)

121. 2014 Oklahoma City Thunder 59-23     Lost West Finals (Spurs 4-2)

122. 1990 Los Angeles Lakers 63-19            Lost West Semis (Suns 4-1)

123. 1993 New York Knicks 60-22                Lost East Finals (Bulls 4-2)

124. 1989 Phoenix Suns 55-27                       Lost West Finals (Lakers 4-0)

125. 2012 Oklahoma City Thunder 47-19      Lost NBA Finals (Heat 4-1)

126. 1982 Los Angeles Lakers 57-25             NBA Champions (Sixers 4-2)

127. 1968 Philadelphia 76ers 62-20               Lost East Finals (Celtics 4-3) 

128. 2001 Los Angeles Lakers 56-26             NBA Champions (Sixers 4-1)

129. 1953 Minneapolis Lakers 48-22             Lost NBA Finals (Knicks 4-1)

130. 1995 San Antonio Spurs 62-20               Lost West Finals (Rockets 4-2)

131. 1997 Seattle SuperSonics 57-25             Lost West Semis (Rockets 4-3)

132. 2019 Houston Rockets 53-29                  Lost West Semis (Warriors 4-2)

133. 2005 Dallas Mavericks 58-24                 Lost West Semis (Suns 4-2)

134. 2021 Los Angeles Clippers 47-25          Lost West Finals (Suns 4-2)

135. 2008 Detroit Pistons 59-23                    Lost East Finals (Celtics 4-2)

136. 1986 Los Angeles Lakers 62-20            Lost West Finals (Rockets 4-1)

137. 1993 Phoenix Suns 62-20                      Lost NBA Finals (Bulls 4-2)

138. 2005 Miami Heat 59-23                         Lost East Finals (Pistons 4-3)

139. 2012 Chicago Bulls 50-16                     Lost East First Round (Sixers 4-2)

140. 1989 Cleveland Cavaliers 57-25            Lost East First Round (Bulls 3-2)

141. 1990 Portland Trail Blazers 59-23        Lost NBA Finals (Pistons 4-1)

142. 2004 Minnesota Timberwolves 58-24  Lost West Finals (Lakers 4-2)

143. 1949 Minneapolis Lakers 44-16           BAA Champions (Capitols 4-2)

144. 1977 Portland TrailBlazers 49-33        NBA Champions (Sixers 4-2)

145. 1967 Boston Celtics 60-21                   Lost East Finals (Sixers 4-1)

146. 1985 Milwaukee Bucks 59-23             Lost East Semis (Sixers 4-0)

147. 1988 Los Angeles Lakers 62-20           NBA Champions (Pistons 4-3)

148. 2008 San Antonio Spurs 56-26            Lost West Finals (Lakers 4-1)

149. 2015 Cleveland Cavaliers 53-29          Lost NBA Finals (Warriors 4-2)

150. 2010 Cleveland Cavaliers 61-21          Lost East Semis (Celtics 4-2)

151. 1952 Minneapolis Lakers 40-26              NBA Champions (Knicks 4-3)

152. 2020 Los Angeles Clippers 49-23           Lost West Semis (Nuggets 4-3)

153. 2010 Phoenix Suns 54-28                        Lost West Finals (Lakers 4-2)

154. 2008 New Orleans Hornets 56-26           Lost West Semis (Spurs 4-3)

155. 1992 Cleveland Cavaliers 57-25             Lost East Finals (Bulls 4-2)

156. 1974 New Jersey Nets 55-29                   ABA Champions (Stars 4-1)

157. 1993 Seattle SuperSonics 55-27             Lost West Finals (Suns 4-3)

158. 1994 Houston Rockets 58-24                  NBA Champions (Knicks 4-3)

159. 1975 Washington Bullets 60-22              Lost NBA Finals (Warriors 4-0)

160. 2013 Denver Nuggets 57-25                   Lost West First Round (Warriors 4-2)

161. 1993 Cleveland Cavaliers 54-28             Lost East Semis (Bulls 4-0) 

162. 2001 Sacramento Kings 55-27                Lost West Semis (Lakers 4-0)

163. 1970 New York Knicks 60-22                 NBA Champions (Lakers 4-3)

164. 2004 Los Angeles Lakers 56-26             Lost NBA Finals (Pistons 4-1)

165. 1973 Kentucky Colonels 56-28               Lost ABA Finals (Pacers 4-3)

166. 2004 Indiana Pacers 61-21                      Lost East Finals (Pistons 4-2)

167. 2022 Phoenix Suns 64-18                       Lost West Semis (Mavs 4-3)

168. 2006 Detroit Pistons 64-18                      Lost East Finals (Heat 4-2)

169. 1992 Utah Jazz 55-27                              Lost West Finals (Blazers 4-2)

170. 1957 Boston Celtics 44-28                      NBA Champions (Hawks 4-3)

171. 1975 Boston Celtics 60-22                      Lost East Finals (Bullets 4-2)

172. 1996 Orlando Magic 60-22                     Lost East Finals (Bulls 4-0)

173. 1966 Boston Celtics 54-26                      NBA Champions (Lakers 4-3)

174. 2002 Dallas Mavericks 57-25                 Lost West Semis (Kings 4-1)

175. 2018 Utah Jazz 48-34                              Lost West Semis (Rockets 4-1)

176. 1997 Miami Heat 61-21                           Lost East Finals (Bulls 4-1)

177. 2006 Miami Heat 52-30                           NBA Champions (Mavs 4-2)

178. 2021 Philadelphia 76ers 49-23                Lost East Semis (Hawks 4-3)

179. 1972 Kentucky Colonels 68-16                Lost ABA East Semis (Nets 4-2)

180. 2017 Cleveland Cavaliers 51-31               Lost NBA Finals (Warriors 4-1)

181. 2018 Toronto Raptors 59-23                     Lost East Semis (Cavs 4-0)

182. 2011 Los Angeles Lakers 57-25               Lost West Semis (Mavs 4-0)

193. 2000 San Antonio Spurs 53-29                 Lost West First Round (Suns 3-1)

184. 2005 Detroit Pistons 54-28                       Lost NBA Finals (Spurs 4-3)

185. 2022 Memphis Grizzlies 56-26                Lost West Semis (Warriors 4-2)

186. 1972 Chicago Bulls 57-25                    Lost West Semis (Lakers 4-0)

187. 2013 Los Angeles Clippers 56-26        Lost West First Round (Grizzlies 4-2)

188. 1982 Milwaukee Bucks 55-27             Lost East Semis (Sixers 4-2)

189. 2005 Houston Rockets 51-31               Lost West First Round (Mavs 4-3)

190. 1969 New York Knicks 54-28             Lost East Finals (Celtics 4-2)

191. 2004 Sacramento Kings 55-27             Lost West Semis (TWolves 4-3)

192. 2008 Phoenix Suns 55-27                    Lost West First Round (Spurs 4-1)

193. 1988 Boston Celtics 57-25                   Lost East Finals (Pistons 4-2)

194. 2000 Indiana Pacers 56-26                  Lost NBA Finals (Lakers 4-2)

195. 2013 Memphis Grizzlies 56-26           Lost West Finals (Spurs 4-0)

196. 2008 Houston Rockets 55-27              Lost West First Round (Jazz 4-2)

197. 1992 Phoenix Suns 53-29                     Lost West Semis (Blazers 4-1)

198. 1980 Philadelphia 76ers 59-23             Lost NBA Finals (Lakers 4-2)

199. 2009 Portland Trail Blazers 54-28       Lost West First Round (Rockets 4-2)

200. 1999 Utah Jazz 37-13                          Lost West Semis (Blazers 4-2)

201. 2019 Utah Jazz 50-32                          Lost West First Round (Rockets 4-1)

202. 1950 Syracuse Nationals 51-13          Lost NBA Finals (Lakers 4-2)

203. 2010 Boston Celtics 50-32                 Lost NBA Finals (Lakers 4-3)

204. 2014 Houston Rockets 54-28             Lost West First Round (Blazers 4-2)

205. 1995 Orlando Magic 57-25                Lost NBA Finals (Rockets 4-0)

206. 2009 Houston Rockets 53-29             Lost West Semis (Lakers 4-3)

207. 1976 Denver Nuggets  60-24             Lost ABA Finals (Nets 4-2)

208. 2011 San Antonio Spurs 61-21          Lost West First Round (Grizzlies 4-2)

209. 1996 San Antonio Spurs 59-23           Lost West Semis (Jazz 4-2)

210. 2022 Miami Heat 53-29                     Lost East Finals (Celtics 4-3)

211. 1969 Boston Celtics 48-34                 NBA Champions (Lakers 4-3)

212. 1997 Atlanta Hawks 56-26                 Lost East Semis (Bulls 4-1)

213. 2011 Oklahoma City Thunder 55-27   Lost West Finals (Mavs 4-1)

214. 1995 Houston Rockets 47-35              NBA Champions (Magic 4-0)

215. 1974 Boston Celtics 56-26                  NBA Champions (Bucks 4-3)

216. 2010 San Antonio Spurs 50-32           Lost West Semis (Suns 4-0)

217. 1994 Phoenix Suns 56-26                    Lost West Semis (Rockets 4-3)

218. 2000 Phoenix Suns 53-29                    Lost West Semis (Lakers 4-1)

219. 2006 Phoenix Suns 54-28                     Lost West Finals (Mavs 4-2)

220. 2009 Denver Nuggets 54-28                 Lost West Finals (Lakers 4-2)

221. 2018 Philadelphia 76ers 52-30             Lost East Semis (Celtics 4-1)

222. 2019 Portland Trail Blazers 53-29       Lost West Finals (Warriors 4-0)

223. 2015 Houston Rockets 56-26               Lost West Finals (Warriors 4-1)

224. 2011 Boston Celtics 56-26                   Lost East Semis (Heat 4-1)

225. 2004 Dallas Mavericks 52-30              Lost West First Round (Kings 4-1)

226. 2007 Chicago Bulls 49-33                   Lost East Semis (Pistons 4-2)

227. 2014 Golden St. Warriors 51-31          Lost West First Round (Clippers 4-3)

228. 1999 Indiana Pacers 33-17                   Lost East Finals (Knicks 4-2)

229. 1978 Philadelphia 76ers 55-27             Lost East Finals (Bullets 4-2)

230. 1954 Syracuse Nationals 42-30            Lost NBA Finals (Lakers 4-3)

231. 1987 Detroit Pistons 52-30                   Lost East Finals (Celtics 4-3)

232. 1998 Seattle SuperSonics 61-21           Lost West Semis (Lakers 4-1)

233. 1956 Philadelphia Warriors 45-27        NBA Champions (Pistons 4-1)

234. 1989 Atlanta Hawks 52-30                   Lost East First Round (Bucks 3-2)

235. 1997 Houston Rockets    57-25         Lost West Finals (Jazz 4-2)

236. 1991 Phoenix Suns 55-27                  Lost West First Round (Jazz 3-1)

237. 1975 Denver Nuggets 65-19              Lost ABA West Finals (Pacers 4-3)

238. 2021 Brooklyn Nets 48-24                 Lost East Semis (Bucks 4-3)

239. 1984 Los Angeles Lakers 54-28        Lost NBA Finals (Celtics 4-3)

240. 2001 Dallas Mavericks 53-29           Lost West Semis (Spurs 4-1)

241. 1976 Golden St Warriors 59-23        Lost West Finals (Suns 4-3)

242. 1949 Rochester Royals 45-15           Lost BAA West Finals (Lakers 2-0)

243. 1975 New York Nets 58-26               Lost ABA East Semis (Spirits 4-1)

244. 2003 Los Angeles Lakers 50-32        Lost West Semis (Spurs 4-2)

245. 1983 Los Angeles Lakers 58-24       Lost NBA Finals (Sixers 4-0)

246. 2011 Denver Nuggets 50-32             Lost West First Round (Thunder 4-1)

247. 2008 Orlando Magic 52-30               Lost East Semis (Pistons 4-1)

248. 2010 Utah Jazz 53-29                        Lost West Semis (Lakers 4-0)

249. 1996 Los Angeles Lakers 53-29       Lost West First Round (Rockets 3-1)

250. 2017 Houston Rockets 55-27            Lost West Semis (Spurs 4-2)

251. 2007 Detroit Pistons 53-29                Lost East Finals (Cavs 4-2)

252. 1979 Seattle SuperSonics 52-30         NBA Champions (Bullets 4-1)

253. 1998 San Antonio Spurs 56-26           Lost West Semis (Jazz 4-1)

254. 1998 Phoenix Suns 56-26                    Lost West First Round (Spurs 3-1)

255. 1986 Houston Rockets 51-31              Lost NBA Finals (Celtics 4-2)

256. 1994 Indiana Pacers 47-35                  Lost East Finals (Knicks 4-3)


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