Top 5 Greatest NBA Dynasties of All Time

Since the BBA and NBL merger in 1946, there have been some dominant NBA dynasties. Many of the dynasties consisted of not just Hall of Famers, but some of the greatest basketball players to ever set foot on a court. But which of these dynasties was the most dominant? Which one has the more impressive resume? With too much time on my hands during this quarantine, here is my list of the top five greatest NBA dynasties of all time.

Honorable Mentions

Golden State Warriors: 2015-2019

The Warriors have an opportunity to advance up this list some, but for now, they stay out of the top five. It’s no secret Steph Curry, along with splash bro Klay Thompson, changed the way the NBA is played. Since 2014, it has become a guard dominate league with an emphasis on 3pt shooting. What stops them from making the top 5 now is because, outside of making the NBA finals five years in a row, they haven’t done anything different from other dynasties. Yes, one of those years they won an NBA record 73 games, but they ended up losing that year. They won back to back titles, but it felt more like they won because they added Kevin Durant than anything else. They’re a standard dynasty and will remain so unless they get back to their winning ways (whenever corona is over).

Boston Celtics: 1980s

Larry Bird was a phenomenal player and had an excellent supporting cast during the 80s. However, the Celtics fall short of the top five because they “only” won three finals during Bird’s tenure. Their Achilles heel being Showtime Lakers, who they beat a few times but just could not escape their shadow.

5. Los Angeles Lakers: 2000-2003

Kobe and Shaq will forever be one of the greatest duos in NBA history. During their time together, no other team or players were as dominant as them. Winning 3 championships in a row, regardless of the sport, is no small feat. Personalities and Shaq getting injured and older brought an end to this dynasty, but Kobe would eventually lead the Lakers back to glory. With the recent passing of Kobe, looking back at highlights from this run will always bring tears to my eyes.

4. San Antonio Spurs: 1999-2014

What a run. Fifteen years of either winning, being in, or competing for a championship. Next to Phil Jackson, Gregg Popovich has probably had the best and most perfect coaching career. Growing up I felt like I was always seeing Brady and the Patriots, along with Tim Duncan and the Spurs on the intro to SportsCenter because they won a title. Robinson, Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, Leonard, and the list just goes on and on of amazing players that have come and gone during that time. Even if they didn’t win the championship, they got really freaking close. If this year, or next, is to be Popovich’s last, then what an incredible run it was.

3. Los Angeles Lakers: 1980s

The Showtime Lakers are the reason why the Boston Celtics of the 80s aren’t further on the Top 5 list. Lakers of the 80s went to the finals eight times that decade alone and won five. There’s a reason why Magic Johnson was considered the GOAT before MJ arrived. Watching their highlights means watching some of the greatest basketball that has ever been played on any court during any era in the world.

2. Chicago Bulls :1990s

Remember how I said it was hard to win three straight titles? Michael Jordan did it twice with the Bulls, going a perfect 6-0 in the finals. MJ needed a great supporting cast just like anyone does, and boy was it a good one. Pippin, Rodman, Kerr, Paxton, and Grant are just a few of the names that contributed to making Chicago a new epicenter of basketball to contend with the other big markets. The Last Dance documentary is reminding us why MJ is the GOAT and why what the 90s Bulls did makes them one of the greatest NBA dynasties of all time. Plus it is entertaining as hell and you should totally watch it.

1. Boston Celtics: 1957-1969

There are some records that just cannot be broken. This is one of them. The Celtics went to nine straight finals during this era and won a total of eleven titles. Bill Russell was the architect of why they won eleven titles and is severely underrated in modern NBA talks. I don’t care if his competition was mostly skinny white dudes who couldn’t jump, he led Boston to a dozen years of sports dominance. Put some respect on the mans name for goodness sake!