They’re FUNtastic: 30 Most Entertaining Teams in NBA History
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Whether it be the adoption of the 3-point line, eliminating hand-checking or increasing pace, the NBA has undergone numerous changes over the years to increase scoring and, thus, increase excitement. Let’s be honest — akin to the entertainment industry’s “sex sells” mantra — in the NBA, scoring sells.
But some teams have been better than others at creating excitement, whether that be by scoring lots of points on offense or by the opposing team scoring lots of points due to a lack of defense. Either way, the scoreboard operator is staying busy, which means that fans are staying engaged.
But which NBA teams were the most fun to watch? They’re the ones that had you on the edge of your seat, due to their unique offense, transcendent players or abominable defense. Here, we list the 30 most fun NBA teams of all time worth paying attention to whenever their old games air on ESPN Classic.
30. 2001-02 New Jersey Nets
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Record: 52-30, 1st in Atlantic Division
Coach: Byron Scott
General manager: Rod Thorn
Key players: PG Jason Kidd, PF Kenyon Martin, SG Kerry Kittles, SF Keith Van Horn
Points per game: 96.2
Opponent points per game: 92.0
Season finish: Lost NBA Finals (0-4) against Los Angeles Lakers
Bottom Line: 2001-02 New Jersey Nets
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In the 2001 offseason, the Nets traded for Jason Kidd, and this is how much Kidd bringing his full-court style and pinpoint passing made a difference for New Jersey. During the previous season, the Nets had 219 total dunks, but in the first season with Kidd at the point, the team had 463 dunks with the Hall of Famer setting up many of those.
Kidd’s passing was infectious, with many of his teammates setting career-highs in assists this season that the Nets appeared in their first NBA Finals.
29. 2006-07 Golden State Warriors
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Record: 42-40, 3rd in Pacific Division
Coach: Don Nelson
General manager: Chris Mullin
Key players: PG Baron Davis, SG Monta Ellis, SG Jason Richardson, SF Stephen Jackson
Points per game: 106.5
Opponent points per game: 106.9
Season finish: Lost Western Conference Semifinals (1-4) against Utah Jazz
Bottom Line: 2006-07 Golden State Warriors
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Don Nelson and his “Nellie Ball” strategy was never more apparent than with this “We Believe” Warriors squad. They ranked first in pace, second in points scored and made it a mission to create mismatches by using smaller, athletic players.
Many nights they used 6-foot-9 Al Harrington as their center and surrounded him with four guards. Opposing teams were simply not used to facing unique lineups like this, and that was evident in the NBA playoffs, as the eighth-seeded Warriors shocked the world by upsetting the first-seeded Mavericks.
28. 1988-89 New York Knicks
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Record: 52-30, 1st in Atlantic Division
Coach: Rick Pitino
General manager: Al Bianchi
Key players: C Patrick Ewing, PG Mark Jackson, PF Charles Oakley, Johnny Newman
Points per game: 116.7
Opponent points per game: 112.9
Season finish: Lost Eastern Conference Semifinals (2-4) against Chicago Bulls
Bottom Line: 1988-89 New York Knicks
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The NBA’s 3-point revolution didn’t start in this current smallball era as it started in 1988 under Rick Pitino. The Knicks led the league with 1,147 3PAs, which was more than they attempted in the previous three seasons combined.
This new strategy helped the Knicks add 11 points per game over the previous season and also add excitement to their product as Madison Square Garden welcomed 160,000 more fans than the previous season.
27. 1973-74 Buffalo Braves
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Record: 42-40, 3rd in Atlantic Division
Coach: Jack Ramsay
General manager: Eddie Donovan
Key players: C Bob McAdoo, SF Jim McMillian, SG Randy Smith
Points per game: 111.6
Opponent points per game: 111.8
Season finish: Lost Eastern Conference Semifinals (2-4) against Boston Celtics
Bottom Line: 1973-74 Buffalo Braves
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The Braves, who would later become the Clippers, were a team of extremes, as they led the NBA in scoring while also finishing last in points allowed. Bob McAdoo led the league in scoring while five other Braves averaged in double-figures, including PG Ernie DiGregorio who led the NBA in assists as a rookie.
Their prolific offense was usually able to overcome their league-worst defense, as the Braves made the postseason for the first time in franchise history before falling to the eventual NBA-champion Boston Celtics.
26. 1993-94 Seattle SuperSonics
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Record: 63-19, 1st in Pacific Division
Coach: George Karl
General manager: Bob Whitsitt
Key players: PG Gary Payton, PF Shawn Kemp, SF Detlef Schrempf
Points per game: 105.9
Opponent points per game: 96.9
Season finish: Lost Western Conference First Round (2-3) against Denver Nuggets
Bottom Line: 1993-94 Seattle SuperSonics
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Those 1990s Sonics teams were built around the two-man duo of Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp. They did it on both ends of the court, and Payton’s alley-oop passes to Kemp made Seattle the original “Lob City.” Known as a great transition team that struggled in the half-court, this Sonics team added the underrated Detlef Schrempf in the previous offseason, and he was the perfect piece to complement Payton and Kemp.
This particular Sonics team will always be remembered for being the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 8 seed, but we should also not forget The Glove to The Reign Man when Seattle had a hoops team.
25. 2012-13 Denver Nuggets
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Record: 57-25, 2nd in Northwest Division
Coach: George Karl
General manager: Masai Ujiri
Key players: SG Andre Iguodala, SF Danilo Gallinari, PG Ty Lawson, PF Kenneth Faried
Points per game: 106.1
Opponent points per game: 101.1
Season finish: Lost Western Conference First Round (2-4) against Golden State Warriors
Bottom Line: 2012-13 Denver Nuggets
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Following the trade of Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets built an extremely deep team that had 11 different players averaging five-plus points per game. They went two-deep, at least, at every position, and that played to their strength of also playing in high altitude that fatigued their opponents.
George Karl judiciously limited his players’ minutes so everyone was fresh, and Denver ran teams out of the gym by leading the league in scoring. They were a sight to behold while at Pepsi Center as they posted a 38-3 home record without any single player even averaging 17 PPG. Most teams now rely on one or two stars, but this Nuggets team’s uniqueness made them a joy to watch.
24. 1994-95 Houston Rockets
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Record: 47-35, 3rd in Midwest Division
Coach: Rudy Tomjanovich
General manager: Bob Weinhauer
Key players: C Hakeem Olajuwon, SG Clyde Drexler, PF Robert Horry
Points per game: 103.5
Opponent points per game: 101.4
Season finish: Won NBA Finals (4-0) against Orlando Magic
Bottom Line: 1994-95 Houston Rockets
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From the 1994-95 season until 1996-97, the NBA experimented with a shorter 3-point line to increase scoring. No team took advantage of this shorter distance quite like the Rockets, which surrounded Hakeem Olajuwon with four 3P shooters, including Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler who was acquired in a midseason trade.
These Rockets revolutionized the NBA by also creating a position that is commonplace in today’s game: the stretch four. When Houston traded for Drexler, they bumped up 6-foot-10 Robert Horry from small forward to power forward, and he became the first stretch four in the NBA.
23. 2013-14 Los Angeles Clippers
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Record: 57-25, 1st in Pacific Division
Coach: Doc Rivers
General manager: Doc Rivers
Key players: PG Chris Paul, PF Blake Griffin, C DeAndre Jordan, SG J.J. Redick
Points per game: 107.9
Opponent points per game: 101.0
Season finish: Lost Western Conference Semifinals (2-4) against Oklahoma City Thunder
Bottom Line: 2013-14 Los Angeles Clippers
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The “Lob City” era of the Clippers started in 2011 with the trade for Chris Paul, but this season’s team was the most exciting because of the complimentary parts to Paul and Blake Griffin. The Clippers added J.J. Redick in a trade, and his outside shooting made L.A. an unstoppable offense that led the league in scoring.
Unfortunately, their defense couldn’t match their offense, which led to a second-round playoff exit — but with lots of fun and excitement along the way.
22. 1981-82 Los Angeles Lakers
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Record: 57-25, 1st in Pacific Division
Coach: Paul Westhead (7-4), Pat Riley (50-21)
General manager: Bill Sharman
Key players: PG Magic Johnson, C Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, SF Jamaal Wilkes, PG Norm Nixon
Points per game: 114.6
Opponent points per game: 109.8
Season finish: Won NBA Finals (4-2) against Boston Celtics
Bottom Line: 1981-82 Los Angeles Lakers
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During Magic Johnson’s first few years in the league, the greatest point guard in NBA history actually played shooting guard. He shared ball-handling duties with Norm Nixon, and this season was the peak of their two point guard lineup. Both players ranked in the top five in assists as the high-octane Showtime Lakers ran opponents into the ground.
The 3-point shot was still in its infancy, but these Lakers paid no attention to that new arc around the rim as they ranked last in three point makes, attempts and percentage. They could afford to ignore the 3P, though, as Johnson and Nixon would set up their teammates with easy shots at the rim or in the paint.
21. 1979-80 San Antonio Spurs
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Record: 41-41, 3rd in Central Division
Coach: Doug Moe (33-33), Bob Bass (8-8)
General manager: Bob Bass
Key players: SG George Gervin, PF Larry Kenon, PG James Silas
Points per game: 119.4
Opponent points per game: 119.7
Season finish: Lost Eastern Conference First Round (1-2) against Houston Rockets
Bottom Line: 1979-80 San Antonio Spurs
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This was the first season of the 3P line in the NBA, and George “Iceman” Gervin was one of the first to adopt it. He averaged 33.1 PPG in route to a scoring title and made more 3Ps than six entire teams! The Spurs followed their best player’s lead of all-offense, no-defense, as we don’t need to remind you that there is an “O” in George Gervin but no “D.”
San Antonio pushed the ball up and down the court, leading the league in points scored and finishing last in points allowed. With the Spurs’ elite offense in a tug-of-war with their deficient defense, it’s fitting that San Antonio finished with a 41-41 record.
20. 1990-91 Denver Nuggets
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Record: 20-62, 7th in Midwest Division
Coach: Paul Westhead
General manager: Bernie Bickerstaff
Key players: PG Michael Adams, PF Orlando Woolridge, PG Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
Points per game: 119.9
Opponent points per game: 130.8
Season finish: Missed NBA playoffs
Bottom Line: 1990-91 Denver Nuggets
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The award for worst scoring defense in NBA history goes to these Denver Nuggets for allowing 130.8 points per game, which is nearly five more points per game than any other team! But the Nuggets could fill it on the other end of the court because they also led the NBA in scoring, which meant fans were in for a show anytime “Enver” took the court. Yes, that’s “Enver,” the nickname the team earned because they had no “D.”
During this season, the Nuggets set an NBA record by allowing 107 points in a single half, as the Suns took them to the woodshed in an early season game on the way to 173 total points.
19. 2001-02 Dallas Mavericks
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Record: 57-25, 2nd in Midwest Division
Coach: Don Nelson
General manager: Don Nelson
Key players: PF Dirk Nowitzki, PG Steve Nash, SG Michael Finley, PG Nick Van Exel
Points per game: 105.2
Opponent points per game: 101.0
Season finish: Lost Western Conference Semifinals (1-4) against Sacramento Kings
Bottom Line: 2001-02 Dallas Mavericks
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In the prior season, the Mavericks had the fourth-best scoring offense and a middle-in-the-pack, 16th-ranked scoring defense. But instead of improving their pedestrian defense, GM/Coach Don Nelson went all in to boost their offense. It worked, as the Mavs jumped from fourth to first in scoring, but their defense plummeted to second-worst in the league.
What made the Mavericks so exciting and frustrating at the same time was their Big 3 of Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash and Michael Finley. “Dirty” Dirk, “Nasty” Nash and “Filthy” Finley combined to average over 60 points per game, but they also likely gave up a combined 60 points per game on the other end.
18. 1961-62 Philadelphia Warriors
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Record: 49-31, 2nd in Eastern Division
Coach: Frank McGuire
General manager: Edward Gottlieb
Key players: C Wilt Chamberlain, SF Paul Arizin, PG Guy Rodgers, SG Tom Gola
Points per game: 125.4
Opponent points per game: 122.7
Season finish: Lost Eastern Division Finals (3-4) against Syracuse Nationals
Bottom Line: 1961-62 Philadelphia Warriors
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Two words made this Warriors team exciting to watch: Wilt Chamberlain. This was the season Wilt the Stilt averaged 50 points a game and also when he scored 100 points in a game. The Warriors’ entire offense was built for Wilt, and Wilt was only built for offense.
Even though Philly led the league in pace and scoring, they ranked dead last in points allowed, as Chamberlain spent all his energy on the other end of the court. With Chamberlain’s malaise on the defensive end of the court, the Warriors allowed 100-plus points in 79 of their 80 team games.
17. 2013-14 San Antonio Spurs
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Record: 62-20, 1st in Southwest Division
Coach: Gregg Popovich
General manager: R.C. Buford
Key players: PF Tim Duncan, SF Kawhi Leonard, SG Manu Ginobili, PG Tony Parker
Points per game: 105.4
Opponent points per game: 97.6
Season finish: Won NBA Finals (4-1) against Miami Heat
Bottom Line: 2013-14 San Antonio Spurs
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For years under the Popovich-Duncan regime, the Spurs were known for being a great defensive team. But the last of their championship-winning teams was an offensive masterpiece that was an absolute joy to watch. The Spurs put on a passing clinic throughout the season, as they led the league in assists despite not having a single player finish in the top 25 in total assists.
Just take a look at the ball movement of this play versus Miami in the Finals when all five Spurs touch the ball. Soccer is often called “The Beautiful Game” but, at least for one season, basketball took that mantle thanks to the Spurs.
16. 1984-85 Milwaukee Bucks
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Record: 59-23, 1st in Central Division
Coach: Don Nelson
General manager: Don Nelson
Key players: SG Sidney Moncrief, PF Terry Cummings, SF Paul Pressey
Points per game: 110.9
Opponent points per game: 104.0
Season finish: Lost Eastern Conference Semifinals (0-4) against Philadelphia 76ers
Bottom Line: 1984-85 Milwaukee Bucks
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Don Nelson invented a new position during this season when he made Paul Pressey the first-ever point forward. The 6-foot-5 Pressey would nominally have been the small forward, but Nellie was always looking for mismatches, and having him handle the ball allowed Milwaukee to surround him with shooters in Moncrief and Craig Hodges.
During this season, Nelson would also have his centers above the 3-point line so that the player guarding him, which was usually a shot-blocker, was no longer in the lane and opened up additional opportunities. The uniqueness of this offense made it frustrating for defenses but exhilarating for fans.
15. 1972-73 New York Knicks
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Record: 57-25, 2nd in Atlantic Division
Coach: Red Holzman
General manager: Red Holzman
Key players: PG Walt Frazier, SG Earl Monroe, C Willis Reed, PF Dave DeBusschere
Points per game: 105.0
Opponent points per game: 98.2
Season finish: Won NBA Finals (4-1) against Los Angeles Lakers
Bottom Line: 1972-73 New York Knicks
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It sounds odd to say, but for a team that had its top six players inducted into the Hall of Fame, the ‘’73 Knicks didn’t have a true go-to guy. That meant they were incredibly balanced, as no one hogged the ball and they used ball movement with stellar passing.
Many consider this the greatest passing team of all time, and five of those six Hall of Famers averaged at least 3.4 assists per game. In addition to being one of the best passing teams, they were also one of the smartest with Red Holzman as GM/Coach and Phil Jackson on the bench as a reserve.
14. 1994-95 Orlando Magic
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Record: 57-25, 1st in Atlantic Division
Coach: Brian Hill
General manager: Pat Williams
Key players: C Shaquille O’Neal, PG Penny Hardaway, SG Nick Anderson, PF Horace Grant
Points per game: 110.9
Opponent points per game: 103.8
Season finish: Lost NBA Finals (0-4) against Houston Rockets
Bottom Line: 1994-95 Orlando Magic
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The Shaq and Penny era in Orlando lasted just three seasons, but this one was their coming out party. Hardaway became the team’s full-time point guard in 1994, and his pairing with O’Neal made the Magic a hip and exciting team to watch.
From alley-oops on the court to movies, rap albums and commercials (shoutout to Lil’ Penny) off the court, this Magic team looked like it would dominate the NBA for the rest of the ’90s. That proved not to be the case, but the mid-90s Magic was a shooting star that helped bring some of the fun back to basketball that was lost with Michael Jordan’s retirement.
13. 1988-89 Phoenix Suns
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Record: 55-27, 2nd in Pacific Division
Coach: Cotton Fitzsimmons
General manager: Jerry Colangelo
Key players: PG Kevin Johnson, PF Tom Chambers, SG Jeff Hornacek, SF Eddie Johnson
Points per game: 118.6
Opponent points per game: 110.9
Season finish: Lost Western Conference Finals (0-4) against Los Angeles Lakers
Bottom Line: 1988-89 Phoenix Suns
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The Suns went from 28 wins to 55 thanks to a three-headed attack with Johnson-Chambers-Johnson. Each of the three averaged at least 20 PPG as Phoenix unsurprisingly led the NBA in scoring. This Suns team was perimeter-oriented and had virtually no low-post presence, often playing without a center that also played to their strengths.
In addition to their big three, Phoenix was armed with a litany of 3-point marksmen, including Jeff Hornacek, Dan Majerle, Steve Kerr and Craig Hodges. Those four would go on to compete in a combined 17, 3-point contests with six contest wins.
12. 1999-2000 Toronto Raptors
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Record: 45-37, 3rd in Central Division
Coach: Butch Carter
General manager: Glen Grunwald
Key players: SG Vince Carter, SF Tracy McGrady, PF Antonio Davis, PF Charles Oakley
Points per game: 97.2
Opponent points per game: 97.3
Season finish: Lost Eastern Conference First Round (0-3) against New York Knicks
Bottom Line: 1999-2000 Toronto Raptors
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After the lockout during the 1998-99 season, the NBA needed a young and exciting team to help reinvigorate fans, and the Raptors provided that. They were led by cousins Carter and McGrady who were a high-flying athletic duo that teammate Charles Oakley compared to a young Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
Carter and T-Mac were known for their thunderous dunks, and both competed in the 2000 NBA Dunk Contest in which Carter infamously won. Unfortunately, this would be the cousins’ final season as teammates, as McGrady would soon depart in free agency.
11. 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers
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Record: 66-16, 1st in Central Division
Coach: Mike Brown
General manager: Danny Ferry
Key players: SF LeBron James, PG Mo Williams, C Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Points per game: 100.3
Opponent points per game: 91.4
Season finish: Lost Eastern Conference Finals (2-4) against Orlando Magic
Bottom Line: 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers
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Whereas LeBron’s last year in Cleveland (2009-10) had his impending free agency hanging over the Cavs, his second-to-last season was all about having fun. This team had a nice mixture of young players like LeBron, Delonte West and Boobie Gibson as well as vets like Ilgauskas, Ben Wallace and Wally Szczerbiak.
What made this team so fun wasn’t just what happened during their 48 minutes on the court, but also the entertainment they provided during pregame. They were known for their photo ops before a game such as the family portrait and mock batting practice.
10. 1988-89 Los Angeles Lakers
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Record: 57-25, 1st in Pacific Division
Coach: Pat Riley
General manager: Jerry West
Key players: PG Magic Johnson, C Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, SF James Worthy, SG Byron Scott
Points per game: 114.7
Opponent points per game: 107.5
Season finish: Lost NBA Finals (0-4) against Detroit Pistons
Bottom Line: 1988-89 Los Angeles Lakers
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This was the most unique offensive team of the Showtime Era, as the Lakers essentially ran two separate offenses. After grabbing a defensive rebound, Magic Johnson would push the ball down court with Byron Scott and James Worthy filling the lanes in a scene most fans identified with “Showtime.”
But if nothing was there for a fastbreak opportunity, then the team would get into its halfcourt set with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar operating in the post. Then, “Cap” would unleash the most unstoppable shot in NBA history, as his iconic skyhook was the team’s primary means of points. This dual offense got the Lakers to the Finals where injuries to Johnson and Scott resulted in a sweep at the hands of Detroit.
9. 2012-13 Miami Heat
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Record: 66-16, 1st in Southeast Division
Coach: Erik Spoelstra
General manager: Pat Riley
Key players: SF LeBron James, SG Dwyane Wade, PF Chris Bosh, SG Ray Allen
Points per game: 102.9
Opponent points per game: 95.0
Season finish: Won NBA Finals (4-3) against San Antonio Spurs
Bottom Line: 2012-13 Miami Heat
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Of the four seasons of the Big 3 in Miami, this squad was the best and the deepest. It was the only one of those four teams to feature Ray Allen, Mike Miller and Shane Battier together, and all three of those players knocked down over 40 percent of their 3Ps. Then, there was the fact that the pecking order amongst LeBron, D-Wade and Chris Bosh was established, and every player on the team knew his role.
Also, this team did what’s often difficult in the NBA, and that’s to make the regular season interesting. During their 27-game win streak, every Heat game became must-see TV, as they embarked on the second-longest win streak in NBA history.
8. 1985-86 Boston Celtics
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Record: 67-15, 1st in Atlantic Division
Coach: K.C. Jones
General manager: Jan Volk
Key players: SF Larry Bird, PF Kevin McHale, C Robert Parish, PG Dennis Johnson
Points per game: 114.1
Opponent points per game: 104.7
Season finish: Won NBA Finals (4-2) against Houston Rockets
Bottom Line: 1985-86 Boston Celtics
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Of all of the great Celtics teams of the 1980s, this team was the best and the most exciting. The team traded for Bill Walton in the offseason, and the off-injured big man fit in seamlessly, taking the Celtics offense to the next level with his high-post passing.
Boston was one of the best shooting teams ever, as they finished either first or second in field goal percentage, two-point percentage, three-point percentage and free-throw percentage. Larry Bird led the NBA in made 3-pointers and free-throw percentage on the way to his third straight MVP award.
7. 1995-96 Chicago Bulls
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Record: 72-10, 1st in Central Division
Coach: Phil Jackson
General manager: Jerry Krause
Key players: SG Michael Jordan, SF Scottie Pippen, PF Dennis Rodman, SF Toni Kukoc
Points per game: 105.2
Opponent points per game: 92.9
Season finish: Won NBA Finals (4-2) against Seattle SuperSonics
Bottom Line: 1995-96 Chicago Bulls
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The team that many consider the greatest in NBA history, the 72-win Bulls were, perhaps, also the most efficient team in NBA history. Think about this: The Bulls ranked 20th in pace, meaning 19 teams had more possessions per game than them, but Chicago still ranked first in points!
That great efficiency didn’t always come from what they did but rather what they did “not” do, and that was commit turnovers. The Bulls had the league’s lowest turnover percentage, so they made the most out of every possession to get a good shot. Oh, and when all else failed, it didn’t hurt to have Michael Jordan on your team.
6. 1990-91 Golden State Warriors
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Record: 44-38, 4th in Pacific Division
Coach: Don Nelson
General manager: Don Nelson
Key players: PG Tim Hardaway, SG Mitch Richmond, SF Chris Mullin
Points per game: 116.6
Opponent points per game: 115.0
Season finish: Lost Western Conference Semifinals (1-4) against Los Angeles Lakers
Bottom Line: 1990-91 Golden State Warriors
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The Run TMC era of the Golden State Warriors lasted just two seasons, and this season was their high mark. Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin each averaged between 23 and 26 PPG, and fans of the Bay Area loved every minute of it, as the Warriors sold out all 41 of their home games. They took part in the highest-scoring regulation game in NBA history, beating the Nuggets 162-158 in the season opener.
The success of Run TMC still reverberates amongst Warriors fans more than two decades later, and that’s not just because the team ran a Run TMC bobblehead promotion featuring Mullin’s likeness in 2013.
5. 2011-12 Oklahoma City Thunder
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Record: 47-19, 1st in Northwest Division
Coach: Scott Brooks
General manager: Sam Presti
Key players: SF Kevin Durant, PG Russell Westbrook, SG James Harden
Points per game: 103.1
Opponent points per game: 96.9
Season finish: Lost NBA Finals (4-1) against Miami Heat
Bottom Line: 2011-12 Oklahoma City Thunder
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Some day, people are going to look back at this team, see three future MVPs aged 23 or younger, and ask, “How did this team not win a championship?” At the time, we didn’t know how great Durant, Westbrook and Harden would be individually, but we did realize that we were watching something special.
However, we should have been tipped off that this trio wouldn’t be a long-term thing, as despite the Thunder ranking third in points scored, they ranked dead last in assists, thus indicating that the whole was not greater than the sum of its parts.
4. 2003-04 Sacramento Kings
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Record: 55-27, 2nd in Pacific Division
Coach: Rick Adelman
General manager: Geoff Petrie
Key players: SF Peja Stojakovic, PG Mike Bibby, C Vlade Divac, PF Chris Webber
Points per game: 102.8
Opponent points per game: 97.8
Season finish: Lost Western Conference Semifinals (3-4) against Minnesota Timberwolves
Bottom Line: 2003-04 Sacramento Kings
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All of the early 2000s Kings teams were fun to watch, but this one was especially enjoyable because of their big-to-big passing. With Chris Webber, Vlade Divac and Brad Miller, the Kings had three players 6-foot-10 or taller who averaged over four assists per game.
The Kings used the Princeton offense to perfection, and that meant lots of motion, backdoor cuts and off-ball screens. This was the rare team that both casual fans and diehards loved to watch and remains the last Kings team to win a playoff series.
3. 2004-05 Phoenix Suns
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Record: 62-20, 1st in Pacific Division
Coach: Mike D’Antoni
General manager: Bryan Colangelo
Key players: PG Steve Nash, C Amar’e Stoudemire, PF Shawn Marion, SF Joe Johnson
Points per game: 110.4
Opponent points per game: 103.3
Season finish: Lost Western Conference Finals (1-4) against San Antonio Spurs
Bottom Line: 2004-05 Phoenix Suns
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During the ’80s, teams like the Spurs and Nuggets went all-in on their offenses and basically disregarded playing defense. Things balanced out in the ’90s and early 2000s, but in 2004, the Suns brought that offensive philosophy back with the “Seven Seconds or Less” strategy. After signing free agent Steve Nash, the Suns downsized their lineup by moving small forward Shawn Marion and power forward Amar'e Stoudemire up positions to create a fast and athletic lineup. That resulted in the Suns adding 16 points to their per-game average, as they led the NBA in scoring with their revolutionary offense.
However, those smaller, quicker players were at a disadvantage on the other end of the court, as Phoenix allowed the most points in the NBA. There were other incarnations of the Seven Seconds or Less Suns, but the original version was the most fun to watch.
2. 2015-16 Golden State Warriors
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Record: 73-9, 1st in Western Conference
Coach: Steve Kerr
General manager: Bob Myers
Key players: PG Stephen Curry, SG Klay Thompson, PF Draymond Green, SF Andre Iguodala
Points per game: 114.9
Opponent points per game: 104.1
Season finish: Lost NBA Finals (3-4) against Cleveland Cavaliers
Bottom Line: 2015-16 Golden State Warriors
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During a five-year stretch, the Warriors were must-see TV, but they were much more “fun” to watch before Kevin Durant linked up with them. The 2015-16 season was the last season of KD on OKC, but everyone’s attention was on the Warriors chasing the all-time single-season wins mark, which they achieved.
That chase provided a season-long suspense, but they were also a joy to watch in any given game with their new brand of basketball focused on the Splash Brothers. No team in NBA history combined quantity with quality when it comes to the 3P shot, as this Warriors team lead the league in 3P makes, 3P attempts and 3P percentage. They simply had everything … except the ring.
1. 1981-82 Denver Nuggets
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Record: 46-36, 2nd in Midwest Division
Coach: Doug Moe
General manager: Carl Scheer
Key players: SF Alex English, PF, Kiki Vandeweghe, C Dan Issel, SG David Thompson
Points per game: 126.5
Opponent points per game: 126.0
Season finish: Lost Western Conference First Round (1-2) against Phoenix Suns
Bottom Line: 1981-82 Denver Nuggets
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Of the 75 seasons in NBA history, the 81-82 Denver Nuggets are the highest-scoring team of all time with a full point margin over the second place team. They scored at least 100 points in all 82 games that season, making them the only team in NBA history to do so in every game of a season.
Led by Doug Moe’s run-and-gun offense, the Nuggets rarely ran any plays, as they just preferred to get a shot up before the opponent’s defense had a chance to set up. That led to lots of points on both ends of the court, as the Nuggets were also the first team ever to allow at least 100 points in all 82 games of a season.