Apr 2

Apr 2 Looking Back at Some of the NBA’s Greatest Super Teams

A Closer Look at the NBA’s Top Super Teams: The Greatest of All-Time

The Sporting Blog takes a look at some of the NBA’s greatest super teams. Take a trip down memory lane with us!

basketball player Dennis Rodman — Dennis Rodman: One of the star players for the 1995-1998 Chicago Bulls

The modern-day NBA is largely built on getting as many star players together on the same team as possible. The goal for most franchises is to somehow put together a super team.

But creating super teams isn’t necessarily a new concept. For decades, teams have been putting together star-studded rosters that most would consider super teams.

During the current season, many of the top contenders have at least two or three bona fide stars on the roster. Those will inevitably be the teams that attract the most interest in betting markets.

Of course, before placing a bet on any NBA game, it’s best to learn more about legal betting in the USA, including the states where it’s legal and the sportsbooks available.

It’s only a matter of time until the best NBA team in 2024 reveals itself. But for now, let’s look back at some of the greatest NBA super teams of all-time.

1968-1973 Lakers

The Lakers are responsible for several super teams, including one of the first. By the end of the 1960s, they had Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. The only caveat is that all three weren’t at their best during this period.

But the fact that those three players shared the court was something special. It was only after Baylor retired due to injury that the Lakers won a championship behind Chamberlain and West.

Together, they led the Lakers to a 69-13 record, which set an NBA record at the time, before winning the 1972 NBA title.

1979-1989 Lakers

The Lakers were back at it by the end of the 1970s, creating a new super team centred around Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson.

Johnson’s passing skills and showmanship turned out to be the perfect complement for an established big guy like Abdul-Jabbar.

In the 10 seasons those two were together, the Lakers failed to reach the NBA Finals just twice and took home five championships.

However, keep in mind that the super team wasn’t just Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson.

James Worthy joined the Lakers in 1982 and quickly became a key component in the team’s success, while Michael Cooper was an unsung hero for many years on the defensive end of the floor to help make this a true super team.

1988-1990 Pistons

Before the Bulls dominated the NBA during the 1990s, the Pistons put together what many people would consider a super team.

Chuck Daly was the mastermind coach behind one of the greatest, yet often forgotten, teams in NBA history.

Both Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas were at the peak of their powers during this time. But it was more than just these players that made the team great.

Dennis Rodman was starting to emerge as a defensive and rebounding force. Bill Laimbeer also had plenty left in the tank and played a key role in the Pistons winning back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990.

1995-1998 Bulls

Even though the Bulls won three straight championships earlier in the decade, the Chicago teams during the second three-peat were bona fide super teams.

Michael Jordan came back from retirement with something to prove, and he had the likes of Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Tony Kukoc with him.

It wasn’t just Jordan carrying the team by himself; the supporting cast is what made this super team so special - and so dominant. Keep in mind the Bulls won 72 games during the 1995-96 season.

Their playoff record during those title seasons was an astounding 45-13, which is a nearly 78% winning percentage in the postseason.

2010-2014 Heat

LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh had a super team in mind when they conspired to play together in Miami.

The trio’s first trip to the NBA Finals in 2011 ended with a loss, but they put together back-to-back championships after that.

That includes a 66-16 record during the 2012-13 regular season. Ultimately, winning just two championships in four seasons together was a bit of a letdown.

But there’s no way to deny that James, Wade and Bosh together fit the description of a super team.

2016-2019 Warriors

When Kevin Durant joined the Warriors in 2016, Golden State went from being a great team to being an undeniable super team.

While the Warriors had already won a title before Durant arrived, they lost the NBA Finals in Game 7 the previous year.

With Durant joining Steph Curry and company, the Warriors won back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018, with Durant achieving Finals MVP both years.

Even though Durant and the Warriors lost in the NBA Finals in 2019, falling short of a three-peat, they are still considered a dynasty - and the most recent example of a super team that lived up to its promise.