The NBA has exploded in popularity in recent years across many different countries, attracting a world-wide audience, particularly for the big showdown events. Even wagering markets all over the world prospered, paving the way for sports betting sites to keep them updated on the odds of their favourite teams. NBA Betting by Beteasy is one of these, showing the latest odds and predictions on the season's upcoming matches.
Now whilse there isn't an exact formula to determine who is the best NBA team of all time, and everyone from your grandpa to your brother will have an opinion, we've knocked our heads together and, based on stats and other criteria, in this post we will try to establish the greatest side in the league's 72-year history.
In no particular order:
The Boston Celtics- 62-18
The Boston Celtics are arguably the biggest franchise in NBA history, according to Forbes, largely because of their dominance in the '60s.
Led by the mercurial Red Auerbach, the Celtics dominated most famously in the 1964-65 NBA season.
Legendary center Bill Russell (who averaged and amazing 24.1 RPG), Sam Jones (who averaged a team-high 25.9 PPG) and a certain John Havlicek helped the side finish the regular season with a 62-18 record —a record that stood as best in the league and also in the side's history.
Philadelphia 76ers- 65-17
Julius Erving started the 1982-83 NBA season as a supposed veteran nearing the twilight of his career, and he had never managed to win that elusive NBA championship.
However, Erving was finally able to put that record to bed as he and the Philadelphia 76ers won the 1983 NBA championship - and in some style too.
While Erving, who averaged 21.4 PPG, and legendary guard Andrew Toney provided offense, point guard Maurice Cheeks distributed the basketball with the touch of a magician.
The '76ers saw off their opponents in the playoffs, demolishing the New York Knicks in the first round before beating the Milwaukee Bucks in five games.
The Chicago Bulls 69-13
The Chicago Bulls were probably the most lauded team of the '90s.
Led by coach Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Toni Kukoc, Luc Longley, Dennis Rodman and co. continued dominating opponents with their transcendent display of teamwork.
Jordan and Pippen continued to score in high volumes, while moving the ball quick. Kukoc provided a unique threat as a tall jump-shooter. In addition, Rodman rebounded the ball with aplomb.
The team finished the regular season with 69 wins and went on to defeat Karl Malone and John Stockton's Utah Jazz in one of the most notable NBA Finals in history.
Detroit Pistons 63-19
The 1988-89 Detroit Pistons may not have received the credit they deserved for their feat in the late '80s because they did have a reputation for being overly physical.
However, there is no question the team didn't dominant and they were defensively adept and very well organised.
Dennis Rodman, John Salley and Bill Laimbeer shored up the defensive presence - they didn't allow anyone a free drive at the basket.
Further, Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars were great perimeter defenders. In fact, Dumars was widely regarded one of the only players to give the legendary Jordan trouble on the offensive.
The Pistons had a plethora of offensive threats too.
Thomas was a great penetrator and dribbler. Dumars was renowned as a great clutch and perimeter scorer too.
The Pistons finished the season of glory with 63 wins and went on to defeat the Celtics and Michael Jordan's Bulls in the Eastern Conference playoffs before brushing aside Magic Johnson's Lakers in the finals. Their rivalry has never relented since.
