The Lakers and Celtics are the top teams historically but who comes next...

[yvesdereuter]

Ive thought about it. I think #3 (behind LA and Boston) has to be Chicago. I realize its driven by one player but that player left such tremendous footprints that its hard to ignore. And 6 Championships is just too big of a number for anyone else to be put ahead of Chicago.

Next, I would say its either the 76ers, Pistons or the Spurs. The Spurs have more titles (1 I think) but the 76ers have had a more sustained run than the Spurs. I think when you also add up their finals appearances over the years along with some of the great players who played for them (Wilt, Dr. J, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson) they get the edge.

So here would be my top 10:

1. Boston Celtics
2. LA Lakers
3. Chicago Bulls
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Detroit Pistons
6. San Antonio Spurs
7. New York Knicks
8. Houston Rockets
9. Portland Trailblazers
10. San Diego/LA Clippers...Ha

[ZM Punk]

Quote: Originally Posted by yvesdereuter

Ive thought about it. I think #3 (behind LA and Boston) has to be Chicago. I realize its driven by one player but that player left such tremendous footprints that its hard to ignore. And 6 Championships is just too big of a number for anyone else to be put ahead of Chicago. Next, I would say its either the 76ers, Pistons or the Spurs. The Spurs have more titles (1 I think) but the 76ers have had a more sustained run than the Spurs. I think when you also add up their finals appearances over the years along with some of the great players who played for them (Wilt, Dr. J, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson) they get the edge. So here would be my top 10: 1. Boston Celtics 2. LA Lakers 3. Chicago Bulls 4. Philadelphia 76ers 5. Detroit Pistons 6. San Antonio Spurs 7. New York Knicks 8. Houston Rockets 9. Portland Trailblazers 10. San Diego/LA Clippers...Ha

When I think of historically I think of teams that are consistently at or around the top for the most part of said teams existence. Thats why I can't put the Bulls at number 3, because before Jordan they just weren't that good. I mean out of the teams 41 years of existence, 21 of them have been losing seasons.

[P2K]

The Bulls were nothing before Jordan and they look like nothing after him so far.

When you create a thread like this and say you want to know the top teams historically, I'm thinking most wins, most playoff wins, how long they've been in the league.

I didn't know it was it was most titles won and what one player has done for the league.

That's like saying the Patriots should be put ahead of Green Bay when talking about the NFL.

[yvesdereuter]

Quote: Originally Posted by zitomulder

When I think of historically I think of teams that are consistently at or around the top for the most part of said teams existence. Thats why I can't put the Bulls at number 3, because before Jordan they just weren't that good. I mean out of the teams 41 years of existence, 21 of them have been losing seasons.

I realize that and thats why I struggled with it. But like I said, Jordan and that Bulls team were so larger than life its impossible to look past them. Plus you look at the fact that they have significantly more championships than anyone else and it doesnt really leave room for anyone to displace them even though their run of excellence was relatively brief.

[yvesdereuter]

Quote: Originally Posted by P2K

The Bulls were nothing before Jordan and they look like nothing after him so far. When you create a thread like this and say you want to know the top teams historically, I'm thinking most wins, most playoff wins, how long they've been in the league. I didn't know it was it was most titles won and what one player has done for the league. That's like saying the Patriots should be put ahead of Green Bay when talking about the NFL.

I never said the Bulls should be excluded because their run of excellence started with Jordan and only lasted for a relatively brief period of time. But check out my previous post. I pretty much lay out there why I put the Bulls at #3.

[ZM Punk]

Quote: Originally Posted by yvesdereuter

I realize that and thats why I struggled with it. But like I said, Jordan and that Bulls team were so larger than life its impossible to look past them. Plus you look at the fact that they have significantly more championships than anyone else and it doesnt really leave room for anyone to displace them even though their run of excellence was relatively brief.

But they were only great in the 90's, that doesn't exactly equal historically successful. For the most part they have been a historically subpar franchise that had a historically successful run in the 90's. Hell even in Jordan's early years they struggled.

[The 24th Letter]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pimping219

I didnt realize that was required to be included in this discussion, it says the top teams historically, not the teams who have won the most titles. If we were doing this same debate in football, would anyone discount Buffalo for not winning a title even though they got there so many times and were proven to be a great team? Im not trying to come across as hostile, just wondering where the cut off is then, title or no title Utah is a really good team and has been really consistent, they deserve to be in the discussion but not near the top of the list.

im not saying thats the pre req or that they wouldnt make MY list b\c of that...

just speculating

[yvesdereuter]

Quote: Originally Posted by zitomulder

But they were only great in the 90's, that doesn't exactly equal historically successful. For the most part they have been a historically subpar franchise that had a historically successful run in the 90's. Hell even in Jordan's early years they struggled.

Why are you pointing this out again? I understand all that but still, when I look at it, your looking at 6 championships to the Sixers (2?) or the Pistons 3. Thats 3X and 2X as much respectively. I realize it came in a short period of time. When I look at what the Sixers have done since the 60s I dont think its more impressive than what the Bulls have done even in a shorter period of time. Basically, when I look at it, the Bulls accomplished more in 8 years than pretty much any other team (not named the Lakers or Celtics) have done in 40 years. And I dont think they should be excluded just because it was over a short period of time. It still counts. And it was also kind of the golden era for the NBA...the 80s and 90s were actually. If I take the various things into consideration, its the Bulls. If you want to make your own list go ahead.