72-10.
"Fo', Fo', Fo'."
Thirty-three consecutive wins.
"Havlicek stole the ball!"
So legendary are the teams that comprise the Top 10 Teams in NBA History, it only takes one of the above phrases to evoke a spate of memories. The Top 10 Teams were selected in 1996 by a panel of media members who regularly cover the NBA. Voters were asked to select the top 10 teams in NBA history, without ranking them, as part of the NBA at 50 celebration during the '96-97 season.
The 10 teams selected averaged 66 wins per season (for an .805 winning percentage) and all went on to win the NBA Championship. Three teams were selected from the 1960s, one from the 1970s, four from the 1980s and two from the 1990s.
The Top 10 Teams in NBA History
(chronological order)
1964-65 Boston Celtics | 62 - 18 | (.775) |
Led by Bill Russell, Sam Jones, John Havlicek, Tom Sanders and Tom Heinsohn...Broke its own league record for most victories in a season and went on to win the Celtics' seventh consecutive NBA championship...Battled the Philadelphia 76ers in an East Finals for the ages, winning Game Seven 110-109; John Havlicek's deflection at game's end produced the legendary "Havlicek stole the ball!" radio call from Celtics broadcaster Johnny Most...Defeated the L.A. Lakers 4-1 in 1965 NBA Finals. |