Photo by Lauren Hogue

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the United States with millions more fans tuning in from around the world. The NBA is now 75 years old and has been home to some of the best sporting teams in history. From iconic players to legendary line-ups, there have been countless sides who have created real dynasties thanks to the success they enjoyed the entertainment they produced on the court.

If you are a seasoned NBA spectator or have only recently started exploring the league, you should learn all about NBA basketball legends and storied teams so that you can appreciate the current crop and their achievements in comparison. This article will run through the best NBA dynasties so that you can impress fellow fans and your friends with supreme knowledge of the winning sides from yesteryear.

Backing the Next NBA Icons

Before we delve into the greatest NBA dynasties, it’s important to note that as a modern-day fan, you can back the next successful team by predicting the outcome of games. With a smartphone or tablet, you can access a range of sports betting platforms and track NBA expert picks to place smart wagers on the next big game from a place of knowledge and authority.

When assessing possible scorelines and victors, it’s imperative you track team news, follow the form guide, and make use of live in-play betting opportunities. By doing so you will have up-to-date information to properly weigh up the strengths and weaknesses of different teams as they go head-to-head. Taking the time to conduct thorough research and understand odds will allow you to create strategies which will put you in a position to place savvy wagers throughout the NBA season. Additionally, understanding NBA dynasties and their historical impact can provide valuable insights into team performance and championship potential.

Boston Celtics (1957-1969)

By today’s standards, the Boston Celtics’ 11 title triumphs in just 13 seasons is an astonishing feat and is rightly still talked about and seen as the benchmark for greatness more than five decades later.

Many people who followed the game back then point to a draft-day trade in 1956 that set the Celtics’ on the path to glory. Boston head coach Red Auerbach clinched the signing of No. 2 overall pick Bill Russell in exchange for Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan and it completely transformed the side. Together with Bob Cousy and John Havlicek, the Celtics boasted the best defense which acted as an incredible foundation for a successful set-up which would fire Boston into the NBA history books.

From 1959 through to 1966, the Boston Celtics were the dominant force in the sport, claiming eight consecutive titles. To put that into context, the Chicago Bulls managed six wins in eight campaigns in the 1990s while the longest consecutive title-winning run in the 21st century was recorded by the Los Angeles Lakers, starting at the turn of millennium.

Los Angeles Lakers (2000-2002)

The Los Angeles Lakers are perhaps the most instantly recognizable team of the current era among NBA followers of the current era. The distinctive purple, gold, and black colors are synonymous with legendary players like Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant who helped the team to three titles between 2000 and 2002. It was these star names who helped the club to succeed and in turn became household names themselves.

Much of the LA Lakers victorious run was down to the ‘Triangle Offense’ developed by coach Phil Jackson which saw O’Neal impose himself to tee up Bryant who could shoot and score with ease as the ultimate talisman. At the height of their dominance, the Lakers first got the better of the Indiana Pacers in 2000 before beating the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets to become one of the greatest franchises in NBA history. The Lakers’ play-off run of 15 straight victories further engrained the name into NBA folklore.

These glory days came on the back of the 1980s when the Lakers clinched five titles with stars including Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar leading the way for Pat Riley’s side, playing a brand of basketball that was frantic and effective. 

Now with LeBron James on the court, this team continues to appeal to the masses with people in every corner of the planet electing to follow the Lakers on gameday and wearing replica kits with pride.

Chicago Bulls (1991-1998)

Michael Jordan is one of the most famous basketball players of all time. Even people who have never watched the NBA, or any sport for that matter, will know Michael Jordan is one of the biggest NBA stars. The shooting guard and forward was a major player and ensured the game of basketball was more popular than ever before, even influencing trainer culture and strengthening the bond between spectators and their favorite teams.

Playing for the Chicago Bulls, Jordan was regarded among the best basketball players and had a major impact, ensuring the team was one of the most successful throughout the 1990s. With Jordan joined by the likes of Scottie Pippen and coached by Phil Jackson, the Bulls recorded triple championships on two occasions from 1991 and 1993 and again in 1996 through to 1998. Chicago would dominate teams, and with the sheer talent of Jordan being central to everything they did, the Bulls were at the top of the game. The way Jordan played transfixed fans all over the world and boosted the numbers who were tuning into games and watching live games courtside across the US.

San Antonio Spurs (1999-2014)

The San Antonio Spurs enjoyed an extended period of dominance where the team faded but then came back stronger again, winning five NBA titles between 1999 and 2014. In 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and then 2014, the Spurs reigned supreme under coach Gregg Popovich who fielded top players across those years including Tim Duncan, who spent two decades with the team as a player, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. It’s one thing to enjoy a glorious succession of title triumphs but to get knocked down and come back to claim success takes another level of skill and character. It was this ability to keep bouncing back while battering away rival teams for the crown that ensured the San Antonio Spurs will do down as legends in the story of the NBA.

Summing Up: Who is the Greatest Dynasty in NBA History?

Winning the NBA title is no mean feat and in the modern day, successive triumphs are unheard of, such is the level of play and competition across the leagues. However, the glory enjoyed by basketball legends and the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers show the impact star players can have, transforming the franchises while enhancing their appeal to basketball fans all around the world.