The best NBA teams of the last 20 years in fives. Talent, technique, harmony, and, of course, victories are all emphasized.
We've been able to witness incredible concentrations of talent with the same tank top since 2000. The franchises have gradually worked toward forming a true superteam. Teams comprised various All-Stars to form the so-called Big 3.
Bringing together big names isn't enough to win; an effective collective game is also required. In other cases, however, these quintets have revolutionized basketball by introducing new concepts to the league. The most iconic quintets of the League from 2000 to today are featured in this special list.
8. Detroit Pistons 2003-2004
Quintet: Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace
It isn't the most talented group on the list; in fact, there is only one All-Star: Ben Wallace, a defensive specialist who averages less than 10 points per game. Richard Hamilton leads the team in scoring with 17.6 points per game. With 5.7 winning passes per game, Chauncey Billups is the best assist man. The figures aren't particularly exciting.
This group is known for its defensive prowess, as they held their opponents to an average of 84.3 points per game. In the famous NBA Finals of 2004, he also managed to get past the cracks in the Lakers' defense. The Pistons surprised everyone by winning the series 4-1. Their victory marked the end of one of history's most powerful dynasties. In front of a group of great players, they also demonstrated what it was like to be a great team.
7. Phoenix Suns 2004-2005
Quintet: Steve Nash, Joe Johnson, Quentin Richardson, Shawn Marion, Amar'e Stoudemire
A team that fully embraced coach Mike D'Antoni's mentality. The creator of "Seven Seconds or Less" discovered fertile ground for his game concept in this quintet, led by Steve Nash. On two occasions, the Canadian was named MVP of the season.
Amar'e Stoudemire was an undisputed All-Star and one of the NBA's top five scorers at the time. The team advanced to the Conference Semifinals, where they were defeated by the Spurs. The Suns' offensive ability was severely limited due to Joe Johnson's injury. This quintet is still considered one of history's greatest "What if" scenarios.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 2015-2016
Quintet: Tristan Thompson, Kyrie Irving, JR Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love
The Cleveland Cavaliers form a quintet that has made history. After 52 years, this team, coached by Tyronn Lue, brought a national title back to Cleveland. They were also the first team in NBA Finals history to come back from a 3-1 deficit. They produced some of the most exciting and spectacular Finals in recent times. The image of LeBron James stopping Andre Iguodala in race-7 has become a symbol of this group's success.
5. Los Angeles Lakers 2000-2001
Quintet: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Rick Fox, Horace Grant, Shaquille O'Neal
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal were unquestionably the most dominant duo of the early 2000s. During the 2001 Playoffs, this team's full potential was realized. Shaq was in his prime, having won MVP the previous season. He was also in the midst of a three-game winning streak as Finals MVP. Kobe became the NBA's best player after making a quantum leap in quality.
The other members of the cast blended in seamlessly with the two stars. Furthermore, the team was built to play with Phil Jackson's signature triangle, which had dominated the 1990s. The players did not perform at their best during the regular season, but the Lakers only lost one game in the playoffs, in the NBA Finals. Only Allen Iverson's 48 points were enough to stop this battleship for one evening.
4. San Antonio Spurs 2006-2007
Quintet: Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Bruce Bowen, Tim Duncan, Fabricio Oberto
It was impossible not to be a part of the dynasty of the San Antonio Spurs. The Big Three, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan, unveiled all of their talents during that season. Duncan, who had just turned 30, was in the midst of an All-NBA run. Parker played in the All-Star Game for the second time in his career. Ginobili had his best season yet, with excellent point averages and a three-point percentage.
The group was complete in every way. Both offensive and defensive efficiency ranked them in the top five. They only lost four games in the playoffs. The opponents were not exactly enticing: they faced the Suns in the Conference Semifinals without the disqualified players. They easily defeated the Cavs of a young LeBron James, who lacked adequate support, in the NBA Finals.
3. Boston Celtics 2007-2008
Quintet: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins
It serves as a model for modern superteams. The Boston Celtics were coming off a disappointing season the year before. The team struggled to keep Paul Pierce on the field. Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett were in a similar situation, trapped in relief under the stars, but their dominance was threatened by the Desert of the Tartars. The Celtics were able to put together this Big 3 through a series of exchanges.
Normally, finding the right chemistry takes time, but not in this case. The team started with a 29-3 record and proved to be unrivaled in defense, with Garnett being named Defender of the Year. The quintet's various elements filled in the gaps left by the other companions. After defeating the Lakers in a tense final series, Boston won Game 6 to claim the title.
2. Miami Heat 2012-2013
Quintet: Mario Chalmers, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Udonis Haslem, Chris Bosh
This group possesses all of the qualities that a super team should have. The Miami Heat were in the midst of the Big Three era at the time. Dwyane Wade, who averaged over 20 points per game, was the perfect second violin. Chris Bosh's production had dropped, but his mobility made him indispensable on defense, and he helped to widen the field in attack. Finally, LeBron James, the team's leader, reached his "prime" and dominated the NBA.
That season, Miami advanced to the NBA Finals, where he faced the Spurs. With the Heat trailing 3-2 in Game 6, James missed the equalizer, but Bosh was able to catch the rebound. Ray Allen, who was pulling from the corner, passed the ball to the long and... Miami put on a show in Game 7 and won the championship for the second time in a row.
1. Golden State Warriors 2017-2018
Quintet: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green
The "Hamptons Five" was the name given to these five players. This team was led by two-time MVP Stephen Curry. Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala both won the Finals MVP award in 2015. The previous year, Draymond Green was named Defender of the Year. Klay Thompson was an All-Star and one of the best "two-way" players in the NBA, capable of scoring a lot of points with just a few touches of the ball.
San Francisco's defense was extremely aggressive, and each player was able to mark more positions. The three main guns could not be contained offensively. They defeated the Cavaliers 4-0 in the NBA Finals, in a series that was never questioned. The injury was the only thing that kept this team from completing a historic three-peat.
