These NBA superteams, past and present, are writing the league's history and re-writing the record books
With over 150 million fans, the NBA holds a prime position in the realm of sports. However, not all NBA teams contribute equally to the above fan following. There are superteams that ignite a fan with total excitement. These are teams that ruled the NBA world with an iron fist and crippled competitors without a second thought! And NBA victors made their villains bow for them! We are going to dive into NBA's past tyrants, current victors, and slain teams.
NBA past Tyrants
The NBA was formed in the 1940s, but from the 1980s, many teams had gained enough momentum to showcase their skills by overshadowing competitors.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers had an elite combination of players in the early 1980s who made the Sixers great. In 1982, Philly began its reign by signing free agent Moses Malone, also a two time MVP champion.
They dethroned the Los Angeles Lakers by beating them four games to nil as Malone had promised. In the same year, Malone also bagged his third MVP.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
Before it began setting another record from 1985, the Los Angeles Lakers had already savored the championship in 1982. The '82 championship was a success thanks to Kareem Abdul- Jabbar and Magic Johnson, a dynamic duo that was raining terror on NBA's underdogs.
Converting the duo into the big three was James Worthy from the Cavaliers. These Big Three was set to catapult the Lakers into a decade long run. From 1980 to 1990, the Lakers won five championships, and its Big Three were recognized among the top 50 greatest players of all times.
3. Boston Celtics
This is another superteam of the past and the Lakers arch-enemy. This juggernaut had its trio led by Larry Bird. Later, Dennis Johnson Joined Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, and the Celtics were set for a title run. Boston lost to the Lakers in the 1985 and 87 finals after claiming the 1986 championship.
4. Chicago Bulls
When you mess with a bull, it won't hesitate to take you down! This is a phrase know very well by NBA teams. With the blockade of defenders led by Dennis Rodman, a two-time defensive player of the year, and an offense led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, the Bulls won the championship from 1991 to 1993 but took a two-season break before winning again from 1996 to 98. In total, the Bulls won six championships in their decade-long reign.
NBA current victors
These NBA superteams are presently delighting fans with their amazing wins. They are the current victors!
1. Boston Celtics
With five-time all-star Paul Pierce, Boston could pierce through their opponent's defense at will. Unfortunately, they finished last place in the Eastern Conference. However, Danny Ainge, the general manager, made a decisive change by pooling two huge trades and getting Ray Allen and Kevin Garnet. They thrashed the Lakers and won the NBA title in 2008.
2. Miami Heat
This NBA superteam is all about forming a fierce big three with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh. The Heat burnt the Dallas Mavericks and claimed the 2011 NBA title. Miami also won the 2012 and 2013 titles as LeBron took the MVP.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
The return of King James made the Cleveland Cavaliers a team not to mess with. Cavs trio James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love led the Cavs to the 2016 title.
4. Golden State Worriers
The signing of Kevin Durant to top their existing trio of Stephen, Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green made the Warriors fierce hunters! They added their 2016 and 2017 championship titles to their 2015 win. Curry and Durant won MVPs.
NBA's slain Superteams
When the reign of a superteam comes to an end, its heroic actions also die! These are superteams whose success story covered only a few pages!
1. Houston Rockets
Rockets fuel had less to lift it off the first-round playoff in 1998. They will remember their failure after trading Scottie Pippen, which swung them to the fence!
2. Los Angeles Lakers
With many uprising enemies, everyone anticipated the fall of the Lakers. Injuries and disagreements between Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant drained the Lakers, leaving them stranded for the 2003-2004 competition.
In the 2012-2013 seasons, Bryant was retiring; hence Lakers' fate couldn't be overturned even with new signees. The season passed by while the Lakers calmly relaxed in the depths.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
Durant heading to the Warriors threw the Thunder into purgatory! Utah Jazz eliminated the powerless Thunder in the first rounds of 2017-18 playoffs.