15-11:
15) 1999 San Antonio Spurs: 37-13, 15-2; Coach: Popovich
This first Spurs’ title team has been disrespected by some, including Shaq, because it occurred during a strike-shortened regular season. If they had maintained the same pace across a full regular season, they would have won 61 games.
They were led by the “Twin Towers” of Duncan and David Robinson, with good support from Sean Elliott and Avery Johnson. The team dominated the playoffs, sweeping the Lakers in Round Two and beating the Knicks in a five-game Finals.
14) 1989 Detroit Pistons: 63-19, 15-2; Coach: Chuck Daly
The very physical Pistons, with “Bad Boys” Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn, as well as Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Vinnie Johnson, Mark Aguirre and a young Dennis Rodman (without tattoos or body piercings) had an outstanding season. But in retrospect, their roster doesn’t seem to stack up alongside the cream of the NBA crop.
In the Finals, they swept the injury-riddled Lakers (Magic Johnson was hobbled for most of the series and Byron Scott missed it all).
13) 1971 Milwaukee Bucks: 66-16, 12-2; Coach: Larry Costello
Lew Alcindor (before he changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) was magnificent in his sophomore season, averaging 32 points and 16 rebounds. The great Oscar Robertson excelled as the point guard and the supporting cast of Bob Dandridge, Jon McGlocklin and Greg Smith filled their roles well.
The Bucks marched through the playoffs with little resistance and swept the Finals against Baltimore.
12) 1967 Philadelphia 76ers: 68-13, 11-4; Coach: Jack Ramsay
At long last this team put an end to the Celtics unparalleled string of eight straight titles. A terrific roster featured Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Chet Walker and Billy Cunningham, and also included Wali Jones and Luke Jackson.
After beating Boston in five games in the conference finals, the 76ers defeated the Warriors in six games to win the championship.
11) 1961 Boston Celtics: 57-22, 8-2; Coach: Auerbach
The third team in the Celtics run included a sterling roster of Russell, Heinsohn and Sam Jones along with Bob Cousy, Bill Sharman and Frank Ramsey. All are in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Back in those days, there were only two rounds of playoffs. Boston won both 4-1, including a triumph over the Hawks in the Finals.