TOP 5 TEAMS IN NBA HISTORY

With the Celtics continuing their torrid pace with a 100-91 win over the Utah Jazz last night, they now stand at 23-2, which is tied for the best 25 game start of all time. Boston has won 15 straight games, and is looking even more dominant than last year's 66-16 team that won the NBA Championship.

So in looking at these Celtics, as well as the 20-3 Lakers and the 20-4 Cavaliers, let's take a look at the best five teams in NBA history. Will any of these three make future lists like this? We'll just have to wait and see.

5. 1988-89 DETROIT PISTONS (63-19)
This Pistons of 88-89 were one of the best defensive teams of all-time. Led by Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer, along with Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, and Vinnie "the Microwave" Johnson, Detroit's regular season dominance was nothing compared to their post season success. The team went 15-2 in the playoffs, and swept the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, 4-0.

4. 1982-83 PHILADELPHIA 76'ERS (65-17)
The Sixers "Fo Fo Fo" team, as named by Moses Malone for the number of games it would take Philly to win each series (he was almost right, too) was spectacular. In Malone's first season with the 76'ers, he led the team with 24.5 points and 15.6 rebounds per game. His playoff numbers were slightly better (26.0 points and 15.8 rebounds) and Philadelphia cruised to a 12-1 post season mark. Their .923 playoff winning percentage is the highest all time.

3. 1985-86 BOSTON CELTICS (67-15)
The '85-'86 team was probably the best of the original "Big Three" era in Boston. Bird, McHale, and Parish were joined by Dennis Johnson, Bill Walton, and Danny Ainge, and were virtually unbeatable at home. The club posted a 40-1 record at Boston Garden, the best home record ever. Upset by last season's NBA Finals loss to the Lakers, the Green came back strong, and beat the Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals.

2. 1971-72 LOS ANGELES LAKERS (69-13)
These Lakers were virtual opposites of the Celtics team above, as they posted the best regular season road record the game has ever seen (31-7). At one point, they won 16 straight road games, and 33 straight games overall, both NBA records. Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain brought the Lakers their first championship of the Los Angeles era, and broke the NBA record for most wins (since broken) in a single season.

1. 1995-96 CHICAGO BULLS (72-10)
Who else? The best team of all time was led by the best player of all time, Michael Jordan. In MJ's first full season since returning from retirement, he led the Bulls to a scorching hot start, beginning the season 41-3. Chicago never let up, as it's 72 wins remains the most regular season wins ever. Including the playoffs, these Bulls went 87-13, by far the best mark ever. His Airness, then 32, started all 82 games and averaged over 30 points per. The 1995-96 Bulls truly are the greatest team in NBA history.

Will this year's Celtics (or Lakers or Cavs for that matter) be able to crack the top five when all is said and done? No one knows. What we do know is it will take something truly extraordinary from KG and company to even be considered the best Celtics team ever. Through 25 games though, they are certainly off to a good start.

Disagree with this list? Should we have included the '86-'87 Lakers, '69-'70 Knicks, or '64-'65 Celtics? Let us know! Leave a comment, or email us at wntnsports@gmail.com.