Fans who loathe NBA dynasties are usually in awe when they end, and the Golden State Warriors are no different. Positionless basketball, paired with the most proficient three-point shooters in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, frustrated opponents for years. Still, the Warriors have gained appreciation for their impact on the sport, like previous teams before them.
Dynasties can serve as the lifeblood that revitalizes and sustains a sports league. The '80s Lakers and Celtics centered on the captivating rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. It attracted a burgeoning audience, one that rescued the league from collapse and created a foundation for its success.
Dynasties, furthermore, redefine opportunities for athletes. The Tim Duncan-era Spurs, joined by Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, marked a pivotal juncture in the NBA. It contributed to the globalization of the sport, producing a pipeline for international players who play critical roles in the NBA today.
With all the dynasties in the NBA, who ranks supreme? Many would say the '90s Bulls, who won an incredible six championships in eight years (and only lost two when Michael Jordan left them behind for baseball)—but the data may say otherwise. To determine the best dynasties in NBA history, ATS.io looked at all teams that won three or more championships within a single decade using data from Basketball Reference.
After examining their win percentage during the years of their first and last championship within that decade, dynasties were then ranked by their win percentage during those years. Though many dynasties on this list did not play the same amount of games due to playoff structure, shortened seasons, and number of teams in the league, the regular season gives a telling snapshot of a team's dominance in an era.
