When I think about the best NBA teams of the 21st century, I can’t help but start with the Los Angeles Lakers. This team, led by the unforgettable Kobe Bryant, snagged five NBA Championships: in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010. In particular, their dominance from 2000-2002, when they completed a three-peat, remains one of the most remarkable feats in modern NBA history. Who else closed out the season with a 15-1 record in the playoffs? Not to mention, they had Shaquille O’Neal in his prime, a massive force at 7’1″ and 325 pounds. The duo of Kobe and Shaq was invincible.
Next, let’s talk about the San Antonio Spurs. Man, what a model of consistency! Over the first two decades of the 21st century, they made the playoffs for a ridiculous 22 consecutive seasons up until 2019. That’s the longest streak in NBA history. Coached by the brilliant Gregg Popovich, and led by Tim Duncan, the Spurs won five championships in this period (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014). Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili formed what many call the best “Big Three” in NBA history. And let’s not forget Kawhi Leonard winning Finals MVP in 2014 for his incredible all-around performance.
Then we have the Miami Heat, where the era of LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade put up mind-blowing numbers. During the 2010-2014 span, Miami reached four consecutive NBA Finals and won two of them (2012, 2013). Who can forget the nail-biting 2013 Finals against the Spurs, when Ray Allen hit that game-tying three-pointer in Game 6? That clutch moment remains one of the greatest shots in NBA history. This Heat team dominated both ends of the court, mastering the art of positionless basketball.
The Golden State Warriors rewrote the rules of the game with their “Splash Brothers” era. From 2015 to 2019, they reached the NBA Finals five consecutive times and clinched three championships (2015, 2017, 2018). Led by the unparalleled shooting prowess of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the Warriors set numerous records, including a 73-9 regular-season slate in 2015-2016, breaking the Chicago Bulls’ 72-10 record. Steve Kerr’s strategy and Draymond Green’s defensive versatility revolutionized the league, making three-point shooting a central strategy.
Speaking of the Boston Celtics, the revival of the franchise in the late 2000s was all about the Big Three: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. That team, orchestrated by Doc Rivers, won the 2008 NBA Championship, restoring glory to the Celtics. Their fierce rivalry with the Lakers during these years rekindled memories of the 80s battles. The Celtics were a defensive juggernaut, ranking first in defensive efficiency during their championship season.
In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons deserve a mention. They were a tough, defense-oriented team, winning the 2004 NBA Championship by stunning the heavily-favored Los Angeles Lakers. Their starting five – Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, and Ben Wallace – had no superstars but a perfect blend of skills. Ben Wallace was a defensive anchor, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award four times in five years.
Shifting focus to the Dallas Mavericks, their 2011 championship run led by Dirk Nowitzki was a thing of beauty. They defeated the Miami Heat “Big Three” in six games, showcasing team play and resilience. Dirk was phenomenal, and that Finals MVP performance solidified his legacy as one of the greatest power forwards ever. Who could forget their upset over the two-time defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers, with a sweeping 4-0 series in the Western Conference Semifinals?
At this point, mentioning the Cleveland Cavaliers feels mandatory, considering the legendary 2016 Finals. LeBron James led the Cavs back from a 3-1 deficit against a 73-win Warriors team. That game-saving block on Andre Iguodala and Kyrie Irving’s clutch three-pointer in Game 7 are moments etched into basketball history forever. This was Cleveland’s first ever NBA Championship, breaking a 52-year sports curse for the city.
Of course, fans of the Houston Rockets would argue that their team deserves recognition for their impressive playoff runs in the 2010s, particularly during James Harden’s tenure. Harden, known for his offensive arsenal and scoring titles, helped the Rockets push the Warriors to seven games in the 2018 Western Conference Finals. That series displayed some of the most exciting basketball, faster possessions, and incredible shooting accuracy from deep.
