Basketball Reference Blog

Archive for August, 2024

Best NBA Teams of All Time (Part One)

30th August 2024

(last updated on October 20, 2025)

Some of the most entertaining and heated debates you can have with your friends are the “best ever” conversations. A very popular one in the sports world is the best NBA team of all time. Although this is very subjective, we are going to make this list as data-driven as possible. First, there are some qualifiers to be eligible. One, the team had to win the NBA title that season, so that will eliminate squads like the 73-9 Golden State Warriors who didn’t finish the deal. Two, the team had to win at least 60 games in the regular season; a truly elite team has to prove it over the long haul, not just in the playoffs. Three, only one team will be chosen per era for dynasties, so only one team of MJ’s, Larry’s, and Magic’s. 

As far as criteria, much data will be used, but some determining factors will be postseason record, margin of victory, Hall of Famers on the team, quality of opponents, offensive efficiency, and defensive efficiency. This is no easy list to compile. It’s hard to leave some historic teams off, so this will be in two installments. Now that the guidelines have been laid out, in no particular order, here are some of the best NBA teams of all time … part one.

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Who has the Most Finals MVP Awards?

17th August 2024

(last updated on October 19, 2025)

The NBA Finals have created some of the best moments in league history, so let’s look back at the legends with the most Finals MVP awards. We will be entering hallowed ground. Every player on this list has at least three MVPs on the NBA’s biggest stage, and each man is enshrined in the Hall of Fame. The only one that isn’t will be inducted as soon as he is eligible. This honor has been given since 1969, and as you’ll see, the legends like to win it … a lot. This is a fraternity of basketball luminaries, so without any more build up, let’s see the players with the most Finals MVPs in NBA history.

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Best NBA Rookie Seasons of All Time (Part Two)

16th August 2024

(last updated on October 19, 2025)

Let’s continue our look at the greatest rookie years in NBA history. As a reminder, to qualify for this list, you had to actually win the Rookie of the Year award, so guys like Magic Johnson and Dwyane Wade, who were rousing rookies, won’t be eligible. Another major factor in making this cut is how the rookie improved his team. Now it’s time to check out part two of these dazzling debuts and spotlight the best rookie seasons in NBA history.

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Best NBA Rookie Seasons of All Time (Part One)

10th August 2024

(last updated on October 19, 2025)

The NBA’s inception was the 1946-1947 season, and the league started naming a Rookie of the Year in its second season. This list is littered with Hall of Famers and household names. But what NBA players had the greatest rookie seasons of all time? We’ll examine some of the most thrilling and memorable rookie years the association has ever seen. To qualify for this list, you had to actually win the Rookie of the Year award, so guys like Magic Johnson and Dwyane Wade, who were rousing rookies, won’t be eligible. Another major factor in making this cut is how the rookie improved his team. Since there have been so many phenomenal rookies, this will be a two-part segment. Now it’s time to check out these dazzling debuts and spotlight the best rookie seasons in NBA history.

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Win-Loss Records of the NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorers

9th August 2024

(last updated on October 18, 2025)

The legacies of the NBA’s all-time leading scorers extend far beyond their jaw-dropping point totals. These basketball legends not only dazzled fans with their scoring abilities but also shaped the fortunes of their teams. This article delves into the NBA win/loss records of these iconic players, revealing how their scoring feats influenced their teams’ successes and struggles, offering a captivating glimpse into their enduring impact on the game.

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