Where do the 2017-2018 Rockets rank on this? And any other teams that come to mind when you think of this?
Warriors from 3 years ago has to rank high; the 73-9 season. That OKC team that lost to Miami in the finals. Three MVPs and still couldn't win it. The James-Wade-Bosh Miami team that lost to Dallas and San Antonio in the Finals. That '85-'86 Rockets squad was really good and had so much potential. Drugs and injuries ruined it all. I'd say last year's team probably ranks just behind the 73-9 Warriors team.
How can last years team that was pounding the Durant Warriors, rank BEHIND the Durant-less Warriors? We would DEMOLISH the 73-9 Warriors.
Underperformed due to injuries and definitely a tier below some of the other teams mentioned here; but I would have loved to see the full Artest Rockets squad. Healthy T-Mac and Yao with a solid bench and supporting cast for the first time ever.
Sacramento with CWebb, Bibby, Vlade, Peja, Dougie They were robbed in the WCF and it's documented. Had they been given a fair chance, they would have won the finals. I find that post-season to be one of the darkest in NBA history. Corruption led the Lakers to a title and the amazing offense/mind of Rick Adelman was never appreciated (until he got to Htown and made glue guys competitive as all hell) CWebb was one of my favorite players outside of the Rockets back then. It bothers me that he didn't get that chance.
I honestly think the Jazz are pretty up there. They gave the bulls all they wanted and more. That team was fantastic.
The 2002 Kings were the biggest robbery in NBA history. But they were not as stacked as the 2016 Warriors. Also, don't forget the 1981 Lakers who surprisingly got eliminated by the Rockets.
The Dr J era 76er teams with George McGinnis, Daryl Dawkins, Bobby Jones, Maurice Cheeks, and Andrew Toney were pretty good.
That Rockets team is the one that always comes to mind when this sort of topic comes up. They were the next dynasty. Even the media loved that team, something we don't see these days with the Rockets. Quite the opposite.
It's weird to think that this is true, yet they weren't really a good "team". They had guys in their rotation who looked awesome in their system but weren't good anywhere else. Russell was Mr Average, Shanderson sucked, Eisley sucked (but all looked great on the Jazz). Adam Keefe was a joke. Greg Foster was a reasonably impressive shooter for a bench C but that's it. Atoine Carr was... eh, alright I guess. Ostertag was maybe slightly under-appreciated as a post defender and rebounder but still nothing to write home about. Hornacek was an amazing shooter and nothing else. Really, those "teams" were just a testament to how good John Stockton, Karl Malone, and Jerry Sloan could make anyone look. Malone was one of the best fast break big men in history, automatic from anywhere inside 3, top rebounder, and underappreciated defender and passer. Stockton was Stockton. Could've scored in bunches if he wanted to, but settled for doing everything else instead. There will never be another Stockton. ...and, I'm liking every post that says 2002 Kings, because that is the correct answer.