50 win seasons in the NBA

[timmo]

From what I understand, 50 wins in a season is considered the mark of a "good" NBA team. I was curious where the Spurs placed in comparison with the other 29 teams in the Association when it comes to consecutive 50 or more win seasons. In doing so I also saw who is likely to continue their streak and who may not. I figured I'd share it with you all as well.



The Spurs streak of 9 is sure to extend to 10 this year. They need to go 8-12 to get it. Only two other teams have streaks of 10 or more; Lakers & Celtics.

The Spurs also have 4 different streaks in franchise history. As of today, that puts them in a four-way tie for second (with the Celtics, Suns & Jazz) with L.A. leading with 7 streaks. My numbers for L.A. include the current season since they have already won 50 games. This will actually become a two-way tie for third at the end of the season though.

The Suns current streak of 4 consecutive 50 win seasons will most likely end this year. They need to finish out 16-3 to get to 50, and I don't believe that will happen. The Celtics are assured to hit the 50 win plateau again this season to begin a new streak.

Detroit's current streak of 7 consecutive 50 win seasons is probably over as well. They need to finish 18-2 to reach 50. They could do it, but it will be very tough.

The Mavs need to finish 12-7 to extend their current 8 season streak to 9. That will be tough considering Dallas' remaining schedule is a bear.

The poor Bobcats, Clippers & Raptors have never won 50 games in any season, let lone back-to-back.

Below is a list of all 30 NBA teams and their consecutive 50 or more win seasons. I used Basketball-Reference.com (http://www.Basketball-Reference.com) for all my numbers.


Lakers - 12 - 79-80 - 90-91
5 - 99-00 - 03-04
3 - 95-96 - 97-98
2 - 07-08 - 08-09
2 - 71-72 - 72-73
2 - 67-68 - 68-69
2 - 61-62 - 62-63
Celtics - 10 - 58-59 - 67-68
9 - 79-80 - 87-88
5 - 71-72 - 75-76
3 - 89-90 - 91-92
Spurs - 9 - 99-00 - 07-08 - Need to finish 8-12 to extend streak
3 - 93-94 - 95-96
2 - 89-90 - 90-91
2 - 74-75 - 75-76
Suns - 7 - 88-89 - 94-95
4 - 04-05 - 07-08 - Need to finish 16-3 to extend streak
3 - 79-79 - 82-83
2 - 99-00 - 00-01
Jazz- - 5 - 93-94 - 97-98
4 - 88-89 - 91-92
2 - 06-07 - 07-08 - Need to finish 10-9 to extend streak
2 - 99-00 - 00-01
Bulls - 5 - 89-90 - 93-94
4 - 70-71 - 73-74
3 - 95-96 - 97-98
Sixers - 7 - 79-80 - 85-86
4 - 65-66 - 68-69
2 - 76-77 - 77-78
Heat - 2 - 04-05 - 05-06
2 - 99-00 - 00-01
2 - 96-97 - 97-98
Mavs - 8 - 00-01 - 07-08 - Need to finish 12-7 to extend streak
2 - 86-87 - 87-88
Pistons - 7 - 01-02 - 07-08 - Need to finish 18-2 to extend streak
5 - 86-87 - 90-91
Bucks - 7 - 80-81 - 86-87
5 - 69-70 - 73-74
Thunder/Sonics - 6 - 92-93 - 97-98
2 - 78-79 - 79-80
Knicks - 4 - 91-92 - 94-95
3 - 68-69 - 70-71
Blazers - 4 - 89-90 - 92-93
2 - 99-00 - 00-01
Cavs - 2 - 05-06 - 06-07
2 - 91-92 - 92-93
Pacers - 2 - 69-70 - 70-71
2 - 94-95 - 95-96
Rockets - 2 - 06-07 - 07-08 - Need to finish 8-9 to extend streak
2 - 92-93 - 93-94
Kings - 5 - 00-01 - 04-05
Hawks - 4 - 85-86 - 88-89
T-wolves - 3 - 01-02 - 03-04
Magic - 3 - 93-94 - 95-96
Nets - 3 - 73-74 - 75-76
Nuggets - 3 - 74-75 - 76-77
Hornets - 2 - 96-97 - 97-98
Wizards/Bullets - 2 - 68-69 - 69-70
Warriors - 0 - 50 wins 4 times
Grizzlies - 0 - 50 wins 1 time
Bobcats - 0 - 50 wins 0 times
Clippers - 0 - 50 wins 0 times
Raptors - 0 - 50 wins 0 times

[101A]

Now.

Consider '99 a "50+ win equivalent" - and look at what the Spurs have accomplished since '89.

They have been "good" for a long, long time.

[Spurs1234]

so we will be at 10 this year, with the obvious caveat being the 99 season where we would have won 50 games and had a 50 game winning %. I think the record is at 12 with the lakers, I think we could def. tie it. Of course, i have seen places that just give us credit for 9 straight through this year, not counting the 98 50 win season since 99 technically broke the streak, although it was no fault of the team. I really am rooting for this record, cause i think it adds to the longevity of the duncan dynasty.

[JWest596]

Not to jinx anything

If a 50 game season is considered "good", a 55+ game winning season separates the wheat from the chaff. Much like a .250 MLB hitter from a .400 hitter.

60 game win seasons are an aberration due to their rarity and only the historical teams have accomplished this often and never long term (4 times consecutively twice I think)

The Spurs are on par to possibly accomplish another 55+ win game season which puts them into very rarefied territory. If they accomplish this it will be their NINTH straight year of doing so and will tie them with the Celtics under Bill Fitch and KC Jones. Even the Showtime Lakers only accomplishes consecutive 55+ win season 7 times.

No one else even comes close. And if (when) the Spurs accomplish this and do so again next year, it will probably stand the ages. That's the greatness of Tim Duncan. I am open to correction. It's moring and the coffee hasn't kicked in completely.

[Galileo]

Not to jinx anything

If a 50 game season is considered "good", a 55+ game winning season separates the wheat from the chaff. Much like a .250 MLB hitter from a .400 hitter.

60 game win seasons are an aberration due to their rarity and only the historical teams have accomplished this often and never long term (4 times consecutively twice I think)

The Spurs are on par to possibly accomplish another 55+ win game season which puts them into very rarefied territory. If they accomplish this it will be their NINTH straight year of doing so and will tie them with the Celtics under Bill Fitch and KC Jones. Even the Showtime Lakers only accomplishes consecutive 55+ win season 7 times.

No one else even comes close. And if (when) the Spurs accomplish this and do so again next year, it will probably stand the ages. That's the greatness of Tim Duncan. I am open to correction. It's moring and the coffee hasn't kicked in completely.

Great post.

If you look at seasons where teams won 2/3 or more of their games, the Spurs stand out even more. In an 82 game season, you need to win 55.

The Spurs have won 2/3 + in 11 out of 12 with Duncan. That's amazing.

If you add in the Robinson years, the Spurs have won 2/3 in 15 of the last 19 seasons, totally incredible.

The Spurs need to go 13-7 to hit 55 this year, pretty doable.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/

[JWest596]

The Spurs need to go 13-7 to hit 55 this year, pretty doable.

I'm hoping so (won't be easy) but we are now into the "spoiler " (Last 20 games) season. Non-playoff teams start to play out of their minds to salvage their pride and lower tier teams start to play to get favorable PO positions.

The Lakers will pay a price having that (Best in the West) target on their back. It can happen to the Spurs as well and Pop is know for resting for the playoffs,, Final standings be damned.

ATT: Pop win 13 in a row and then rest em. IMO, it's worth shooting for 55 in the Drive for 5!