Rate the best teams of the decade

[Tacker]

Here are my picks....

1. 01 Lakers
2. 04 Pistons
3. 05 Spurs
4. 08 Celtics
5. 06 Heat
6. 00 Lakers
7. 03 Spurs
8. 02 Lakers
9. 07 Spurs

[gaKNOW!blee]

The 05 Spurs beat the 05 Pistons which was basically the same as 04.

And the 06 Heat kind of sucked. No way they're better than 2 Laker teams and 2 Spurs teams.

[jacobdrj]

05 Pistons lacked de facto depth. They were deep, but their coach refused to use anyone after the 7th man.

[ginobili's bald spot]

04 Pistons at 2 is way off IMO.

[jacobdrj]

That was a hell of a dominating defense. That '04 Pacers team wasn't that far behind. And the '05 Pacers team should have won the title, had Artest and Jackson not, ya know...

Let us not forget the 02 Kings.

[resistanze]

06 Heat should be near the bottom

[Flo-Rida]

#1 06 Miami heat

[jacobdrj]

The 05 Heat were an amazing team. I agree, the 05 team was lame.

[ImmortalD24]

1. 01 Lakers
2. 02 Lakers
3. 00 Lakers
4. 08 Celtics
5. 04 Pistons
6. 05 Spurs
7. 03 Spurs
8. 06 Heat
9. 07 Spurs

[jacobdrj]

So is this list a team of best in the decade or best CHAMPIONS of the decade?

[ImmortalD24]

I think he meant best champions of the decade..

[Russ]

1. 01 Lakers
2. 03 Spurs
3. 05 Spurs
4. 04 Pistons
5. 08 Celtics
6. 00 Lakers
7. 07 Spurs
8. 02 Lakers
9. 06 Heat

(But I think the real question is overall "Team of the Decade," i.e., the Spurs. :)).

[IronMexican]

01 Lakers

[gaKNOW!blee]

What about the best finals runner ups?

1. 04 Lakers
2. 00 Pacers
3. 05 Pistons
4. 06 Mavs
5. 03 Nets
6. 02 Nets
7. 08 Lakers
8. 01 76ers
9. 07 Cavs

[Cant_Be_Faded]

03 spurs vs 05 spurs would have been the greatest series of all time.

[JamStone]

1. 2000 LA Lakers
2. 2001 LA Lakers
3. 2008 Boston Celtics
4. 2005 SA Spurs
5. 2004 Detroit Pistons
6. 2003 SA Spurs
7. 2002 LA Lakers
8. 2007 SA Spurs
9. 2006 Miami Heat

[kamikazi_player]

LOl, wheres that sissy little ghazi and his stupid argument on the 2006 mavs as champions.

[21_Blessings]

1)00 Lakers
2)01 Lakers
3)02 Lakers
4)09 Lakers
5+) everyone else

[Darrin]

1. 2006-07 San Antonio Spurs
2. 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers
3. 2004-05 Detroit Pistons
4. 2004-05 Phoenix Suns
5. 2005-06 Dallas Mavericks
6. 2007-08 Boston Celtics
7. 2005-06 San Antonio Spurs
8. 2001-02 Sacramento Kings
9. 2002-03 New Jersey Nets
10. 2006-07 Golden State Warriors

[Ghazi]

1. 06 Mavs
2. 08 Celtics
3. 00 Lakers

[21_Blessings]

1. 2006-07 San Antonio Spurs
2. 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers


Hahahahahahahahaha. One team goes 15-1 the other only beat the Suns because Donaghy is a convicted felon and Stern suspended their best player on some bullshit.

[Ghazi]

06 Heat aren't even a top 25 team this decade lool

Mavs 06 champs.

[BUMP]

i have a hard time believing 07 Spurs were any good at all. Not only did the league suck then, but they benefited from the Suns' suspension not to mention caught a HUGE MOTHERFUCKING break when GS (the only team that could beat Dallas in the league that year) somehow wound up with the 8th seed. If Dallas played SA that year that series would've gone 6 at the most!

[BUMP]

to be fair to the 06 HEat, they weren't that great but they played physical team defense down the stretch on us. That is a key to most championship teams

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Other than 2001 Lakers, 2000 Lakers and 2008 Celtics this is a tough list. I'd say those are in their own tier as the top 3 with the 2001 Lakers at the top. 2001 Lakers cause of playoff dominance and the other two because it's extremely impressive to be the favorite when the season starts and be the wire to wire favorite.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

i have a hard time believing 07 Spurs were any good at all. Not only did the league suck then, but they benefited from the Suns' suspension not to mention caught a HUGE MOTHERFUCKING break when GS (the only team that could beat Dallas in the league that year) somehow wound up with the 8th seed. If Dallas played SA that year that series would've gone 6 at the most!

The 2007 Suns could beat the 2007 Mavs. The regular season series I believe was split 2-2 and one of the few consistent things Amar""""e has done in his career is run a train on Dallas. I do agree that no team from 2005-2007 was extremely strong. No team from that era could compete with the 2000-2002 Lakers or 2008 Celtics.

[21_Blessings]

Would almost feel sorry for the Suns if their fans didn't talk so much shit to the Lakers, like beating Smush Parker and Kwame Brown was a big deal :). 2007 was their year and they were bent over by Stern. That Spurs team was extremely weak just like the 08 version and they got a free ride in the finals by facing Lebron. The Lakers exposed them in 2008.

[baseline bum]

Hahahahahahahahaha. One team goes 15-1 the other only beat the Suns because Donaghy is a convicted felon and Stern suspended their best player on some bullshit.

Like when LA only beat the Kings because Bavetta's a crook?

[Ghazi]

07 Spurs were pretty solid guys

[baseline bum]

i have a hard time believing 07 Spurs were any good at all. Not only did the league suck then, but they benefited from the Suns' suspension not to mention caught a HUGE MOTHERFUCKING break when GS (the only team that could beat Dallas in the league that year) somehow wound up with the 8th seed. If Dallas played SA that year that series would've gone 6 at the most!

Yeah, Spurs 4-2. Dallas shot their nut early in 07 and by April the team started falling off bigtime. The Mavs peaked in January/February while the Spurs were peaking just in time for the playoffs. If it wasn't for that gift from Crawford ejecting Duncan for nothing, they would have been .500 for April (reg season).

[baseline bum]

The 08 Celtics are pretty overrated on these lists. Everyone remembers them dominating a soft Lakers team, but they were a minute or so from being eliminated by an even worse version of the Cavs than the one Orlando just destroyed (with LeBron playing the series of his life vs the Magic). Then they couldn't win a road game against Atlanta? The 09 Lakers should be near the bottom of the list also after needing 7 to beat an NBDL-level team in the Rockets minus Yao, McGrady, and Mutombo. That team wouldn't win 35 games in a full season.

[baseline bum]

My picks:

1. 01 Lakers
2. 00 Lakers
3. 04 Pistons
4. 03 Spurs
5. 05 Spurs
6. 02 Lakers
7. 08 Celtics
8. 07 Spurs
9. 09 Lakers
10. 06 Heat

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Would almost feel sorry for the Suns if their fans didn't talk so much shit to the Lakers, like beating Smush Parker and Kwame Brown was a big deal :)

It wasn't the quality that was such a big deal, it was rallying back from 1-3 and all the emotion and tension in the series that made it a big deal. It was also cause in 2006 Lakers over Suns was the sexy upset everyone on ESPN was picking, plus that game 4 jump ball was bullshit.

I don't think most Phoenix fans viewed beating LA in 2007 at all like beating LA in 2006. In 2007 it was more a, "We're just beating a team we're supposed to beat and getting ready for San Antonio." Personally I didn't get any satisfaction out of them beating LA in 2007. 2006 I did cause it wasn't a sure thing like it was in 2007 (any team starting Boris Diaw at center and Tim Thomas at power forward is vulberable) and it was a 7 game series.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Yeah, Spurs 4-2. Dallas shot their nut early in 07 and by April the team started falling off bigtime. The Mavs peaked in January/February while the Spurs were peaking just in time for the playoffs. If it wasn't for that gift from Crawford ejecting Duncan for nothing, they would have been .500 for April (reg season).

That's a little misleading considering the fact they had home court locked up for a large part of April and were resting their best players.

[baseline bum]

That's a little misleading considering the fact they had home court locked up for a large part of April and were resting their best players.

They didn't start resting their players until the Golden State game (game 81 of the season). AJ said he was going to rest the team and then went out and played Dirk and Howard 37:00 in that infamous game Crawford ejected Duncan (game 80).

[baseline bum]

However, if you disregard the two games they rested everyone, their April 07 record was 5-3, which would have been 4-4 had Crawford not ejected Duncan for laughing (the Spurs were handling them pretty well in their own building with all their stars playing).

[JoeTait75]

1: 2000-01 Lakers
2: 1999-2000 Lakers
3: 2007-08 Celtics
4: 2006-07 Spurs
5: 2004-05 Spurs
6: 2001-02 Lakers
7: 2003-04 Pistons
8: 2002-03 Spurs
9: 2005-06 Heat

[DrHouse]

'01 Lakers
'00 Lakers
'05 Spurs
'04 Pistons
'08 Celtics

Everyone else.

[HarlemHeat37]

best teams post-Jordan..

#1- 2000-2001 LA Lakers
#2- 1998-1999 San Antonio Spurs
#3- 1999-2000 LA Lakers
#4- 2004-2005 San Antonio Spurs
#5- 2002-2003 San Antonio Spurs
#6- 2001-2002 LA Lakers
#7- 2007-2008 Boston Celtics
#8- 2003-2004 Detroit Pistons
#9- 2008-2009 LA Lakers
#10- 2006-2007 San Antonio Spurs
#11- 2005-2006 Miami Heat

[Allanon]

I think when it's all said and done, these 2008/09 Lakers will be one of the most winning teams of all time. There's really only 1 star in Kobe unlike Magic/Kareem/Worthy or Duncan/Manu/Parker or Shaq/Kobe or Jordan/Pippen but the other guys are extremely talented albeit lowkey.

A LOT of it will have to do with the declining competition, another part talent depth, and the last part being youth to sustain a long run.

These Lakers are probably only playing at 1/3rd their potential right now.

[HarlemHeat37]

I think when it's all said and done, these 2008/09 Lakers will be one of the most winning teams of all time. There's really only 1 star in Kobe unlike Magic/Kareem/Worthy or Duncan/Manu/Parker or Shaq/Kobe or Jordan/Pippen but the other guys are extremely talented albeit lowkey.

A LOT of it will have to do with the declining competition, another part talent depth, and the last part being youth to sustain a long run.

These Lakers are probably only playing at 1/3rd their potential right now.

Pau Gasol is easily better than Parker or Ginobili of any of the title runs..he's putting up 18-11-2.5-2 a game, and he's one of the best post players in the NBA..he's arguably a top 10 player in the league..don't sell him short..

the Lakers can certainly make a run the next few years, but it'll also be interesting to see what happens with Ariza and Odom..I agree that they haven't played up to their potential, but they really haven't looked like a dominant team this year, and they obviously benefited from weaker competition than in year's past..

[Allanon]

Pau Gasol is easily better than Parker or Ginobili of any of the title runs..he's putting up 18-11-2.5-2 a game, and he's one of the best post players in the NBA..he's arguably a top 10 player in the league..don't sell him short..

Talent-wise yeah, he's good. He just ain't appealing like a Manu or a Tony Parker. Even as a Laker fan, I can't get used to thinking he's actually a good player whereas Manu and Tony are great players in my mind. Pau's just so lowkey I guess.



the Lakers can certainly make a run the next few years, but it'll also be interesting to see what happens with Ariza and Odom..I agree that they haven't played up to their potential, but they really haven't looked like a dominant team this year,

I agree, keeping BOTH Odom and Ariza will determine their success. Keeping 1 of them isn't enough...without both, the Lakers are not that much more talented.

I guess this is a bit premature....I keep forgetting about their FA situation.



and they obviously benefited from weaker competition than in year's past..

As an NBA fan, I'm very disappointed with the lack of competition. I've enjoyed the years past more than this year even though this is probably a championship year.

I just hope teams shape up next season but it's not looking good. The "2010 plan" really screwed up the NBA.

[Ghazi]

Gasol a top ten player is a bit much.

probably in the 15-20 range.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

The "2010 plan" really screwed up the NBA.

What's even more annoying is it's going to be much ado about nothing. Most of the big man players in 2010 will wind up staying with their team. Every trade deadline hyped up by ESPN nothing happens, every draft night where Ric "Anyone can do my job cause all I do is make shit up" Bucher says there are going to be tons of trades there aren't any trades, and the 2010 free agency period ESPN is hyping up as everything short of a real life fantasy draft will be no different. Nothing will happen.

[Ghazi]

Allanon you're pretty d-u-m

Gasol made the All Star team this year and was 3rd team all-NBA, yet isn't a star? Give me a break.

Dirk however, has led a uni star team to a title in 2006. Only all-NBA player and all-star on the Mavs that year.

[Ghazi]

Oh, and I love the 1/3rd of potential bullshit.

So does that mean when the Lakers DO reach their potential they'll go 77-5 and win by 15-20 points per game? gtfo thx

[baseline bum]

I think when it's all said and done, these 2008/09 Lakers will be one of the most winning teams of all time. There's really only 1 star in Kobe unlike Magic/Kareem/Worthy or Duncan/Manu/Parker or Shaq/Kobe or Jordan/Pippen but the other guys are extremely talented albeit lowkey.

A LOT of it will have to do with the declining competition, another part talent depth, and the last part being youth to sustain a long run.

These Lakers are probably only playing at 1/3rd their potential right now.

LMFAO. Why do Laker fans always act like Gasol or their ridiculous depth don't exist? LMAO @ playing at 1/3rd of their potential when they just threw up a perfect game to start the Finals. What exactly do you expect when they reach 3/3rd of their potential? Lakers 280, Magic 60?

[Allanon]

Oh, and I love the 1/3rd of potential bullshit.

So does that mean when the Lakers DO reach their potential they'll go 77-5 and win by 15-20 points per game? gtfo thx

You're still the lame sad story living in 2006.

[Allanon]

LMFAO. Why do Laker fans always act like Gasol or their ridiculous depth don't exist? LMAO @ playing at 1/3rd of their potential when they just threw up a perfect game to start the Finals. What exactly do you expect when they reach 3/3rd of their potential? Lakers 280, Magic 60?

LMFAO. Bynum, at 21, has not reached his potential, nor Ariza or Brown. The Lakers are still a young team with much room for improvement.

[dirk4mvp]

Anthony Randolph has reached his maximum potential at 19 years of age.

[baseline bum]

LMFAO. Bynum, at 21, has not reached his potential, nor Ariza or Brown. The Lakers are still a young team with much room for improvement.

So next year at 3/3rds potential they'll be winning Finals games 250-70?

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

I don't understand how Parker or Manu > Gasol.

[Allanon]

So next year at 3/3rds potential they'll be winning Finals games 250-70?

You don't have to be a dick.

[resistanze]

LMFAO. Bynum, at 21, has not reached his potential, nor Ariza or Brown. The Lakers are still a young team with much room for improvement.

You forgot everyone gets older, though. In 2-3 years when Bynum, Ariza and Brown have REALLY developed, how good will Kobe and Gasol be?

[Allanon]

I don't understand how Parker or Manu > Gasol.

I think a healthy Manu or Parker is > Gasol.

[IronMexican]

I think a healthy Manu or Parker is > Gasol.

No way. When Pau isn't playing like a pussy, he's a meast.

[Allanon]

You forgot everyone gets older, though. In 2-3 years when Bynum, Ariza and Brown have REALLY developed, how good will Kobe and Gasol be?

I think Kobe in 3 years will still be an elite player. Gasol I think will still be at a high level since he'll be around 32.

[resistanze]

I think Kobe in 3 years will still be an elite player. Gasol I think will still be at a high level since he'll be around 32.
I'm sure they'll be playing at a pretty high level, but do you think they're be playing at the same level they're playing in 2009? If not, can't we expect the rise of the younger players to be offset by the decline of the veterans?

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

I think a healthy Manu or Parker is > Gasol.

Then explain how a team that is about to win the finals and has "only one star player" has reached only 1/3 of its potential?

[Allanon]

I'm sure they'll be playing at a pretty high level, but do you think they're be playing at the same level they're playing in 2009? If not, can't we expect the rise of the younger players to be offset by the decline of the veterans?

I think in 3 years, yes. Kobe will be 33 and Pau 32. That's still pretty young.

Five years down the line, no.

[Allanon]

Then explain how a team that is about to win the finals and has "only one star player" has reached only 1/3 of its potential?

The competition is not very good. These teams pale in comparison to the winners of the last 10 Finals.

The Lakers don't have to be great to win a Championship.

[baseline bum]

You don't have to be a dick.

Somebody's gotta call people out who make ridiculous assertions. Might as well be me.

[Allanon]

Somebody's gotta call people out who make ridiculous assertions. Might as well be me.

We'll find out next year how ridiculous those assertions are.

I'll say it now, if the Lakers keep both Odom and Ariza, the Finals next year are a forgone conclusion.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

The competition is not very good.

It was good enough to force a 7th game.

[resistanze]

We'll find out next year how ridiculous those assertions are.

I'll say it now, if the Lakers keep both Odom and Ariza, the Finals next year are a forgone conclusion.

I totally believe the Lakers will be the favorites next year, but that doesn't have anything to do with their potential. Even at "1/3rds" potential they'll still be the favorites.

[baseline bum]

We don't need to wait. Even with the creampuff path to the LOB that LA has had this season, no team wins a title playing to 1/3rd of their potential.

[Allanon]

It was good enough to force a 7th game.

I said last summer the Lakers would win the Championship this year. Rockets put up the best fight but got blown out in Game 7.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

We'll find out next year how ridiculous those assertions are.

I'll say it now, if the Lakers keep both Odom and Ariza, the Finals next year are a forgone conclusion.

That's not really a bold prediction son.

[Allanon]

We don't need to wait. Even with the creampuff path to the LOB that LA has had this season, no team wins a title playing to 1/3rd of their potential.

So you think these Lakers have already peaked?

[Allanon]

That's not really a bold prediction son.

BB says it's a ridiculous assertion. I don't think it's ridiculous at all.

[Ghazi]

Mavs are taking out the Lakers next year.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

So you think these Lakers have already peaked?

No one said they've already peaked I agree that they haven't reached their potential but saying they've only reached 1/3 of their potential is completely different.

[Allanon]

No one said they've already peaked I agree that they haven't reached their potential but saying they've only reached 1/3 of their potential is completely different.

This year's Lakers team was not very good at all. 2000 Kings/2007 Spurs/2007 Suns/2004 Pistons would have whupped these Lakers.

Very hot and cold and oftentimes lazy.

I think the Lakers are going to get ALOT better.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

I think the Lakers are going to get ALOT better.

I think there's a likely chance they do but I don't think they really can get THAT MUCH better.

[baseline bum]

So you think these Lakers have already peaked?

Maybe. Even if they haven't, they don't have a Kevin Durant or a Derrick Rose on their roster who's going to blow up and change the dynamics of the team much in the next couple of years.

[Allanon]

Good enough guys. We'll wait and see.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

2007 Suns would have whupped these Lakers.

:lmao

You're crazy if you think that any team could overcome the size disadvantage Phoenix would have there. Diaw would be guarding Gasol and Amare would be guarding Bynum.

[Allanon]

:lmao

You're crazy if you think that any team could overcome the size disadvantage Phoenix would have there. Diaw would be guarding Gasol and Amare would be guarding Bynum.

I agree with Boris/Pau but the problem with Bynum post-surgery this year is that he's quite slow. He couldn't have run with Amare. Pre-surgery Bynum, sure but Bynum's slow as hell right now.

The 2007 Suns were a very consistent team, these Lakers are not. If the Suns had gotten past the Spurs, they would have been the champs in 2007.

[Ghazi]

Manu > Gasol

Manu's efficiency is under appreciated because the Spurs are a slow paced team and his minutes were always monitored.

And efficiency is what wins titles, just ask Dirk Nowitzki.

[Tacker]

Manu > Gasol

Manu's efficiency is under appreciated because the Spurs are a slow paced team and his minutes were always monitored.

And efficiency is what wins titles, just ask Dirk Nowitzki.

What was so rigged about the 06 Finals? I think the only thing rigged in the 06 playoffs was Stern allowing the Mavs to get to the Finals in the first place......

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

I agree with Boris/Pau but the problem with Bynum post-surgery this year is that he's quite slow. He couldn't have run with Amare. Pre-surgery Bynum, sure but Bynum's slow as hell right now.

The 2007 Suns were a very consistent team, these Lakers are not. If the Suns had gotten past the Spurs, they would have been the champs in 2007.

Obviously they would have. And you might be the one person to say the 2007 Suns were consistent. Jump shooting teams aren't consistent. There was a whole saying about them, "If you're down by 20 keep playing cause they might blow the lead, and if you're up by 20 keep playing cause they can storm back."

Bynum guarding Amare would be a problem but Fish always does a good job on Nash and Ariza is the type of defender who always gives Marion problems.

[Ghazi]

Derek fuckin Fisher couldn't hold Hall of Famer Steve Nash's jockstrap.

[Allanon]

Obviously they would have. And you might be the one person to say the 2007 Suns were consistent. Jump shooting teams aren't consistent. There was a whole saying about them, "If you're down by 20 keep playing cause they might blow the lead, and if you're up by 20 keep playing cause they can storm back."

Bynum guarding Amare would be a problem but Fish always does a good job on Nash and Ariza is the type of defender who always gives Marion problems.

Fair enough I suppose.

[Ghazi]

What was so rigged about the 06 Finals? I think the only thing rigged in the 06 playoffs was Stern allowing the Mavs to get to the Finals in the first place......

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=057406F3CB637FAE

http://www.82games.com/game5refs.htm

http://www.nba.com/media/jrnba/danny2.jpg

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Fair enough I suppose.

Maybe I talk down the 2007 Suns more than I should but Phoenix isn't going anywhere as long as most of the fans are in denial about the Nash-D'antoni project not working and believing that the 2007 Suns were some fuckin amazing team that would have face fucked the 1986 Celtics, so I do my best to point out that team simply wasn't THAT good and overachieved in a very weak era.

[DrHouse]

Maybe. Even if they haven't, they don't have a Kevin Durant or a Derrick Rose on their roster who's going to blow up and change the dynamics of the team much in the next couple of years.

You can make a strong argument that they do. Andrew Bynum. A lot of short-sided fans like yourself have probably given up on him, but I think if that kid can stay healthy the Lakers have a huge piece that will keep them competitive as Kobe declines.

[baseline bum]

You can make a strong argument that they do. Andrew Bynum. A lot of short-sided fans like yourself have probably given up on him, but I think if that kid can stay healthy the Lakers have a huge piece that will keep them competitive as Kobe declines.

Bynum's a good talent who with some luck will have a bright future, but pegging him as a can't-miss all-star like Rose or Durant is a bit much, especially with the guy's injury history. If they can't afford to keep Odom this summer, then they most likely won't be as good a team next year. I'm not sure they can afford to keep him and Ariza, as no one is going to take Vujacic's or Walton's contracts without a nice draft pick or something in return, which the Lakers will not have. Buss has never been a huge spender even when they were competing for titles in the first half of the decade, so I'm not convinced he'll spend like Cuban to keep the entire team together. You're looking at salary approaching $86-$87 million or so to bring back Odom and Ariza, and that's with them dropping Sun Yue, letting Brown and Powell walk, and trading out of the first round. The Lakers committed salary could easily push $90 million next year if they don't make some cost-cutting moves.

[SouthTexasRancher]

What about the best finals runner ups?

1. 04 Lakers
2. 00 Pacers
3. 05 Pistons
4. 06 Mavs
5. 03 Nets
6. 02 Nets
7. 08 Lakers
8. 01 76ers
9. 07 Cavs


ROTFFLMFAO :rollin:rollin

[SouthTexasRancher]

LOl, wheres that sissy little ghazi and his stupid argument on the 2006 mavs as champions.


Lil' ghazi is in the closet on this one!

[mavs>spurs2]

one ring faggots

[Tacker]

one ring faggots

Mavs don't have a ring FagBag.