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#3 LA Lakers (2001-02)
The 2001-02 LA Lakers had arguably the most fearsome duo ever in the NBA. The combination of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant could overwhelm opponents' paint and mid-range.
While Shaw was the strongest center in the league back then, Kobe Bryant had begun to show signs of turning into one of the best scorers in the league.
With a 58-24 win loss ratio, the 2001-02 LA Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs without losing a single game. The San Antonio Spurs met a similar fate but fared a little better and won a single game in their 4-1 defeat at the hands of Los Angeles' Goliaths.
The Conference Finals proved a little harder for the Lakers team to defeat, but they did it anyway in the seventh and final game of the series.
As for the NBA Finals, the 2001-02 LA Lakers absolutely destroyed the Eastern Conference champions by sending them packing home within just four games of the series. Only two other teams have humiliated their opponents in the finals with a 4-0 victory - 2006-07 Spurs and 2017-18 Warriors.
#2 Cleveland Cavaliers (2015-16)
The 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers are one of only two NBA teams in the 21st century to battle the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals and come out winning. This team included stars like Kyrie Irving, King James and Kevin Love. The Cavs won 57 games and lost only 25 in their regular seasons.
Their incredible run continued in the finals, where Kyrie averaged 25.2 points per game and LeBron averaged 25.2 points, Love's rebounding and JR Smith's downtown shooting helped them slay all the teams that met them on their way to the ultimate victory.
#1 Golden State Warriors (2017-18)
The Golden State Warriors, under the coaching of Steve Kerr, became a team capable of wrecking any and all rivals. They reached five consecutive NBA Finals and won three championships. However, even by their standards, the brilliance and overwhelming excellence of the 2017-18 Warriors squad is unrivaled.
They had Kevin Durant, perhaps the greatest scorer of the 2010's. Then there was Stephen Curry, arguably the greatest shooter of all-time. Klay Thompson was in the mix as well, a player capable of landing lethal blows both from downtown and in the paint. And lest we forget, Draymon Green, one of the most dominant rebounders and pick-and-roll playmakers of the modern era.
This team is without a question the best team of the 21st century.
Guess the Lakers players!
