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With 2020 quickly approaching, it is the perfect time to reflect on the past decade of NBA action. Over the past 10 years, the NBA has been graced by several excellent teams, and the likes of the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat have been able to win multiple titles.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs have been able to make multiple appearances in the NBA Finals, while the James Harden led Houston Rockets and Lob City Los Angeles Clippers have also left an impression.
So, with plenty of notable teams to choose from, here we will take a look at the five greatest teams of the last decade.
#5 2015-16 Oklahoma City Thunder
The 2015-16 Oklahoma City Thunder failed to make the NBA Finals after collapsing against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, but when on-form, this Thunder team were among the most dominant in the league over the past decade.
In Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder had two of the NBA's biggest superstars that were both still just 27, while a young Steven Adams was quickly emerging into a force on both ends of the court. Additionally, OKC had excellent defenders in Serge Ibaka and Andre Roberson, while Dion Waiters was a solid option from the bench.
It didn't always come together for Billy Donovan's team, but when it did, they were unplayable, and the team eliminated a 67-15 San Antonio team before blindsiding the Warriors in the first four games of the 2016 West Finals.
The Thunder eventually collapsed and blew a 3-1 series lead, but if Durant had stayed in 2016, this OKC team could have been the dominant force over the past three seasons.
#4 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers
The 2015-16 Cleveland team was full of drama, but it was the roster that finally ended the Cavaliers' wait for a title. In Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, LeBron James had two genuine second stars to play alongside, while the Cavs also got solid performances out of seasoned veterans such as J.R. Smith and Channing Frye.
Despite a mid-season change in coaches, the Cavs finished the regular season with a 57–25 record, earning the number one seed for the first time in six years. In the postseason, the team went on to sweep the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks before overcoming the Toronto Raptors in six games.
Down 3-1 against the 73-9 Golden State Warriors, it appeared that the Cavs' great season wouldn't yield a championship, but the Big 3 of Love, Irving and James helped fuel an unlikely comeback, finally ending the city of Cleveland's 52–year championship drought.
#4 2013-14 San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs narrowly lost the 2013 NBA Finals in seven games to the Miami Heat. Gregg Popovich's team then picked themselves up to exact revenge the following summer. While they were reaching the end of an era, the Spurs could still call upon their Big 3 of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker - while a 22-year-old Kawhi Leonard was quickly developing into the star that he is today.
Popovich's well-drilled team could also call upon important role players such as Danny Green, Patty Mills, and Marco Belinelli and the Spurs finished the regular season with a league-best 62-20 record.
The Spurs battled past the Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers and Oklahoma City Thunder on their way to the NBA Finals, and Miami couldn't deal with San Antonio's ball movement as they came away with a convincing 4-1 series win against LeBron and company.
#2 2012-13 Miami Heat
The Miami Heat reached four consecutive NBA Finals following LeBron James' arrival in 2010, winning titles in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons. The Heat were excellent during both title-winning seasons, although the 12-13 season marked the peak of the James era in Miami.
During the regular season, the Heat blew away the chasing pack as they finished with a 66-16 record. Along the way, they put together a 27-game winning streak as the Big 3 of James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh put on some of the most exciting basketball in recent memory.
The path to the NBA Finals wasn't without its difficulties as the Indiana Pacers forced seven games, but LeBron and company eventually advanced and won a second consecutive championship against the San Antonio Spurs' own Big 3.
#1 2016-17 Golden State Warriors
Over the past half-decade, the Golden State Warriors have dominated the NBA and there is plenty of debate as to which version of the team was best. The 2014-15 Warriors won a regular-season record 73 games, while the 2018-19 Warriors possessed the best starting lineup in recent history following the addition of DeMarcus Cousins.
However, the Warriors were most formidable during Kevin Durant's first year in Golden State during the 2016-17 season.
After finishing the regular season with a 67-15 record, they went on to lose just once in the postseason. A team headed by Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, and Durant swept the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, and San Antonio Spurs, while LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers could secure just a single win.
Ultimately, this Warriors team was the best of the decade - and arguably one of the greatest in NBA history.
Guess the Lakers players!
