NBA Playoffs - 5 greatest team performances during a single post-season

Oklahoma City Thunder v Golden State Warriors
Oklahoma City Thunder v Golden State Warriors

Winning in the NBA is a difficult feat that takes every ounce of effort from a team as well as an established play style and even a slight dose of luck. Dominating the NBA Playoffs is a tough task but many franchises have swept through competition with incredible performances.

NBA Playoffs - 5 greatest team performances during a single post-season

This article will discuss the NBA Playoffs and list the 5 greatest team performances during a single post-season.

The list will be based on the team's winning percentages during their NBA Playoffs run. It is to be noted that the comparison of totals between teams from different eras is not an accurate description of events, given that the length of the NBA Playoffs was different in the past (shorter).

Without further ado, let us take a look at this great list.


#5 1989 Detroit Pistons - 15-2 record in the NBA Playoffs

Portland Trail Blazers v Detroit Pistons
Portland Trail Blazers v Detroit Pistons

The 1989 Bad Boy Pistons were a tremendous team filled with versatility, great defenders and high intensity. The team was led by Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer and Dennis Rodman.

During their first NBA championship run, the Pistons dominated the 1989 NBA Playoffs with a 15-2 record. Their winning percentage (.882) is tied for fourth place in NBA history with the 1999 San Antonio Spurs and the Chicago Bulls.

What is impressive from the Pistons' run is the quantity of Hall of Fame members they played on their way to the NBA title (eight, even after playing the Boston Celtics without Larry Bird).

The Pistons defeated Boston (42-40 record in the regular season) in the first round, the Milwaukee Bucks (49-33), the Chicago Bulls (47-35), and the LA Lakers (57-25) in the NBA Finals. Only the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals were able to defeat them as Chicago took two games off Chuck Daly's team.


#4 1991 Chicago Bulls - 15-2 record in the NBA Playoffs

It was Jordan's first-ever NBA title.
It was Jordan's first-ever NBA title.

Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls first-ever run to an NBA title included an incredible record of 15-2 in the NBA Playoffs.

They had a winning percentage of .882, tied with the 1989 Bad Boys and the 1999 Spurs. However, like Detroit, Chicago defeated eight Hall of Fame players during their NBA Playoffs run, which is the most ever.

Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson stormed to their first championship after sweeping the New York Knicks (39-43) in the first round, beating Charles Barkley and the Philadelphia 76ers (44-38), sweeping the two-time reigning champions Detroit Pistons (50-32), and beating Magic Johnson and the Lakers (58-24) in the NBA Finals.

The only teams to beat the Bulls during their NBA Playoffs run in 1991 were the Sixers and the Lakers.

#3 1983 Philadelphia 76ers - 12-1 record in the NBA Playoffs

The Fo', Fo', Fo' Philadelphia 76ers.
The Fo', Fo', Fo' Philadelphia 76ers.

The 1983 Philadelphia 76ers were a great team that dominated the NBA Playoffs. After Moses Malone, the NBA reigning MVP, joined the team for the 1982-83 season, it was all about the NBA championship in Philadelphia.

The team completed their title quest by dominating the 1983 NBA Playoffs with a 12-1 record (.923 winning percentage).

The 1983 Sixers defeated six Hall of Fame players through their NBA Playoffs run (the second-most ever). They defeated the New York Knicks (44-38), the Milwaukee Bucks (51-31), and swept the LA Lakers (58-24) to complete their all-time great NBA Playoffs run.

Only Milwaukee took a game from the Sixers (in the second round).


#2 2001 LA Lakers - 15-1 record in the NBA Playoffs

Kobe Bryant formed an iconic duo with Shaquille O'Neal.
Kobe Bryant formed an iconic duo with Shaquille O'Neal.

The 2001 Los Angeles Lakers arguably have the greatest case to be considered as the best team in the history of the NBA Playoffs.

The team built around two Top-5 NBA players of that era (and possibly ever) and had one of the greatest coaches of all time in Phil Jackson. Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant had already won their first NBA title in 2000, and the 2001 NBA Playoffs were a solid statement.

Their winning percentage (.938) ranks second in NBA Playoffs history. The 2001 Lakers beat four 50-win teams in the NBA Playoffs and only lost one game (game one of the NBA Finals, at the hands of Allen Iverson).

They also defeated six Hall of Fame players on their way to the title and arrived at the NBA Finals with an 11-0 record in the NBA Playoffs.


#1 2017 Golden State Warriors - 16-1 record in the NBA Playoffs

2017 NBA Finals - Game Five
2017 NBA Finals - Game Five

As bad as it might have looked, Kevin Durant's decision to join the 73-9 Golden State Warriors was a powerful move that completely changed the NBA picture.

In the 2017 NBA Playoffs, the Warriors reached the NBA Finals with a 12-0 NBA Playoffs record and started the NBA Finals up 3-0.

Their unbeaten run ended on game four of the NBA Finals, but they completed the greatest NBA Playoffs run ever in terms of wins (due to the current format) and winning percentage (.941).

However, Golden State only beat four Hall of Fame players during their NBA Playoffs run, though they competed against the 51-win Utah Jazz, the 61-win San Antonio Spurs, and the 51-win Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh