The Miami Heat have been a dominating force in the NBA league for the last few years, winning over the majority of teams in their division. Other great teams to look out for include the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Sacramento Kings and the San Antonio Spurs.
San Antonio Spurs
If you’ve been following the NBA, you might not know that the San Antonio Spurs have become the most successful franchise in the history of the league. The Spurs have won five championships in their time in the National Basketball Association. They are also the only ABA team to win a title in the NBA.
In the ’90s, the Spurs were on the cusp of a rebuilding era. But Popovich and Robinson teamed up to help the Spurs to a record-breaking 37-13 record. By the end of the season, Gregg Popovich had eclipsed Don Nelson on the career wins chart.
The Spurs hung a new banner over their arena. But the franchise will always be remembered as the team that took Tim Duncan and the rest of the team to the finals. Duncan was the first player to win back-to-back MVP awards since Michael Jordan in 1991 and 1992.
Dallas Mavericks
There are a number of reasons why the Dallas Mavericks are considered one of the best teams in the league. They’ve reached the playoffs every year, and this season, they won the NBA championship. Here are five players who helped them get to the title game.
The biggest name to play in the Mavericks’ lineup was Dirk Nowitzki. He became the first European-born MVP and was a key component of the team’s title run. His shooting touch was a key component of the team’s success.
Another player who helped the team win was Jason Terry. He averaged nearly 20 points per game during the 2010-11 season. Terry finished with a 27-point performance in Game 6 of the series, helping the Mavericks win over Los Angeles.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are the most dominant in year three of the Big Three. In the regular season, the team won 66 games and had the best record in the Eastern Conference. They also racked up $1,509,376 in playoff-share money.
Not only did the Heat win the most games, but they dominated the competition on the road and at home. Their victory in the 2006 NBA Finals was the most prestigious in the franchise’s history. And the fact that they did it in back-to-back years is no small feat.
This was the year LeBron James got his first ring with the Heat. His MVP season was a stellar one, and it was followed by a run to the NBA Finals. He was a member of the best team in the NBA.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the most dominant teams in the NBA for many decades. During this period, they have won 15 titles. They are also known for sweeping their opponents in the NBA Finals. In fact, they have the most NBA Finals appearances of any team.
Since 2000, the Lakers have won five titles. They have also won three consecutive titles. These are the first three times the franchise has won five titles in a decade.
The Lakers were coached by Phil Jackson and Pat Riley. Both of these men are Hall of Famers. Their names are among the most recognizable in the history of the NBA.
George Mikan is the first “big man” to dominate the NBA. His name is often used when talking about the Lakers. He is the only player to win the NBA’s Finals Most Valuable Player award three times. During his time with the Lakers, he was a two-time All-NBA First Team member and All-NBA Second Team member.
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings aren’t in the same league as the Los Angeles Lakers, but they have been a fixture in the Western Conference since 1985. After a brief period of relative prosperity, the franchise has failed to replicate the success of their predecessors. As such, they have not made the playoffs in 15 consecutive seasons.
Although their marquee players aren’t among the sexiest on the court, their roster includes several notables who’ve hung around in the league long enough to qualify for a plethora of accolades. One of these stars is a dynamo, and his name is Peja Stojakovic. Another is an NBA All-Star. Other key players include guard Tyreke Evans and center Langston Galloway. They also possess a slew of talented up and comers who are willing to put in the hours on the court.
