Revealed: The Best NBA Season Ever

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 04 October 2023

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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The Best NBA Season Ever

• The Best Ever NBA Season
• 2015-2016: The Best All Around NBA Season Ever
• 1995-1996: Bulls’ Run: Historic Performance
• 1986-1987: Lakers-Celtic: An Iconic Rivalry
• 2003-2004: Pistons’ Win Against All Odds
• 1979-1980: NBA Legends Enter the League
• Frequently Asked Questions

In today’s blog, we’re going to be diving into the world of the NBA! Our goal today is to look at the best NBA season ever, looking at which seasons were the most exciting, noteworthy, and historic. We will cover the teams involved, why the seasons were so exciting – and we’ll relive some of the most notable games that took place during the seasons.

The Best Ever NBA Season

Deciding on the best ever NBA season is somewhat subjective; depending on the team you support and the players you like, you’re likely to have a different opinion to others who’re asked the same question! However, the best ever NBA season generally means that it brought more excitement and drama than any other.

In this blog, we’re going to look at five of the top contenders for the best NBA regular season ever. We’re going to show you five specific seasons, look at why they were so notable – and how they impacted the NBA.

Our site also has lots of information and guides on how you can bet on the NBA so be sure to check them out, plus we also offer reviews of various sportsbooks offering NBA betting, written by experienced gamblers who know what makes a top sports betting site.

2015-2016: The Best All Around NBA Season Ever

What’s the best all around NBA season ever? In our opinion, the 2015-2016 NBA season will be remembered as the greatest ever thanks to an epic rivalry between LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers and Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors were pursuing history, trying to top the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls’ record regular season win total of 72 games. Led by Curry, the first-ever unanimous MVP, and his long-range shooting abilities, the Warriors had an absolutely incredible season. They broke the previous season record, finishing 73-9, all thanks to Curry’s incredible scoring ability.

At the same time, the Cavaliers struggled through the regular season, with many doubting if LeBron James was still in his prime. Questions surfaced about Kevin Love’s abilities – and even their coach, Tyronn Lue, had his qualifications questioned. However, when it came to the playoffs, the Cavaliers showed their abilities, setting up a Finals showdown with the Warriors.

The Cavaliers and the Warriors faced off in the Finals for the second year in a row. The Warriors were up 3-1 in the series, but the Cavaliers made a historic comeback, winning the series 4-3. This marked the first time in NBA history that a team had come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals. LeBron James was named the Finals MVP, marking his third time receiving this honor.

Off the court, the 2016 season was also notable for the retirement of the late Kobe Bryant. After a staggering twenty seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant played his final game on April 13, 2016. He went out with an awe-inspiring performance, scoring 60 points in his final game.

1995-1996: The Greatest Team Ever?

The 1996 NBA season is often remembered as another of the best NBA seasons ever, and it’s easy to see why. It was dominated by the unstoppable Chicago Bulls, led by the legendary Michael Jordan. This season showcased an unforgettable display of skill, talent, and passion.

In this highly exciting season, Michael Jordan made an iconic return after his first retirement, when he went away to play baseball. He came back more determined than ever, giving outstanding performances in every game he played. He scored an astonishing average of 30.4 points per game, securing the NBA scoring title, along with All-NBA First Team and NBA All-Defensive First Team honors.

Scottie Pippen, another name who excelled that season, perfectly complemented Jordan’s abilities with his versatile gameplay. He was known for his defensive skills and significantly contributed to the Bulls’ success with an average of 6.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game, while also being a reliable scoring option.

Another crucial addition to the Bulls’ roster that year was Dennis Rodman, known for his rebounding skills and vibrant personality. Rodman led the league in rebounds, creating numerous second-chance scoring opportunities for the Bulls.

The season reached its peak during the intense Finals series against the Seattle SuperSonics. The Bulls clinched the championship in Game 6, earning their fourth title in six years and establishing themselves as one of the greatest teams in NBA history.

1986-1987: An Iconic Rivalry

The 1986-87 NBA season was a historic year for the league and one of the best all around NBA seasons ever. It again brought together two basketball legends: Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers, facing off against Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics in an unforgettable Finals showdown. This was the third time in four years that these iconic rivals met on the league’s biggest stage.

During the regular season, Magic Johnson showcased his brilliance and earned his first-ever MVP award. He had an impressive career-high average of 23.9 points and 12.2 assists per game, leading the Lakers to an impressive 65 wins. However, the Celtics managed to secure the best record at 67-15, thanks to their star player Larry Bird, who averaged 28.1 points.

In the playoffs, both Boston and Los Angeles dominated their respective conferences, setting the stage for an inevitable clash in the NBA Finals. The Finals lived up to the hype, as Magic and Bird, who symbolized an entire era of basketball with their rivalry, battled fiercely. The Celtics took the first two games at home, but Magic’s incredible 21 assists in Game 3 brought the Lakers back into contention.

The 1987 NBA Finals represented the peak of the Showtime Lakers and the iconic Magic-Bird rivalry. In addition to the headlining stars, the 1986-87 season showcased Dominique Wilkins leading the league in scoring, a young Michael Jordan achieving a rare feat of recording 200 steals and 100 blocks in a season, and Moses Malone winning his third MVP award.

In the end, Magic and the Lakers held up against their arch-rivals, securing Showtime’s final championship. The epic clash between Magic’s Lakers and Bird’s Celtics in 1987 remains one of the greatest moments in NBA history.

2003-2004: Pistons’ Win Against All Odds

The 2003-04 NBA season was marked by a huge trade that brought MVP Kevin Garnett and sharpshooter Latrell Sprewell to Minnesota, joining rising star Kevin Love and making the Timberwolves formidable contenders in the Western Conference. On the other hand, the Lakers secured the top seed in the West with the help of MVP runner-up Kobe Bryant and newly acquired legends Karl Malone and Gary Payton.

In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons caused a major upset by defeating the dominant Kobe-Shaq Lakers in the Finals. Detroit’s success was built on their insane defense led by Ben Wallace and a balanced offensive strategy led by Chauncey Billups. Their team-first approach proved effective against the Lakers.

The 2003-04 season also witnessed the arrival of a young talent, LeBron James, who immediately made a significant impact in the game. He averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game, narrowly missing out on the Rookie of the Year award to Carmelo Anthony. Another rookie, Dwyane Wade, also had an impressive debut season for Miami.

Below, we’ve highlighted some of the key teams from the 2003-2004 season, showing you their records, their playoffs results, and key players:

1979-1980: NBA Legends Enter the League

The 1979-80 season was a significant year for incoming NBA talent, and this was mainly led by the arrival of three future Hall of Famers—Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Larry Bird, and Isiah Thomas.

Magic Johnson was selected first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers and immediately lived up to the hype. His creative passing, dynamic playmaking, and inspiring enthusiasm helped transform the Lakers into their “Showtime” era.

Larry Bird had been drafted the year before, but finally made his NBA debut with the Boston Celtics in 1979 after finishing college. His scoring abilities and competitive spirit made him an instant star, and fans loved watching him play. Bird would soon ignite a bitter rivalry with Magic that, for many, defined the NBA of the 80s.

Isiah Thomas was selected second overall by the Detroit Pistons following a great career at Indiana. His scoring and general skills allowed the Pistons to become major contenders for the title that year.

Beyond the star-studded draft class, the 1979-80 season also featured rookie sensation Kiki Vandeweghe averaging over 20 points per game, Moses Malone winning his first of three MVPs, and 22-year-old Julius Erving leading the 76ers to the finals.

With the influx of young talent coming in through the draft and established superstars already in their primes, the 1979-80 season marked the dawn of a golden era filled with legends who would shape the NBA for the following decade. Fans were treated to the rise of Magic, Bird, and Thomas – three iconic players whose rivalry elevated the league to new heights.