10. 2005 Phoenix Suns (60-22)
Coach Mike D’Antoni
Key Players: Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion
Season Ended: Western Conference Finals, 4-1 Lost to San Antonio Spurs
If this were a list of most fun team to watch, the Suns would be the undisputed #1. Their speed and athleticism, along with the creativity of MVP Steve Nash's ball-handling and passing made for one of the best offensive shows in league history. They were super-talented as well. Alonside their big 3 was sharp shooter Quentin Richardson and a young Joe Johnson. Unfortunately for the Suns, Mike D'Antoni's run-and-gun offense (110ppg 1st) and silent defense (103ppg 3oth) wasn't enough to beat the Spurs who were one of the best defensive teams of all time. The Suns sure did know how to put asses in the seats though.
9. 2007 San Antonio Spurs 58-24
Coach Gregg Poppovich
Key Players: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili
Season Ended: Finals, 4-0 Over Cleveland Cavaliers
Though they are the oldest of the championship Spurs team, it was the second best playoff record in their franchise history (16-4) and only surpassed by the legendary run of the '01 Lakers in the past decade. Though many would argue the suspension of Stoudemire was the reason they were able to advance out of the second round, I believe the Spurs to be the better team and certainly did not need to prove anything to the league in regards to their post-season play. This will likely be the last of Tim Duncan's championship runs, but four isn't so bad.
8. 2002 Sacromento Kings 61-21
Coach : Rick Adelman
Key Players: Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic
Season Ended: Western Conference Finals, 4-3 Lost to Los Angeles Lakers
One of the best teams ever to not win a championship. This team was a personal favorite of mine and a favorite by many to take it all. They had it all, veteran experience, good coaching, dominant big man, exceptional floor general, great perimeter player, and depth. If there was any team that was going to stop L.A. during their 3-peat, it was the '02 Kings. They gave Kobe and Shaq their toughest series-the best series of the decade in my opinion because it was essentially the Finals. Had it not been for Robert Horry (see below) the Kings would be higher on this list.
7. The 03-04 Detroit Pistons 54-28
Coach: Larry Brown
Key Players: Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Richard Hamilton
Season Ended: Finals, 4-1 Over Los Angeles Lakers
Detroit returned to the leagues elite for the first time since the "Bad-Boy" era of the late 80's. Although they had the second worst record of any Champion this decade, it was probably the biggest upset. The only team to defeat the Kobe-Shaq Lakers in the Finals. Not only that but was easily the most talented Kobe-Shaq Laker team featuring all-time greats Karl Malone and Gary Payton. Though the Pistons weren't hurting for talent either
6. 2002 Los Angeles Lakers
Coach: Phil Jackson
Key Players: Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal
Season Ended: Finals, 4-0, Over New Jersey Nets
Out of the four championship teams this decade, the 2002 Lakers were probably the weakest. That doesn't mean they weren't damn good. The Lakers finished with tied with the Spurs for the second best record in the league. After a 7-Game war with the Kings (Thank you Robert Horry) they steamrolled the inferior Nets for the first and only 3-peat of the post-Jordan Era, but it was all downhill from there for the dynamic duo of Kobe and Shaq.
5. 2005 San Antonio Spurs 59-23
Coach: Gregg Poppovich
Key Players: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili
Season Ended: Finals, 4-3 Over Detroit Pistons
The third of the four championships won in the Duncan Era. The first without David Robinson and the establishment of the Spurs big-three. Just a shade above the '08 Celtics for the decades best defensive efficiency (98.8). Although they had their toughest finals series of the four, taking them seven games to beat the defending champion Pistons. This was the best of the Spurs championship teams, and that's saying a lot.
4. 2009 Los Angeles Lakers 65-17
Coach: Phil Jackson
Key Players: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza
Season Ended: Finals, 4-2 over Orlando Magic
After being embarrassed by the Boston Celtics in the Finals, the Lakers came back strong. The first full-season of the new-look Lakers. They finished a game shy of Cleveland’s league best record (though they did sweep them with ease). Kobe was as hungry as he had ever been for a ring 30.2ppg 5.3rpg 5.5apg throughout the play-offs. Carrying these numbers into the Finals where he won his first Finals MVP and got that "No ring without Shaq" monkey off his back
3. 2008 Boston Celtics 66-16
Coach: Doc Rivers
Key Players: Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen
Season Ended: Finals, 4-2 over Los Angeles Lakers
The greatest comeback season in NBA history. Out of any team on this list, the 08 Celtics were probably the hungriest for a title. Seasoned veterans Pierce, Garnett, Allen, come together and sacrficed their numbers for their first (and probably only) championship. One of the best defensive teams of all time, Their efficiency was third all time (98.9 per 100 possessions) which helped Kevin Garnett earn Defensive Player of the year. Although they had the worst postseason record of any champion of the 2000s (16-10) they disposed of a strong Laker team lead by MVP Kobe Bryant in what many would call a "six-game sweep". It's a shame that Kevin Garnett's post-season was nullified by injury the following year and it looks like the window has closed, but it was fun while it lasted.
2. 2000 Lakers 67-15
Coach: Phil Jackson
Key Players: Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal
Season Ended: Finals, 4-2 over Indiana Pacers
The first of the 3-peat. This team featured a young Kobe Bryant, the best season Shaquille O'Neal's career earning him the MVP, and a supporting role by former All-Star Glenn Rice. Tied with the 07' Mavericks for best record of the decade-they had best record of any championship team. Yet they are #2 because their postseason run wasn't as strong as the team ahead of them. In fact it was sort of a weak playoff run, needed a full 5 games against Sacramento in round 1, and an amazing fourth quarter comeback to beat Portland in game 7 of the conference finals.
1. 2001 Lakers 56-26
Coach: Phil Jackson
Key Players: Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant
Season Ended: Finals, 4-1 over Philldelphia 76ers
It my seem odd put the Laker team with the worst record out of the four champion's at #1 but it is their late season surge followed by their legendary playoff run that earned them the top spot. The '01 Lakers performed at a second tier contender level through much of the regular season before finishing strong by winning 23 of their last 24 games, 8 straight heading into postseason play where they went 15-1, the single loss coming in overtime from A.I.'s 48 point effort in game 1 of the Finals.
Honorable mention: 2003 San Antonio Spurs (60-22 NBA Champions), 2006 Miami Heat (52-30 NBA Champions), 2009 Cleveland Cavaliers (66-16), 2004 Los Angeles Lakers (56-26) 2004 Minnesota Timberwolves (58-24),
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