After yesterday's venom over my Sonics column (and before I start, I'm sorry about getting the stadium capacities wrong. I didn't have the stats with me at the time), let's focus on something of a lifetime achievement award. For those who are idiots! The list today ranks the top ten franchises who, through sheer bad luck, or sheer imcompetence, have made their teams the joke of their respective leagues. Here's how it goes:

10. San Francisco 49ers: This once-proud team has fallen on lean years in part because they no longer have an unlimited budget. The feudal atmosphere between coach Mike Nolan and QB Alex Smith (Nolan hasn't even assured Smith of the starting job) adds to the uncertainty.

9. Miami Heat: I would have picked on Clay Bennett some more, but I want to cool the venom off a bit. The Heat, in any case, have plummetted since winning the 2006 NBA title. Pat Riley's will-he/won't-he soap opera wore out long ago (he currently deciding his future), and his bad moves (adding Ricky Davis, anyone) have poured gas onto the fire.

8. Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies have had more valleys than peaks, beginning in Vancouver and (with a brief reprieve) continuing in Memphis. Maybe you can call it "The curse of Big Country". After all, any team that thinks Bryant Reeves was a top ten pick deserves what they get!

7. Kansas City Royals: Look beyond the good start, and realize that the last time Kansas City made the playoffs (I think 1989) George Brett was their top hitter, and Bret Saberhagen was their ace. Granted, with such a limited budget, they can't afford to compete regularly, but you'd think at least once they would have dumblucked their way into the playoffs by now.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves: Do you realize Kevin McHale has made the Celtics legit again? How? By giving away KG (although Al Jefferson has emerged)! McHale has been the GM there since 1995, and has two playoff series wins to his name (both in 2004). Until the T-Wolves wise up, they may be haunted by the Garnett trade for years to come.

5. Tampa Bay Rays: How many years have we heard that the Rays are going to emerge as a good team when their young talent comes together? It seems like that's been the case for years now. You need to know a major reason they rarely win? Because money is practically all they care about! Look at the major reason Evan Longoria wasn't on the roster at the start; because if he had been, he would become a FA in 2013 (by waiting, the Rays put that off by another year). You act cheap, you get cheap results.

4. Oakland Raiders: "Commitment to excellence". That is the Raiders' mantra. Unfortunately, they haven't had much excellence since losing the Super Bowl to Tampa five years ago. Al Davis' moves get more questionable every year (look at how he's overpaying for every FA they've signed this year), and his desire to fire Lane Kiffin is puzzling. And if he makes good on his promise (threat) to live until the Raiders win two more Super Bowls (!?!), it could be a long time yet before it's better.

3. Los Angeles Clippers: A rose is a rose is a rose. Or in this case, Clippers are Clippers are Clippers. This team wrote the book on losing (Five winning seasons I believe, two playoff series wins). They're the only team in NBA history to play since 1970, and have fewer than 10 years above .500!. One major reason: Donald Sterling, who is the anti-Steinbrenner; he refuses to meddle with his team to make it better (only to make it worse). Just quote Ron Harper (I have frequently); he said playing for them was like being in prison!

1A. New York Knicks: I'm sorry, there has to be 1 and 1A here, because the Knicks are comically inept. The Isiah Thomas error, er, era ended (we believe) almost as it began; with a loss, making them 23-59 (tied for worst 82 game record ever). Donnie Walsh needs to fire Isiah and start anew. Buy out as many contracts and trades what you can't buyout now, and begin the painful process of reconstruction.

1. Detroit Lions: What do all these teams (for the most part) have in common? Ownership has let the city down. And no one does it better than William Clay Ford. He sticks by Matt Milen even though evidence has shown he isn't an effective GM/Pres. Looking at the records tells you all you need to know (2-14, 3-13, 5-11, 6-10, 4-12 I believe, 2-14 and 7-9). I've said it before, and I'll say it again: what does it take to be fired from the Lions? A sex harassment suit!?

There the list. Any teams I should have mentioned? Think another team should have been higher? Let me know (I have a feeling Arizona Cardinals people will respond). Ola!

Don't be confused by the title. I'm referring to the Seattle Supersonics, who may very well be playing their last (official) game tonight. Many bloggers are well aware of the acrimonious relations between majority 'owner' (I use that loosely) Clay Bennett and bestest buddy David Stern against practically the entire stat of Washington. So I won't go into details. However, this being the first time I've talked about this topic, I'll state my feelings about it.

This situation has been disgraceful from the start. From the moment the Sonics were sold to Bennett's company, the feeling must have been "When", not "If" they were/are going to move. The e-mails that came out recently only solidify that assesment. I'd have more respect if Bennett had said "I really want a team in my hometown, so I'm moving the team there.". At least then he would have a little more of his dignity. But Bennett's position pales in comparison to Stern's.

I commented a while ago on a blog about this topic that Stern needed to consider stepping down as commish because his grip on what's right or wrong was slipping. I comnpared him to Pete Rozelle, who was a broken shell of himself by the time he stepped down as NFL commish in 1989. Well, his actions this morning (on Mike & Mike in the Morning) only confirmed those fears; he actually said the owners had negotiated with the city in good faith! How do you call conspiring to move a "good faith effort"? Isn't that what Art Modell said when he moved the Browns to Baltimore?

And I think a Cleveland-type situation may soon develop here. With the exception of a few owners (most notably Mark Cuban), approval of the move should occur. If that happens, I say "Let the BLEEPing team start over, too!". You do to the O.K. City team what the NFL did to the Ravens; allow Seattle to keep all the history and records, and give the team a new team in the future! Stern was benevolent to Charlotte when the Hornets moved, and Charlotte didn't (and doesn't) have the tradition of the Sonics.

What's right about this picture; Key Arena actually has more capacity than the Ford Center (forgive me if I don't know the O.K. arena's name)! And the situation there is better than Seattle! How is having fewer butts in the seats a better plan? And here I thought Stern wasd a marketing genius! This is more concerning than a refereeing scandal (although that's serious, as well) or the dress code. It shows a lack of logic and respect for the fans, the very same fans you claim to be going after to supoort you.

I can just see this conversation at a dinner banquet:

Year: 2010 (after lease is up)

Clay Bennett sits at dinner with some allies.

Bennett: "Boy, I sure am glad to finally be in O.K. City, now that those damn pesky Seattle people are out of the way. How did your moves go?"

Art Modell: "Oh, it was nasty initially, but after the fans got another team, it was tolerable. Hell, my team won a Super Bowl after five years!"

Al Davis (rises from rocking chair): "Be careful, Clay. My friendship with Pete dissolved quickly after my move, and I ended up back in Oakland because the golden palace had too many (c)racks."

Bennett: "I'm not worried. I duped Seattle from the start!"

ghost of Bob Irsay: "Don't believe the hype. My team was cursed until I passed and Peyton Manning was drafted. I think it was those damn Mayflower vans!"

Bennett: "It wasn't that bad, was it?"

Irsay: "You better believe it. If only I had moved before drafting Elway."

Bennett: "Oh my God! Don't let that happen to Durant!!"

Bennett runs to stop his move with Mayflower vans. Scene fades to black.

Should Seattle at least have the right to keep their team name and colors, and get at least an expansion team? Or should the NBA abandon 41 years of great tradition and pack up for Oklahoma? You tell me!

Last night saw the Warriors' playoff chances go up in smoke after losing to Phoenix, clinching the final spot out West to the Nuggets. While blame can be heaped on many things, one thing stood out. Coach Don Nelson benched star PG Baron Davis for the enitre second half, saying afterward he did it because Baron needed rest (or was it for shooting 1-15 or some ridiculous figure?). Why, when you have to win out to get in the playoffs, do you do such a crazy move?

The benching could create a rift between Davis and Nellie. If it does occur, it would be the second time Nellie' stubborness brought the Warriors apart. Who can forget 1994, when Nelson and Chris Webber feuded? The dispute got so nasty that Webber was traded to Washington for Tom Gugliotta, and Nellie eventually resigned. It took Golden State 13 years to recover from that fiasco. The question now becomes "Who gets fired?".

It all depends on who Chris Mullin feels he should build around. If he feels Nelson should stay, he'll trade Davis and any players who support him and reconstruct the roster to Nellie's liking. If he thinks Davis should stay, he'll dump Nellie and find a coach who can employ a similar roster, but tailor it to Davis' liking. Now I ask "Who should stay?".

If I had to choose, Davis would win. Don Nelson, for all his regular season success (second to Pat Riley in wins) isn't equipped to be the coach of a championship caliber team. Look at how the Mavericks made the Finals the year after he left. Nelson is the type of coach who needs to be the main figure (much as he was in Milwaukee and his first Warriors tenure), and that wouldn't be the case if Davis got the credit for the team's reemergence as a good team.

And why was Davis so tired? Because Nelson ran him ragged! Tell me how fresh you'd be if you had to go the distance every game down the stretch. Davis did the best he could, and after he has a bad game, Nelson makes an example out of him by benching him. Would Gregg Popovich bench Duncan or Ginobili after a bad stretch? Would Phil Jackson bench Kobe (or Michael Jordan)? Hell no! That's why they've won a combined 13 championships, and Nellie hasn't even made the Finals!

Bottom line: it's hard to have an elite (and Davis is elite when healthy) PG in this league. Don Nelson may have made the Warriors relevent again, but it's time now to cut ties and get a legit coach who can take Davis and his team to the next level. Maybe sometime later, Nellie can join another team and remake them. But Baron Davis shouldn't become the next Webber.

Here we are! This is the final list in the series of the fifty greatest NBA teams (according to me). These teams are the cream of the crop, the ones that few could have stopped (even today, Robert Horry!). Without futher delay, here are the top ten teams in NBA history:

10. 1969-70 New York Knicks: The Knicks were among the original BAA teams in 1946 (only the Celtics and Warriors remain from that group), and were early contenders. They reached the NBA Finals three straight years from 1951-53. Then they hit a rough patch throughout the late 50s into the 60s.

The team started to emerge from the depths through solid drafting (including Willis Reed, Bill Bradley and Walt Frazier), and made the playoffs in 1967 for the first time in eight years. The next season, they added Dave DeBusschere in a trade with Detroit. By 1970, with Bill Russell retired, the Knicks were ready to assume command in the East.

The Knicks roared out of the gates (including an 18 game win streak) and rolled to the Eastern Division title. Reed's all-around game won him regular season MVP honors. In the playoffs, they survived a tough seven games series with the Bullets, then beat the Bucks 4-1 (including a 36 beatdown in the clincher) to advance to the Finals against the Lakers.

The series' key matchup, of course, was Reed against Wilt Chamberlain. Reed held his ground as the teams traded victories in the first four games. Then, in game 5, Reed tore a muscle in his leg. Using undersized Nate Bowman, the Knicks scrambled to win the game 107-100, but without Reed in game six, Chamberlain scored 45 points to force a game 7 at Madison Square Garden.

Speculation ran rampant about Reed's availability. Before hitting the court, DeBusschere told Reed "We only need you for a few minutes, big fella". Reed limped out onto the court right before the end of warmups. "And the crowd is going wild" Knicks announcer Marv Albert said.

Reed went on to hit the first two shots of the game, and if a game ever was over at 4-0, this was it. Though Reed didn't score again, the rest of the Knicks (led by Frazier's 36 points and 19 assists) picked up the slack, and New York clobbered L.A. 113-99. Reed was named MVP, making him the first player to win all three MVPs (regular season, All-Star and Finals) in one season, and in victory, New York was firmly in the NBA's camp.

9. 1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers: The Laker's history in the Finals against Boston was nothing short of abysmal. They had faced the Celtics in eight Finals, but had lost them all. The prior season (1983-84) may have been the most heartbreaking, as they made critical mistakes and lost the series in seven games. The person many people blamed was Magic Johnson, who made many key errors in the series. The Lakers set out in 1985 to prove they could win under pressure.

The Lakers rode their intensity to 62 wins and the best record in the West. Once in the playoffs, they dominated, sweeping Phoenix 3-0, trouncing Portland 4-1, and romping over Denver 4-1 to reach the Finals for the fourth straight year. There, they got their rematch with Boston, who had beaten Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia.

The Lakers' determination didn't seem evident in game one, as Boston smoked them 148-114 in "the Memorial Day Masscre". Kareem Abdul-Jabbar looked every one of his 38 years, and Scott Wedman and Danny Ainge had big games. After the game, the Lakers decided to show their physical side in game two, and they played the Celts the same way Boston had in 1984, leading the Celtics to complain about the rough stuff. L.A won the game, then pasted Boston 136-111 to take a 2-1 lead. Boston managed to steal game 4 when Dennis Johnson scored the game-winner with no time on the clock, but L.A. rolled in game five.

Still, history didn't side with the Lakers. No team had beaten the Celtics for the title since 1958, and never had it been done in Boston Garden. The Lakers needed another great game from Kareem, who had been the main player after his game 1 struggles. He delivered, scoring 29 points. Magic had a triple-double, and the Lakers won game six 111-100, ended their torture against the C's. Indeed, the jubilation was out in not only the Laker locker room, but for every former Laker watching that day. Kareem won Finals MVP.

8. 1991-92 Chicago Bulls: The Bulls had shaken the monkey off their backs with their title run the previous year, but when had Michael Jordan been content before? The Bulls roared out of the gates early in the season, as Jordan trusted his teammates more than ever before. Though he won his sixth straight scoring title, his 30.1 average was his lowest since 1986. With Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant emerging as big time players, the Bulls flirted with 70 wins before finishing 67-15. Jordan won his second straight MVP (and third for career).

In the playoffs, the Bulls scorched the Miami Heat 3-0 (pun intended), before facing the Knicks in round 2. New York's physical brand of play stretched Chicago to seven games, but the Bulls prevailed in a 110-81 rout in game 7. After dispatching Cleveland 4-2, the Bulls prepared for the Portland Trail Blazers, and a matchup of elite SGs: Jordan and Clyde Drexler.

The Bulls stomped the Blazers in game one, as Jordan set Finals records with 35 1st half points and (since broken) six 3-pointers. The teams traded victories through the first five games, which set up Chicago with a chance to win in Chicago Stadium in game six. But when Portland took a 79-64 lead after three, most felt game seven would be upon us.

That's when coach Phil Jackson made a crazy lineup move; he had Pippen play with reserves B.J. Armstrong, Bobby Hansen, Scott Williams and Stacey King. This mismatched lineup somehow managed to cut the lead to 81-78 (with Hansen getting a steal, assist and a 3-pointer). Jordan returned, and he and Pippen scored the last 19 Bulls points to win the game 97-93. Jordan was Finals MVP for the second straight time.

7. 1960-61 Boston Celtics: This Celtics team is here because their team photo reads like a HOF dinner lineup. Including management, nine members of this team were inducted into the Basketball HOF (owner Walter Brown, coach Red Auerbach, and players Bill Russell, Sam Jones, Bob Cousy, Bill Sharman, K.C. Jones, Tom Heinsohn and Frank Ramsey). This Celtics team did their usual during the season, winning 57 games out of 79 and finishing with the best record in the league. Russell won the first (of five) MVP of his career.

In the Eastern Division Finals against Syracuse, the C's had little trouble, beating the Nats 4-1. That set up a Finals against the St. Louis Hawks, who had been extended to seven by the new Los Angeles Lakers. The Hawks and Celtics had met in three previous, hard-fought Finals, but this one wouldn't be as hard-fought. Boston won 4-1, with the closest game being a 4-point Hawks win in game 3. The Celtics thus secured their thrid straight title.

6. 1971-71 Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers had to be feeling the pressure to win a title in 1972. The team had made seven NBA Finals since moving to L.A. in 1960, but had yet to win a title. Many wondered if their chances were over after Elgin Baylor retired nine games into the season.

Instead, new coach Bill Sharman (fresh off leading the Utah Stars to the ABA title) decided to incorporate the role players to aid his aging core of Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain. Harold 'Happy' Hairston became the first player to grab 1,000 alongside Chamberlain (who led the league in that catgeory at 19.2 PG), and Gail Goodrich and Wets were among the league leaders in scoring.

The Lakers' defining moment was their league-record 33 game win streak, which began November 5th (over Baltimore) and didn't end until January 9 (against the Bucks). That streak propelled the Lakers to a then-league record of 69 wins, but many still wondered if fate would rear its ugly head.

The Lakers stormed past Chicago in a four game sweep, then met perhaps their greatest threat; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Bucks. With Chamberlain holding Kareem in check, the Lakers beat the defending champs 4-2 to make the Finals, and get a 1970 rematch, against the Knicks.

Without Willis Reed, however, to go head-to-head with Chamberlain, New York didn't stand a chance. L.A. won the series 4-1, winning the last four after losing game 1. Chamberlain was name Finals MVP, and L.A. had finally added a title to the five they had from Minneapolis.

5. 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers: The Sixers, and in particular Wilt Chamberlain, had been frustrated by recnt failures against Boston. The Celtics had ended their seasons each of the prior two years, and whispers began to pop up that Chamberlain was too mych of a ball hog to lead a team to a championship.

Philadelphia began by hiring Alex Hannum as coach. Hannum was one of the few coaches Chamberlain trusted, and Hannum convinced Wilt to share the ball more and play an all-around game. Chamberlain responded. Although he lost the scoring title for the first time in his career, he led the league in rebounds (24.2 PG), and was third in scoring (24.1) and assists (7.8) as the Sixers went 68-13 to set a new record for wins. Chamberlain won his second straight MVP.

After rolling over Cincinnati 3-1, the Sixers faced the Celtics for the Eastern Division title. This time, there was no luck of the Irish, as Philly stomped Boston 4-1 to end the C's legendary run of eight straight titles. With the monkey off their backs, the Sixers faced Chamberlain's old team, the San Francisco Warriors, in the Finals. But even with Nate Thurmond and league leading scorer (rookie Rick Barry), the Warriors couldn't stop Philly, who won the series 4-2 to claim their first title since the Nats won in 1955.

4. 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers: After acquring Julius Erving in 1976, Philly fans expected Erving to deliver them a title. But without elite big guys to defend the C's they faced in the Finals (Bill Walton in 1977, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1980 & 82), the Sixers had gone down in every Finals they made. It was obvious they needed a dominant big man to get them over the top.

In the 1982 offseason, they had their chance to make such a move, as reigning MVP Moses Malone had become a FA from Houston. The Sixers signed Malone (giving up Caldwell Jones and a 1st round pick to the Rockets as compensation). With Malone leading the league in rebounds (15.3 PG) and finishing fifth in scoring (24.5), the Sixers went 65-17 and had the league's best record. Malone repeated as MVP.

Before the playoffs began, when reporters asked Malone how the Sixers would fare in the postseason, Malone uttered one of the greatest quotes in sports history: "Fo,fo,fo", meaning that the Sixers would sweep right through the playoffs.

They almost did. The Sixers wiped out New York 4-0, then came within a game 4 loss to Milwaukee of doing it again. In the Finals, aided by an injry-ravaged Lakers opponent (James Worthy was out all playoffs, Norm Nixon and Bob McAdoo were hobbled at best), the Sixers swept L.A. for their first title since 1967. Malone was Finals MVP, and Erving finally had an NBA title to go with the two he won in the ABA. While the Sixers fell off a little after that, there's no denying the 1983 was one of the greatest in NBA history.

3. 1985-86 Boston Celtics: The Celtics had just lost the Finals in 1985, their first Finals loss in 27 years and the first ever at home. When team execs met after the season, they realized changes were needed to keep up with the Lakers and win another title.

The team made major moves to improve their depth, adding Bill Walton from the Clippers for Cedric Maxwell and a 1st round pick (they completed the deal after Clips owner Donald Sterling left for Europe because Sterling resisted making the deal!), and acquiring Jerry Sichting from Indiana in exchange for playing an exibition game in Indy. With those players and Scott Wedman providing relief, Boston rolled.

Larry Bird enjoyed the reinforcements, and had one of the most impressive seasons in NBA history; he finished in the top ten in five different categories (points, fourth at 25.8; rebounds, seventh at 9.8; steals, ninth; FT%, 1st and 3-point%, fourth). The C's finished 67-15 and had the league's best record. This included an unbelievable 40-1 home record (only Portland won at Boston Garden that year).

In the playoffs, they dominated, barely breaking a sweat as they beat Chicago (3-0) even though Michael Jordan scored 63 in game 2, Atlanta (4-1) and Milwaukee (4-0) to make the Finals for the fourth staright year. But instead of the Lakers, they faced the Houston Rockets, who had upset the Lakers 4-1 in the Western finals.

The Celtics managed to manuever around the Rockets' Twin Towers of Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon, The Celtics won the series 4-2, winning all three games in Boston, and captured their 16th title.

2. 2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers had returned to the top in 2000, winning their first title in 12 years. There were minor offseason changes (trading Glen Rice to New York in a three way trade that brought them Horace Grant and Seattle Patrick Ewing) but nothing severe. However, the Lakers seemed to coast until April, then caught fire to finish the season 56-26 and second in the West.

Little did anyone realize how much the switch was flipped. The Lakers proceeded to make the greatest playoff run in NBA history. In the first round, they whipped Portland 3-0, as the Blazers imploded. After sweeping Sacramento 4-0, the Lakers faced the Spurs, owners of the league's best record at 58-24. But Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant each alternated great games, and Tim Duncan and David Robinson had no counter. L.A. swept another series, becoming the first team since the 1989 Lakers to enter a Finals (against Philadelphia) undefeated.

In game one, the Sixers rode an incredible performance from Allen Iverson (43 points) to stun L.A. 107-101 in OT to end their undefeated run. it was all the inspiration L.A. needed. The Lakers won the next four games to claim their second straight title. O'Neal copped his second straight Finals MVP, and the Lakers' 15-1 playoff record was the best in NBA history (surpassing the 1983 Sixers mark of 12-1).

And now, here's #1:

1. 1995-96 Chicago Bulls: There are arguments about this team's place in history, coming as it did in a league with 29 teams. I always say, you beat whoever's in front of you. And no team ever did that more than the 1996 Bulls. The Bulls had had a disappointing run in 1995, when a rusty Michael Jordan made key mistakes as the Bulls lost in the second round 4-2 to Orlando. Jordan was determined to return with a vengence, and management readied themselves for a run by trading for Dennis Rodman from San Antonio (for Will Perdue).

The Bulls proceeded to make mince meat of their regular season opponents, as they steamrolled to a league-record best 72-10 record. Jordan reclaimed the scoring title (30.4 PG, winning his record eigth such title) and was named MVP of the league for the fourth time. Rodman led the league in boards (14.9) for the fifth straight time, and Jordan, Rodman and Scottie Pippen were 1st Team All-NBA Defense.

In the playoffs, the hits kept on coming. The Bulls swept Miami 3-0, stomped the Knicks 4-1, and dominated Orlando (in a revenge series) 4-0 in what was Shaquille O'Neal last series on the team. That set up a Finals showdown with the Supersonics, and a most difficult challenge for Defensive POY Gary Payton in defending Jordan.

The Bulls rolled to a 3-0 lead, and people were having 'greatest ever' discussions. The Sonics won two straight in Seattle, but the Bulls put any mniracle thoughts to bed by winning game six 87-75 for their fourth title in six years. Jordan won Finals MVP for the fourth time, and was the first player since Willis Reed in 1970 to win all three MVPs (regular season, All-Star, and Finals) in one year. The Bulls 87-13 record (including playoffs) ws an all-time record.

That's it for the series. I hope it was as much fun looking back as it was for me. Any teams up here that you think are overrated? Or any team not here that should be? Just let me know; this isn't a "I know I'm right" list, after all.

Let's continue the countdown of the fifty greatest NBA teams of all time (according to me). Here are the teams that just missed the top ten, teams 20-11:

20. 1999-2000 Los Angeles Lakers: This could get me in some trouble, but the Lakers of 2000 were inconsistent at playoff time, and that hurt them to a degree. Still, there's no denying the Lakers of the late 90s were loaded with talent, but even after adding Shaquille O'Neal as a FA and trading for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant, they couldn't get over the hump. They had been swept in each of the two previous playoffs, and change at coach was needed.

The franchise made a bold, but necessary, move to hire former Bulls coach Phil Jackson, who had won six championships during his tenure. Almost immediately, he decreed that Shaq would be the focus of the offense. "The ball's going into Shaq" said Jackson, "and he's going to have responsibility to distribute the ball". In other words, Shaq would have to lead the team.

Though Bryant missed the first 15 games with an injury, the Lakers didn't miss him too badly, and when he returned, they rolled, as Shaq enjoyed a career season. He finished leading the league in scoring, second in rebounds and third in blocks as the Lakers rolled to a 67-15 record. The highlight of O'Neal season occured March 6th (his birthday) when he scored 61 points against the Clippers. He was also named league MVP.

The Lakers, however, had trouble with the Kings in the first round, as they won the series in five games (marking the first time a Jackson-coached team went the distance in that round). After knocking out Phoenix 4-1, the Lakers met the Blazers, a meeting that seemed destined to happen all season.

L.A. took a 3-1 lead, but Portland responded with two convincing victories, setting up game seven. The Blazers seemed ready to coast after taking a 15-point lead early in the 4th, but L.A. showed the fotitude that had been lacking in prior years. They came back to win 89-84, with a Bryant-to-Shaq alley-oop becoming a defining moment.

The Lakers advanced to play the Pacers, making their first NBA Finals appearence. The Lakers won the first two, then lost at Indy in game 3. Game four saw Shaq foul out in OT, and the Pacers smelled blood. That's when Kobe took over and almost single-handedly win that game. The Lakers won the series in six, with Shaq winning MVP honors.

19. 1988-89 Detroit Pistons: The Pistons certainly didn't begin the 1980s in grand fashion; they ended the 1979-80 season with a league-worst 16-66 record, and had fired (D)ick Vitale early that year. Years later, Vitale claimed he started the ball rolling with that team by convincing owner Bill Davidson to hire more astute basketball minds.

Davidson hired Jack McCloskey as GM, and the pieces started falling into place. Through solid drafting (Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, etc.), trades (Bill Laimbeer from Cleveland) and hirings (Chuck Daly in 1983) the team became a contender. They pushed Boston to seven games in the 1987 Eastern Finals, and the Lakers to 7 in the Finals in 1988. By 1989, the Bad Boys were ready to ascend to the throne.

The Pistons started the season very well, but something seemed to be missing. Three days after the All-Star break, the team surprised many by trading Adrian Dantley to Dallas for Mark Aguirre (conspiracy theorists claimed the move was made because Thomas didn't like Dantley, and he and Aguirre were close friends). Despite the surprise, the Pistons marched to a league-best 63-19 record.

They rolled through the first two rounds, beating a Larry Bird-less Celtics (3-0) and Milwaukee (4-0) before facing the Cinderella Bulls, who finished 6th in the East but had upset Cleveland and New York. The Bulls pulled another surprise by winning game 1 at the Palace. The Pistons repsonded with a hard-fought win in game 2, but after Jordan hit a game-winned over Rodman in game 3, it seemed destiny was on the Bulls' sides. The Pistons would have none of it, however, and won three straight to take the series.

The Finals were a rematch of 1988; the Lakers came into the Finals with an unblemished record (11-0) and were trying to send Kareem Abdul-Jabbar into retirement with three straight titles. The Lakers would be undone, however, by their guards' hamstrings; Byron Scott tore his prior to game 1 (in pratcice); then Magic Johnson tore his in game 2.

Without their backcourt duo, the Lakers couldn't stop the Pistons' trio of Thomas, Dumars and Vinnie Johnson, and the Bad Boys swept the Lakers 4-0 to claim the franchises' first title. Dumars was named MVP.

18. 1964-65 Boston Celtics: Some things are hard to break. The Celtics had won six straight titles, and Wilt Chamberlain had won five straight scoring titles. The league tried to curb this dominance by widening the foul lane (from 12 to 16 feet). The results were the same; Chamberlain won another scoring title, and Boston won another title.

Bill Russell led the league in rebounds for the fourth time (24.1 per game) and added his fifth (and final) MVP of his career. The Celtics broke their own league record by winning 62 games during the season. But a major challenge was put in front of them when the 76ers acquired Chamberlain from the Warriors, meaning that he would have to be dealt with before the Finals.

The Sixers won their series with Cincinnati, setting up a Celtics-Sixers division final. The teams exchanged victories through the first six games, and Boston hung on by one in game seven, when Russell turned the ball over with two seconds left under the Philly basket. He pleaded for help during a timeout, and got it when John Havlicek stoled the inbound pass and Boston ran out the clock (Havlicek stole the ball!!!!!). The Finals seemed anticlimatic by comparison, as Boston beat the Lakers 4-1 for their seventh straight title.

17. 1990-91 Chicago Bulls: The Bulls had become regulars in the disappointment column. They had made two straight conference finals, but both times were sent home by the more physical Detroit Pistons. Critics wondered if Michael Jordan could lead his team to a title, feeling he demanded the ball so much, he kept his teammates from contributing.

The 1991 season saw a change in the Bulls that was key to their development. Jordan trusted his team more than in the past, and aided by a breakout year by Scottie Pippen (18 PPG, 7 RPG, 6 APG), the Bulls won 61-21 and won their first Central Division title. Jordan won his fifth straight scoring title (31 PPG), was third in steals, and won his second MVP.

The playoffs saw just how far Chicago had come. The Bulls crushed the Knicks in the first round 3-0 (including a 41 point blowout in game one), then beat Philadelphia 4-1, to get the only matchup they really wanted; another conference final with the Pistons. This time, there was no fear of the Bad Boys; the Bulls hammered the Pistons in a four game sweep, and showed some true colors when Isiah Thomas and several other Pistons walked out before the end of the clincher.

That set up a Finals against the Lakers, and a dream matchup for NBC's first broadcast of the Finals; Jordan and Magic Johnson. The Bulls were the underdogs in this matchup because the Lakers had nine Finals appearences (and five titles) during the prior 12 years, whereas Chicago had little experience.

Game one went to L.A. 93-91 after Sam Perkins hit a late three. The Bulls pounded the Lakers in game two, but the next three games were at the Forum, and many wondered how Chicago could win even two out of three. The Bulls showed otherwise; they won game 3 in OT, harassed the Lakers into 37% shooting in game four, and John Paxson scored 10 of his 20 in the waning minutes of the clincher, as Chicago won all three in the Forum and their first NBA title. Jordan was the Finals MVP after averaging 31.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG and 11.4 APG. So, a scoring champ can't lead a title team, huh?

16. 1974-75 Golden State Warriors: The Warriors had been a mid-level playoff team throughout the late 60s and early 70s. With Rick Barry leading the way, they had qualified for the playoffs in six of the prior eight seasons. After missing in 1974, the Warriors made a unheralded, but key, move by trading future HOFer Nate Thurmond to Chicago for Clifford Ray. The Warriors went on to finish 48-34 and with the best record in the West.

In the playoffs, the Warriors beat Seattle 4-2, then faced Thurmond and the Bulls in the Western finals. The teams fought a largely defensive battle, but the Warriors prevailed in seven games. Still, few expected them to compete with the Washington Bullets, who had won 60 games during the season and had eliminated defending champ Boston in the Eastern finals.

However, with Barry, ROY Jamaal Wilkes and superior depth behind them, the Warriors pulled off the biggest upset in Finals history, sweeping the Bullets four straight. Barry was named Finals MVP, and K.C. Jones' rep never recovered when cameras showed he actually deferred coaching of the team to assistant Brenie Bickerstaff.

15. 1965-66 Boston Celtics: How long can Boston keep winning titles? That was the question on everyone's mind as the seven-time defending champs went into the 1966 season. The Sixers, with Wilt Chamberlain on for a full season, beat the C's in the season series 6-4, which proved to be the difference as they won the Eastern Division by a game over them (55-25 to Boston's 54-26), the first time since 1956 that the Celtics lost the division.

That only meant the C's would need more playoffs than usual to get to the Finals. The 1st round matchup with Cincinnati was tough, as the Royals led 2-1 before the Celtics won the last two and the series. Against the Sixers (and league MVP Chamberlain), the C's had little trouble, beating the rusty Sixers 4-1.

That set up another Finals against the Lakers for the sixth time. L.A. won game one at the Garden in OT, when Auerbach (who had annonced early in the postseason he was reitiring as coach) annonced Bill Russell would suceed him as coach (making Russell the first black head coach of the modern era). The Celts won three straight games and ultimately won the series in seven games. The victory marked their eighth straight title, a record that's highly unlikely to be matched.

14. 1983-84 Boston Celtics: The Celtics had come off a tumultous 1983 season that saw Larry Bird and Kevin McHale feud with coach Bill Fitch, and ended with the teams' first playoff sweeping (by the Bucks 4-0). Fitch resigned shortly thereafter to take the Houston job, and management replaced him with K.C. Jones to bring a more relaxed atmosphere.

The Celtics didn't stand pat on their roster, either; McHale was resigned, and the team acquired Dennis Johnson from Phoenix for Rick Robey. The C's were poised to reutrn to the Finals after a three year absence.

Bird enjoyed a great year, finishing seventh in scoring and winning his first MVP. The C's won 62 games to finish with the best record in the league. They beat the Bullets 3-1 in the first playoff to feature 16 teams, then outlasted New York in seven (each team won at home), and avenging their loss to the Bucks with a five-game ouster in the conference finals (in Bob Lanier's last series).

That set up the ultimate Finals matchup; against the Lakers, allowing the rivalry between Bird and Magic Johnson to be seen on the national stage. The Lakers had never beaten the Celtics in seven previous tries, and were determined to end that in this series.

Game one went to L.A.as their fast break overwhlemed the C's. They looked poised to take game 2, but Gerald Henderson stole a James Worhty pass and scored to force OT. There, Scott Wedman hit the game winner. Still, L.A didn't seem worried, and after pasting Boston 137-104, the experts felt L.A. had it in the bag. Bird then lashed out in the media, saying he and his team "played like women" and basically called them (and himself) sissys. That set the physical tone for game 4, as McHale clothslined Kurt Rambis on an attempted layup, and Bird and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar jawed it up. The C's forced OT after Johnson missed two cirtical free throws, then won in OT when M.L. Carr stole an inbound pass and dunked to put the game away.

Game 5 went to Boston 121-103 in a blazing hot Boston Garden (the temp at courtside was 97 degrees at tipoff), but Bird thrived, scoring 34 points and saying afterwards "Aw hell, it was hotter playing in French Lick!". The Lakers won gaem six, but couldn't stop the Celtics in game seven, as Cedric Maxwell had one of his last great games in Boston, with 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. The C's won 111-102 to run their record to 8-0 against L.A. in the Finals.

13. 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers: The Blazers had been created in the NBA's expansion in 1970, and though the team ahd good players like Geoff Petrie and Sidney WIcks, had not made the playoffs in their first six season. Bill Walton, who had much promise after being taken #1 in 1974, had been plagued by injuries. Two major moves made a big difference in 1977.

First, the team hired Buffalo coach Jack Ramsey as coach. Ramsay and Walton shared a common basketball synergy, and it showed on the court. Then, in the ABA dispersal draft, they nabbed Maurice Lucas. Lucas would lead the team in scoring and become the enforcer Walton needed to succeed. The Blazers won 49 and finished second to the Lakers in the Pacific.

In their opening round series with Chicago, the Blazers survived a scare when, in the deciding game three, the Bulls turned the ball over under their basket, giving the Blazers a 106-98 win. They disposed of the Nuggets 4-2, then swept the Lakers in four to reach the Finals.

The Blazers were heavy underdogs against the 76ers, who had acquired Julius Erving from the Nets before the season and who had stars galore. Philly won the first two games convincingly, and many expected a sweep. The Blazers came back with two blowout wins at home, and the Sixers never recovered, as Portland won the series 4-2. Walton had a magnificent series and was named Finals MVP. It was Portlan's only NBA title.

12. 1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers seemed to need a fire lit under them to excel in the 1980s. In 1986, they had become complacent, and had been stunned by Houston in the Western Finals. After that series, Pat Riley abandoned his big bruiser concept of the season (jettisoning Maurice Lucas and pushing Mitch Kupchak into retirement), and went back to the Showtime premise. Most important, he made Magic Johnson the focal point of the offense.

Johnson had one of his best all-around season, finishing tenth in scoring (a career high 23.9 PG) and leading the league in assists (12.2 PG) to win his first MVP award. The Lakers finished with a 65-17 record, the best in the league.

In the playoffs, they were the only top four seed out West to reach the second round, beating Denver 3-0 in round 1. They dispatched Golden State 4-1, then swept Seattle 4-0 to make the Finals and face the defending champion Celtics.

The Lakers' fast break blew away the C's in the first two games, then Boston responded with a huge win in game 3. Game 4 was a classic; the Celtics led big early, then the Lakers took a one point lead. Larry Bird sank a three to give Boston the lead, then Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was fouled. He split the free throws, and the second went out of bounds off the C's. Magic took the inbound, made a mini-skyhook over Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale, and after Bird missed a three, L.A. won 107-106. The Lakers won the series 4-2, and Magic won his third Finals MVP.

11. 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks took the fast track to an early NBA title. As an expansion team in 1968-69, they won only 27 games. Then, in that year's draft, they won a coin flip to draft #1, and selected Lew Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). Alcindor made an immediate impact on the Bucks, as they won 56 games and reached the Eastern Division finals. In 1971, under the new four division format, the Bucks were only a few people away from real contension.

Milwaukee's management soon surrounded Kareem with good talent, acquiring former UCLA teammate Lucius Allen and high scoring Bob Boozer. But the major acquisition was obtaning Oscar Robertson from the Royals (where he had a dispute with coach Bob Cousy). With Robertson finishing third in assists (8.3 PG) and Kareem winning his first scoring title (31.7 PG) and first MVP award, the Bucks went 66-16 to claim the Midwest divison and top seed in the West.

In the playoffs, they beat the San Francisco Warriors (in their last season before moving to Oakland) 4-1, then beat the Lakers 4-1 to reach the Finals. There, they faced the Baltimore Bullets, who ahd stunned the defending champion Knicks by winning game seven at Madison Square Garden. But with Wes Unseld injured prior to the series, and Earl Monroe and Gus Johnson getting hurt during the series, the Bucks swept the Bullets 4-0 for their only NBA title. Kareem was named Finals MVP (a feat he would not repeat until 1985).

There's #20-11. Tomorrow is the big one; I'll reveal the top ten greatest teams in NBA history. See ya then!