What was the best NBA team of the 1980s?

One decade, two coasts, and a third team that settled the argument by out-muscling everybody.

1. 1
   1985-86 Boston Celtics

   67-15 with Larry Bird as MVP and Bill Walton off the bench, 40-1 at home.
   1000pts
2. 2
   1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers

   65-17, Magic Johnson's first MVP, and a Finals win over Boston.
   789pts
3. 3
   1988-89 Detroit Pistons

   The Bad Boys swept the Lakers in the Finals and gave the decade its ending.
   546pts
4. 4
   1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers

   Ended a nine-series Finals losing streak against Boston, in Boston.
   473pts
5. 5
   1983-84 Boston Celtics

   Beat the Lakers in seven games in the first Bird-Magic Finals.
   473pts
6. 6
   1988-89 Chicago Bulls

   The Jordan-and-Pippen team that ran into Detroit and learned how to win.
   473pts
7. 7
   1980-81 Boston Celtics

   Bird's first title, with the rookie Kevin McHale and a traded-for Robert Parish.
   473pts
8. 8
   1984-85 Boston Celtics

   Bird's second MVP season, ended by the Lakers on the parquet in Game 6.
   387pts
9. 9
   1981-82 Los Angeles Lakers

   Magic Johnson's second ring in three seasons, beating Philadelphia in six.
   387pts
10. 10
    1987-88 Los Angeles Lakers

    Pat Riley guaranteed a repeat and then won two seven-game series to deliver it.
    387pts
11. 11
    1989-90 Detroit Pistons

    Back-to-back titles, and the last champion before the Bulls took over.
    284pts
12. 12
    1985-86 Houston Rockets

    The Twin Towers knocked out the defending Lakers on the way to the Finals.
    284pts
13. 13
    1987-88 Detroit Pistons

    Lost the Finals in seven to the Lakers on a foul call Detroit still disputes.
    158pts
14. 14
    1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers

    Moses Malone and Julius Erving went 12-1 through the playoffs.
    158pts
15. 15
    1986-87 Boston Celtics

    Bird, McHale and Parish reached a fourth Finals in four years on a broken bench.
    158pts