# 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.

*By YPB Team · Published August 24, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-was-the-best-nba-team-of-the-1980s*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **1985-86 Boston Celtics** — score 1000/1000
   67-15 with Larry Bird as MVP and Bill Walton off the bench, 40-1 at home.
2. **1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers** — score 789/1000
   65-17, Magic Johnson's first MVP, and a Finals win over Boston.
3. **1988-89 Detroit Pistons** — score 546/1000
   The Bad Boys swept the Lakers in the Finals and gave the decade its ending.
4. **1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers** — score 473/1000
   Ended a nine-series Finals losing streak against Boston, in Boston.
5. **1983-84 Boston Celtics** — score 473/1000
   Beat the Lakers in seven games in the first Bird-Magic Finals.
6. **1988-89 Chicago Bulls** — score 473/1000
   The Jordan-and-Pippen team that ran into Detroit and learned how to win.
7. **1980-81 Boston Celtics** — score 473/1000
   Bird's first title, with the rookie Kevin McHale and a traded-for Robert Parish.
8. **1984-85 Boston Celtics** — score 387/1000
   Bird's second MVP season, ended by the Lakers on the parquet in Game 6.
9. **1981-82 Los Angeles Lakers** — score 387/1000
   Magic Johnson's second ring in three seasons, beating Philadelphia in six.
10. **1987-88 Los Angeles Lakers** — score 387/1000
   Pat Riley guaranteed a repeat and then won two seven-game series to deliver it.
11. **1989-90 Detroit Pistons** — score 284/1000
   Back-to-back titles, and the last champion before the Bulls took over.
12. **1985-86 Houston Rockets** — score 284/1000
   The Twin Towers knocked out the defending Lakers on the way to the Finals.
13. **1987-88 Detroit Pistons** — score 158/1000
   Lost the Finals in seven to the Lakers on a foul call Detroit still disputes.
14. **1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers** — score 158/1000
   Moses Malone and Julius Erving went 12-1 through the playoffs.
15. **1986-87 Boston Celtics** — score 158/1000
   Bird, McHale and Parish reached a fourth Finals in four years on a broken bench.

Tags: 80s, basketball, nba, teams