This is a simple list ordered by each team’s total winning percentage. I made it to give myself some context about how great these teams were relative to each other, who the best players were on those teams, who coached them, who they had to beat to get that banner, and how good their opposition was.
#17: 1968-69
Regular Season: 48-34 (.585)
Playoffs: 12-6 (.667)
Total: 60-40 (.600)
Longest streak: 7 games
Coach: Bill Russell
Award Winners;
John Havlicek: 2nd Team All-NBA, 2nd Team All-Defense, All Star
Bill Russell: 1st Team All-Defense, All Star
Tom Sanders: 2nd Team All-Defense
Leaders;
Points: John Havlicek (21.6), Bailey Howell (19.7), Sam Jones (16.3)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (19.3), Bailey Howell (8.8), John Havlicek (7)
Assists: John Havlicek (5.4), Bill Russell (4.9), Larry Siegfried (4.7)
Win shares: Bailey Howell (11.3), Bill Russell (10.9), Don Nelson (7.5)
Playoff opponents;
Philadelphia 76ers: 55-27 (4-1)
New York Knicks: 54-28 (4-2)
Los Angeles Lakers: 55-27 (4-3)
#16: 1956-57
Regular season: 44-28 (.611)
Playoffs: 7-3 (.700)
Total: 51-31 (.622)
Longest streak: 10 games
Coach: Red Auerbach
Award winners;
Bob Cousy: League MVP, 1st Team All-NBA, All Star, All Star MVP
Tom Heinsohn: Rookie of the Year, All Star
Bill Sharman: 1st Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: All Star head coach
Leaders;
Points: Bill Sharman (21.1), Bob Cousy (20.6), Tom Heinsohn (16.2)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (19.6), Jim Loscutoff (10.4), Tom Heinsohn (9.8)
Assists: Bob Cousy (7.5), Bill Sharman (3.5), Andy Phillip (2.5)
Win shares: Bill Sharman (10.4), Bob Cousy (8.8), Tom Heinsohn (7.1)
Playoff opponents;
Syracuse Nationals: 38-34 (3-0)
St. Louis Hawks: 34-38 (4-3)
#15: 1967-68
Regular season: 54-28 (.675)
Playoffs: 12-7 (.632)
Total: 66-35 (.653)
Longest streak: 7 games
Coach: Bill Russell
Award winners;
John Havlicek: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Sam Jones: All Star
Bill Russell: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Leaders:
Points: Sam Jones (21.3), John Havlicek (20.7), Bailey Howell (19.8)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (18.6), Bailey Howell (9.8), John Havlicek (6.7)
Assists: John Havlicek (4.7), Larry Siegfried (4.7), Bill Russell (4.6)
Win Shares: Bailey Howell (10.1), Bill Russell (8.2), Sam Jones (7.7)
Playoff opponents;
Detroit Pistons: 40-42 (4-2)
Philadelphia 76ers: 62-20 (4-3)
Los Angeles Lakers: 52-30 (4-2)
#14: 1975-76
Regular Season: 54-28 (.659)
Playoffs: 12-6 (.667)
Total: 66-34 (.660)
Longest streak: 9 games
Coach: Tom Heinsohn
Award winners;
Dave Cowens: 2nd Team All-NBA, 1st Team All-Defense, All Star
John Havlicek: 2nd Team All-NBA, 1st Team All-Defense, All Star
Paul Silas: 1st Team All-Defense
Jo Jo White: Finals MVP, All Star
Leaders;
Points: Dave Cowens (19), Jo Jo White (18.9), Charlie Scott (17.6)
Rebounds: Dave Cowens (16), Paul Silas (12.7), Charlie Scott (4.4)
Assists: Jo Jo White (5.4), Dave Cowens (4.2), Charlie Scott (4.2)
Steals: Jo Jo White (1.3), Charlie Scott (1.3), John Havlicek (1.3)
Blocks: Dave Cowens (0.9), John Havlicek (0.4), Paul Silas (0.4)
Win Shares: Dave Cowens (10.7), Jo Jo White (7.4), John Havlicek (7.4)
Playoff opponents;
Buffalo Braves: 46-36 (4-2)
Cleveland Cavaliers: 49-33 (4-2)
Phoenix Suns: 42-40 (4-2)
#13: 1965-66
Regular season: 54-26 (.675)
Playoffs: 11-6 (.647)
Total: 65-32 (.670)
Longest streak: 6 games
Coach: Red Auerbach
Award winners;
John Havlicek: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Sam Jones: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Russell: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: All Star head coach
Leaders;
Points: Sam Jones (23.5), John Havlicek (18.8), Larry Siegfried (13.7)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (22.8), Tom Sanders (7.1), Mel Counts (6.4)
Assists: K.C. Jones (6.3), Bill Russell (4.8), Sam Jones (3.2)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (11.7), Sam Jones (10), K.C. Jones (6.6)
Playoff opponents:
Cincinnati Royals: 45-35 (3-2)
Philadelphia 76ers: 55-25 (4-1)
Los Angeles Lakers: 45-35 (4-3)
#12: 1973-74
Regular season: 56-26 (.683)
Playoffs: 12-6 (.667)
Total: 68-32 (.680)
Longest streak: 12 games
Coach: Tom Heinsohn
Award winners;
Don Chaney: 1st Team All-Defense
Dave Cowens: All Star
John Havlicek: Finals MVP, 1st Team All-NBA, 1st Team All-Defense, All Star
Jo Jo White: All Star
Tom Heinsohn: All Star head coach
Leaders;
Points: John Havlicek (22.6), Dave Cowens (19), Jo Jo White (18.1)
Rebounds: Dave Cowens (15.7), Paul Silas (11.2), John Havlicek (6.4)
Assists: John Havlicek (5.9), Jo Jo White (5.5), Dave Cowens (4.4)
Steals: John Havlicek (1.3), Jo Jo White (1.3), Dave Cowens (1.2)
Blocks: Dave Cowens (1.3), Don Chaney (0.8), John Havlicek (0.4)
Win Shares: John Havlicek (9.7), Dave Cowens (9.3), Paul Silas (7.3)
Playoff opponents;
Buffalo Braves: 42-40 (4-2)
New York Knicks: 49-33 (4-1)
Milwaukee Bucks: 59-23 (4-3)
#11: 1962-63
Regular season: 58-22 (.725)
Playoffs: 8-5 (.615)
Total: 66-27 (.710)
Longest streak: 6 games
Coach: Red Auerbach
Award winners;
Bob Cousy: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
John Havlicek: 1st Team All-Rookie
Tom Heinsohn: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Russell: League MVP, 1st Team All-NBA, All Star, All Star MVP
Red Auerbach: All Star head coach
Leaders;
Points: Sam Jones (19.7), Tom Heinsohn (18.9), Bill Russell (16.8)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (23.6), Tom Heinsohn (7.5), Tom Sanders (7.2)
Assists: Bob Cousy (6.8), Bill Russell (4.5), K.C. Jones (4)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (13.5), Sam Jones (9.6), Tom Sanders (6.8)
Playoff opponents;
Cincinnati Royals: 42-38 (4-3)
Los Angeles Lakers: 53-27 (4-2)
#10: 1958-59
Regular season: 52-20 (.722)
Playoffs: 8-3 (.727)
Total: 60-23 (.723)
Longest streak: 11 games
Coach: Red Auerbach
Award winners;
Bob Cousy: 1st Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Russell: 1st Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Sharman: 1st Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: All Star head coach
Leaders;
Points: Bill Sharman (20.4), Bob Cousy (20), Tom Heinsohn (18.8)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (23), Tom Heinsohn (9.7), Jim Loscutoff (7)
Assists: Bob Cousy (8.6), Bill Russell (3.2), Tom Heinsohn (2.5)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (12.9), Bob Cousy (8.7), Bill Sharman (7.6)
Playoff opponents;
Syracuse Nationals: 35-37 (4-3)
Minneapolis Lakers: 33-39 (4-0)
#9: 1961-62
Regular season: 60-20 (.750)
Playoffs: 8-6 (.571)
Total: 68-26 (.723)
Longest streak: 9 games
Coach: Red Auerbach
Award winners;
Bob Cousy: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Tom Heinsohn: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Sam Jones: All Star
Bill Russell: League MVP, 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: All Star head coach
Leaders;
Points: Tom Heinsohn (22.1), Bill Russell (18.9), Sam Jones (18.4)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (23.6), Tom Heinsohn (9.5), Tom Sanders (9.5)
Assists: Bob Cousy (7.8), Bill Russell (4.5), K.C. Jones (4.3)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (15.5), Sam Jones (9.6), Tom Heinsohn (9.3)
Playoff opponents;
Philadelphia Warriors: 49-31 (4-3)
Los Angeles Lakers: 54-26 (4-3)
#8: 1960-61
Regular season: 57-22 (.722)
Playoffs: 8-2 (.800)
Total: 65-24 (.730)
Longest streak: 9 games
Coach: Red Auerbach
Award winners;
Bob Cousy: 1st Team All-NBA, All Star
Tom Heinsohn: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Russell: League MVP, 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: All Star
Leaders;
Points: Tom Heinsohn (21.3), Bob Cousy (18.1), Bill Russell (16.9)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (23.9), Tom Heinsohn (9.9), Gene Conley (7.3)
Assists: Bob Cousy (7.7), Bill Russell (3.4), K.C. Jones (3.2)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (13), Sam Jones (8.1), Bob Cousy (7.2)
Playoff opponents;
Syracuse Nationals: 34-41 (4-1)
St. Louis Hawks: 51-28 (4-1)
#7: 1983-84
Regular season: 62-20 (.756)
Playoffs: 15-8 (.652)
Total: 77-28 (.733)
Longest streak: 9 games
Coach: K.C. Jones
Award winners;
Larry Bird: League MVP, Finals MVP, 1st Team All-NBA, 2nd Team All-Defense, All Star
Dennis Johnson: 2nd Team All-Defense
Kevin McHale: 6th Man of the Year, All Star
Robert Parish: All Star
K.C. Jones: All Star head coach
Leaders;
Points: Larry Bird (24.2), Robert Parish (19), Kevin McHale (18.4)
Rebounds: Robert Parish (10.7), Larry Bird (10.1), Kevin McHale (7.4)
Assists: Larry Bird (6.6), Dennis Johnson (4.2), Gerald Henderson (3.8)
Steals: Larry Bird (1.8), Gerald Henderson (1.5), Dennis Johnson (1.2)
Blocks: Robert Parish (1.5), Kevin McHale (1.5), Larry Bird (0.9)
Win Shares: Larry Bird (13.6), Robert Parish (10.5), Kevin McHale (10.5)
Playoff opponents;
Washington Bullets: 35-47 (3-1)
New York Knicks: 47-35 (4-3)
Milwaukee Bucks: 50-32 (4-1)
Los Angeles Lakers: 54-28 (4-3)
#6: 1963-64
Regular season: 59-21 (.738)
Playoffs: 8-2 (.800)
Total: 67-23 (.744)
Longest streak: 8 games
Coach: Red Auerbach
Award winners;
John Havlicek: 2nd Team All-NBA
Tom Heinsohn: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Sam Jones: All Star
Bill Russell: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: All Star head coach
Leaders;
Points: John Havlicek (19.9), Sam Jones (19.4), Tom Heinsohn (16.5)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (24.7), Tom Sanders (8.3), Tom Heinsohn (6.1)
Assists: K.C. Jones (5.1), Bill Russell (4.7), John Havlicek (3)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (17.3), Sam Jones (8.9), John Havlicek (7.7)
Playoff opponents;
Cincinnati Royals: 55-25 (4-1)
San Francisco Warriors: 48-32 (4-1)
#5: 1980-81
Regular season: 62-20 (.756)
Playoffs: 12-5 (.706)
Total: 74-25 (.747)
Longest streak: 13 games
Coach: Bill Fitch
Award winners;
Tiny Archibald: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star, All Star MVP
Larry Bird: 1st Team All-NBA, All Star
Cedric Maxwell: Finals MVP
Kevin McHale: 1st Team All-Rookie
Robert Parish: All Star
Leaders;
Points: Larry Bird (21.2), Robert Parish (18.9), Cedric Maxwell (15.2)
Rebounds: Larry Bird (10.9), Robert Parish (9.5), Cedric Maxwell (6.5)
Assists: Tiny Archibald (7.7), Larry Bird (5.5), Chris Ford (3.6)
Steals: Larry Bird (2), Chris Ford (1.2), Cedric Maxwell (1)
Blocks: Robert Parish (2.6), Kevin McHale (1.8), Larry Bird (0.8)
Win Shares: Cedric Maxwell (11), Robert Parish (10.9), Larry Bird (10.8)
Playoff opponents;
Chicago Bulls: 45-37 (4-0)
Philadelphia 76ers: 62-20 (4-3)
Houston Rockets: 40-42 (4-2)
#4: 2007-08
Regular season: 66-16 (.805)
Playoffs: 16-10 (.615)
Total: 82-26 (.759)
Longest streak: 10 games
Coach: Doc Rivers
Award winners;
Ray Allen: All Star
Kevin Garnett: Defensive Player of the Year, 1st Team All-NBA, 1st Team All-Defense
Paul Pierce: Finals MVP, 3rd Team All-NBA, All Star
Leaders;
Points: Paul Pierce (19.6), Kevin Garnett (18.8), Ray Allen (17.4)
Rebounds: Kevin Garnett (9.2), Kendrick Perkins (6.1), Paul Pierce (5.1)
Assists: Rajon Rondo (5.1), Paul Pierce (4.5), Kevin Garnett (3.4)
Steals: Rajon Rondo (1.7), Kevin Garnett (1.4), Paul Pierce (1.3)
Blocks: Kendrick Perkins (1.5), Kevin Garnett (1.3), Paul Pierce (1.5)
Win Shares: Kevin Garnett (12.9), Paul Pierce (12.4), Ray Allen (9.7)
Playoff opponents;
Atlanta Hawks: 37-45 (4-3)
Cleveland Cavaliers: 45-37 (4-3)
Detroit Pistons: 59-23 (4-2)
Los Angeles Lakers: 57-25 (4-2)
#3: 1964-65
Regular season: 62-18 (.775)
Playoffs: 8-4 (.667)
Total: 70-22 (.761)
Longest streak: 16 games
Coach: Red Auerbach
Award winners;
Sam Jones: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Russell: League MVP, 1st Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: Coach of the Year, All Star head coach
Leaders;
Points: Sam Jones (25.9), John Havlicek (18.3), Bill Russell (14.1)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (24.1), Tom Sanders (8.3), Tom Heinsohn (6)
Assists: K.C. Jones (5.6), Bill Russell (5.3), Sam Jones (2.8)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (16.9), Sam Jones (12.8), Tom Sanders (7.5)
Playoff opponents;
Philadelphia 76ers: 40-40 (4-3)
Los Angeles Lakers: 49-31 (4-1)
#2: 1959-60
Regular season: 59-16 (.787)
Playoffs: 8-5 (.613)
Total: 67-21 (.761)
Longest streak: 17 games
Coach: Red Auerbach
Award winners;
Bob Cousy: 1st Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Russell: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Bill Sharman: 2nd Team All-NBA, All Star
Red Auerbach: All Star head coach
Leaders;
Points: Tom Heinsohn (21.7), Bob Cousy (19.4), Bill Sharman (19.3)
Rebounds: Bill Russell (24), Tom Heinsohn (10.6), Gene Conley (8.3)
Assists: Bob Cousy (9.5), Bill Russell (3.7), K.C. Jones (2.6)
Win Shares: Bill Russell (13.8), Bill Sharman (7.9), Bob Cousy (7.8)
Playoff opponents;
Philadelphia Warriors: 49-26 (4-2)
St. Louis Hawks: 46-29 (4-3)
#1: 1985-86
Regular season: 67-15 (.817)
Playoffs: 15-3 (.833)
Total: 82-18 (.820)
Longest streak: 14 games
Coach: K.C. Jones
Award winners;
Larry Bird: League MVP, Finals MVP, 1st Team All-NBA, All Star
Dennis Johnson: 2nd Team All-Defense
Kevin McHale: 1st Team All-Defense, All Star
Robert Parish: All Star
Bill Walton: 6th Man of the Year
K.C. Jones: All Star head coach
Leaders;
Points: Larry Bird (25.8), Kevin McHale (21.3), Robert Parish (16.1)
Rebounds: Larry Bird (9.8), Robert Parish (9.5), Kevin McHale (8.1)
Assists: Larry Bird (6.8), Dennis Johnson (5.8), Danny Ainge (5.1)
Steals: Larry Bird (2), Dennis Johnson (1.4), Danny Ainge (1.2)
Blocks: Kevin McHale (2), Robert Parish (1.4), Bill Walton (1.3)
Win Shares: Larry Bird (15.8), Kevin McHale (11), Robert Parish (9.2)
Playoff opponents
Chicago Bulls: 30-52 (3-0)
Atlanta Hawks: 50-32 (4-1)
Milwaukee Bucks: 57-25 (4-0)
Houston Rockets: 51-31 (4-2)
Mack's Basketball Stuff 