Top NBA Franchises of the 1980's

The NBA received the shot in the arm it needed in 1979 when the two storied franchises drafted what would become two of the most gifted NBA players of all-time. Many link the NBA and the 1980's to the decade of Boston versus L.A., Magic versus Bird, and Celtics versus Lakers. The coast-to-coast rivalry featured two players from the opposite ends of the spectrum when it came to style of play, as well as personalities. Many refer to the 1980's as the pinnacle era of the NBA.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers, led by Pat Riley, assembled one of the most exciting teams throughout the decade of the 1980's. The Lakers earned their first title of the decade in 1981-82 when they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers four games to two. In 1984-85, the Lakers avenged the loss of the prior year to the Celtics, as they defeated their archrivals four games to two. Two years later in 1986-87, they had their way with the Celtics again by winning the series four games to two. In 1987-88, the earned a fourth championship of the decade by edging out the up and coming Detroit Pistons four games to three. Throughout the decade, the Lakers won 50 or more games in every season, more than 60 games in five season. The Lakers, who earned seven NBA final trip, were a dynamic squad, led by guards Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Byron Scott, forwards James Worthy and Michael Cooper, and center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics were a fundamentally sound team throughout the decade of the 1980's. They launched the decade by defeating the Houston Rockets four games to two in the 1980-81 NBA finals. In 1983-84, they ousted the Lakers in a hard fought series that was decided in the seventh and final game. Two later, the Celtics defeated the Rockets again four games to two for the 1985-86 title, clinching a third championship for the decade. They appeared in five NBA finals overall. The Celtics won more than 50 games in nine seasons, 60 games or more in five seasons. The Celtics were led by forwards Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, center Robert Parish, and guard Dennis Johnson.

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons started out the 1980's a little sluggish with three consecutive losing seasons. However, once Chuck Daly became the head coach in 1983-84, the team began to emerge into winners. After losing to the Lakers in the 1987-88 NBA finals, they returned the favor by sweeping their west coast nemesis in the 1988-89 championship series. This was the first championship for the franchise. They earned their second consecutive championship by easing past the Portland Trail Blazers four games to one en route to the 1989-90 NBA championship. The Pistons were a physical team, often intimidating their opponents when driving to the hoop. They won 50 or more games in four consecutive seasons. They were lead by guards Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars, forwards Adrian Dantley, Dennis Rodman, and Rick Mahorn, and centers Bill Laimbeer and James Edwards.

Honorable mentions include Philadelphia 76ers; Houston Rockets

Resources: Basketball Reference