Ranking The Top 10 NBA Franchise In The 2010's.

      The 1980's had Larry Bird and the Celtics taking on Magic Johnson and the Lakers. The 1990's were all about Michael Jordan and the Bulls. The 2000's starred Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and more.

    While past decades have been exciting to say the least, the 2010's has been by far the most exciting decade of basketball to date. In this list, we rank the 10 franchises that proved to be the most successful over the past 10 seasons. This list looks for consistency, so having one terrific year does not guarantee a spot on the list. Before we go into the top 10, I want to give honourable mentions to 2 teams that had a solid decade, but fell shy of the list.

Dallas Mavericks

     While the Mavericks only got past the first round once in this decade, it was a memorable one, as they went on to become 2011 NBA champions. 

Los Angeles Lakers

     For most teams, any decade with a championship included should be deemed successful. However, 2010 feels like a long time ago, and Lakers fans have been accustomed to enough success to be fed up with a playoff drought that has been standing since 2013. 

Ok, now onto the top 10 NBA teams of the decade

10. Atlanta Hawks  

Playoff appearances: 8

ECF appearances: 1

NBA finals appearances: 0

NBA championships: 0

     Over the last 10 seasons, the Hawks have enjoyed being consistently good enough in the relatively weak eastern conference to be in the playoff picture for 10 years straight, a streak that ended in 2018. While they don't have an awful lot to show for their efforts, they do have 5 series wins, including a 60 win campaign in 2015 that saw them reach the final 4 for the first time since 1970.

9. Indiana Pacers 

Playoff appearances: 8

ECF appearances: 2

NBA finals appearances: 0

NBA championships: 0

     The claim to Indiana's fame in the 2010's was to be the second best team in the east during Lebron James' time in Miami; the team that Indiana fell to in both their ECF appearances in 2013 and 2014. Even in the later parts of the decade, the Pacers have remained competitive and have survived losing superstar Paul George. 

8. Houston Rockets      

Playoff appearances: 7

WCF appearances: 2

NBA finals appearances: 0

NBA championships: 0

     Houston's role for this decade has essentially been the same as Indiana's, except instead of the Miami Heat, Houston has had to deal with Golden State, who the Rockets have fallen to in the 2015 and 2018 west finals. Having James Harden will always help in terms of being a consistent threat, and being tied for the second longest playoff streak is impressive as well.

7. Toronto Raptors 

Playoff appearances: 6

ECF appearances: 2

NBA finals appearances: 1

NBA championships: 1

     Toronto, for a large chunk of the decade, has been in the same scenario as Houston and Indiana, as they could never get past Cleveland from 2016-2018. Their fortunes changed that summer, when they traded for superstar Kawhi Leonard, and went on an exciting run all the way to becoming 2019 champions. Overall, 7 series wins in the last 4 years is very impressive.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder

Playoff appearances: 9

WCF appearances: 4

NBA finals appearances: 1

NBA championships: 0

     The biggest what-could-have-been in the league, OKC stormed the league with the likes of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden, all of which earn MVP's in the decade. Despite the immense talent, the Thunder could only make the finals once, which they would lose in 2012. 

5. Cleveland Cavaliers 

Playoff appearances: 5

ECF appearances: 4

NBA finals appearances: 4

NBA championships: 1

     The second half of Lebron James' 8 year finals streak occurred with the Cavaliers, who would always be deemed underdogs against Golden State. The 2016 championship was a memorable one, unlike the 5 years this decade that Cleveland played without Lebron, which lead to 0 playoff appearances.

4. Boston Celtics 

Playoff appearances: 9

ECF appearances: 4

NBA finals appearances: 1 

NBA championships: 0

     The best team of the decade to go ringless, the Celtics have been a consistent threat from the east, which has lead to 11 series wins in 10 years. Whether being lead by Paul Pierce, Isaiah Thomas or Kyrie Irving, Boston has always been around in the eastern playoff race, highlighted by their appearance in the 2010 NBA finals.

3. Miami Heat 

Playoff appearances: 7

ECF appearances: 4

NBA finals appearances: 4

NBA championships: 2

     Much like Cleveland, the Heat enjoyed 4 straight NBA finals appearances with Lebron James on their side, highlighted with rings in 2012 and 2013. Even without Lebron, Miami has remained a relatively competitive team.

2. San Antonio Spurs

Playoff appearances: 10

WCF appearances: 4

NBA finals appearances: 2

NBA championships: 1

     With a playoff streak that dates back to 1997, San Antonio has been the blueprint that other teams want to follow. The Spurs have enjoyed the success of players like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard over the decade, and they have a ring in 2014 to show for their efforts.

1. Golden State Warriors

Playoff appearances: 7

WCF appearances: 5

NBA finals appearances: 5

NBA championships: 3

     At the top of our list is the team of the decade, the Golden State Warriors. 5 Straight finals appearances is a feat that hasn't been accomplished since the Celtics of the 1960's, and doing it in the rugged western conference is even more impressive. They have rings from 2015, 2017 and 2018 to prove their success, and they also posted the best regular season record in league history, going 73-9 in the 2015-16 season. 

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