All 30 NBA Franchises Statistically Ranked By All-Time Greatness
By Daniel
15. Dallas Mavericks: 1.61 Points
Established In the NBA: 1980
Former Cities/Names: N/A
Greatest Player In Team History: Dirk Nowitzki
The Mavericks’ franchise has been in the NBA for only 34 seasons, but they’ve racked up more points (success) than many other older franchises. The team has won three division championships and two conferences championships. They have also won a league championship. That success, mixed with the fact that they’re younger than many franchises, is why they’re so respectably ranked on this all-time NBA franchise list.
13. (TIE) Washington Wizards: 1.69 Points
Established In the NBA: 1961
Former Cities/Names: Chicago Packers, Chicago Zephyrs, Baltimore Bullets, Capitol Bullets, Washington Bullets
Greatest Player In Team History: Elvin Hayes
The Washington Wizards are definitely an underrated NBA franchise as far as total success is concerned. The team has won six division championships all-time. It has also won four conference championships and one NBA Finals. They’ve accomplished all of these things in 53 NBA seasons. It’s time this franchise gets a bit more historical respect.
13. (TIE) Golden State Warriors: 1.69 Points
Established In the NBA: 1946
Former Cities/Names: Philadelphia Warriors, San Francisco Warriors, Golden State/Oakland Warriors
Greatest Player In Team History: Wilt Chamberlain (Close Second: Rick Barry)
The Warriors, based in Oakland, CA, are a franchise that racked up a truly great amount of success a long time ago. That history of success should be, and is in this ranking, rewarded. Despite being inconsistent since this franchise won three NBA championships and six conference championships in its distant history. Its also won two division championships all-time. They’re one of the more surprising teams on this list, but when you look at the numbers it makes sense.
12. Orlando Magic: 1.80 Points
Established In the NBA: 1989
Former Cities/Names: N/A
Greatest Player In Team History: Shaquille O’Neal
The Orlando Magic are the highest ranked team on this list that hasn’t won an NBA Championship. Now that isn’t exactly what a franchise would like to be remembered by, but it does show that the franchise has been extremely competitive. They’ve been in the NBA for just 25 years, but have won an impressive five division titles and two Eastern Conference championships. If this team can win an NBA title in the coming years, it will jump much higher up this list.
11. New York Knicks: 1.91 Points
Established In the NBA: 1946
Former Cities/Names: N/A
Greatest Player In Team History: Patrick Ewing (Close Second: Walt Frazier)
The Knickerbockers fall just outside the top 10 franchises in NBA history in terms of success per year. Their 1.91 points per year average fell just short of the top 10 cut-off, even though this franchise has seen a great deal of success over its 68-year history. It has won two league championships, a whopping eight conference championships and five division crowns. This franchise has lacked consistency for quite some time, but another championship would certainly vault them into the top 10 franchises of all-time.
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