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NBA franchise all-time power rankings: Which organization comes out on top?

By Josh Eberley

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 06: Los Angeles Lakers legends Ervin Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal share a laugh with Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor during the unveiling ceremony for a bronze statue to honor Baylor in Star Plaza at Staples Center on April 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 06: Los Angeles Lakers legends Ervin Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal share a laugh with Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor during the unveiling ceremony for a bronze statue to honor Baylor in Star Plaza at Staples Center on April 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Ranking all 30 NBA teams based on their level of success, iconic stature, and all-time starting five.

The NBA off-season is upon us, the draft is long gone and the dog days of summer are here. There’s no better time to ponder impossible hypotheticals than now, the time is nigh.

Taking a stab at an ambitious endeavour, all 30 current NBA franchises were subjectively ranked by their level of success, popularity, and all-time star power.

All comments, criticism, and downright irrational anger can be sent to @josheberley.

A few notes:

  • No NBA ranking project, especially one of this magnitude is ever going to be objective. There was no concrete methodology or statistic used to sort the teams.
  • Franchises were weighed on their entire NBA history. All teams were listed as they are currently but prior locations were accounted for. I.e. Seattle and Oklahoma City got one ranking under the Thunder banner.
  • The all-time starting five is subjective but based on peak years, not years served. In relatively close statistical seasons, the tie-breakers considered NBA awards, playoff performances, and iconic moments.
  • The all-time starting five positions changed based on the talent available. Flexibility allowed spots for more deserving candidates — for example, opening up a second center slot so Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard both fit on the Orlando Magic.
  • ABA Seasons were not included for the team ranking or all-time starting five.
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