Every NBA team's best iteration ever

Every NBA team’s best iteration ever

PORTLAND, OR - 1987: Head Coach Pat Riley leads Magic Johnson #32, Byron Scott #4, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #33 during a game played circa 1987 at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1987 NBAE (Photo by Brian Drake/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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NEW ORLEANS – MAY 19: Chris Paul #3 and David West #30 of the New Orleans Hornets talk to the media after being eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in Game Seven of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 19, 2008 at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Spurs won 91-82. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

New Orleans Pelicans: 2007-08

Chris Paul has been one of the best, if not the best, point guards in the NBA for a while now, but 2008 was both his best season and the best season in New Orleans history. Paul averaged 21 points and 11 assists along with nearly 3 steals per game, and really he should have won MVP that year. Alongside him was fellow All Star David West, who was good for over 20 points on a nightly basis, and sharp shooting Peja Stojakovic who made over 44 percent of his 3-pointers and contributed 16 points per game. Finally, their core also included Tyson Chandler, who after five years in Chicago, had finally come into his own in New Orleans, with the help of Paul. He averaged a double-double for the first time in his career and was well on his way to becoming a dominant defensive presence.

Ultimately, New Orleans, who were still the Hornets then, was defeated by the San Antonio Spurs in seven games in the Conference Semifinals, despite having home-court advantage. A decade later, this team still holds the franchise record for most wins in a season with 56, and remains the only time New Orleans has won 50 games in a single campaign. It is also the lone time they have had an SRS over 1.52, which they blew away with an SRS of 5.46. Despite returning the same core the following season, and Paul playing at near superhuman levels yet again, the Hornets won seven less game and were eliminated in the first round.

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