Fansided

The best NBA playoff team of all-time at every seed

By Ian Levy

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 25: (L-R) James Harden #13, Kevin Durant #35 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stand on the court during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 25, 2011 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2011 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 25: (L-R) James Harden #13, Kevin Durant #35 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder stand on the court during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 25, 2011 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 2011 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 8
Next
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game One of Round One of the 2016 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2016 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game One of Round One of the 2016 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2016 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The best No. 2 seed ever: San Antonio Spurs, 2015-16

By their statistical resume, this was the peak version of the San Antonio Spurs. They set franchise records for wins (67), win percentage and SRS. That last mark, plus-10.28, is the eighth-best in NBA history. They had the best defense in the league, led by Kawhi Leonard on his way to a second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Award. Their offense slowed with the addition of LaMarcus Aldridge but it was still one of the most efficient units in the league.

There are two reasons the 2015-16 Spurs aren’t remembered as one of the greatest teams ever. The first is that they suffered a stunning upset at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs. The second reason is that this also happened to be the season the Golden State Warriors officially set the basketball world on fire. Which brings us to the best No. 1 seed of all time…

Home/NBA Playoffs