When you think of the greatest single-season teams in NBA history, the first teams that come to mind are the 1996 Chicago Bulls, the 1986 Boston Celtics, and the 2017 Golden State Warriors. What those teams have in common are historic regular seasons, an all-time great level of play, and Hall of Famers.
The 2024 Boston Celtics have everything required to be in that historic group and are in the process of chasing them.
The only thing missing for the Celtics is the NBA title, which is still in play.
From the first game of this season, the Cs have been on a mission to prove their doubters wrong and get redemption for their playoff losses over the past couple of seasons. What transpired was a dominant 64-18 season with almost no rough patches. The Celtics were able to go on a historic run after adding two major pieces in Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday.
Boston has continued their historic run in the postseason, starting 12-2, including a perfect 6-0 start on the road. The Cs are only the fifth team in NBA history to start 6-0 in the playoffs and four of those teams won the title. It’s awesome to see the Cs grow, considering their recent playoff failures.
You know I always come with the historical stats.
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) May 28, 2024
We’re seeing an all-time group right now. pic.twitter.com/hakCbqr2X4
2023-24 Boston Celtics can end up behind only the 1985-86 Cs all-time
If the Celtics win the title, they will undoubtedly be the second-best team in Celtics history and probably a top-ten team of all time. Even though the 2008 Celtics went 66-16, they struggled in the postseason and were not as dominant as this year's squad. In this writer's opinion, the only team that would be better than this year's Cs squad is the 1986 crew, which some people have as the second-best team ever.
Finals! This is a crazy list for these guys. pic.twitter.com/cUxm6SmMyE
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 28, 2024
The Celtics would belong in the conversation for one of the ten best teams of all time and probably the third-best team of the 21st century behind the 2017 Golden State Warriors and 2001 Los Angeles Lakers. The Cs have all the necessary criteria to make the list as they have multiple future Hall of Famers, had a great regular season, and have played at one of the highest levels offensively of any team ever.
Boston is four wins away from Banner 18, but also has a chance to sit at the table of the greatest teams ever.