POLL: What Was The NBA's Best Era? 40's? 50's? 60's? 70's 80's 90's 00's 10's 20's?

[Round Mound]

IMO the 80's! :rockon:

In your opinion?

[RoundMoundOfReb]

80s, late 00s and early 10s.

[tanibanana]

80s, 10s, 00s, 90s, 70s, 60s, 50s
*I’m including the ABA in my 70s assessment.
NBA in the 1970s without ABA is like the East of 2010s. Where half the talent is in the other conference.

[tanibanana]

IMO the 80's! :rockon:

In your opinion?

Skills wise it aint the best... but overall its without question the best era.
Competition across the conference, rivalries between teams and individuals, balance in talent across the league, popularity growth, all in great condition.

As for the skills, I would tend to believe the 2000s/2010s leads all eras. What this eras (2000s/2010) is missing is the balance of talent across the league, rivalries among individuals and teams (true rivalry what I mean, not media driven rivalry)

The 90s have Jordan, so its a great era, but the expansion ruined the depth of the league. The expansion for me was abrupt.

The 70s could have been better, if only all players played for one league. Imagine if we have two leagues in the 80s. Magic playing for ABA then Bird and Zeke for the NBA. That is what happened to Havlicek-Erving-Kareem rivalry.

The 2020s started on the wrong foot. I hope soon, everything gets back to normal. The 2020s will be the most global era of NBA. Well so far.

[Sulico]

I started watching in the 90's.

90's was by far worst.
Even though I have a warm memories of 90's basketball, because I was teenager and the world seemed a bit brighter, 90's basketball had no rivalries and no real talent. Every year marginal teams battled for the right to loose to stacked Bulls in the finals or conference finals.
I was Jazz fan back then and I had no illusions about how crappy my favourite team was. Didn't believe in them for 1 second in 97 or 98.

2000's was much better.
Rivalries formed, and a lot of great teams emerged. Lakers, Spurs, Pistons, Mavs, Suns, Cavs, Heat and later Celtics, all had their own personalities and all were fun to watch for a whole different reasons. And all of them had enough talent to win it all.
Even though my fellow Russian joined Jazz, by 2005 I slowly became Spurs fan, because they played exactly the style of ball I love, and they had Manu, the most fun player that ever existed.

2010's were by far best decade for basketball.
Evolution of styles and schemes, unprecedented rise of talent levels, rise and inevitable demise of several superteams, this rollercoaster of a decade brought so much fun to me.
I was heartbroken by the loss of my Spurs in 2013 and really enjoyed their 2014 win, but by then I was more of a Warriors fan. Never ever any team had me so glued to the screen before. They were the essence of fun, but I had my doubts still. When they became a superteam out of nowhere and won in 2015 I celebrated more than I had in 2005.

[72-10]

it's hard to tell

I'll have to give my stance and then explain it later

[MrFonzworth]

40s

[AussieSteve]

Late 80s was the best I think. When Bird was still at his best, Magic was peaking and Jordan was being Jordan. Then you had Barkley being the best offensive PF ever, Hakeem emerging as the league's best centre and a bunch of other first ballot HoFers all in their primes as well... Ewing, Malone, Drexler, Nique, Isiah. League probably never felt healthier than at that point in time.

[8Ball]

2010s

LeBron era. No question.

[97 bulls]

Watch as 90s haters shit on the 90s while totally dismissing the blatant flaws of every other era. And when you challenge 90s haters to a debate, they run like the school nerd.

No era is better than another. Favorite is subjective. All decades have their strengths and weaknesses.

[dankok8]

80's quite clearly. The collection of top level talent will never be matched again.

[AussieSteve]

Watch as 90s haters shit on the 90s while totally dismissing the blatant flaws of every other era. And when you challenge 90s haters to a debate, they run like the school nerd.

No era is better than another. Favorite is subjective. All decades have their strengths and weaknesses.


I think the mid-late 90s is objectively the worst post merger era. You can't name an ATG who peaked in the late 90s. You had aging dream teamers and young future greats. But no priming superstars.

[72-10]

I think I see why the late double-Os are getting so many votes IIWTTAG

that era had some of the best ball played since they played

[Hey Yo]

For great offense and shitty defense, it's the 80's

For just the opposite, it's the 90's

For a great combination on both sides of the court.... it's the 10's

[72-10]

For great offense and shitty defense, it's the 80's

For just the opposite, it's the 90's

For a great combination on both sides of the court.... it's the 10's

Hey yo, that's a great point. I couldn't have said it any better myself.

[Jasper]

80's defense would kill current league ..
Most of the players would be retiring at 32..
70's was a growing period for the current NBA , that the 80's grew upon.
Bird, Majic , Jordan may never have a DREAM TEAM class as it was.

[Axe]

Watch as 90s haters shit on the 90s while totally dismissing the blatant flaws of every other era. And when you challenge 90s haters to a debate, they run like the school nerd.

No era is better than another. Favorite is subjective. All decades have their strengths and weaknesses.
:cheers:

[Round Mound]

What 1987_Lakers always mentions 1983 to 1993. Best 10 year stretch ever!

[97 bulls]

I think the mid-late 90s is objectively the worst post merger era. You can't name an ATG who peaked in the late 90s. You had aging dream teamers and young future greats. But no priming superstars.

Barkley? Olajuwan? Jordan (granted we probably missed his absolute peak because he retired in 94)? Robinson? Shaq? Malone? Hill? I honestly think you're splitting hairs here. I consider "later" to be 98 and 99.

[1987_Lakers]

What 1987_Lakers always mentions 1983 to 1993. Best 10 year stretch ever!

:cheers:

[72-10]

I digress it's a close call betwixt the 1980s and 1990s.

[72-10]

1991 is greater than 1984. And 1990 is greater than 1983.

[1987_Lakers]

1991 is greater than 1984. And 1990 is greater than 1983.

Hard to leave out 1984 considering that was the same year that put the NBA on the map and the Finals that year was considered the best Finals ever up until 2016.

[1987_Lakers]

I also believe 2008-2018 will be looked at as a great 10 year stretch. LeBron and Kobe dominating the league, 2 of the most popular players post MJ. 2016 NBA Finals, the evolution of the 3 point shot, best collection of all time great teams since the 80s etc

[Bronbron23]

80's easily

[jalbert009]

I also believe 2008-2018 will be looked at as a great 10 year stretch. LeBron and Kobe dominating the league, 2 of the most popular players post MJ. 2016 NBA Finals, the evolution of the 3 point shot, best collection of all time great teams since the 80s etc

I agree completely. That Boston Lakers Rivalry Kicked it off. We had stars from Post Jordan Era still at tail end of their primes like KG, Duncan, Dirk, Nash, Iverson to name a few. Then the emergence of Lebron, Wade, Melo, Bosh, Howard etc. Then KD, Harden, WB, Curry. Most of these guys were in the League at the same time still producing during these years.

[Round Mound]

80's easily

:bowdown::cheers::applause::rockon:

[3ball]

1990-2010 because the 3-pointer wasn't the primary objective, but still a healthy part of the game

However, the 80's format produced the best and most talented pure scorers because spacing was still in it's infancy, but guys like bird, Mullin or Ellis still had the option of using the 3-point line

[1987_Lakers]

1990-2010 because the 3-pointer wasn't the primary objective, but still a healthy part of the game

However, the 80's format produced the best and most talented pure scorers because spacing was still in it's infancy, but guys like bird, Mullin or Ellis still had the option of using the 3-point line

Sorry, you can't include 95-97, any era that played in a WNBA 3 point line should be laughed at.

Can you imagine how teams today would abuse that 3 point line of the mid 90's? It wouldn't even be fair.

[Shooter]

Anything but the 90s :lol

Prob 80s or 10s

I go 2010's

[Shooter]

For great offense and shitty defense, it's the 80's

For just the opposite, it's the 90's

For a great combination on both sides of the court.... it's the 10's

B
I
N
G
O

:hammertime:

[72-10]

Hard to leave out 1984 considering that was the same year that put the NBA on the map and the Finals that year was considered the best Finals ever up until 2016.

"On the map"? The NBA was on national TV all the time since 1970, and the '84 Finals were way better than the rigged 2016 Finals.

[72-10]

Sorry, you can't include 95-97, any era that played in a WNBA 3 point line should be laughed at.

Can you imagine how teams today would abuse that 3 point line of the mid 90's? It wouldn't even be fair.

shut the **** up loser

[72-10]

No one can take this thread honestly. Apparently we have a great number of posters who try to pigheadedly refute the 1980s and 1990s National Basketball Association, which was clearly better in every way but one.

[Marchesk]

No votes for the 70s, huh? Most disrespected era in NBA history.

[Round Mound]

No votes for the 70s, huh? Most disrespected era in NBA history.

That's probably because of the ABA and NBA being separate leagues. Had they merged in to one early in the 70s...the competition would have been better and it would have been easier to compare players and teams etc. The ABA did introduce the 3-point line though and they added to the NBA i think in 79-80. I wished there was no 3-point line so basketball would be more comparable between eras...

[AussieSteve]

There are two facts that highlight how the late 90s was the worst era post the merger.

Firstly...

The Stockton-Malone Jazz got beat up by all the dream team era stars for their entire 20s and early 30s, but in the late 90s, the next generation of stars weren't good enough to beat mid 30s Stockton & Malone.

Secondly...

Aside from mid 30s Jordan and Malone, here are the top 5 MVPs from 97-99.

1997
3. Grant Hill, 4. Tim Hardaway, 5. Glen Rice

1998
3.Gary Payton, 4. Shaq (despite missing 22 games), 5. Tim Duncan in his rookie season.

1999
2. Alonzo Mourning, 3. 22yo Tim Duncan, 4. 23yo Iverson, 5. Jason Kidd.

PLayers outside the all time top 50, kids who will be great in the 2000s, and an injured Shaq... Compare this to the 80s, early 90s, 00s or 10s when you have at least 3-4 certified ATGs in their primes competing for the MVP almost every year.

[1987_Lakers]

"On the map"? The NBA was on national TV all the time since 1970, and the '84 Finals were way better than the rigged 2016 Finals.

The '84 Finals and the Magic-Bird rivalry was looked as a turning point for the NBA. Before that, games were on tape delay and the NBA had an image problem with all the drug use going on, that's why we always hear Magic and Bird saved the NBA. I thought this was common knowledge.

[1987_Lakers]

No votes for the 70s, huh? Most disrespected era in NBA history.

70s NBA was atrocious. Lots of talent played in the ABA instead then when the merger did happen you had teams like the Supersonics and Bullets winning titles, none of those teams are memorable. Hell, the Celtics won 2 championships in the 70s but nobody gives a damn about those teams cause they didnt have the 60's Russell mystique about them.

[Marchesk]

70s NBA was atrocious. Lots of talent played in the ABA instead then when the merger did happen you had teams like the Supersonics and Bullets winning titles, none of those teams are memorable. Hell, the Celtics won 2 championships in the 70s but nobody gives a damn about those teams cause they didnt have the 60's Russell mystique about them.

The early 70s had several super teams in the Lakers, Bucks and Knicks. That was compelling.

[Mauzah]

90's era for me. Sure it was dominated by the Bulls but you had so many iconic big name players spread out across the league.

Even lower tier teams like Charlotte with Zo, LJ and Mugsey or the Nuggets with Mutombo, Rauf, Pack and Laphonso had something going on worth tuning into. Then you had all the usual perennial playoff competitors with solid casts going to war every night.

As a kid these guys really looked like superheros. It was a wild time. Today is pretty comparable as far as big names go.

[red1]

The magic-bird era, the pippen era and then the modern lebron era

[kawhileonard2]

In the 2000's they had to change the rules to make it easier to score.

[2much_knowledge]

Mid 80s and early 2000s. <3

[2much_knowledge]

Hard to leave out 1984 considering that was the same year that put the NBA on the map and the Finals that year was considered the best Finals ever up until 2016.

Lol 1984 are the best finals ever. Period

[TheGoatest]

The 5 alts who voted for the 90s have got to be trolling.

[Baller789]

The 5 alts who voted for the 90s have got to be trolling.

Hello poor boy 8ball.

[TheGoatest]

The remaining 4 alts who have voted for the 90s have got to be trolling.

[2much_knowledge]

Should be an additional option that says , the 10s because i dont kmow sh!t about the others

[Lakers Legend#32]

Lakers ruled the 80's. That's all you need to know.