Every basketball fan has an opinion about the greatest NBA dynasty. The 90s Chicago Bulls, the Shaq and Kobe Lakers, the Curry era Golden State Warriors and the Big Three Boston Celtics each ruled their era. This One Gotta Go card asks which one you would erase from NBA history.
Think about the teams you watched growing up, the championships you remember and the players you still talk about with friends. Then make your pick and see if the basketball fans at the table can change your mind.
The 4 choices on this card
A. Chicago Bulls 90s
The 90s Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and coach Phil Jackson, won six championships in eight years. Many fans call them the greatest team ever. The case against cutting them is so strong that picking them is a bold move.
Keep it if: Jordan, Pippen and six titles make the 90s Bulls the gold standard of basketball for you.
B. LA Lakers (Shaq & Kobe)
The Lakers with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant won three straight championships from 2000 to 2002. Shaq's power and Kobe's scoring were hard to stop. The case against them is that their run ended quickly once the two stars split up.
Keep it if: Shaq's dominance and young Kobe's scoring make that Lakers three-peat your favorite era.
C. Golden State Warriors (Curry Era)
The Golden State Warriors of the Curry era won four championships between 2015 and 2022, powered by Stephen Curry's long-range shooting. They changed how the game is played. The case against them is that some fans felt their stacked roster made it too easy.
Keep it if: Curry's shooting changed basketball, and watching the Warriors at their best was pure fun for you.
D. Boston Celtics (Big Three)
The Big Three Celtics, with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, won the 2008 championship and brought the team back to the top. The case against them is that they won one title, which makes them a shorter dynasty than the others.
Keep it if: Pierce, Garnett and Allen teaming up was special to you, and the 2008 title run was one of the most fun seasons you have ever watched.
Our take
We'd cut the Big Three Celtics. They were great, but with one championship they had the shortest run at the top on this card, while the Bulls won six, the Warriors won four and the Shaq and Kobe Lakers won three straight. Expect the most fun debate between the 90s Bulls fans and the Warriors crowd, which often turns into a Jordan vs Curry conversation. For a bonus round, ask everyone to build a starting five using only players from these four teams.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which dynasty benefited most from the competition of its era?
- Who would win a series between the 90s Bulls and the Curry era Warriors?
- Which team was the most fun to watch?
- Which NBA dynasty deserves a spot on this card instead?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
NBA Dynasties: quick answers
What is the greatest NBA dynasty of all time?
The 1990s Chicago Bulls, who won six championships with Michael Jordan, are often named the greatest NBA dynasty. The Bill Russell era Celtics of the 1950s and 60s won even more titles, while the Shaq and Kobe Lakers and the Curry era Warriors are also in the conversation.
How many championships did the Curry Warriors win?
The Golden State Warriors won four NBA championships in the Stephen Curry era, in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022. Curry's three-point shooting helped change how teams across the league play, which is why many fans include them among the great dynasties.
