Basketball-Reference has a Simple Rating System (SRS) which examines two simple factors
- How much, on average, does a team outscore its opponent?
- What is the team's strength of schedule?
If we look at this year's Golden State Warriors, they make a very elite list of NBA teams. The Warriors are one of only seven teams in NBA history to finish the season with a SRS of above 10.0. Meaning, they outscore their opponents, adjusted for strength of schedule, by over 10 points a game! The other teams?
- 2014-2015 Golden State Warriors (67 Wins)
- 1996-1997 Chicago Bulls (69 Wins) - Title
- 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls (72 Wins) - Title
- 1991-1992 Chicago Bulls (67 Wins) - Title
- 1971-1972 Los Angels Lakers (69 Wins) - Title
- 1971-1972 Milwaukee Bucks (63 Wins) - Lost to the Lakers, see above!
- 1970-1971 Milwaukee Bucks (66 Wins) - Title
In terms of lists of guarantees for a title, this is a good one to be on. The 1972 Bucks are the only NBA team to finish with over a 10.0 SRS to not win a title. It was unfortunate they ran into the Lakers, who also had an SRS over ten! But there's two other fun factors.
In 1970-1971 and 1971-1972 the NBA only had seventeen teams. There was no three-point line and no free agency. And, in 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 the NBA shortened the three-point line to twenty-two feet.
Only the 2014-2015 Warriors and 1991-1992 Bulls managed to get an SRS over ten with a full three-point line in an NBA with over twenty teams! They both even finished with the same records! There is a subtle difference. The Bulls were very top heavy with Horace Grant, Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen pulling most of the weight. The Warriors are led by Stephen Curry but are much more balanced, with few weaknesses. That said, they are one of the best NBA teams in history. We'll see if they live up to their pedigree.
p.s. I recorded a long conversation with Eugene "E.J." Fischer a few weeks ago on his novella "The New Mother." I finally finished editing part one and finishing the notes, and they are up! Check it out.