The Greatest Seasons in the NBA, NHL, MLB and NFL

History could be written this season in both the NBA and the NHL. The Oklahoma Thunder and the Colorado Avalanche are off to spectacular starts and are on pace to set records for the best seasons in their respective leagues.  Through 25 games, OKC has just one loss, while the Avs have just two regulation losses through 30 games. The Thunder are (+125) to win the NBA title while Colorado is (+375) to win the Stanley Cup. Let’s take a look back at some of the greatest seasons by a team in all four major sports.

National Basketball Association (NBA)

1995-96 Chicago Bulls (72-10)

The 1995–96 Chicago Bulls remain the standard by which all others are measured. Their 72–10 record set a new NBA mark for wins and symbolized the peak of the Michael Jordan–Scottie Pippen–Dennis Rodman era. With Phil Jackson’s triangle offense, suffocating perimeter defense, and unmatched mental toughness, the Bulls powered through the league and capped the season with a 15–3 playoff run. Few teams have matched their combination of dominance, star power, and cultural impact.

2015-16 Golden State Warriors (73-9)

The 2015–16 Golden State Warriors set a new mark with the best record ever at 73-9. Led by MVP Stephen Curry and a supporting cast that included Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Steve Kerr’s pace-and-space system, Golden State revolutionized modern basketball. A heavy dose of three-point shooting with solid defense made the Warriors the sexiest team in the league.  But their season ended with a stunning loss to LeBron James as the Cavaliers and Golden State choked in the series after a 3-1 lead.

1985–86 Boston Celtics (67–15)

Another titan of history is the 1985–86 Boston Celtics, widely considered one of the most complete teams ever assembled. Larry Bird at his absolute peak, supported by Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, and Bill Walton off the bench.  Boston went 67–15 but was so dominant at the Gardens – a 50–1 home record. Their playoff run ended with a championship, cementing them as the great teams in NBA history.

National Hockey League (NHL)

1976-77 Montreal Canadiens (60-8-12)

This Canadian team is considered the greatest hockey team in NHL history.  The 1976-77 Habs resume is staggering: 

• 60-8-12 record
• 132 points
• Fewest losses in league history
• +216 goal differential

Led by Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt, Larry Robinson, and Ken Dryden, Montreal not only dominated the regular season but also lost just two playoff games on its way to a Stanley Cup. Their blend of skill, depth, and two-way excellence remains unparalleled.

1984-85 Edmonton Oilers (49–20–11)

The 1984-85 Edmonton Oilers were the pinnacle of the Wayne Gretzky era. With the Great One, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, and Grant Fuhr, the Oilers were a high-octane offensive machine that redefined the sport. Their 401 regular-season goals and Coffey’s record-breaking defenseman scoring cemented their identity as the most explosive team ever. While they lost 20 games, the Oilers still rolled through the playoffs and won their second Stanley Cup, showcasing a level of offensive dominance rarely seen.

2022-23 Boston Bruins (65-12-5)

You’re probably wondering why a team that set all-time NHL records with 65 wins and 135 points is third on this list. Well, we’ll explain shortly.  What the Bruins did was remarkable.  With elite depth, the goaltending duo of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, and a disciplined defensive structure, the Bruins were statistically the best regular-season team ever.  But a shocking first-round exit by the Panthers prevents them from taking the top spot. Still, their season remains one of the most extraordinary in league history.

Major League Baseball (MLB)

1998 New York Yankees (114–48)

The 1998 Yankees are widely considered the gold standard for a complete baseball team. Winning 114 regular-season games—then an American League record—they paired elite pitching with exceptional depth and lineup balance. New York finished first in runs scored, second in ERA, and lost only two postseason games en route to a dominant World Series sweep of the Padres. Led by Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, and Mariano Rivera, this Yankees team is arguably the greatest team ever assembled.

1906 Chicago Cubs (116–36)

Though they shockingly lost the World Series, the 1906 Cubs remain owners of the best regular-season record in baseball history (tied with the 2001 Mariners). Their .763 winning percentage is unmatched. The team allowed just 381 runs—still one of the lowest totals ever—behind iconic pitchers Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown and Ed Reulbach. They had an incredible +323 run differential and are considered the most dominant team from April through September.  But there was no World Series.

2001 Seattle Mariners (116-46)

The 2001 Seattle Mariners delivered one of the greatest regular seasons in MLB history, tying the all-time record with 116 wins. Powered by Ichiro’s MVP and Rookie of the Year campaign, a deep lineup, and a versatile pitching staff led by Freddy García and Jamie Moyer, Seattle dominated through balance rather than star power. While they fell in the ALCS, the Mariners’ regular-season excellence remains iconic.

National Football League (NFL)

1972 Miami Dolphins (17–0) – The Only Perfect Season

The 1972 Dolphins continue to sip champagne every year as they remain the only undefeated team to win the Super Bowl in NFL history.  Coached by Don Shula and powered by the “No-Name Defense,” Miami went 17-0 on its way to a title. What makes this even more remarkable, starting quarterback Bob Griese missed much of the year due to injury, so backup Earl Morrall stepped in and guided this run-first offense as Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris both rushed for 1,000 yards. Miami’s defense led the league in nearly every major category, suffocating opponents with discipline and depth rather than star power.   More than half a century later, this stands as the NFL’s ultimate team accomplishment.

1985 Chicago Bears (15–1) – The Most Dominant Defense Ever

The 1985 Chicago Bears didn’t just win—they overwhelmed, humiliated, and obliterated opponents. With a 15–1 regular season record and a historically destructive defense under Buddy Ryan, the Bears revolutionized the game on defense.  Mike Singletary, Richard Dent, Dan Hampton, and William “Refrigerator” Perry, Chicago allowed just 12.4 points per game. What was even more impressive; the Bears’ postseason run.  Two shutouts in the NFC playoffs, a 46–10 dismantling of the Patriots in Super Bowl XX. The ’85 Bears remain one of the NFL’s greatest teams ever.

2007 New England Patriots (16–0 regular season) – The Greatest Offense Ever

The 2007 Patriots delivered the most explosive season ever. Tom Brady and Randy Moss shattered records: Brady threw 50 touchdown passes, Moss caught 23, and New England averaged nearly 37 points per game. They went 16–0 in the regular season, winning eight games by 20+ points and redefining offensive efficiency. But all that was for not, as they fell short to the Giants in Super Bowl XLII.  Still, their dominance and historical statistical records make them one of the best teams ever put together.