60 Game Winners

[Redz]

Did a little digging tonight...

Barring a winless stretch to end the regular season the Celts will become just the 2nd team to have back to back 60 win seasons since the Bulls did it 3 straight years in 1996-1998 and the Jazz for 2 seasons in 1997-1998. All told only ten teams have ever repeated as 60 game winners. The 80's Lakers are the only team have a 4 year run. In short; it's not easy or common.

Here's a history of teams with 60 win seasons...Red #'s denote a streak.  Totals don't include this season (so add Cleveland and LA and likely Orlando for this year)

   Celtics 12         
   2008   BOS   66   
   1986   BOS   67   3
   1985   BOS   63   
   1984   BOS   62   
   1982   BOS   63   3
   1981   BOS   62   
   1980   BOS   61   
   1975   BOS   60   
   1973   BOS   68   
   1967   BOS   60   
   1965   BOS   62   
   1962   BOS   60   
            
   Lakers 10         
   2000   LAL   67   
   1998   LAL   61   
   1990   LAL   63   
   1988   LAL   62   4
   1987   LAL   65   
   1986   LAL   62   
   1985   LAL   62   
   1980   LAL   60   
   1973   LAL   60   2
   1972   LAL   69   
            
   Bulls 5         
   1998   CHI   62   3
   1997   CHI   69   
   1996   CHI   72   
   1992   CHI   67   2
   1991   CHI   61   
            
   Bucks 4         
   1981   MIL   60   
   1973   MIL   60   3
   1972   MIL   63   
   1971   MIL   66   
            
   76ers 4         
   1983   PHI   65   
   1981   PHI   62   
   1968   PHI   62   2
   1967   PHI   68   
            
   Suns 3         
   2007   PHO   61   
   2005   PHO   62   
   1993   PHO   62   
            
   Spurs 3         
   2006   SA    63   
   2003   SA    60   
   1995   SA    62   
            
   Mavs 4         
   2007   DAL   67   2
   2006   DAL   60   
   2003   DAL   60   
            
   Sonics 3         
   1998   SEA   61   
   1996   SEA   64   
   1994   SEA   63   
            
   Jazz 3         
   1998   UTA   62   2
   1997   UTA   64   
   1995   UTA   60   
            
   Knicks 2         
   1993   NY    60   
   1970   NY    60   
            
   Pistons 1         
   1989   DET   63   
            
   Pacers 1         
   2004   IND   61   
            
   Heat 1         
   1997   MIA   61   
            
   Magic 1         
   1996   ORL   60   
            
   Blazers 1         
   1991   POR   63   
            
   Kings 1         
   2002   SAC   61   
            
   Bullets 1         
   1975   WAS   60   

[Redz]

Here's your chronological list.  They switched to 82 games for the 67-68 season.  There was quite a gap of years in the mid to late 70's with no 60 game winners.  Magic & Bird changed that!

   1962   BOS   60
   1965   BOS   62
   1967   BOS   60
   1967   PHI   68
   1968   PHI   62
   1970   NY    60
   1971   MIL   66
   1972   LAL   69
   1972   MIL   63
   1973   BOS   68
   1973   LAL   60
   1973   MIL   60
   1975   BOS   60
   1975   WAS   60
   1980   BOS   61
   1980   LAL   60
   1981   BOS   62
   1981   MIL   60
   1981   PHI   62
   1982   BOS   63
   1983   PHI   65
   1984   BOS   62
   1985   BOS   63
   1985   LAL   62
   1986   BOS   67
   1986   LAL   62
   1987   LAL   65
   1988   LAL   62
   1989   DET   63
   1990   LAL   63
   1991   CHI   61
   1991   POR   63
   1992   CHI   67
   1993   PHO   62
   1993   NY    60
   1994   SEA   63
   1995   SA    62
   1995   UTA   60
   1996   CHI   72
   1996   SEA   64
   1996   ORL   60
   1997   CHI   69
   1997   UTA   64
   1997   MIA   61
   1998   LAL   61
   1998   CHI   62
   1998   SEA   61
   1998   UTA   62
   2000   LAL   67
   2002   SAC   61
   2003   SA    60
   2003   DAL   60
   2004   IND   61
   2005   PHO   62
   2006   SA    63
   2006   DAL   60
   2007   PHO   61
   2007   DAL   67
   2008   BOS   66

[Donoghus]

A lot of NBA Champions or teams that lost in the NBA Finals in that list. 

Pretty amazing that we'll most likely see 4 teams crack the mark this year.

[Redz]

Bumping this one up in honor of win #60 tonight.  Let's not underestimate these guys.

[Ed Teach]

That 1980 to 1986 stretch by the Celtic is pretty impressive.  Too bad about 83.

[SSFan V]

well done!

[Redz]

That 1980 to 1986 stretch by the Celtic is pretty impressive.  Too bad about 83.

6 out of 7 was pretty incredible.  You just came to expect it.

[SSFan V]

That 1980 to 1986 stretch by the Celtic is pretty impressive.  Too bad about 83.

6 out of 7 was pretty incredible.  You just came to expect it.

It was amazing.  Celtics basketball in June was an expectation.  We were indeed spoiled and it just began to slowly erode away beginning in 1987.

[hankfinkel]

That 1980 to 1986 stretch by the Celtic is pretty impressive.  Too bad about 83.

6 out of 7 was pretty incredible.  You just came to expect it.

And they just missed in 87 when they had 59 wins or then you would have 7 of 8.

But the Bulls 96 to 98 averaging nearly 68 wins (67.7) over 3 seasons is pretty nasty too with 2 of the only 3 69+ wins in NBA history back-to-back.  Never ceases to amaze me when I see that.

Only 9 67+ wins ever also, and MJ's Bulls have three of them. Wilt had one each with the 76ers and then the Lakers.

Thanks Redz, great list.