As a long-time analyst and fan of the game, I’ve always been fascinated by what makes a basketball team truly dominant. It’s not just about the superstar scoring 30 points a night; it’s about the complete ecosystem of a roster, the unsung work that fuels every championship run. I was reminded of this recently when I came across a quote from a coach—though I can’t recall the exact source—that perfectly encapsulates this spirit. He said, in essence, “Everyone will get theirs, especially the big men, because of course, their job isn’t easy: rebound, box-out. I want them rewarded because they eat, too.” That philosophy, of rewarding the gritty, essential labor inside, is the bedrock of every great team. It’s what separates flashy contenders from genuine, league-dominating forces. Today, I want to dive into the top 10 American basketball teams that currently embody this principle and are ruling the league. This isn’t just a cold ranking based on wins and losses; it’s a look at the cultures, the systems, and the players who do the dirty work that allows the stars to shine.
Let’s start with the undeniable standard-bearers, the Boston Celtics. Their dominance this past season, culminating in a championship, was a masterclass in balanced, selfless basketball. They have the star power in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, sure, but what makes them terrifying is how every piece fits. They led the league in three-pointers made, attempting a staggering 42.5 per game, but that system only works because of the screening, the offensive rebounding, and the defensive versatility of guys like Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis. They are the modern epitome of that “reward the bigs” mentality; Porziņģis spaces the floor, but he’s also a rim protector. They play for each other, and that culture, built over years, is why they sit firmly at number one. Not far behind, out West, you have the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokić is the ultimate “reward the bigs” case study—he’s the center who does everything. But watch them play, and you see Aaron Gordon setting bone-crushing screens and cutting with relentless energy, knowing the ball will find him. They play a beautiful, symbiotic brand of basketball that’s incredibly hard to disrupt in a seven-game series. Their core has been together for years, and that continuity is a massive advantage in today’s player-movement era.
Then there are the teams built to challenge these titans. The Minnesota Timberwolves, with their twin-towers defense of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, literally live by dominating the paint. Gobert’s entire value is in that unglamorous work: rebounding, rim protection, box-outs. When they’re right, they suffocate opponents, holding teams to under 106 points per game last season, which is an insane number in today’s NBA. Out in Dallas, the Mavericks’ run to the Finals was powered by Luka Dončić’s genius, but it was unlocked by the acquisition of Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington. Those guys set screens, roll hard, defend multiple positions, and clean up the glass. Luka gets them easy baskets because they do the hard work first. It’s a perfect partnership. I have a soft spot for the New York Knicks under Tom Thibodeau for this very reason. They might not have the top-end talent of Boston, but they grind you into dust. Josh Hart, famously, seems to grab every 50/50 ball. Their entire identity is about outworking you, about every player embracing a role that’s bigger than themselves. It’s not always pretty, but it’s incredibly effective and, in my opinion, one of the most honest ways to play the sport.
The Oklahoma City Thunder represent the new wave of dominance. They’re young, fast, and incredibly long, leading the league in steals last season. But what impresses me most is their maturity. Chet Holmgren, as a rookie, anchored their defense. They share the ball, they play with a joy that’s infectious, and they have a war chest of future draft picks to keep improving. They’re a nightmare matchup already. The Milwaukee Bucks, when healthy, are still a force because of Giannis Antetokounmpo. His dominance is so physical, so based on sheer will and athleticism, that it forces every opponent into a brutal, taxing game plan. The supporting cast, including Brook Lopez protecting the rim, allows Giannis to roam and create chaos. Out in Los Angeles, the Lakers’ ceiling still revolves around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Davis, when engaged, is a top-five player because he dominates both the offensive and defensive glass and protects the rim at an elite level. When he’s doing that dirty work, the Lakers are a threat to anyone. The Phoenix Suns, with their superstar trio, are a fascinating case. Their success hinges on role players like Grayson Allen and Drew Eubanks doing the little things—chasing loose balls, taking charges, setting solid screens—to free up Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. It’s a high-wire act, but the talent is undeniable.
Rounding out my top ten, I’d look at the Cleveland Cavaliers and the up-and-coming Houston Rockets. Cleveland has a formidable defensive identity built around Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Allen, in particular, is a throwback center who excels at the thankless tasks. The Rockets, under Ime Udoka, made a massive leap last season by buying into a defensive identity. They play hard, they’re physical, and young stars like Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green are learning that winning starts on the defensive end. So, there you have it. These ten teams, in my view, are defining the current landscape of the league. Their styles vary wildly—from Boston’s five-out artillery to Minnesota’s defensive fortress—but the common thread is an understanding that dominance requires a commitment to the whole job. It’s about the star accepting a double-team to find the open man, and it’s about the open man, often a role player, knocking down the shot. It’s about the guard fighting over a screen and the big behind him being ready to help. Basketball, at its best, is a collective effort. The teams that remember to reward the bigs, to value the rebound and the box-out as much as the step-back three, are the ones holding the trophies and, frankly, the ones that are the most rewarding to watch. That’s the real secret to dominating the league today.