The decade of the 2000’s was not very competitive. Only 5 teams won a championship (Lakers 4, Spurs 3, Pistons, Heat, and Celtics). The same teams, for the most part, were at the top of standings every year.
Teams like the Lakers, Spurs, and Pistons have had a very consistent decade of winning.
The success of those three teams comes down to consistency in three areas; star players, management, and coaching.
The Lakers have been led by Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher for the whole decade. Both of them are leaders, clutch, and play well in big games. They both have four championship rings. For almost the whole decade Phil Jackson has coached the Lakers. He brought his successful coaching strategies, and his amazing ability to deal with multiple star players and their egos. Lakers owner, Dr. Jerry Bus has always been committed to winning and that attitude did not stop at the turn of the century.
The Spurs have been the most successful team in the last 10 years, winning four championships since 1999. The face of the Spurs, future hall of famer Tim Duncan. Duncan, along with Shaquille O’Neal, has been the model big man in the NBA this decade.
Gregg Popovich, the most underrated coach in NBA history, has coached the Spurs to all of their titles, and has built a trust with his players unlike any other since Red Auerbach and the Celtics of the 1960’s.
The Pistons have benefited from having the same core group of players for most of the decade. Players like Tayshaun Prince, Richard Hamilton, and former Piston greats Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, and Chauncey Billups formed many great teams in the motor city.
The Pistons made the conference finals six consecutive times in the 2000’s, advancing to two NBA Finals while winning one.
As these three franchises have shown, consistency on the court, on the bench, and in the owner’s box is the recipe for success. Trust amongst players, coaches, and management creates a fun winning environment that the players, and the fans share.