The 5 Best NBA Eras to Draft From in the 82-0 Challenge
Building a 82-0 roster means making smart decisions when the spinner lands on different teams and decades. Some eras are loaded with multiple legends at every position — others might give you depth but not the elite talent you need. After analyzing every decade in the game's database, we've ranked the five most productive NBA eras for building your all-time roster.
The key insight: era adjustments matter. Players from lower-scoring decades aren't penalized — the simulation normalizes performance across all eras. A dominant 1960s center competes on equal footing with a dominant 2010s center. What you're really targeting are players with elite statistics for their position, multiple All-Star selections, and MVP awards.
The 5 Best Eras, Ranked
2010s — Golden State Warriors Era
The 2010s produced the most statistically dominant players of any decade in terms of combined scoring, efficiency, and awards. Stephen Curry's back-to-back unanimous MVP seasons, LeBron's Cleveland peak, Kevin Durant's scoring titles, and Kawhi Leonard's defensive excellence make this the richest decade for elite talent.
The Golden State Warriors alone give you Curry, Durant (2017-2018), Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson — four players who could fill four of your six roster slots. The San Antonio Spurs offer Tim Duncan (still elite in the early 2010s), Tony Parker, and Kawhi. Cleveland gives you prime LeBron James.
1990s — Jordan Era
Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls dominated the 1990s with six championships, but the decade was far deeper than one dynasty. Hakeem Olajuwon was arguably the most skilled big man in history. Shaquille O'Neal began his dominant run with Orlando and Los Angeles. David Robinson anchored San Antonio. Karl Malone and John Stockton built the greatest pick-and-roll partnership ever.
The 1990s give you elite options at every position. Jordan for SG, Penny Hardaway or Gary Payton for PG, Scottie Pippen or Grant Hill for SF, Malone for PF, and Olajuwon or Robinson or Shaq at center. The depth of elite talent makes this decade nearly as strong as the 2010s.
1980s — Showtime Lakers & Celtics Era
The 1980s was defined by two dynasties trading championships: the Magic Johnson–led Los Angeles Lakers and the Larry Bird–led Boston Celtics. Between them they appeared in nine of ten NBA Finals. Magic and Bird both collected multiple MVP awards. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won his sixth MVP in 1980 and remained elite throughout the decade. Moses Malone brought Philadelphia a championship in 1983.
For the 82-0 Challenge, the 1980s give you elite choices at every position except modern-style point guard. Magic Johnson plays a unique position-less role that the simulation rates highly at any slot. The combination of Kareem at center, Magic at any backcourt spot, and Bird at SF is one of the highest-rated three-player combinations in the game.
2000s — Kobe, Duncan, Shaq Era
The 2000s were dominated by three franchises: the Los Angeles Lakers dynasty (Kobe + Shaq), the San Antonio Spurs dynasty (Duncan + Parker + Ginobili), and later the Miami Heat (LeBron + Wade + Bosh). Each franchise offers multiple elite players. Steve Nash won back-to-back MVPs with Phoenix. Dirk Nowitzki became the best European player in history.
The main advantage of the 2000s era: depth at big man positions. Shaquille O'Neal at his absolute peak, Tim Duncan at his most complete, and Dirk Nowitzki as a scoring machine make this decade exceptional for center and power forward slots.
1960s & 70s — Russell, Wilt, and Kareem
Don't sleep on the older eras. Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics won eleven championships in thirteen years — the greatest dynasty in American sports history. Wilt Chamberlain averaged 50 points and 25 rebounds per game in 1961-62, numbers that remain unmatched in NBA history. Oscar Robertson averaged a triple-double for an entire season. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar began his career in Milwaukee before moving to Los Angeles.
Era adjustments normalize these historic numbers, but the underlying player ratings remain elite. If the spinner lands on the 1960s or 1970s, don't waste your pick — Russell, Wilt, Kareem, and the Big O are all top-tier selections for their respective positions.
How to Use This When Playing
When the spinner lands on a decade, quickly assess which position you need most and whether that decade's available players can fill it. The 2010s are your best bet for SG and PF. The 1990s dominate at C and SF. The 1980s give you unmatched PG talent in Magic Johnson. The 2000s are strongest at C and PF.
Strategy tip: Use your era re-spin when you land on a decade that has strong players — just not for the position you need. If you need a PG and land on the 2010s Warriors (strong SF and SG options), consider spinning the era to find a better PG decade, then come back to the Warriors decade for a different slot.
The teams within each decade matter as much as the era itself. The 2010s Warriors, 1990s Bulls, 1980s Lakers, and 2000s Spurs each give you multiple elite options. Landing on those specific team-decade combinations is the foundation of a dominant 82-0 roster.
The Best Position-by-Position Era Targets
PG: 1980s Lakers (Magic Johnson), 2010s Warriors (Curry), 2000s Suns (Nash)
SG: 1990s Bulls (Jordan), 2010s Warriors (Klay Thompson), 2000s Lakers (Kobe)
SF: 1990s Bulls (Pippen), 2010s Cavaliers (LeBron), 2010s Spurs (Kawhi)
PF: 1990s Jazz (Malone), 2000s Spurs (Duncan), 2010s Oklahoma City (Durant)
C: 1960s-70s (Wilt/Russell/Kareem), 1990s Rockets (Olajuwon), 2000s Lakers (Shaq)
6th Man: Any decade with an elite reserve — Manu Ginobili, James Harden pre-Houston, or Dennis Rodman for defensive rating
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