There have been only 5 teams in league history that started 35 - 5 or better.

Chicago 91-92 and 96-97 started 35-5
No team has ever started 36-4
Philadelphia 66-67, L.A 71-72 and Chicago 95-96 all started 37-3

The lowest win total for the year for those five teams was 67 recorded by the 91-92 Bulls. The highest win total for those five teams 72 recorded by the 95-96 Bulls.

The regular season win total and playoff records for each of teams was

Philidelphia 66-67 won 68 games playoff record 11-4 NBA Title
L.A. 71-72 won 69 games playoff record 12-3 NBA Title
Chicago 91-92 won 67 games playoff record 15-7 NBA Title
Chicago 95-96 won 72 games playoff record 15-3 NBA Title
Chicago 96-97 won 69 games playoff record 15-4 NBA Title

So all the other teams in the history of the NBA who have started 35-5 or better went on in that year to win the NBA title.

One interesting tidbit is that the Bulls combined playoff redord record of 30-7 during the the 95-96 and 96-97 years only tied the Bad Boys playoff record of 30-7 when they won the back to back titles.

Correction; There were only 5, now there are 6. My bad.

The pressure is on Flip. Big stats to fill.

Pistons match the '84 Tigers. Now there would be a decent poll question. Which feat is more impressive? Anybody want to do it? I think the Tigers' start was more impressive although I'm not trying to take away anything from the Pistons, which is far better organization than Hairpuck's Tigers.

95/96 was the record year for the Bulls. I believe they were 41-3 and then lost the next 2 for a 41-5 record. So the Pistons have to win 7 more straight games to get the best start record.

Tigers got swept in Seattle after their great start in that magical year. I have a vivid memory of a Seattle fan with a broom dancing on top of the Seattle dugout. Everyone wants to beat down the best team.


Maybe that's why Terry Stotts got so mad he broke his clipboard when Chauncey nailed the three in OT. Everyone gets pumped up to beat us.

i know not everybody in here is real keen on the whole 70 win thing, but for those who can't help but think of it a little... here's a nifty feature at nba.com

http://www.nba.com/features/pistons_chase_70.html