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I think a big flaw with this is that it seems you're using reg season PD as the primary indicator. I think there are plenty of examples (2nd Rockets team, Lakers that lost to Pistons recently, some of the Bulls teams, some of the Spurs teams), that simply didn't care to go all out in the regular season and it can be argued they "cranked it up" for the playoffs.

I certainly think the recent Lakers team that lost to the Pistons should be on here. Malone's late injury was brutal to their chances. They are almost a textbook example as I think that was the year the T-Wolves had the #1 seed but everyone knew the Lakers were really "the" team.

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Generally your points are very solid, but I think using the 1995 Rockets as an example of anything OTHER than a really, really lucky team is a bad idea. They were right place, right time, by the seat of their pants more than any title winner in NBA history. For example, the 1996 Sonics would absolutely destroy them eight times out of ten (well, I do sort of fear any team with Hakeem on it though) and they were only a year apart so generational stuff doesn't apply.

Having thought about it, your mention of that Lakers team meriting consideration is a very good one. It's like when I was a kid, playing Statis-Pro Basketball, can I use the players who had season cards but who were injured in the playoffs? Tough one. Perhaps the Lakers WERE the best team that season.

I do admit to loving the PD stat though, and should rely on common sense or RPI or other stats more than I do. I guess I just prefer to have things cut and dried.