The only thing I think you’re missing is that the bulls offence would be much better under today’s rules. Jordan would do what he wanted, when he wanted without hand checking. He would have the warriors in a lot of foul trouble. Much easier to get on a roll for the bulls. IMHO
That's what these fantasy videos always miss. Who's gonna stop Jordan and that triangle with no resistance on the perimeter and no big in the paint? Warriors start shooting 3s, they better make them all cuz they won't get a single rebound off Chicago offensively or defensively.
plain and simple: doberman defense. regardless of what era, that mighty Warriors offense would be worn-out by the stingy Bulls defense. if you really believe Harper, Pip, MJ & Rodman would allow them to launch 3s anywhere they wanted you havnt seen the Bulls play. Rodman alone would destroy Draymond mentally. game over.
Who is going to guard KD? The Bulls were a great defensive team, but no defensive player is going to slow down Curry or KD on a 1-1. So yeah, as great as Jordan, Pippen and Harper are defensively, they ain't stopping them. Curry is a superb dribbler, who is only bested by Kyrie and Irving in dribbling. He also has a ton a gravity while on the court, forcing teams to double o triple team him in possessions. That would give a ton of open looks for KD or Thompson. Pippen would probabaly be assigned to KD, but KD just has so many options. He can dunk on him in transition since he is taller and has a longer reacher, or just dribble off him and shoot a mid range to score. Now, Klay being more of a spot up shooter wouldn't be bothered that much by the Bulls defense, since the Bulls would most probably try to focus either on Curry or KD. But, the second you try to double either KD or Curry, Klay would be open on the wing with a jumper, and since he is also a lethal shooter, that would hurt the Bulls so much. Rodman mentally is tougher than Draymond, and he could get into his head. But Draymond, being more of a playmaker, and having so many options in Klay, Durant and Curry, I don't think he would be that affected by Rodman. I think they cancel each other out in scoring, and Rodman being the better rebounder would outrebound Draymond, but in terms of playmaking, Draymond completely blows him out of the water. So in reality, I would give him the edge in the 1-1 matchup.
One thing you missed completely. They can’t touch the bulls either on defense. That tremendously helps Toni. He played some of his best ball with less physical teams and if he’s allowed to get off early and build confidence, he’s a different player. Being in the floor helps him with that. Today’s style of play fits his play style like a glove. Also doesn’t matter how much they make MJ work on defense when he would have a way easier time on offense and getting to the line. Putting people in foul trouble
@@VelaniTheOne Bro GSW had to injure the Spur's star to get past them in 2017, and again in 2018 against Houston where it went to game 7 when another star got injured just for them to barely scrape a win even with 4 all stars on their roster. I'd definitely see GSW winning against Bulls if they did a Zaza play on MJ who was the main scorer for the Bulls.
The question that I have is "are the Warriors defense focused on interior or perimeter?" MJ can use the perimeter-focused style of today's game to his advantage. Not only was 1996 the year of his career-high in three pointers being made but especially given the fact that Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest mid-range shooter of all time. He'll easily take advantage of the fact that teams today don't care about mid-ranged shots. The Warriors might have to go traditional instead of small ball. Also the Bulls were good at full court press.
The warriors focus their defense on the perimeter because today’s player can shoot 3s. With the bulls that mean that you have to guard just Kerr from 3.
Lol you know it was MJs career high in 3 pointers that year because the NBA had shortened the 3pt distance for 3 years before goin back to original length.
@@loosenup8152 did you see that series? Pacers were a helluva squad. Actually should have won the series. Unlike the Rockets who were not on the warriors level. It lemme guess..born in the 90’s?
Without even watching the video yet I'm going to say this is like comparing the '92 dream team to the current NCAA champs. 90's NBA, especially the '96 Bulls, kill today's NBA.
73 wins is really impressive.... (I know that was the 2015-2016 Warriors). But it doesn't mean a thing, w/o a ring... and that is the problem... for the Warriors... We can agree that any Bulls team would beat any LBJ team, and if a 1-3 Team can come back to win 4-3, the other team can't beat the undefeated Bulls... I rest my case... I like the Warriors, but sorry, NO chance.
yo we talking about the 17 warriors, not 16. So it's not the warriors team who blew a 3-1 lead to Lebron. it's the warriors who went 73-9 in the regular season, and then added KEVIN DURANT. lol so yeah, greatest team of all time right, bulls stand no chance.
@@patoooo2 Fabián, your comment tells me two important things. You have not seen the Bulls play, and you are probably quite young. I respect your opinion, and beg to differ. I also want to be fair, and explain my reasoning. We can agree that both teams played in a different era. The Bulls era was a bit more tough, hand checking etc. the Warriors is more an era with many 3's. If these teams play in the old Era, the Warriors won't get that many 3's, just won't happen considering the defensive rating of the Bulls. So the Warriors lose their biggest strength. Pippen/Jordan/Harp can guard Curry, the other two will guard Clay/KD, loss/loss for the Warriors there. While noone on the Warriors team can guard MJ, especially if we would play with the new rules, MJ would dominate even more under no hand checking rules. Dennis will take care of Draymond any day, so the "offense" shrinks significantly. Bulls offense on the other hand won't be affected at all. The Bulls had way tougher opponents guarding them, and had no issues. I say this as a BIG fan of the Warriors AND the Bulls. I absolutely loved the Warriors, and unless you think Zaza Pachulia would somehow score 50 vs Luc, there is no way the Warriors could beat the Bulls... Well perhaps there is one way, if you kill MJ...
@@janjilek3496 Of course, rules of any particular era will always have to be taken into account. But people tend to overrate (or underrate depending on the situation) hand-checking. If the Warriors were to play in an older era (especially against the Bulls who had A LOT of spacing), they would benefit a lot from having no zone defense, this inherently creates more space for the Warriors, which directly translates into more 3's. Seeing as how the Warriors have a team full of snipers, they would easily outscore the Bulls. As I mentioned, the Bulls were a team who often stretched the floor, and this would further benefit the Warriors main offensive weapon. As great as the Bulls were defensively, NO ONE will effectively guard Kevin Durant. They never had to guard anyone that could shoot better than Reggie Miller several feet from the basket. The best fit for KD would probably be Scottie Pippen, but KD could just dribble off him and just a pull mid ranger, or dunk on him in transition, there is just so many options for KD. Additionally, I don't think anyone from the Bulls can guard Curry 1-1, he's handles are superb, and can only be bested by players such as Kyrie and AI. The only way to guard Curry is to double him and Kevin Durant especially benefits a lot from this, because the gravity that Curry pulls while being on the floor is incredible. Teams would try to double or even triple team Curry, leaving KD wide open for a three. Even if you somehow manage to defend KD and Curry, you still have to worry about Klay, who is also a lethal shooter. The very moment Bulls try to double either Steph or KD, Klay would be wide open for a jumper. I just don't see the Bulls being able to hurt the Warriors offense, they have too much fire power. I agree that there is no player on the Warriors that could defend MJ, he is just to versatile and has a lot of offensive options. But if we play by the new rules, MJ never had to deal with zone defense. Even if players weren't allowed to hand-check him (as I stated before, hand-checking in my opinion is overrated), I really don't think MJ will dominante any more than he did on his era, since the Warriors would probably try to play zone defense on him. Either that, or just rotate Klay and Iggy on him throughout the game. Now, this wouldn't slow MJ down, but as I said, he wouldn't be more dominant than he already is. You mentioned that Draymond would get taken care by Rodman. I disagree. Rodman is very good at defending players down low at the post. He isn't good at defending guard-like players who specialize at setting up other players. And since Draymond has very good play making abilities, I don't think he would bother trying to score on Rodman down low, instead focusing on setting up the pace for the Warriors. As a matter of fact, I don't think Rodman is suited for defending any of the Warriors offensive players. Maybe Zaza on the post, but he isn't really an offensive threat. Now, as good as the Warriors are on offense. They are definitely underrated on defense. KD plays defense when it matters the most, and he would definitely bother Pippen. He is taller than him and has a very long reach. Draymond is also a DPOY, and he would also bother the Bulls on that end of the floor. The Bulls would heavily rely on MJ for scoring output, and as good as he is, he definitely not outscoring the Warriors I really think it comes down to who can out score who, and the Warriors are the greatest team at that by a mile.
@@patoooo2 I was going to let you slide because quite honestly its a waste of time. This could be proven to you over and over again and still you'd choose to ignore facts. How does one over exaggerate someone hanging on your arms while shooting the basketball and it not being called, this is hand checking in the 80s - 90s WE HAVE THE TAPES, WE HAVE THE INFORMATION. The blasphemy of Dennis Rodman a true lock down 1-5 defender, not being able to defend guards? You are kidding right? This is what I mean when i say people squander their own moments in history. You have this information at the tips of your fingers and yet...repeat other people's tired arguments. Dennis Rodman commonly guarded the centers, and power fowards for the Bulls as they had 2 of the best wing defenders in the league, and NO dominant center to guard the paint and rim. Dennis Rodman was the best defender the bulls had even at 34, thats not a debate. If you want to argue his defensive capabilities in 97' 98' sure but we are discussing 96' so go watch some film Nick Wright.
@@patoooo2 MJ played against zone in an inferior offensive scheme 01-03 and was averaging what? at 38-40 years old? Your ignorance is a joke. 01-03 MJ AVG PTS- 21.2 AST 4.4 TRB 5.9 STL 1.5
People forget Kawhi had that KD Warriors team down 25 pts before his injury. 🤷♂️ Then James Harden and Chris Paul took them all 7 games and probably beat them if CP3 didn't get injured. 👀 just cuz Cavs got steamrolled don't make them unbeatable
All it will take is for just ONE person to say something like "Klay Thompson is a great defender" or "Klay Thompson is a better shooter", that will awaken his killer instinct just like with Clyde in 92 and Dan Marjle in 93 lol
@@pjwright3773 MJ's bulls team has faced way better teams than that overated warriors team like Larry bird's Celtics dynasty who would easily sweep the warriors with or without durant
@@jakedooley5300 The championship bulls never faced the true larry bird celtics and MJ never beat the celtics in the playoffs. This video is about the 96 bulls when there was no celtics or showtime lakers or pistons to be seen. To say the celtics would sweep the 2017 warriors is nuts but hey thats your opinion on a what if.
@@u_gona_get_addictive what about them? they are lighting up the league during an era of no defense. The Bulls starting 5 had 4 lockdown defenders. Bulls in a sweep.
For a series under 90's rules, yeah, the Bulls all day every day. Under 2017 rules though, that's a little harder. Given the kind of defense that was allowed (or lack of), you know Jordan's ppg average is gonna explode; easily up there in the 50's which would frustrate the ever-lovin' shit out of the Warriors cause they'd just have no way of stopping him. Steve Kerr would also be a big advantage cause if he gets an open look, he's droppin' 3 point bombs just as good as the Warriors would. Not to mention Jordan, Pippen, Harper, and Kukoc could step up to the 3 point line as well. And then there's also Dennis Rodman to consider. He'd be grabbin' all kinds of boards to be sure, but I think his biggest contribution would be just how much he would fuck with the Warriors. Mark my words, he would get guys ejected from games or at the very least, put guys in foul trouble which would make it all the easier for the Bulls to score. And although they couldn't be anywhere near as physical as they were in the 90's, Jordan and Pip both had those long, lightning quick hands that would pick off loose balls and lazy passes. I don't know, the more I think about, I really think the Bulls would take the series.
Going by today's rules. Add another 10 to 15 points a game for both Jordan and Scottie. Pippen played point and small forward/ wing. He also had a 7' wing wingspan. Pippen was considered a slasher because he'd get to the rim so quickly. His 3pt shooting was above average. Not to mention an unbelievable defender. Sorry KD. Rodman would frustrate green and cancel him out completely. Steph would be guarded by a 6'6" physical Ron Harper. Sorry Steph, no space for you. Actually Steph would struggle with the length and tenacity of the bulls defense. His little step backs would not work. He'd be shrugging his shoulders. Instead of shaking them when he makes a shot. Then you Have MJ. That's where the story ends. Clay isn't close to the greatest of all time. Michael was the most competitive athlete that I've ever seen in my 50 plus years of watching sports. He was the perfect basketball player. Jordan would eat Clay alive.
@@yungslic5363 no he wouldn’t lead Jordan in points, he wouldn’t lead Rodman in rebounds, he wouldn’t lead Pippen or Jordan in steals. He would most likely keep his blocks and assists. And him having the most turnovers is a lock.
To get a glimpse of what MJ would do to this defenceless no big men to protect the rim era, just imagine what he did as a wizard player to current young mvps and all stars of the league when he returned in 2002 and 2003
2017 warriors had a better chance of beating 90-91 or maybe 91-92 bulls. But 96 bulls would have destroyed them. First 3peat bulls were kind of soft the first too. But by the 92-93 season they were just as rough and rugged as the bad boy piston and the ny knicks. Was no flopping. Referees wouldn't even have called it. The deeper you went in the playoffs per round the less they called. And Steph and Clay aren't ready for that. And btw, Dennis Rodman would have destroyed D. Green definitely
@@ieatb00ty60 sorry grant was soft was there in Orlando had Shaq penny Anderson n Scott went to finals once n they lost to Houston .grant could never guard Shaq one on one rodman did and out rebound him
I watched them both and neither is my home team. Clearly nobody can deny the Bulls was the better team easy! Better team, they had the G.O.A.T. Michael Air Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman Steve Kerr Tony Kukoc and Longley! Plus they had to be the best!
12:24 "virtually unstoppable" That's when MJ took it personally GG Bulls in 5 in today's watered down rules who's challenging MJ at the rim? Rodman would avg like 20 rebounds Donkey would go crying in the locker room at half time
The Bulls will destroy them, with thompson will be struck with fear factor if Jordan guards him. Pippen and Rodman might take turns guarding KD they'll make him quit like he quit da Thunder. Curry will have a hard time with Harper sometimes Jordan might guard him. They'll be done
Bulls win in either era and with either rules Bulls win in 6 or even 5 Why? Because The Triangle Offense maximized The Bulls offensive potential while the Doberman Defense suffocated perimeter scorers. Plus the Bulls were a better rebounding team and GSW lacked CONSISTENT interior defense GSW would get killed in the interior With that said the Bulls were actually BETTER BUILT for THIS era since MJ would be dropping 40+ppg on 60%FG easily with an increase in each of his stats across the board…. Furthermore Pip, Kukoc, Harper, Rodman would all ALSO see an increase in each of their stats across the board as well thus it would be barbecue chicken 96 Bulls win no doubt!
Michael Jordan undefeated in NBA finals history a perfect 6-0 with 6 finals MVPs never played a game 7 in the finals and he sure as hell won't play one against the warriors and the bulls defense was for sure suffocating other teams but the 2017 warriors would be a very tough challenge for the bulls for sure.
@@colewrld901 Warriors with KD when healthy we’re unbeatable the Spurs would’ve took them to 6-7 with Kawhi GSW still wins that series they’re weren’t gonna be 16-1 in the playoffs tho
The bulls shooting % would definitely go up in 2010 rules. You can't touch them. They had zero trouble scoring in the harder 90s. It would only be easier in 2010. Mj would drop 50 on them.
Good analysis of each team but your so wrong in your prediction... under 90s rules Bulls win in 4 or 5. They are too physical Rodman would frustrate the hell out of the Warriors and they simply couldn't keep up with them. Under modern day rules Jordan with no handchecking could get 50 points a night easily. Warriors only chance is if Steff and Clay get hot from 3 point but even under modern rules the Bulls defence of Pippen on Clay and Harper/Jordan on Steff would stifle them. Bulls in 6 and I think that's very generous to give the warriors 2 games :D
💀 “they simply couldn’t keep up with them” the current era is much faster and athletic than the players in the 90s. 90s players played inside the 3 point line defense so they’d have to readjust the entirety of their game plan against the warriors since they’ve never played a team like them. And u didn’t even mention KD when u said Harper and Jordan would “stifle” them. Let’s not act like KD isn’t the most dangerous man on that team no one on the bulls will or could stop him, he’s a 7 foot SF who can score over anyone no matter how u try to bend it Pippen wouldn’t be able to do anything against KD. With a prime KD, Klay, and Curry the bulls would have to much to worry ab not mention they aren’t 3 point shooters. Ur putting mid range shooters(which is their primary scoring) against a team with the best shooters in nba history it’s just not a good matchup in the bulls favor. Warriors in 6
Nba Fans: MJ Bulls is a superteam Old Heads: Bulls is not a superteam MJ is the only consistent scorer! Also Old Heads: Bulls would beat the 17 Warriors Lmaoo
If its a defensive Game I think Phil Jackson would put Randy Brown in the game before Steve Kerr. Brown was not a big offensive threat but he was a strong Defender. Phil Jackson would bring Steve Kerr in if they need a three at the end of a QTR. MJ Scottie or Kukoc would pick up the Offense and Randy Brown would defend against Steph Curry
I think Kerr said something on the last dance that this 96 team is practically built for today’s game. Harper,Mj, Pip, Kukoc, Rodman. Pretty much a small ball line up.
@@nothim-xt3ey dude you realize Jordan still holds the career average ppg record in the reg and playoffs right? It’s insane how that hasn’t been broken in this era of the 3 ball. Giannis ain’t Mj…
There is a big difference between not being able to be a force on offense and not deciding to not score.... Rodman decided to not score, the number of Offensive rebounds that he would kick the ball out to reset the offense instead of putting the ball back into score. Year one and year two Rodman was growing on offense then it was like he just decided it wasn't what helped the team win. The Pistons way of defending Jordan only worked till there was a 2nd scoring option, once Pippen grew up it no longer worked. Allow the Bulls team to have a year to adjust to the 2010 rules and they adjust, the Bulls had some of the smartest players around and Rodman would also drive a few of the Warriors insane... LOL
Beside the 3 point game, in what phase of basketball are the Warriors actually better than the Bulls is my question 😂.. And depending on the era either no way the Bulls lose or no way the Warriors win lmao..
And the Warriors better hope those 3s fall at AT LEAST a 60% clip cuz if not, they're losing. They have no one to battle with Chicago on the offensive and defensive glass.
@@Woody-fv7uu Maybe. He's a better defender and a better rebounder but Dray can do both those things at a high level. Dray is a better scorer (at least he was in 2017) and a better playmaker and Rodman can't do those things. So I don't think Rodman gets in over Draymond.
Pretty much how I view it but if they play by 90’s rules then the bulls sweep. Curry isn’t built to play physical. KD and Dray would get theirs but Steph would have a difficult time staying on the court.
Stfu. Nobody in nba history is sweeping the 2017 warriors gtfoh. If you think the bulls will win then fine, but anything less than 6 games is absolute disrespect to booths teams. The two greatest shooters ever, the second greatest point guard ever, an all time defender and soul of the team draymond, Iggy, and a 7 foot guard that averages 30 is not getting swept.
Steph curry is one of the greatest players of all time. Superstars can play in any era. Stop this bs about him not being able to handle physicality. This man averaged 32 point per game on 50/40/90 splits and was averaging 40 for a month hitting 10 threes a game and you think a hand check will neutralize him? Foh.
@@patrick05Morgan Steph and clay are not the 2 greatest shooters ever, when are you cashuals gonna finally realize that Steph might only be the greatest three point shooter ever but Ray Allen was still every bit as great at shooting three's as Steph, Steph and clay aren't great mid-range shooters but you young fans don't bring that up, nobody is a better mid-range shooter than Jordan, the bulls would just shut that warriors team down and you're so called 2 greatest shooters ever wouldn't be able to get there shots off, the warriors would either get there shots blocked or turn the ball over, bulls would dominate on offense and defense and sweep that warriors team that you kids overate
Bulls wouldn’t need 7 games to win against GSW, maybe 6, but I’d guess in 5. GSW couldn’t deal with the defense, MJ, Pippen and Rodman. Those 3 are used to more aggressive style play and are more clutch.
Hand checking was made illegal in 95.. So if you think the bulls couldn't play with the rules of today when they did a 3 peat in basically today's rules, you tweaking..
I love the 96 bulls but, From top to bottom the 2017 Warriors are the greatest team ever Assembled. Just go back and watch how they played. The ball movement the plays the defense, the weapons. I loved their bench with Veterans like David West, Shaun Livingston, Andre Igoudala, Lob Threats with Javale Mcgee. It's crystal clear in my eyes. They would be too much for any team in history in my opinion.
U know Kawhi had that KD Warriors team down 25 pts before his injury. Then James Harden and Chris Paul took them all 7 games and probably beat them if CP3 didn't get injured. I don't agree they're the best team ever assembled, very beatable
@@darrellhardy90 I mean we're talking about the 2017 warriors, who went 16-1 in the playoffs, which is the best record in the playoffs for any team in history. When CP and Harden took them to 7 games was in 18.
This is only a debate to kids who never saw the real NBA of the 80’s & 90’s. Defense, physicality, the best 1-2 punch in basketball history, the best defender/rebounder in NBA history, the best coach in NBA history, and frankly far more mentally tough in a stacked league where everyone had superstars on their team. GS wins maybe on game if that.
GREAT VIDEO!!! The '96 Bulls were more adaptable to different styles of play. They could score 120 or 90 and handedly beat opponents. Also Jordan's bloodlust for victory is the X-factor in a 7 game series.
They can never score over 110 points against Golden State 🤣🤣 not mentioning that Rodman isn't offensive player and nobody would guard him so they can double team every time MJ. Anyway, I agree that Jordan is unstopable, maybe Golden State can't defend him, bur for me they would put the biggest presure on him than Amy other team that he played against. But even if Jordan score 45, Pippen will score over 20 while Golden State are much faster team than Bulls and in transition and with threes, they will destroy Bulls: Durant will score 40 points, Curry will score 40 or 35, Klay will score 25 and all of the role players and bench players from Golden State will be better than role player from Chicago. Bulls were great, but stop it, Warriors wins this series easily...
@@hristijandimitrovski8664 Fair points, it really depends on which era of rules are officiated: hand-checks, zone defense, traveling/double dribble, etc
@@hristijandimitrovski8664 Durant & Curry couldn't average 40 on lesser defenders on worst teams. U think they'd average that on the best, most versatile defensive team ever? & u're laughing like u know what you're talking about. Lmao. 😂😂 Yall don't know ball at all.
@@chrisstrong7584 I didn't said they will average 40. I said if there is only 1 game against Chicago, Jordan can score 45, Durant can score 40, Curry 35 and Klay 25. No, they can't average 40 points in a 7 games series and neither can Jordan against that Warriors team. And check this out, of Chicago from 1996 are the greatest team in NBA history, Jordan played that year the worst finals in his career, he averaged 27 points per game on 41% shooting from the field and just 4 assists per game and 1,7 steals. KD in 2017 averaged 35 points, 82 rebounds, 5,4 assists on 55% from the field, 47% from deep and 91% from free throws. Healso averaged 1,6 blocks per game and 1 steal per game soo that Chicago team is soo good historicly only because they won 72 games in the regular season. In the finals they definitely didn't played soo impressive like you are watching the greatest team ever while Golden State in 2017 were whole play off from another planet, but especially in the finals. In the Finals they destoyed both Lebron and Kyrie and btw to see how impressive that duo eas, both of them had 1 game where they scored 40+ points and Golden State still beat them in 5 games. Chicago will dener destroy soo bad that Cleavlend team because these Sonix definitely weren't better than Cleavlend. Defensively yeah sure, but offensively Cleavlend were much better team. Soo simply Warriors in 2017 had more impressive finals performance than Chicago in 1996 and Jordan played the worst final that year whuch means that Jordan's version wouldn't be soo good against Warriors.
@@hristijandimitrovski8664 KD & Curry wouldn't even get 40 in a game. Jordan wouldn't need to average 40 for the Bulls to win. Bulls were the nest offensive team in the league. Yall underestimate their offense that year. & Jordan shooting 41% against the physical Sonics, has nothing to do with how he'd play against Golden State. Lol
Getting the Bulls out of their game is gonna be almost impossible. They are older and much more disciplined than the Warriors. Odds are they play their game regardless of what the Warriors do.
You didn’t factor in FLOPS, flopping rarely if ever occurred in the 90s . It’s become an important strategy in modern basketball. If the Warriors began flopping on every play ala Labron James, ,,, the Bulls would be confused, and most likely pointing and laughing. So what era are the referees from? But the reality is that the Bulls would sweep any team from 2000-2022.
Flopping started in the 90s vlade is the inventor. Warriors would win easily. Who else is scoring over 25 for the Bulls? Can't imagine what they would do now. Can only speak about what they was doing in reality. Rodman would be more of a liability than draymond.
Tony K break out games (Euro Jordan), Jordan averages 60+ in a Warriors championship game. And I am sorry but Rodman can play offense he just chooses to be a role player as requested by Bull and coach Phil.
I hate the warriors. But lets be honest. Warriors beat those Bulls. MJ and Harper would struggle to guard Steph. He faces the basket. MJ cant score 60 at each game. Klay and steph ca. Be catch and shoot Reggie Miller style... and the reason they will win is Draymond. Note that the expansion teams being there gave team inflated records fyi... it is not the hardest path for that reason... Dallas had the hardest.
How do we really compare? It’s tough. 1 team is built for the high scoring minimal physicality modern era while the other was built for the defensive physical play of the 90’s 🤷♂️ I tend to give the edge slightly to GS (even though I’m an old head) GS pretty much in their primes while MJ while still amazing and the best player in the world I feel was at his best 91-93 3-peat 🤷♂️🤷♂️
I would like to say though if we are talking 90’s rules - have a look at team USA at the Olympics. KD was KD he is all time great but some of the other USA players really struggled to find rhythm with the less spacing and more contact of Olympic basketball. The 96 Bulls were that x10. Just something 🤷♂️
Let's look down those lineups.. Curry vs Harper.. obvious edge to curry but let's not forget Ron Harper was a 6'6 point guard.. defensive specialist.. long.. quick.. intelligent.. hard to think anybody is shutting curry down, but Harper has a good a shot as anybody ever to give him hell.. one of best defenders I league at that time... but steph gonna score.. too good of a shooter to nullify completely.. Klay vs MJ.. obvious edge to Jordan.. best player ever.. one of best defenders ever.. klayay hit some shots here and there because Jordan liked to roam on defense at times.. so klay being one of best shooters ever probably will hit a few shots but Jordan locks him up for the most part.. klay not the best at creating shots for himself.. KD vs Pippen... this is the most interesting match up... kd is maybe the most gifted scorer ever... Pippen is maybe the best perimeter defenders ever.. KD bout 6'9 or so.. Pippen bout 6'8.... I give edge to KD but man that would be fun to watch those 2 go at it.. KD will score.. but pippen may make him have a bad % doing so.. plus Pippen on offense was no joke either.. could have been an mvp had it not been for Jordan.. maybe best 2nd option ever.. that would be classic matchup.. Draymond vs Rodman... Rodman wins every category here.. dray can shoot a little.. and he may make a few good passes here or there.. but Rodman is the best rebounder ever.. the best hustler ever.. one of the best defenders ever.. has maybe the best stamina ever.. yea Rodman completely nullifies draymond.. let's be honest dray is just a discount Rodman anyway.. Center... we won't bother here.. this position is irrelevant in the series.. But you have to remember with that bulls team.. all 4 of those guys can switch and guard everyone else's man when needed.. Ron and Jordan can switch.. pippen and Jordan can switch.. Harper and pippen can switch.. Rodman can switch with them all.. Rodman can guard 1-5.. pippen can guard at least 1-4 and really 5 if they try playin small ball with dray at 5.. same with Jordan.. Harper can guard at least 1-3.. I just think out of all the classic teams, this may be the worst match up the warriors could ask for.. but it would be a hell of a series.. Bulls in 6
I love your explanation on how to guard Jordan, coaches who got paid millions of dollars a year we’re trying to figure that out the whole time mj was in the nba, 😂 Bulls win this series 4-2 no game 7
Let me paint a picture for you. In an alternate universe, the 96' Bulls and the 17' Warriors exist in the same time and are on a collision course for the Finals. They aren't playing 1990's era physical, hand checking rules but it's also not a free for all like 2017 either, where offensive players can just waltz into the lane and score at will. It's somewhere in between. The Bulls, fresh off a 72-10 regular season, are hungry for the bright lights of the Finals. Golden State, having added prolific scorer Kevin Durant in the Summer, is the road team. Chicago has home court advantage. 72 wins > 67 wins. Math. GAME 1 All the talking heads are predicting a 7 game series with the Dubs having the slight edge. "They simply have too much firepower, Draymond & Iggy are better Rodmans than Rodman. Dubs in 5," tweets Nick Wright. Phil's got the newspaper clippings from all these journalists posted in the team's locker room for all to see, using it to fuel his guys. Golden State rolls into the Chicago Stadium for game 1. That morning they have a walk through, a light shoot around and later knock out some pregame interviews before going back and getting ready for tip off. Mike goes out during shoot around and answers media questions with Ahmad Rashad. During warm ups, while he's under the basket doing his thing, something catches his eye. He looks over at the other end of the court, where some of the Warriors are warming up and doing questions with media outlets, and he sees Steph doing his tunnel shots, his golf swing 3pt warm ups, half court shots, and all the usual light-hearted silly antics he's known for but something about it irks MJ. He thinks to himself, "Magic never did no shit like that. Neither did Larry. Isaiah, Stockton, not even Reggie would do some shit like that." Mike's pissed. He cuts the interview short and heads back to the locker room. The teams go over any last minute adjustments and they come out, The lights dim. Then Alan Parsons Project "Sirius" comes over the P.A. system. The lineups are announced. Ray Clay is on point as usual. The lights go bright. The Anthem plays. The captains meet at center court. There's electricity in the air. The whistle blows. The ball goes up and the Warriors get off to a nice pace and are playing lights out, making 9 of their first 11 field goal attempts. Jumping out to an early 12 point lead after the 1st quarter. Everything's clicking for the Dubs. They're playing with unwavering confidence and high energy. There are many of the Warrior faithful in attendance, sprinkled all throughout the United Center. There's never been so much blue in here before. KD is the better player but this is still Steph's team. He is off to an excellent start. Leading all scorers with 24 with 3 minutes to go in the half. Dropping deep threes, crisp passes and he's giving Harp fits. He even puts up a 34 ft bomb and turns around to run up the court before it goes in. Their bench goes crazy. Phil calls time out, he's fuming. None of these antics go unnoticed by Jordan and his Bulls. Boos rain down on the court. 'Red' Kerr can't tell if it's because of the Warrior's hot first quarter or directed at the Bull's for their slow start. Curry's blistering hot and is 8 of 11 from the field and Marv Albert is suggesting 50 might be on the table. KD is getting good looks, despite stellar defense from Scottie Pippen. Durant is actually working hard for his shots, making each dribble, each movement count but Pip is right there with him. Golden State is rolling, even the bench is contributing. Barnes, McGee, McCaw and Looney give Golden State about 11 combined minutes and are positive in the +/- column. Putting up points, a bunch of rebounds and keeping the offense flowing smoothly during the first half when Dray, Klay and Iggy check out of the game. Strength In Numbers. For the Bulls it's really only MJ & Pip keeping them in the game. Jordan has 22 pts and Scottie has 16 through nearly the entire first half. Rodman is in early foul trouble, so is Longley. Phil is getting in Toni's ass telling him to "stop fucking around and pull your weight" and everyone else has this deer in headlights look in their eyes and are shellshocked by the offensive onslaught that is the Warriors, and GSW is leading 58-43 with 1: 18 left in the 2nd quarter. Pip and KD trade buckets down the stretch. Harper catches a pass off a back door screen and puts down a dunk over Green. Nasty. People forget Ron Harper can still get up when he has to. In that case, he wanted to. Dray gets a taste.. The Bulls make a couple runs but Kevin Durant and Steph are keeping the Dub's lead secure, with KD playing every minute of the first half. In time outs Durant is yelling at Draymond, telling him to turn it on. The Warriors are playing well despite Draymond not really playing like himself, only posting 4 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 block through two quarters. Iggy and Klay are doing their best to D up MJ, but Mike's eating them up. Iggy's playing his absolute best defense and doesn't use too much juice on the offensive end to get his. He's got 7 quiet points with 4 boards and 2 blocks and 2 steals. Steph is feeling it tonight. His quickness and handles surprise the Bulls. Shaun Livingston is getting bothered by the 6'10" Kukoc, but he still posts 6 pts through 2 quarters and even racks up 3 steals with 5 boards. Looney is dogging Longley, but Toni is finally starting to heat up and show why he was 6th Man of the Year. He only took two shots in the first quarter and had twice as many turnovers. He's 5 of 6 in the 2nd qtr and 6 of 8 going into half time. Mike gets the crowd off their feet with a gorgeous turnaround fadeaway over the outstretched arms of Shaun Livingston on the left baseline from an inbound pass by Scotty Burrell. Draymond is struggling through two quarters and Rodman isn't doing much of anything, or so it seems. He's got 2 points, 8 boards, 1 assist and 3 fouls in the half but assistant coach John Paxson said before the game that Phil had spoken with Dennis before Game 1 and "gave him a very specific task" for this series. When asked what it was, Paxson just replied with, "Wait and see like everyone else." Whatever it was, the Worm seems to have worked his way under Draymond's skin. Dennis is one of the smartest, most fearless, and dirtiest players ever. After all, this is the guy who lives in the heads of MVP Malone, destroyed a Prime Shaq and annihilated Zo Mourning. His resume is a mile long. Green likes to ninja kick people, well Rodman invented that. Dray likes to talk shit to get an advantage but Rodman never listens or talks back. Rodman is cool as a cucumber, especially under pressure. Draymond ain't shit in comparison. During stoppage in play, it can be seen that KD or Iggy or Steph going over trying to get Green refocused, and back into it but once the Worm sets up shop, that's it. No coming back. Dray is getting pissed and losing his cool. Dub's ball, Livingston brings it up, Steph is doubled, but connects with Andre Igoudala who is rolling and manages to snake his way into the paint, jumps off two feet and throws down a filthy dunk over the top of Pippen's outstretched arms. Dunk of the Year consideration for sure. Spike Lee is in the front row and leaps out his chair. He's gotta be restrained. He feels vindication for the Ewing dunk in 94' and he's letting Pip hear it all the way down the sidelines. 14.6 seconds left till the half ends. Bulls rush it up, Kerr gets it to Jordan, he sees a double team coming and fires it into the paint, and Longley misses the bunny but Bulls get the offensive board. It goes out to an open Kerr in the corner. Splash. Draymond inbounds with 2.8 seconds on the clock, Steph breaks free from Ronny Harp and gets a bit of space, Dray gets it to center court and Curry dribbles, pulls up and hits a deep logo shot to beat the buzzer. "BAAANG!!" Mike Breen is in top form these playoffs and the Warriors fans are losing their minds. Steph is shimmying up the court, dancing, laughing, flying around like a plane with his arms out.The bench celebrates like it was a game winner. They're absolutely savoring the huge lead, which has surged to 18 points. In his celebration Wardell Stephen Curry made the fatal mistake of forgetting where he was. He's in Mike's house. You don't dance and shimmy in Black Jesus' house. It's not good for your health. Curry leads all scorers 27 points going into the break, KD has 18. Klay isn't getting too many touches, instead he's going all out on the defensive end, but still has 10 quiet first half points and 3 steals. Half time. 77-59. Warriors. Mike's eyes lock in on the light-hearted but clearly disrespectful celebration and he sees red, his vision flashes white, his blood boils, his pride burns, only made that much more intense by the adrenaline coursing through his veins. They're getting shown up, at home. Enough is enough. The Bulls turn and head to the tunnel but not Mike, he's last to leave the court. He glances up at the giant jumbo-tron scoreboard above the court, then looks around the Arena, surveying the scene. The crowd is quiet, no energy, it's been sucked from the building. Lots of concerned and worried faces. Benny the Bull comes out to try and hype up the Chicago fans. Mike spots a kid in a Warriors jersey, in the 2nd row, with a sign that reads 'GSW in 4' with a small broom glued to the poster. "Fuck that. We got 24 minutes left." (Continued in Replies)
Mike's team goal is to win this game but his personal challenge that he's created in his mind is to absolutely obliterate this kid. He heads toward the tunnel to follow the team. Lights, camera, action. The NBA on NBC theme plays, Peter Vescey goes into his monologue courtside and tries to get Mike to stop for a couple questions. Jordan waves him off and continues back to the locker room. Vescey backs off. He knows what's up. The Bulls are accustomed to heading back to the locker room amidst screams, chants and the deafening roar of a ruckus home crowd. There's always been a slight vibration through the walls, felt in the floor, under their feet, making the United Center feel like it was alive itself. It always made them feel invincible. There's none of that this time. This is unfamiliar. This time is different. The team files into the locker room. There's some cameras and writers gathered outside, chattering. The sentiment being tossed around is "This could be over before it ever really starts." Their murmuring stops when MJ walks past. They don't dare say that within earshot. They don't even look him in the eyes. In the locker room we find Tex scribbling something on the whiteboard. Paxson is speaking to Toni and Harp. The bench guys look nervous. Phil is ripping into Luc Longley and Rodman for their careless play and lack of intensity and going "too fucking easy on them." Dennis looks like he's checked out, but then again maybe that's just Dennis' usual demeanor. Pip is pissed. He's out there trying to contain Durant while also barking at guys to make switches and to stop missing defensive assignments. Michael enters the room. It goes quiet. They look up and see Jordan's face. Mike is disgusted and proceeds to rip into everyone. He curses his teammates up and down. Even Phil isn't safe from Mike's wrath. This isn't for the faint of heart. He's making them raise their level of play, pushing them to their absolute limits, attempting to squeeze more out of them than they can give. Demanding absolute perfection going into the 3rd. It's victory or death in his mind. Mike finishes by looking each man in their eyes and says, "If you don't want to follow my lead, if you don't think we can win, keep your sorry asses right here." They all rise and meet Mike's intense stare. The Bulls leave the room and the vibe is completely different now. It has to be, Mike will murder their families if they bring that same bullshit effort from the first half. John Salley turns to Steve Kerr and Jason Caffey, smiles wide and says, "I saw that look once before. In 91', right before they kicked our asses in 4 then won the Championship." Before leaving the locker room Mike tells Phil he's got Curry for the next half. Jackson nods. They do their chant in the tunnel and they run back out to the court. The crowd erupts. They're down but are still in it, supporting the Bulls till' the bitter end. The Bulls come out reenergized, dialed in, guns blazing. Not a single turnover all quarter. They were out-rebounded 30-21 in the first half. 10 minutes into the 3rd and they've turned around those rebounding numbers, 39-37. Every Bull is willing to sacrifice their body in order to guard their man, fighting and clawing for every loose rebound, making crucial passes and contesting everything. The play is more physical in this half. They slow the pace the best they can. They're talking mad shit out there. The cameras pick up some of it under the basket. It's looking up for the Bulls. The crowd can sense it, too. They're screaming like lunatics. It takes 8 minutes to erase the lead and bring it to 91-87. Warriors are still up but Mike is playing like a man possessed. He's playing like his life is on the line. The United Center is roaring back into it, pumping even more life into their squad. Jordan is phenomenal, reaching deep into his bag to bring the Bulls closer. Turn around jumpers, fall aways on the baseline, rainbow fadeaways, mid-range jump shots at the elbow, step throughs, head fakes, pump fakes, getting to the stripe, hanging jumpers at the foul line, immaculate footwork, no wasted movements, calculated, and that lightning quick first step is destroying Iggy, giving him three 3rd quarter fouls. Klay isn't faring any better, picking up 2 fouls himself. With 2: 38 left Mike gets a rebound off a missed Draymond 3-pointer and he goes around Shaun Livingston and bangs it over Igoudala and JaVale McGee. Perfect poster. And 1. Mike is red hot this quarter, contributing another 18 points and 4 steals. But the other Bulls are right there with him. None of them have that look on their faces from the first half. The Warriors stay in it behind a 14pt 3rd quarter from Klay. He's trying like hell to match MJ's offensive assault. He's 5 of 6 in the third. Iggy's 3 fouls on Jordan in the quarter forced him to sit till the fourth and this gives Kukoc some breathing room. He goes off for 12 pts in 3 minutes. Up above, Krause is in the stands, smiling. This is what Krause envisioned when he brought him over. Toni's talking shit to Klay but Klay just smiles and keeps it going. KD is phenomenal, getting almost everything he wants this quarter, he's definitely odds-on favorite for MVP if GSW wins this series. Mike is playing all out on both ends. Getting steals, playing the passing lanes, disrupting everything that is in his territory. It feels like there are two MJ's out there. He's everywhere. Steph looks out of sorts. Mike is just on another level. On another planet. He doesn't let Curry get anything. He suffocates Steph and forces turnovers and sloppy shot attempts. He's giving him elbows to the ribs, pushing him around, wearing him down, leaning on him, chasing him all over the court, altering his shot selection, jawing at him. Getting mean, nasty, ugly in his face. It goes just how you think it would. Think LeBron defending MVP D.Rose in 2011, but much worse. Steph's 3rd quarter: 2pts, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal. Steph is frustrated. At one point he takes out his mouth guard and starts yelling at the refs. The interaction didn't go his way, he got T'd up. Steph loses his shit and he damn near threw his mouthpiece into the first two rows but he restrained himself and pulled it back. This is no time to lose your head. Bulls up, 101-99. 4th Quarter starts. Looney is eating Longley alive but Kukoc is torching the Dubs for 22, 8 and 4 so far. Javale McGee's length is annoying some of the Bulls, but otherwise he's struggling, and gets his 4th foul to start the period. Iggy misses his first three shots of the quarter but Shaun Livingston is picking up the slack and pumps in 6 quick points on three smooth turn around jumpers over Harper, then on Kerr and Burrell. Dennis has 15 rebounds but only 4 points but he's also got 4 blocks. Matt Barnes actually plays solid minutes off the bench this half and contributes 7pts and 3 boards to help put the Dubs ahead, 110-108. I don't know who's coaching the Warriors but Steve Kerr definitely isn't. Steve Kerr isn't coaching jackshit in 1996, instead he's rocking a high and tight buzz cut, wearing Nike Air Uptempo mids and making it rain from 3pt land, all while shooting a ridiculous 52% from 3 for the year. He's playing big in his first time on the Finals stage, giving the Bulls 14 points on 4 of 4 from behind the line, while kicking in 2 rebounds and 5 assists with 1 steal, in 14 minutes of action. He's been automatic. That preseason scuffle with Mike really gave him confidence. Kerr is tested and now he's earning his stripes. Michael looks over after each bucket, pointing to him, proud of Kerr's relentless energy. Caffey and Salley sub in after a time out. They play a combined 1 minute 12 seconds. They come out with a combined 0 points, 2 rebounds and 6 fouls. Hard fouls. The physical fouls catch the Warrior's players, and specifically their bench players, off guard; and they are temporarily stopped in their tracks. It rattles them just long enough to keep them from going on a run and reclaiming the lead, but they're not pushovers and they quickly recover and fight through it. Salley is loving the shit out of it. He's grinning from ear to ear. It reminds him of his Bad Boys days in Detroit. 119-117, Bulls. Mike can be seen trash talking Steph, all through the 3rd and 4th quarters, every chance he gets. Every dead ball. Each time down the court, each contested three. Every time he's gotta chase his ass all over the court, Jordan let's him know, getting inside his head. Terrorizing him on defense and absolutely destroying him mentally. One verbal assault at a time. Shutting him down. Jordan renders him useless. You don't have to be a professional lip reader to piece together some of the stuff he's saying to him. During a commercial break, as the teams are heading to their benches for a time out midway in the fourth, the cameraman captures His Airness walking alongside Curry, yelling in his ear and mouthing the words, "You showboat little bitch, you're mine." Curry doesn't dare try to match Mike's crazed shit talking. There's no way he can get to that level of aggressive maniac behavior. Mike didn't let the 89', 90' repeat champion Bad Boy Pistons get to him, he's definitely not letting this baby-faced 'assassin' get the better of him. Steph looks like he wants to be anywhere but there and is basically a non factor during the last two quarters. But with MJ exclusively on Curry it frees up Thompson, Klay steps up to keep them in it, going off in the fourth, adding in another 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 more steals. 1: 46 left in the 4th quarter. (Continued)
Mike has 47, Pip's got a cool 29. Both benches are contributing in various ways, big time ways. The Arena is deafening. People are losing their shit in the stands. Ronny Harper gets a jumper up off and Klay gets a little too eager and inadvertently crowds his landing space and Harp comes down, tweaking his ankle. Goes to the line. Drains both. He shouts at the crowd, "Practice like you play!" while running back with a slight limp in his gait. Bulls are up by two.121-119. KD comes around a Draymond screen, Toni switches, but KD shakes free and has one of the prettiest step back threes you'll ever see. He gathers the ball and launchesthat thang over Kukoc's outstretched arms. It barely moves the net as it goes through. Wet. He's forced to take over because he sees Steph is reduced to a decoy at this point. Durant's 3 pointer brings the Warriors their first lead since late in the 3rd qtr. It's 122-121, Golden State. It's all KD and Klay at this point for Golden State, everyone is gassed, but everyone also knows the ball is going to KD. Green is M.I.A. Looks like we know what Rodman's task was: The complete evisceration of his mojo. Steph is a no show in the second half. Klay's put up a monster game up to this point. He's done just about all he could, with totals of 39, 8, 5, 2 and 6 steals and it's not over yet. Cold blooded. Jordan and Pippen are exhausted. MJ played all but one minute of the game and Pippen has played every minute.The Bulls are slugging it out to the end but the Warriors still look to have more energy and shooting to give them one final effort, one final push. Golden State calls for time and Walton looks like he's in anguish. Somewhere high up in a Skybox, Bill is looking down, smiling. "The kid's gotta learn somehow." There are these fans behind the Warriors bench pointing and screaming. They're wearing black and red #33 and #91 jerseys. One guy stands up, yelling and pointing at Durant. It's so loud it can barely be made out what they're saying. "KD, you ain't shit, this is Steph's team! You're always gonna be number 2! FUCK you!! Go back to OKC!" Durant doesn't turn, he doesn't look, he pretends he didn't hear but he's definitely heard them. Coming out of the final Warrior's time out, Durant has that look in his eyes. The Chicago fans have this gut-wrenching feeling in the pit of their stomachs. Ref whistles the play to start. You can't even hear it. He's gotta point to Pip to signal the start of the clock. Harper brings it up with 1: 21 left. They run the Triangle, swing it and ultimately Kukoc gets the ball in the high post only to have Iggy poke it loose. They scramble for the ball and dive to the hardwood. Dubs come away with it, KD throws it the length of the court to Livingston and he blows the dunk, clangs it right off the back of the rim, but Igoudala is trailing behind and is right there to clean it up and jams it for the putback dunk. The Arena gets quiet. 124-121, Dubs. 1: 05 left. Pippen brings it up, looks for cutters, the Warriors are playing tight defense despite looking absolutely exhausted. They look like boxers in the 12th round out there. Phil calls their last time out. It gives Mike and the Bulls an all too brief moment to sit and muster enough energy to finish this thing off. It goes by so quickly, like a blur. Mike and Scottie stand up, their legs feel like jelly, they exchange looks, Pip nods, and head to the court. They know this is it. Whistle. The count begins. Kukoc gets it into the hands of Jordan who brings it up, looks for a shot but he finds a rolling Dennis. He's given Green a hip check but the refs don't call it or maybe they don't see it. Rodman catches it 5ft from the bucket, ignores the pass to the open Kerr in the corner. No, fuck it, he's gonna go for it. Time to pull his weight. Green recovers and slides over to contest but he's a split second too late and knocks into Rodman, forcing him to alter his trajectory, while KD slaps at the ball only to hit his elbow. Rodman stumbles and he puts up the ugliest looking shot you ever saw. He falls out of bounds into a cameraman. He resists the urge to kick the poor guy. Instead he's too busy looking at the ball. It goes off glass, hits the front of the iron, bounces back to the glass and rolls around, finally dropping through the twine. Whistle. "And 1!" The United Center explodes. The Worm gallops around the court, pumping his fists. The bench collectively holds their breath as Dennis goes to the line. James Edwards puts his face in his towel, he can't look. Phil looks like he's going to have an aneurysm. Rodman takes a deep breath, points to the sky. Dribble once. Dribble twice. Points a finger to the sky again. Let's it fly and prepares to rush in for the board. It sails through the net. Swish. Up to this point he's only had 4 points..total. Redemption is spelled D-E-N-N-I-S. He gallops down the court, with as much energy as when the game first started. Phil looks over at Tex, shakes his head and smiles. "Fucking Dennis." Tied, 124-124. It's almost over. (Continued)
In times like this, some players shy away from the moment. It's too much pressure. The moment is too big. The stage is too bright. The challenge, too burdensome. With Steph, he's shown time and time again that maybe he's just not a big moment kind of player. Klay is definitely box office but Kevin Durant, say what you want about his heart and will to compete, he very much wants to be in those big moments, and wants to have the ball when it counts. Yeah, he wants to win alright. (Continued) They resume play and the tall, lanky Livingston inbounds with Kukoc covering him, doing his best to disrupt the pass and maybe get a deflection that will hopefully lead to a play at the other end. He gets it in, right into Durant's hands. He brings it up and sees Klay running through multiple screens, under the basket, and ends up in the opposite corner. Harp gets lost in the maze of screens. Thompson catches the pass right in his sweet spot and puts up the silkiest jumper of the game, perfect mechanics, perfect shot, at the perfect time. Harp is too late and sees the release. It looks good, better than good but everyone still rushes in to crash the boards. The ball finds the bottom of the net. "BAAANG!! Thompson puts Golden State on top" Mark Jackson, Van Gundy and Mike Breen are losing their shit. The referees review the shot, Klay's toe was on the line, it's changed to a 2 pointer. 126-124. Harp gets it in quickly, Pip brings it up, wasting no time. 29.3 seconds left. He gets it across half court, finds MJ but Dennis and Draymond are tied up, tripping each other up and fall to the floor. Whistles from all three refs. Dennis blatantly trips Draymond but Draymond, even more egregiously, punches at Dennis' privates. They get up and Draymond rushes Rodman. Knocking both of themselves to the ground, screaming and spitting, trying to get a reaction from The Worm. Almost begging for a reaction. Nothing. Dennis gives him nothing. Green, furious, tries to swing at Rodman. Both teams rush in and drag Green away, off of Rodman. Dennis rises to his feet, smiles and shrugs his shoulders. A master of mischief, a pro at playing dumb. It works perfectly. Tony Brothers gives Draymond the tech and says if he doesn't calm down, he'll kick him out. Immediately Green realizes all too late what he's done. He took the bait. Completely playing into Dennis' childish game. From the jump. Kerr goes up and knocks down the tech. Bulls retain possession. 126-125. Warriors on top. Kukoc gets it into Mike and he brings it up. 16.8 seconds left. Time slows down. The crowd disappears. The moment becomes the moment. Jordan sees only the rim. He goes to that place that he's gone to many times before. However, he realizes that all the work and preparation still hasn't got him ready for something like this, not a team like this. But Mike's different, he relishes this rare opportunity and gladly accepts the challenge with open arms. He embraces all conquests that will make him legendary. Jordan keeps his dribble low, assesses what the defense is giving him. Feels it out, realizing this is his chance to either win or lose the game. He believes with every once of his being that the ball is going in.. Igoudala gets into Mike. 15 seconds. Mike palms the ball, holding it behind his back, away from his defender. 14 seconds. Iggy plants his feet and leans in. 13 seconds. His teammates back away, clearing up space for the one v one showdown. 12 seconds. Michael plants his foot and explodes to the top of the key. 11 seconds. Igoudala is right on his hip. 10 seconds. Jordan turns over his shoulder, bodies Iggy, backing him into the paint. Nine. Iggy uses his last ounce of energy and swipes at the ball. Eight. MJ turns away from his defender's reach and squares his feet and shoulders. Seven. Iggy tries to jump off his back foot to contest the shot. Six. Mike elevates. Five. He releases the ball at the apex of the shot. Four. The ball soars the air. Three. Swish. Two seconds left. Pandemonium. The United Center is chaos. An absolute frenzy. 127-126. Bulls. Mike clenches a fist and turns to the crowd. But no time for celebration, the Warriors have to inbound the ball. They still have a chance to win this thing. There's still two seconds remaining. It's Steph, Klay, Draymond, Igoudala and Kevin Durant. Anything can happen and if you want a five man squad to finish a game, it's this five man squad. Iggy stands out of bounds, frantically looks. His heart feels like it's going to explode. Steph is running off an semi-illegal screen, trying to lose Jordan. Draymond is wrestling with Rodman. Klay tries to push through MJ to keep him off Steph. Kukoc is trying his damnedest to disrupt the inbound pass. Igoudala sees Pippen get pushed and tripped up into Klay under the basket and Durant pops out to the top of the arc. Wide open. Just enough daylight. Iggy sails it over Toni and KD goes up to receive the pass. He pulls it down, sees Pippen coming to contest. The clock starts the countdown to zero. Durant, making sure his size 18 shoes are nowhere near the line, puts the rock on the deck. The clock is winding down. Just enough time to crossover to his right, square up and lift for a divinely smooth jumper. He let's it go and releases it just a fraction of a second before the buzzer. Pip puts up his hand but he's on empty from 48 minutes of hell, chasing around the 7 foot Durant and is just a step too slow to give it an honest attempt at a contest. He turns to see the 35 foot shot hurtling toward the basket. Rodman and Green, arms tangled, turn to look up at the shot. Everyone in the United Center is on their feet. Holding their breath, and clutching each other's hands. People at home are frozen, glued to the screen. Kevin comes down, holding his pose, a perfect gooseneck. His entire basketball career, his whole life flashes before his eyes, Montrose Christian, Texas, Draft Night, the Sonics, the Thunder, the MVP season, the doubters, Russ, his mom. Everything's brought him to this moment. He doesn't flinch. All or nothing. The ball sails toward the basket and comes down. KD closes his eyes and has to live with the result. The Stadium erupts. It's absolute bedlam. The players clear the bench. Absolute bedlam. You'd think it was Game 7. Johnny 'Red' Kerr can't be heard over the screams and cheers of the people surrounding him, but he says, "Folks, you could live a hundred lifetimes and never witness something like this, ever again." "See you all back here in two days for Game 2." Jordan finishes with 49 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 blocks, 9 steals and 1 turnover. Steph finishes with 28 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 12 turnovers "72 > 73" *+This was a fun little story to write up on my two hour lunch break in between my split shifts. My math is probably off and this might be riddled with grammatical n punctuation errors but whatever. Please don't kill me. I just wanted to add something fun to the conversation. Peace to you all. Keep well, stay safe. Be kind to each other. Out.*+ -PG
Luc didn't shine as much in the 90's bec he was always up against the likes of Shaq, Dream, Ewing, Mourning, Robinson, Mutombo, etc. but he was a solid anchor on the triangle and who would the Warriors throw at him? Looney? Pachulia? Not only are these guys way smaller, their laterals were also way inferior compared to Luc's. 13-15 ppg easy on top of MJ's 50.
During the 1996 Season - MJ- Scoring Champ, All Def - Scottie- All NBA , All Defense - Rodman- RB Champ, All Def - Kukoc- 6MOY During the 2017 season - Steph- All Star - KD- All Star - Klay- All Star - Dray- DPOY, Steals Leader I believe the 1996 team was more accomplished as far as a single season is concerned
If they played under 1996 era and rules, remember the 3 point line was shortened during those years so Steph Klay and KD are all shooting over 50% from 3 in this series and it would be an absolute bloodbath massacre.
Agree also ron Harper could post up klay if I'm the warriors I would play the bulls like the pacers where Reggie is coming off screens so klay and Steph be a lot running through screens and try kd with Steph pick m roll but Im taking bulls
People tend to forget that the 3-point line is shortened in 1996. Just imagine what will happen when Curry, Klay and KD will do from beyond the arc; kind of like the olympics and we all know KD is unstoppable in the olympics. Also while the bulls have four elite defenders in their best lineup, the warriors do as well. Yes, defense wins championships, but then with both good defense but one has more offensive weapons, the one with better offense wins; just look at how the Spurs took down the pistons in 2005 because they have duncan, Parker and ginobili.
warriors are not AS good defensively as the bulls.. pippen, jordan and harper would make it extremely difficult for your 3 boys to get off their shots.. Jordan and Pippen are top 10 perimeter defenders OF ALL TIME.. plus who is guarding Jordan? Klay?
@@soramirez5473 Who is going to guard KD? The Bulls were a great defensive team, but no defensive player is going to slow down Curry or KD on a 1-1. So yeah, as great as Jordan, Pippen and Harper are defensively, they ain't stopping them. Curry is a superb dribbler, who is only bested by Kyrie and Irving in dribbling. He also has a ton a gravity while on the court, forcing teams to double o triple team him in possessions. That would give a ton of open looks for KD or Thompson. Pippen would probabaly be assigned to KD, but KD just has so many options. He can dunk on him in transition since he is taller and has a longer reacher, or just dribble off him and shoot a mid range to score. Now, Klay being more of a spot up shooter wouldn't be bothered that much by the Bulls defense, since the Bulls would most probably try to focus either on Curry or KD. But, the second you try to double either KD or Curry, Klay would be open on the wing with a jumper, and since he is also a lethal shooter, that would hurt the Bulls so much.
@@detroitcity27 You're right, nobody is guarding MJ. After all, he is the GOAT. But Pippen, c'mon, he isn't an elite scorer. KD could guard Pippen if he wanted to. In reality, KD actually plays defense when it matters, and since he is taller and has a longer reach than Pippen, I think he would guard him pretty well. I think the Bulls would rely heavily on MJ to score on this series. But I really don't think that MJ could out score the Warriors, they have so much fire power. I give the edge to the Warriors offensively, and slightly give the edge to the Bulls defensively. This would undoubtedly give the win to the Warriors.
Steph Curry is breaking Ron Harpers crusty knees KD would get arrested for witchcraft Andre Igoudala would clamp Little Mikey Zaza Pachulia with 90s rules would end all the Bulls careers Patrick McCaw is the lucky charm Warriors in fo’
Klay Thompson 37 pts, 9/9 on threes, 13-13 on field goals in the 3rd quarter 😱😱🤯🤯 41 pts 11 three pointers facing elimination vs OKC in the 2016 WCF 60 pts in 29 mins with 8 threes 52 pts 14/24 threes 44 pts with 10 straight threes *"Klay will get locked down by Pippen Jordan and Rodman."* 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Wouldn't the Bulls playing Small Ball contradict your second bullet point a bit? That would be playing into the warriors pace, wouldn't it? Just a question... This is a good video though! I'm enjoying this
The difference between the 90s and '17 footage is insane with how much more physical you could be with the other team. Looked like a war back then compared to now lol
20 year gap, that's a big era variance. Rules are crazy different, level of def, 3 sec D rule, hand checking, spread court, then you need to consider how much better the Bulls would be with modern sports science and training methods. I'd give the Bulls the edge with all that considered, but damn it's not by much
This is laughable, you have 3 all time great shooters/scorers on the same team all in their primes plus dray/iggy vs the bulls with only one great scorer who can barely hit 3s. Yes the bulls have great rebounding/defense but the warriors aint bad on either one. The bulls would be embarrassed. If you even think the bulls could win means your an old head or jordan lover
You know everyone says that about todays basketball that the Bulls wouldn’t be able to adapt on the defensive end. But it’s not like they would be incapable of playing easier D. Also on the offensive end they’d be literally unstoppable - they could score with elbows knees and hands at their faces and yet somehow struggle with no hand checking? I’d say they’d run thru em all day long
Steph and KD got one of the best handles ever, and people act like they are anthony bennett and kwame brown, Klay is the second greatest shooter ever and is criminally underrated as a defensive player
Motivated mj is a nightmare!!!! Especially if they play in todays rules gs if on fire can shoot the lights out but they not hitting all them 3s the defense was just too strong and if people think the bulls couldn’t adjust they are crazy
Never bet against Jordan in a 7 game series, never.
Never bet against MJ in the finals either
Warriors with KD never lost either
😂 I did an won 1990 Detroit Pistons 3peat beat ur AIRNESS not once not twice but 3times
@@SamuelJ888 lol they lost to the Raps way back 4 years ago what the F were you smoking boy
@@jbl7946 the Pistons 3 peated? hahahaha what the F are you flapping about you big dead i--t lmao
The only thing I think you’re missing is that the bulls offence would be much better under today’s rules. Jordan would do what he wanted, when he wanted without hand checking. He would have the warriors in a lot of foul trouble. Much easier to get on a roll for the bulls. IMHO
That's what these fantasy videos always miss. Who's gonna stop Jordan and that triangle with no resistance on the perimeter and no big in the paint? Warriors start shooting 3s, they better make them all cuz they won't get a single rebound off Chicago offensively or defensively.
100%
90's rules Bulls win it in 5,
Present rules Bulls win in 6
Plus defense was way different in the 90’s, the rules were slightly different .. so what ears would they play in? Jordan or curry’s time??
It'd be worse considering they'd being playing with a normal distance 3pt line this time around with zone defense being allowed.
Lets be real, bulls will be blown out every game.
Who's going to coach the Warriors while Kerr is playing for the bulls?
There will be two Steve Kerrs
The 30 year old and the 51 year old
It will look awkward but I guess that’s how time travel works
@@gridirongod4207 If 51 year old Kerr meet his 30 year old version time space continuum will blow up the Universe
Phil Jackson and pop lol
Mark Jackson and his imaginary sky daddy
Maybe you
My favorite part of this video is basically, "as long as the bulls arent allowed to play defense the warriors win." Lol
they can play defense without fouling lol
@@broy08 not in todays league. Literally everything up until this yr was a foul.
😁😅
That's impossible. The '96 Bulls roster was one of the fiercest at clogging up the passing lanes.
Common fouls back then are flagrant fouls now.. half the team would be suspended on a daily basis
Imagine MJ and Pip's point totals under 2010 rules... Bulls beat the W's in thier era too
Bulls in 6 with today's rules and Bulls in 5 with 90s rules. Hardly any of the guys on the GS team now and before would be considered 2way guys.
The 1997 bulls went to game 6
Warriors in 2017-2018 only lost one game in two finals
The east was trash during gs dynasty @@newjersey8238
plain and simple: doberman defense. regardless of what era, that mighty Warriors offense would be worn-out by the stingy Bulls defense. if you really believe Harper, Pip, MJ & Rodman would allow them to launch 3s anywhere they wanted you havnt seen the Bulls play. Rodman alone would destroy Draymond mentally. game over.
Ye I love Dray, but Rodman is the original mold
Who is going to guard KD? The Bulls were a great defensive team, but no defensive player is going to slow down Curry or KD on a 1-1. So yeah, as great as Jordan, Pippen and Harper are defensively, they ain't stopping them. Curry is a superb dribbler, who is only bested by Kyrie and Irving in dribbling. He also has a ton a gravity while on the court, forcing teams to double o triple team him in possessions. That would give a ton of open looks for KD or Thompson. Pippen would probabaly be assigned to KD, but KD just has so many options. He can dunk on him in transition since he is taller and has a longer reacher, or just dribble off him and shoot a mid range to score. Now, Klay being more of a spot up shooter wouldn't be bothered that much by the Bulls defense, since the Bulls would most probably try to focus either on Curry or KD. But, the second you try to double either KD or Curry, Klay would be open on the wing with a jumper, and since he is also a lethal shooter, that would hurt the Bulls so much. Rodman mentally is tougher than Draymond, and he could get into his head. But Draymond, being more of a playmaker, and having so many options in Klay, Durant and Curry, I don't think he would be that affected by Rodman. I think they cancel each other out in scoring, and Rodman being the better rebounder would outrebound Draymond, but in terms of playmaking, Draymond completely blows him out of the water. So in reality, I would give him the edge in the 1-1 matchup.
@@patoooo2 Pip slows down KD big time. Who can guard MJ tho bro?
@@patoooo2 bruh Jordan will clamp any of them up
@@osheakara6624 nope.
One thing you missed completely. They can’t touch the bulls either on defense. That tremendously helps Toni. He played some of his best ball with less physical teams and if he’s allowed to get off early and build confidence, he’s a different player. Being in the floor helps him with that. Today’s style of play fits his play style like a glove. Also doesn’t matter how much they make MJ work on defense when he would have a way easier time on offense and getting to the line. Putting people in foul trouble
I agree with Sir Charles, Bulls in 5.
Biased warriors in 6
Bulls in 6 regardless of era
The same bulls that went game 6 against the seattle supersonics?
@@VelaniTheOne What are you even implying?
@@feelcollins4358 im implying that the 2017 golden state warriors would do better than the 96 supersonics
@@VelaniTheOne Bro GSW had to injure the Spur's star to get past them in 2017, and again in 2018 against Houston where it went to game 7 when another star got injured just for them to barely scrape a win even with 4 all stars on their roster.
I'd definitely see GSW winning against Bulls if they did a Zaza play on MJ who was the main scorer for the Bulls.
@@VelaniTheOne the same warriors that almost lost to the rockets and blew a 3-1 lead
Honestly im loving the uploads man. Going to lunch listening to these takes is amazing 👏
The question that I have is "are the Warriors defense focused on interior or perimeter?" MJ can use the perimeter-focused style of today's game to his advantage. Not only was 1996 the year of his career-high in three pointers being made but especially given the fact that Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest mid-range shooter of all time. He'll easily take advantage of the fact that teams today don't care about mid-ranged shots. The Warriors might have to go traditional instead of small ball. Also the Bulls were good at full court press.
The warriors focus their defense on the perimeter because today’s player can shoot 3s. With the bulls that mean that you have to guard just Kerr from 3.
Lol you know it was MJs career high in 3 pointers that year because the NBA had shortened the 3pt distance for 3 years before goin back to original length.
The Warriors would win so long as the Bulls sat the bench during Warriors possession.
Bulls in 6 lol.
The Rockets almost took the warriors out.
Also Iguodala even believes the Bulls were the better team 🤷🏽♂️
Lmfao almost never counts the bulls went 7 with Reggie miller lol and Knicks 😭😭
That was 2018.. warriors in 2017 went 16-1 in the entire playoffs
@@jaobille79 same difference. 6 games.
@@TheGr8-1 The bulls almost lost to the pacers, a team not in the same tier as the rockets
@@loosenup8152 did you see that series? Pacers were a helluva squad. Actually should have won the series. Unlike the Rockets who were not on the warriors level. It lemme guess..born in the 90’s?
Without even watching the video yet I'm going to say this is like comparing the '92 dream team to the current NCAA champs. 90's NBA, especially the '96 Bulls, kill today's NBA.
Win-Win for Steve Kerr...the 4-Peat🐐
Good one 🤣
73 wins is really impressive.... (I know that was the 2015-2016 Warriors).
But it doesn't mean a thing, w/o a ring... and that is the problem... for the Warriors...
We can agree that any Bulls team would beat any LBJ team, and if a 1-3 Team can come back to win 4-3, the other team can't beat the undefeated Bulls...
I rest my case... I like the Warriors, but sorry, NO chance.
yo we talking about the 17 warriors, not 16. So it's not the warriors team who blew a 3-1 lead to Lebron. it's the warriors who went 73-9 in the regular season, and then added KEVIN DURANT. lol so yeah, greatest team of all time right, bulls stand no chance.
@@patoooo2 Fabián, your comment tells me two important things. You have not seen the Bulls play, and you are probably quite young. I respect your opinion, and beg to differ.
I also want to be fair, and explain my reasoning. We can agree that both teams played in a different era. The Bulls era was a bit more tough, hand checking etc. the Warriors is more an era with many 3's.
If these teams play in the old Era, the Warriors won't get that many 3's, just won't happen considering the defensive rating of the Bulls. So the Warriors lose their biggest strength. Pippen/Jordan/Harp can guard Curry, the other two will guard Clay/KD, loss/loss for the Warriors there.
While noone on the Warriors team can guard MJ, especially if we would play with the new rules, MJ would dominate even more under no hand checking rules. Dennis will take care of Draymond any day, so the "offense" shrinks significantly. Bulls offense on the other hand won't be affected at all. The Bulls had way tougher opponents guarding them, and had no issues.
I say this as a BIG fan of the Warriors AND the Bulls. I absolutely loved the Warriors, and unless you think Zaza Pachulia would somehow score 50 vs Luc, there is no way the Warriors could beat the Bulls...
Well perhaps there is one way, if you kill MJ...
@@janjilek3496 Of course, rules of any particular era will always have to be taken into account. But people tend to overrate (or underrate depending on the situation) hand-checking.
If the Warriors were to play in an older era (especially against the Bulls who had A LOT of spacing), they would benefit a lot from having no zone defense, this inherently creates more space for the Warriors, which directly translates into more 3's. Seeing as how the Warriors have a team full of snipers, they would easily outscore the Bulls. As I mentioned, the Bulls were a team who often stretched the floor, and this would further benefit the Warriors main offensive weapon. As great as the Bulls were defensively, NO ONE will effectively guard Kevin Durant. They never had to guard anyone that could shoot better than Reggie Miller several feet from the basket. The best fit for KD would probably be Scottie Pippen, but KD could just dribble off him and just a pull mid ranger, or dunk on him in transition, there is just so many options for KD. Additionally, I don't think anyone from the Bulls can guard Curry 1-1, he's handles are superb, and can only be bested by players such as Kyrie and AI. The only way to guard Curry is to double him and Kevin Durant especially benefits a lot from this, because the gravity that Curry pulls while being on the floor is incredible. Teams would try to double or even triple team Curry, leaving KD wide open for a three. Even if you somehow manage to defend KD and Curry, you still have to worry about Klay, who is also a lethal shooter. The very moment Bulls try to double either Steph or KD, Klay would be wide open for a jumper. I just don't see the Bulls being able to hurt the Warriors offense, they have too much fire power.
I agree that there is no player on the Warriors that could defend MJ, he is just to versatile and has a lot of offensive options. But if we play by the new rules, MJ never had to deal with zone defense. Even if players weren't allowed to hand-check him (as I stated before, hand-checking in my opinion is overrated), I really don't think MJ will dominante any more than he did on his era, since the Warriors would probably try to play zone defense on him. Either that, or just rotate Klay and Iggy on him throughout the game. Now, this wouldn't slow MJ down, but as I said, he wouldn't be more dominant than he already is.
You mentioned that Draymond would get taken care by Rodman. I disagree. Rodman is very good at defending players down low at the post. He isn't good at defending guard-like players who specialize at setting up other players. And since Draymond has very good play making abilities, I don't think he would bother trying to score on Rodman down low, instead focusing on setting up the pace for the Warriors. As a matter of fact, I don't think Rodman is suited for defending any of the Warriors offensive players. Maybe Zaza on the post, but he isn't really an offensive threat.
Now, as good as the Warriors are on offense. They are definitely underrated on defense. KD plays defense when it matters the most, and he would definitely bother Pippen. He is taller than him and has a very long reach. Draymond is also a DPOY, and he would also bother the Bulls on that end of the floor. The Bulls would heavily rely on MJ for scoring output, and as good as he is, he definitely not outscoring the Warriors
I really think it comes down to who can out score who, and the Warriors are the greatest team at that by a mile.
@@patoooo2 I was going to let you slide because quite honestly its a waste of time. This could be proven to you over and over again and still you'd choose to ignore facts. How does one over exaggerate someone hanging on your arms while shooting the basketball and it not being called, this is hand checking in the 80s - 90s WE HAVE THE TAPES, WE HAVE THE INFORMATION. The blasphemy of Dennis Rodman a true lock down 1-5 defender, not being able to defend guards? You are kidding right? This is what I mean when i say people squander their own moments in history. You have this information at the tips of your fingers and yet...repeat other people's tired arguments. Dennis Rodman commonly guarded the centers, and power fowards for the Bulls as they had 2 of the best wing defenders in the league, and NO dominant center to guard the paint and rim. Dennis Rodman was the best defender the bulls had even at 34, thats not a debate. If you want to argue his defensive capabilities in 97' 98' sure but we are discussing 96' so go watch some film Nick Wright.
@@patoooo2 MJ played against zone in an inferior offensive scheme 01-03 and was averaging what? at 38-40 years old? Your ignorance is a joke.
01-03 MJ AVG PTS- 21.2 AST 4.4 TRB 5.9 STL 1.5
People forget Kawhi had that KD Warriors team down 25 pts before his injury. 🤷♂️ Then James Harden and Chris Paul took them all 7 games and probably beat them if CP3 didn't get injured. 👀 just cuz Cavs got steamrolled don't make them unbeatable
Absolutely
Everyone got steamrolled in 2017 lol, they went 16-1.
Thats one game. The bulls went 72-10. Was those ten teams better no. They just happened to win
@@patoooo2 completely unstoppable
one game does not decide an entire series, gsw were down 17 in game 3 vs portland that same year with Mike Brown coaching the team and without Durant
The only real question is... Will the series "become personal" ? If yes, we all know how's gonna end...
All it will take is for just ONE person to say something like "Klay Thompson is a great defender" or "Klay Thompson is a better shooter", that will awaken his killer instinct just like with Clyde in 92 and Dan Marjle in 93 lol
Warriors in 5.
@@quantumhype9839 yeah, Warriors lose in 5…I agree
@@jestanuthername lol bulls wouldn't stand a chance. I only granted them 1 out of respect.
@@quantumhype9839 ok 7 years old
With all fairness, I don't think those Warriors faced same level of competition in Playoffs as 1996 Bulls did.
Anddd those bulls never faced a team like the warriors. Not even close.
Lebron Kyrie cavs better than any team bulls faced
@@pjwright3773 MJ's bulls team has faced way better teams than that overated warriors team like Larry bird's Celtics dynasty who would easily sweep the warriors with or without durant
@@jakedooley5300 The championship bulls never faced the true larry bird celtics and MJ never beat the celtics in the playoffs. This video is about the 96 bulls when there was no celtics or showtime lakers or pistons to be seen. To say the celtics would sweep the 2017 warriors is nuts but hey thats your opinion on a what if.
@@bamshakfwangyil1301 Really? What about Pistons in the early 90s?
Bulls in 4
Jordan wouldn’t let the Warriors get a game, he would take it personal.
"TAKE IT PERSONAL", notice all in Caps. You can find video were Mike went F-ing nuts on a whole team.
What about curry kd klay green than
@@u_gona_get_addictive what about them? they are lighting up the league during an era of no defense. The Bulls starting 5 had 4 lockdown defenders. Bulls in a sweep.
@@210mmurphy what do you mean 😂
Is basketball graph is falling downward 😂
@@210mmurphy don’t do drugs. Warriors would make the bulls look like a high school team. Facts are facts. Warriors sweep 🤷♂️
For a series under 90's rules, yeah, the Bulls all day every day. Under 2017 rules though, that's a little harder. Given the kind of defense that was allowed (or lack of), you know Jordan's ppg average is gonna explode; easily up there in the 50's which would frustrate the ever-lovin' shit out of the Warriors cause they'd just have no way of stopping him. Steve Kerr would also be a big advantage cause if he gets an open look, he's droppin' 3 point bombs just as good as the Warriors would. Not to mention Jordan, Pippen, Harper, and Kukoc could step up to the 3 point line as well. And then there's also Dennis Rodman to consider. He'd be grabbin' all kinds of boards to be sure, but I think his biggest contribution would be just how much he would fuck with the Warriors. Mark my words, he would get guys ejected from games or at the very least, put guys in foul trouble which would make it all the easier for the Bulls to score. And although they couldn't be anywhere near as physical as they were in the 90's, Jordan and Pip both had those long, lightning quick hands that would pick off loose balls and lazy passes. I don't know, the more I think about, I really think the Bulls would take the series.
They would win either series especially in todays league
kukoc's shooting is wildly overrated...He was solid for his time but literally 30% was solid for his time but not in 2017
by todays rules rodman would probably be thrown out first
@@SeanNg__n yea he made it when it counted that's all we going by.
@@detroitcity27 I got a theory
Going by today's rules. Add another 10 to 15 points a game for both Jordan and Scottie. Pippen played point and small forward/ wing. He also had a 7' wing wingspan. Pippen was considered a slasher because he'd get to the rim so quickly. His 3pt shooting was above average. Not to mention an unbelievable defender. Sorry KD. Rodman would frustrate green and cancel him out completely. Steph would be guarded by a 6'6" physical Ron Harper. Sorry Steph, no space for you. Actually Steph would struggle with the length and tenacity of the bulls defense. His little step backs would not work. He'd be shrugging his shoulders. Instead of shaking them when he makes a shot. Then you Have MJ. That's where the story ends. Clay isn't close to the greatest of all time. Michael was the most competitive athlete that I've ever seen in my 50 plus years of watching sports. He was the perfect basketball player. Jordan would eat Clay alive.
All I can say is the 96 Bulls would not lose to the 16 Cavs.
So LeBron wouldn't lead both teams in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks🤔
@@yungslic5363 no he wouldn’t lead Jordan in points, he wouldn’t lead Rodman in rebounds, he wouldn’t lead Pippen or Jordan in steals. He would most likely keep his blocks and assists. And him having the most turnovers is a lock.
The 96 Sonics would have destroyed the Warriors and the Cavs
17 warriors with KD not losing either which is the argument…….
@@DrzPapi126 The Celtics locked down KD with physical defense; imagine what the Bull's defense would do.
Like the Bulls used to say during that '96 season: "it don't mean a thing if you don't win that ring." Warriors would lose.
Idd rings count
To get a glimpse of what MJ would do to this defenceless no big men to protect the rim era, just imagine what he did as a wizard player to current young mvps and all stars of the league when he returned in 2002 and 2003
Luc Longley is so underrated, imagine playing that time against the best centers with the likes of shaq, Ewing, Robinson, Mourning and Hakeem
2017 warriors had a better chance of beating 90-91 or maybe 91-92 bulls. But 96 bulls would have destroyed them. First 3peat bulls were kind of soft the first too. But by the 92-93 season they were just as rough and rugged as the bad boy piston and the ny knicks. Was no flopping. Referees wouldn't even have called it. The deeper you went in the playoffs per round the less they called. And Steph and Clay aren't ready for that. And btw, Dennis Rodman would have destroyed D. Green definitely
"96 bulls would have destroyed them"
Destroyed??? Putting it on a little thick, don't you think?
Tbh I would have grant over Rodman any day but Harper is a much better choice then paxson
GS would've been in foul trouble early. The Bulls defense & triangle offense would have crushed them.
@@conditionallyunconditional5691 well said!there is no arguing golden state would be crying
@@ieatb00ty60 sorry grant was soft was there in Orlando had Shaq penny Anderson n Scott went to finals once n they lost to Houston .grant could never guard Shaq one on one rodman did and out rebound him
Rodman was a potent offensive player just that the Bulls didn’t need that from home.
Potent lol
dis nigga said potent😭
I watched them both and neither is my home team. Clearly nobody can deny the Bulls was the better team easy! Better team, they had the G.O.A.T. Michael Air Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman Steve Kerr Tony Kukoc and Longley! Plus they had to be the best!
And Phill Jackson as the coach and Ron Harper also played a crucial role.
And the warriors have a DPOY,fmvp on the bench, arguably the 3 greatest shooter of all time,2mvps and 4/5 starting team as all stars.
I'll take the bulls all day
12:24 "virtually unstoppable"
That's when MJ took it personally
GG
Bulls in 5 in today's watered down rules
who's challenging MJ at the rim?
Rodman would avg like 20 rebounds
Donkey would go crying in the locker room at half time
The Bulls will destroy them, with thompson will be struck with fear factor if Jordan guards him. Pippen and Rodman might take turns guarding KD they'll make him quit like he quit da Thunder. Curry will have a hard time with Harper sometimes Jordan might guard him. They'll be done
Exactly,, a idiot try to argue with me a couple days ago that Rodman won't lockdown kd,, that dude is crazy for even thinking that
@@king-ghost1027 he wouldn't lock but he would be the best defender kd ever went agaijst
@@CallMeKmrn another casual , ok
@@CallMeKmrn guess u live up to your name
@@king-ghost1027 KD dropped 51 pts on Kawhi's face 😎😎😎
Bulls win in either era and with either rules
Bulls win in 6 or even 5
Why?
Because The Triangle Offense maximized The Bulls offensive potential while the Doberman Defense suffocated perimeter scorers.
Plus the Bulls were a better rebounding team and GSW lacked CONSISTENT interior defense
GSW would get killed in the interior
With that said the Bulls were actually BETTER BUILT for THIS era since MJ would be dropping 40+ppg on 60%FG easily with an increase in each of his stats across the board…. Furthermore Pip, Kukoc, Harper, Rodman would all ALSO see an increase in each of their stats across the board as well thus it would be barbecue chicken
96 Bulls win no doubt!
CORRECT! Thank you now I don’t need to type this lol
@@luistorres8005 Thanks! No problem! 💪
Michael Jordan undefeated in NBA finals history a perfect 6-0 with 6 finals MVPs never played a game 7 in the finals and he sure as hell won't play one against the warriors and the bulls defense was for sure suffocating other teams but the 2017 warriors would be a very tough challenge for the bulls for sure.
Rodman has been to finals and won 5 of 5 from memory aswell.
@@Scaley_Reptile Rodman played in 6
You’re right he still wouldn’t play a Game 7, because the Warriors would win in 6
^ bwahaha
kids got no idea
@@henry7486 LMAO you cashual, bulls would sweep that overated warriors team
Great video bro🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
MJ would Guard Klay Thompson and Ron Harper would Guard Steph Curry, Rodman mentally frustrate Draymond Green
No sir, Rodman guarding KD
No one guard no one
You forgot the extra 40 points a game that Michael Jordan would get in that era. Jordan would average 50 with these rules.
This is bull the 2012 bobcats greatest team ever
Yes the fuck they are!
That warriors team had to injure kahwi just to make the finals in 2017 😂 they damn sure aren't beating the 96 bulls
BIG FUCKING FACTS
They'd try to call the Zaza play on MJ when he shoots a midrange. 😂
Facts but they were still going to win the series regardless
@@csc4781 can't say that based on game 1 when the spurs were embarrassing them
@@colewrld901 Warriors with KD when healthy we’re unbeatable the Spurs would’ve took them to 6-7 with Kawhi GSW still wins that series they’re weren’t gonna be 16-1 in the playoffs tho
The bulls shooting % would definitely go up in 2010 rules. You can't touch them. They had zero trouble scoring in the harder 90s. It would only be easier in 2010. Mj would drop 50 on them.
This channel so underrated fr
Good analysis of each team but your so wrong in your prediction... under 90s rules Bulls win in 4 or 5. They are too physical Rodman would frustrate the hell out of the Warriors and they simply couldn't keep up with them. Under modern day rules Jordan with no handchecking could get 50 points a night easily. Warriors only chance is if Steff and Clay get hot from 3 point but even under modern rules the Bulls defence of Pippen on Clay and Harper/Jordan on Steff would stifle them. Bulls in 6 and I think that's very generous to give the warriors 2 games :D
💀 “they simply couldn’t keep up with them” the current era is much faster and athletic than the players in the 90s. 90s players played inside the 3 point line defense so they’d have to readjust the entirety of their game plan against the warriors since they’ve never played a team like them. And u didn’t even mention KD when u said Harper and Jordan would “stifle” them. Let’s not act like KD isn’t the most dangerous man on that team no one on the bulls will or could stop him, he’s a 7 foot SF who can score over anyone no matter how u try to bend it Pippen wouldn’t be able to do anything against KD. With a prime KD, Klay, and Curry the bulls would have to much to worry ab not mention they aren’t 3 point shooters. Ur putting mid range shooters(which is their primary scoring) against a team with the best shooters in nba history it’s just not a good matchup in the bulls favor.
Warriors in 6
@@SagaTheFunniest a real gen z comment
“73-9 don’t mean a thing if you don’t win a ring” pretty much sums it up.
But except this is 2017 not 2016
Then next year and the last MVP to your team.
So is Steve Kurr draining 3s for the bulls bench? Or sitting sideline coaching the warriors? 😂
Both 😂
5:16 what a clean spin move
Man the bulls win in 6 in any era.
Nba Fans: MJ Bulls is a superteam
Old Heads: Bulls is not a superteam MJ is the only consistent scorer!
Also Old Heads: Bulls would beat the 17 Warriors
Lmaoo
If its a defensive Game I think Phil Jackson would put Randy Brown in the game before Steve Kerr. Brown was not a big offensive threat but he was a strong Defender. Phil Jackson would bring Steve Kerr in if they need a three at the end of a QTR. MJ Scottie or Kukoc would pick up the Offense and Randy Brown would defend against Steph Curry
Great offense is > than great defense these days.
@@hristijandimitrovski8664 in reg season only
Bucks beat PHX precisely because PHX's D was deficient and the Bucks' was not.
Ron harper is the answer to your question
@@shaft9000 NO, it was because Giannis had an all time historic series. If giannis played even a little worse they would have lost.
I think Kerr said something on the last dance that this 96 team is practically built for today’s game. Harper,Mj, Pip, Kukoc, Rodman. Pretty much a small ball line up.
None can really shoot tho besides kukoc and kerr jordan ain’t giannis
@@nothim-xt3ey dude you realize Jordan still holds the career average ppg record in the reg and playoffs right? It’s insane how that hasn’t been broken in this era of the 3 ball. Giannis ain’t Mj…
@@OldChanCharlie there was no help defense back then you see the defense they use on Giannis if he played in Jordan’s era he coulda been the goat
@@nothim-xt3ey eh I wouldn’t be too sure about that but I respect your opinion
There is a big difference between not being able to be a force on offense and not deciding to not score.... Rodman decided to not score, the number of Offensive rebounds that he would kick the ball out to reset the offense instead of putting the ball back into score. Year one and year two Rodman was growing on offense then it was like he just decided it wasn't what helped the team win. The Pistons way of defending Jordan only worked till there was a 2nd scoring option, once Pippen grew up it no longer worked. Allow the Bulls team to have a year to adjust to the 2010 rules and they adjust, the Bulls had some of the smartest players around and Rodman would also drive a few of the Warriors insane... LOL
Great video!
Beside the 3 point game, in what phase of basketball are the Warriors actually better than the Bulls is my question 😂.. And depending on the era either no way the Bulls lose or no way the Warriors win lmao..
choking
And the Warriors better hope those 3s fall at AT LEAST a 60% clip cuz if not, they're losing. They have no one to battle with Chicago on the offensive and defensive glass.
They aren't. Warriors would have no chance of winning without the 3 pointer period. Jordan could easily average 50 a game IF he wanted to in this era.
90s rules; Bulls 4-0. Today's rules; 4-1 Bulls, period!
Hot take. Jordan is the only player from that Bulls team who is a cert to start for the 2017 Warriors.
the dubs would love to start kukoc at small ball center
@@SeanNg__n not over Draymond or Iggy.
Rodman >Green
@@Woody-fv7uu Maybe. He's a better defender and a better rebounder but Dray can do both those things at a high level. Dray is a better scorer (at least he was in 2017) and a better playmaker and Rodman can't do those things. So I don't think Rodman gets in over Draymond.
@SonnyK428 Pippen would 100%. They'd b even more lethal would Durant & Pip on the wings with Klay burning u off the bench
Both these teams are amazing at scoring 👏. But defensively the edge is in favour of the bulls in my opinion. But would be cool to watch
Pretty much how I view it but if they play by 90’s rules then the bulls sweep. Curry isn’t built to play physical. KD and Dray would get theirs but Steph would have a difficult time staying on the court.
Stfu. Nobody in nba history is sweeping the 2017 warriors gtfoh. If you think the bulls will win then fine, but anything less than 6 games is absolute disrespect to booths teams. The two greatest shooters ever, the second greatest point guard ever, an all time defender and soul of the team draymond, Iggy, and a 7 foot guard that averages 30 is not getting swept.
you guys act like every player was getting fouled hard every one second
@@dynamic6645 exactly
Steph curry is one of the greatest players of all time. Superstars can play in any era. Stop this bs about him not being able to handle physicality. This man averaged 32 point per game on 50/40/90 splits and was averaging 40 for a month hitting 10 threes a game and you think a hand check will neutralize him? Foh.
@@patrick05Morgan Steph and clay are not the 2 greatest shooters ever, when are you cashuals gonna finally realize that Steph might only be the greatest three point shooter ever but Ray Allen was still every bit as great at shooting three's as Steph, Steph and clay aren't great mid-range shooters but you young fans don't bring that up, nobody is a better mid-range shooter than Jordan, the bulls would just shut that warriors team down and you're so called 2 greatest shooters ever wouldn't be able to get there shots off, the warriors would either get there shots blocked or turn the ball over, bulls would dominate on offense and defense and sweep that warriors team that you kids overate
Bulls wouldn’t need 7 games to win against GSW, maybe 6, but I’d guess in 5. GSW couldn’t deal with the defense, MJ, Pippen and Rodman. Those 3 are used to more aggressive style play and are more clutch.
Hand checking was made illegal in 95..
So if you think the bulls couldn't play with the rules of today when they did a 3 peat in basically today's rules, you tweaking..
I stg I was thinking about this yesterday bro this shit crazy. Great video 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
I love the 96 bulls but, From top to bottom the 2017 Warriors are the greatest team ever Assembled. Just go back and watch how they played. The ball movement the plays the defense, the weapons. I loved their bench with Veterans like David West, Shaun Livingston, Andre Igoudala, Lob Threats with Javale Mcgee. It's crystal clear in my eyes. They would be too much for any team in history in my opinion.
U know Kawhi had that KD Warriors team down 25 pts before his injury. Then James Harden and Chris Paul took them all 7 games and probably beat them if CP3 didn't get injured. I don't agree they're the best team ever assembled, very beatable
They barely beat the Rockets with Chris Paul and Harden.....
Tell that to the kawhi and the raptors who played that very same team and won
@@darrellhardy90 I mean we're talking about the 2017 warriors, who went 16-1 in the playoffs, which is the best record in the playoffs for any team in history. When CP and Harden took them to 7 games was in 18.
Gsw greatest lucky team ever...2017 kawhi injured by zaza pachulia..2018 Chris Paul injured in game 6-7 wcf series. Hahaha how stupid you are???😅😅😅
This is only a debate to kids who never saw the real NBA of the 80’s & 90’s. Defense, physicality, the best 1-2 punch in basketball history, the best defender/rebounder in NBA history, the best coach in NBA history, and frankly far more mentally tough in a stacked league where everyone had superstars on their team. GS wins maybe on game if that.
agreed GS only chance is to get insanely hot from the 3 ball for a game, that isn't gong to happen enough to make it a series....
GREAT VIDEO!!! The '96 Bulls were more adaptable to different styles of play. They could score 120 or 90 and handedly beat opponents. Also Jordan's bloodlust for victory is the X-factor in a 7 game series.
They can never score over 110 points against Golden State 🤣🤣 not mentioning that Rodman isn't offensive player and nobody would guard him so they can double team every time MJ. Anyway, I agree that Jordan is unstopable, maybe Golden State can't defend him, bur for me they would put the biggest presure on him than Amy other team that he played against. But even if Jordan score 45, Pippen will score over 20 while Golden State are much faster team than Bulls and in transition and with threes, they will destroy Bulls: Durant will score 40 points, Curry will score 40 or 35, Klay will score 25 and all of the role players and bench players from Golden State will be better than role player from Chicago. Bulls were great, but stop it, Warriors wins this series easily...
@@hristijandimitrovski8664 Fair points, it really depends on which era of rules are officiated: hand-checks, zone defense, traveling/double dribble, etc
@@hristijandimitrovski8664 Durant & Curry couldn't average 40 on lesser defenders on worst teams. U think they'd average that on the best, most versatile defensive team ever? & u're laughing like u know what you're talking about. Lmao. 😂😂 Yall don't know ball at all.
@@chrisstrong7584 I didn't said they will average 40. I said if there is only 1 game against Chicago, Jordan can score 45, Durant can score 40, Curry 35 and Klay 25. No, they can't average 40 points in a 7 games series and neither can Jordan against that Warriors team. And check this out, of Chicago from 1996 are the greatest team in NBA history, Jordan played that year the worst finals in his career, he averaged 27 points per game on 41% shooting from the field and just 4 assists per game and 1,7 steals. KD in 2017 averaged 35 points, 82 rebounds, 5,4 assists on 55% from the field, 47% from deep and 91% from free throws. Healso averaged 1,6 blocks per game and 1 steal per game soo that Chicago team is soo good historicly only because they won 72 games in the regular season. In the finals they definitely didn't played soo impressive like you are watching the greatest team ever while Golden State in 2017 were whole play off from another planet, but especially in the finals. In the Finals they destoyed both Lebron and Kyrie and btw to see how impressive that duo eas, both of them had 1 game where they scored 40+ points and Golden State still beat them in 5 games. Chicago will dener destroy soo bad that Cleavlend team because these Sonix definitely weren't better than Cleavlend. Defensively yeah sure, but offensively Cleavlend were much better team. Soo simply Warriors in 2017 had more impressive finals performance than Chicago in 1996 and Jordan played the worst final that year whuch means that Jordan's version wouldn't be soo good against Warriors.
@@hristijandimitrovski8664 KD & Curry wouldn't even get 40 in a game. Jordan wouldn't need to average 40 for the Bulls to win. Bulls were the nest offensive team in the league. Yall underestimate their offense that year. & Jordan shooting 41% against the physical Sonics, has nothing to do with how he'd play against Golden State. Lol
Getting the Bulls out of their game is gonna be almost impossible. They are older and much more disciplined than the Warriors. Odds are they play their game regardless of what the Warriors do.
You didn’t factor in FLOPS, flopping rarely if ever occurred in the 90s . It’s become an important strategy in modern basketball. If the Warriors began flopping on every play ala Labron James, ,,, the Bulls would be confused, and most likely pointing and laughing. So what era are the referees from? But the reality is that the Bulls would sweep any team from 2000-2022.
Flopping started in the 90s vlade is the inventor. Warriors would win easily. Who else is scoring over 25 for the Bulls? Can't imagine what they would do now. Can only speak about what they was doing in reality. Rodman would be more of a liability than draymond.
@@dloweg4 so if a European flops in the 90s modern day players should? No, it’s pathetic.
@@sirvilhelmofyonderland I just stated a fact that they did flop in the 90s. All the selective memory is amusing.
@@dloweg4selective shit
Warriors would struggle
Love this kind of video
90's rules, Bulls in 5.
2010's rules, Bulls in 6.
Steph>Harper
KlayPippen
Draymond>Rodman offensively and playmaking, however DraymondLongley
Tony K break out games (Euro Jordan), Jordan averages 60+ in a Warriors championship game. And I am sorry but Rodman can play offense he just chooses to be a role player as requested by Bull and coach Phil.
90’s: Warriors in 7
10s: Warriors in 5
I hate the warriors. But lets be honest. Warriors beat those Bulls.
MJ and Harper would struggle to guard Steph. He faces the basket. MJ cant score 60 at each game. Klay and steph ca. Be catch and shoot Reggie Miller style... and the reason they will win is Draymond.
Note that the expansion teams being there gave team inflated records fyi... it is not the hardest path for that reason... Dallas had the hardest.
How do we really compare? It’s tough. 1 team is built for the high scoring minimal physicality modern era while the other was built for the defensive physical play of the 90’s 🤷♂️ I tend to give the edge slightly to GS (even though I’m an old head) GS pretty much in their primes while MJ while still amazing and the best player in the world I feel was at his best 91-93 3-peat 🤷♂️🤷♂️
I would like to say though if we are talking 90’s rules - have a look at team USA at the Olympics. KD was KD he is all time great but some of the other USA players really struggled to find rhythm with the less spacing and more contact of Olympic basketball. The 96 Bulls were that x10. Just something 🤷♂️
So basically the Warriors win if the Bulls aren't allowed to play defense lol
Let's look down those lineups..
Curry vs Harper.. obvious edge to curry but let's not forget Ron Harper was a 6'6 point guard.. defensive specialist.. long.. quick.. intelligent.. hard to think anybody is shutting curry down, but Harper has a good a shot as anybody ever to give him hell.. one of best defenders I league at that time... but steph gonna score.. too good of a shooter to nullify completely..
Klay vs MJ.. obvious edge to Jordan.. best player ever.. one of best defenders ever.. klayay hit some shots here and there because Jordan liked to roam on defense at times.. so klay being one of best shooters ever probably will hit a few shots but Jordan locks him up for the most part.. klay not the best at creating shots for himself..
KD vs Pippen... this is the most interesting match up... kd is maybe the most gifted scorer ever... Pippen is maybe the best perimeter defenders ever.. KD bout 6'9 or so.. Pippen bout 6'8.... I give edge to KD but man that would be fun to watch those 2 go at it.. KD will score.. but pippen may make him have a bad % doing so.. plus Pippen on offense was no joke either.. could have been an mvp had it not been for Jordan.. maybe best 2nd option ever.. that would be classic matchup..
Draymond vs Rodman... Rodman wins every category here.. dray can shoot a little.. and he may make a few good passes here or there.. but Rodman is the best rebounder ever.. the best hustler ever.. one of the best defenders ever.. has maybe the best stamina ever.. yea Rodman completely nullifies draymond.. let's be honest dray is just a discount Rodman anyway..
Center... we won't bother here.. this position is irrelevant in the series..
But you have to remember with that bulls team.. all 4 of those guys can switch and guard everyone else's man when needed.. Ron and Jordan can switch.. pippen and Jordan can switch.. Harper and pippen can switch.. Rodman can switch with them all.. Rodman can guard 1-5.. pippen can guard at least 1-4 and really 5 if they try playin small ball with dray at 5.. same with Jordan.. Harper can guard at least 1-3..
I just think out of all the classic teams, this may be the worst match up the warriors could ask for.. but it would be a hell of a series..
Bulls in 6
I love the warriors but ask Currys daddy if they stopping Mike or them bulls...drop 🎤
Ask their own coach before Currys daddy
I love your explanation on how to guard Jordan, coaches who got paid millions of dollars a year we’re trying to figure that out the whole time mj was in the nba, 😂 Bulls win this series 4-2 no game 7
I don't get why people think that the offenses minded rules of today would help the Warriors out more than the greatest scorer who ever lived...
When you see 3 1st team all defense players in one team and none at the other, oh well, u don't really have to compare to know the result
Draymond was DPOY that year lmao.
🤡
Let me paint a picture for you.
In an alternate universe,
the 96' Bulls and the 17' Warriors exist in the same time and are on a collision course for the Finals.
They aren't playing 1990's era physical, hand checking rules but it's also not a free for all like 2017 either, where offensive players can just waltz into the lane and score at will. It's somewhere in between.
The Bulls, fresh off a 72-10 regular season, are hungry for the bright lights of the Finals. Golden State, having added prolific scorer Kevin Durant in the Summer, is the road team. Chicago has home court advantage.
72 wins > 67 wins.
Math.
GAME 1
All the talking heads are predicting a 7 game series with the Dubs having the slight edge. "They simply have too much firepower, Draymond & Iggy are better Rodmans than Rodman. Dubs in 5," tweets Nick Wright.
Phil's got the newspaper clippings from all these journalists posted in the team's locker room for all to see, using it to fuel his guys.
Golden State rolls into the Chicago Stadium for game 1. That morning they have a walk through, a light shoot around and later knock out some pregame interviews before going back and getting ready for tip off.
Mike goes out during shoot around and answers media questions with Ahmad Rashad. During warm ups, while he's under the basket doing his thing, something catches his eye. He looks over at the other end of the court, where some of the Warriors are warming up and doing questions with media outlets, and he sees Steph doing his tunnel shots, his golf swing 3pt warm ups, half court shots, and all the usual light-hearted silly antics he's known for but something about it irks MJ. He thinks to himself,
"Magic never did no shit like that. Neither did Larry. Isaiah, Stockton, not even Reggie would do some shit like that." Mike's pissed. He cuts the interview short and heads back to the locker room.
The teams go over any last minute adjustments and they come out, The lights dim. Then Alan Parsons Project "Sirius" comes over the P.A. system. The lineups are announced. Ray Clay is on point as usual. The lights go bright. The Anthem plays. The captains meet at center court. There's electricity in the air. The whistle blows. The ball goes up and the Warriors get off to a nice pace and are playing lights out, making 9 of their first 11 field goal attempts. Jumping out to an early 12 point lead after the 1st quarter. Everything's clicking for the Dubs. They're playing with unwavering confidence and high energy. There are many of the Warrior faithful in attendance, sprinkled all throughout the United Center. There's never been so much blue in here before.
KD is the better player but this is still Steph's team. He is off to an excellent start. Leading all scorers with 24 with 3 minutes to go in the half. Dropping deep threes, crisp passes and he's giving Harp fits. He even puts up a 34 ft bomb and turns around to run up the court before it goes in. Their bench goes crazy. Phil calls time out, he's fuming.
None of these antics go unnoticed by Jordan and his Bulls. Boos rain down on the court. 'Red' Kerr can't tell if it's because of the Warrior's hot first quarter or directed at the Bull's for their slow start.
Curry's blistering hot and is 8 of 11 from the field and Marv Albert is suggesting 50 might be on the table. KD is getting good looks, despite stellar defense from Scottie Pippen. Durant is actually working hard for his shots, making each dribble, each movement count but Pip is right there with him. Golden State is rolling, even the bench is contributing. Barnes, McGee, McCaw and Looney give Golden State about 11 combined minutes and are positive in the +/- column. Putting up points, a bunch of rebounds and keeping the offense flowing smoothly during the first half when Dray, Klay and Iggy check out of the game. Strength In Numbers.
For the Bulls it's really only MJ & Pip keeping them in the game. Jordan has 22 pts and Scottie has 16 through nearly the entire first half. Rodman is in early foul trouble, so is Longley. Phil is getting in Toni's ass telling him to "stop fucking around and pull your weight" and everyone else has this deer in headlights look in their eyes and are shellshocked by the offensive onslaught that is the Warriors, and GSW is leading 58-43 with 1: 18 left in the 2nd quarter.
Pip and KD trade buckets down the stretch. Harper catches a pass off a back door screen and puts down a dunk over Green. Nasty. People forget Ron Harper can still get up when he has to. In that case, he wanted to. Dray gets a taste.. The Bulls make a couple runs but Kevin Durant and Steph are keeping the Dub's lead secure, with KD playing every minute of the first half. In time outs Durant is yelling at Draymond, telling him to turn it on. The Warriors are playing well despite Draymond not really playing like himself, only posting 4 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 block through two quarters. Iggy and Klay are doing their best to D up MJ, but Mike's eating them up. Iggy's playing his absolute best defense and doesn't use too much juice on the offensive end to get his. He's got 7 quiet points with 4 boards and 2 blocks and 2 steals. Steph is feeling it tonight. His quickness and handles surprise the Bulls. Shaun Livingston is getting bothered by the 6'10" Kukoc, but he still posts 6 pts through 2 quarters and even racks up 3 steals with 5 boards. Looney is dogging Longley, but Toni is finally starting to heat up and show why he was 6th Man of the Year. He only took two shots in the first quarter and had twice as many turnovers. He's 5 of 6 in the 2nd qtr and 6 of 8 going into half time. Mike gets the crowd off their feet with a gorgeous turnaround fadeaway over the outstretched arms of Shaun Livingston on the left baseline from an inbound pass by Scotty Burrell. Draymond is struggling through two quarters and Rodman isn't doing much of anything, or so it seems. He's got 2 points, 8 boards, 1 assist and 3 fouls in the half but assistant coach John Paxson said before the game that Phil had spoken with Dennis before Game 1 and "gave him a very specific task" for this series. When asked what it was, Paxson just replied with, "Wait and see like everyone else." Whatever it was, the Worm seems to have worked his way under Draymond's skin. Dennis is one of the smartest, most fearless, and dirtiest players ever. After all, this is the guy who lives in the heads of MVP Malone, destroyed a Prime Shaq and annihilated Zo Mourning. His resume is a mile long. Green likes to ninja kick people, well Rodman invented that. Dray likes to talk shit to get an advantage but Rodman never listens or talks back. Rodman is cool as a cucumber, especially under pressure.
Draymond ain't shit in comparison.
During stoppage in play, it can be seen that KD or Iggy or Steph going over trying to get Green refocused, and back into it but once the Worm sets up shop, that's it. No coming back. Dray is getting pissed and losing his cool. Dub's ball, Livingston brings it up, Steph is doubled, but connects with Andre Igoudala who is rolling and manages to snake his way into the paint, jumps off two feet and throws down a filthy dunk over the top of Pippen's outstretched arms. Dunk of the Year consideration for sure. Spike Lee is in the front row and leaps out his chair. He's gotta be restrained. He feels vindication for the Ewing dunk in 94' and he's letting Pip hear it all the way down the sidelines. 14.6 seconds left till the half ends. Bulls rush it up, Kerr gets it to Jordan, he sees a double team coming and fires it into the paint, and Longley misses the bunny but Bulls get the offensive board. It goes out to an open Kerr in the corner. Splash.
Draymond inbounds with 2.8 seconds on the clock, Steph breaks free from Ronny Harp and gets a bit of space, Dray gets it to center court and Curry dribbles, pulls up and hits a deep logo shot to beat the buzzer. "BAAANG!!" Mike Breen is in top form these playoffs and the Warriors fans are losing their minds. Steph is shimmying up the court, dancing, laughing, flying around like a plane with his arms out.The bench celebrates like it was a game winner. They're absolutely savoring the huge lead, which has surged to 18 points. In his celebration Wardell Stephen Curry made the fatal mistake of forgetting where he was. He's in Mike's house. You don't dance and shimmy in Black Jesus' house. It's not good for your health. Curry leads all scorers 27 points going into the break, KD has 18. Klay isn't getting too many touches, instead he's going all out on the defensive end, but still has 10 quiet first half points and 3 steals.
Half time.
77-59.
Warriors.
Mike's eyes lock in on the light-hearted but clearly disrespectful celebration and he sees red, his vision flashes white, his blood boils, his pride burns, only made that much more intense by the adrenaline coursing through his veins. They're getting shown up, at home. Enough is enough. The Bulls turn and head to the tunnel but not Mike, he's last to leave the court. He glances up at the giant jumbo-tron scoreboard above the court, then looks around the Arena, surveying the scene. The crowd is quiet, no energy, it's been sucked from the building. Lots of concerned and worried faces.
Benny the Bull comes out to try and hype up the Chicago fans.
Mike spots a kid in a Warriors jersey, in the 2nd row, with a sign that reads 'GSW in 4' with a small broom glued to the poster.
"Fuck that. We got 24 minutes left."
(Continued in Replies)
Mike's team goal is to win this game but his personal challenge that he's created in his mind is to absolutely obliterate this kid. He heads toward the tunnel to follow the team. Lights, camera, action. The NBA on NBC theme plays, Peter Vescey goes into his monologue courtside and tries to get Mike to stop for a couple questions. Jordan waves him off and continues back to the locker room. Vescey backs off. He knows what's up.
The Bulls are accustomed to heading back to the locker room amidst screams, chants and the deafening roar of a ruckus home crowd. There's always been a slight vibration through the walls, felt in the floor, under their feet, making the United Center feel like it was alive itself. It always made them feel invincible. There's none of that this time. This is unfamiliar. This time is different.
The team files into the locker room. There's some cameras and writers gathered outside, chattering. The sentiment being tossed around is "This could be over before it ever really starts." Their murmuring stops when MJ walks past. They don't dare say that within earshot. They don't even look him in the eyes.
In the locker room we find Tex scribbling something on the whiteboard. Paxson is speaking to Toni and Harp. The bench guys look nervous. Phil is ripping into Luc Longley and Rodman for their careless play and lack of intensity and going "too fucking easy on them." Dennis looks like he's checked out, but then again maybe that's just Dennis' usual demeanor. Pip is pissed. He's out there trying to contain Durant while also barking at guys to make switches and to stop missing defensive assignments.
Michael enters the room. It goes quiet. They look up and see Jordan's face. Mike is disgusted and proceeds to rip into everyone. He curses his teammates up and down. Even Phil isn't safe from Mike's wrath. This isn't for the faint of heart. He's making them raise their level of play, pushing them to their absolute limits, attempting to squeeze more out of them than they can give. Demanding absolute perfection going into the 3rd. It's victory or death in his mind. Mike finishes by looking each man in their eyes and says, "If you don't want to follow my lead, if you don't think we can win, keep your sorry asses right here." They all rise and meet Mike's intense stare.
The Bulls leave the room and the vibe is completely different now. It has to be, Mike will murder their families if they bring that same bullshit effort from the first half.
John Salley turns to Steve Kerr and Jason Caffey, smiles wide and says, "I saw that look once before. In 91', right before they kicked our asses in 4 then won the Championship."
Before leaving the locker room Mike tells Phil he's got Curry for the next half. Jackson nods. They do their chant in the tunnel and they run back out to the court. The crowd erupts. They're down but are still in it, supporting the Bulls till' the bitter end.
The Bulls come out reenergized, dialed in, guns blazing. Not a single turnover all quarter. They were out-rebounded 30-21 in the first half. 10 minutes into the 3rd and they've turned around those rebounding numbers, 39-37. Every Bull is willing to sacrifice their body in order to guard their man, fighting and clawing for every loose rebound, making crucial passes and contesting everything. The play is more physical in this half. They slow the pace the best they can. They're talking mad shit out there. The cameras pick up some of it under the basket. It's looking up for the Bulls. The crowd can sense it, too. They're screaming like lunatics.
It takes 8 minutes to erase the lead and bring it to 91-87. Warriors are still up but Mike is playing like a man possessed. He's playing like his life is on the line. The United Center is roaring back into it, pumping even more life into their squad. Jordan is phenomenal, reaching deep into his bag to bring the Bulls closer. Turn around jumpers, fall aways on the baseline, rainbow fadeaways, mid-range jump shots at the elbow, step throughs, head fakes, pump fakes, getting to the stripe, hanging jumpers at the foul line, immaculate footwork, no wasted movements, calculated, and that lightning quick first step is destroying Iggy, giving him three 3rd quarter fouls. Klay isn't faring any better, picking up 2 fouls himself. With 2: 38 left Mike gets a rebound off a missed Draymond 3-pointer and he goes around Shaun Livingston and bangs it over Igoudala and JaVale McGee. Perfect poster. And 1. Mike is red hot this quarter, contributing another 18 points and 4 steals. But the other Bulls are right there with him. None of them have that look on their faces from the first half. The Warriors stay in it behind a 14pt 3rd quarter from Klay. He's trying like hell to match MJ's offensive assault. He's 5 of 6 in the third. Iggy's 3 fouls on Jordan in the quarter forced him to sit till the fourth and this gives Kukoc some breathing room. He goes off for 12 pts in 3 minutes. Up above, Krause is in the stands, smiling. This is what Krause envisioned when he brought him over. Toni's talking shit to Klay but Klay just smiles and keeps it going. KD is phenomenal, getting almost everything he wants this quarter, he's definitely odds-on favorite for MVP if GSW wins this series. Mike is playing all out on both ends. Getting steals, playing the passing lanes, disrupting everything that is in his territory. It feels like there are two MJ's out there. He's everywhere. Steph looks out of sorts. Mike is just on another level. On another planet.
He doesn't let Curry get anything. He suffocates Steph and forces turnovers and sloppy shot attempts. He's giving him elbows to the ribs, pushing him around, wearing him down, leaning on him, chasing him all over the court, altering his shot selection, jawing at him. Getting mean, nasty, ugly in his face. It goes just how you think it would. Think LeBron defending MVP D.Rose in 2011, but much worse.
Steph's 3rd quarter:
2pts, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal.
Steph is frustrated. At one point he takes out his mouth guard and starts yelling at the refs. The interaction didn't go his way, he got T'd up. Steph loses his shit and he damn near threw his mouthpiece into the first two rows but he restrained himself and pulled it back. This is no time to lose your head. Bulls up, 101-99.
4th Quarter starts.
Looney is eating Longley alive but Kukoc is torching the Dubs for 22, 8 and 4 so far. Javale McGee's length is annoying some of the Bulls, but otherwise he's struggling, and gets his 4th foul to start the period. Iggy misses his first three shots of the quarter but Shaun Livingston is picking up the slack and pumps in 6 quick points on three smooth turn around jumpers over Harper, then on Kerr and Burrell. Dennis has 15 rebounds but only 4 points but he's also got 4 blocks. Matt Barnes actually plays solid minutes off the bench this half and contributes 7pts and 3 boards to help put the Dubs ahead, 110-108.
I don't know who's coaching the Warriors but Steve Kerr definitely isn't. Steve Kerr isn't coaching jackshit in 1996, instead he's rocking a high and tight buzz cut, wearing Nike Air Uptempo mids and making it rain from 3pt land, all while shooting a ridiculous 52% from 3 for the year. He's playing big in his first time on the Finals stage, giving the Bulls 14 points on 4 of 4 from behind the line, while kicking in 2 rebounds and 5 assists with 1 steal, in 14 minutes of action. He's been automatic.
That preseason scuffle with Mike really gave him confidence. Kerr is tested and now he's earning his stripes. Michael looks over after each bucket, pointing to him, proud of Kerr's relentless energy.
Caffey and Salley sub in after a time out. They play a combined 1 minute 12 seconds. They come out with a combined 0 points, 2 rebounds and 6 fouls. Hard fouls.
The physical fouls catch the Warrior's players, and specifically their bench players, off guard; and they are temporarily stopped in their tracks. It rattles them just long enough to keep them from going on a run and reclaiming the lead, but they're not pushovers and they quickly recover and fight through it.
Salley is loving the shit out of it. He's grinning from ear to ear. It reminds him of his Bad Boys days in Detroit.
119-117, Bulls.
Mike can be seen trash talking Steph, all through the 3rd and 4th quarters, every chance he gets. Every dead ball. Each time down the court, each contested three. Every time he's gotta chase his ass all over the court, Jordan let's him know, getting inside his head. Terrorizing him on defense and absolutely destroying him mentally. One verbal assault at a time. Shutting him down. Jordan renders him useless.
You don't have to be a professional lip reader to piece together some of the stuff he's saying to him.
During a commercial break, as the teams are heading to their benches for a time out midway in the fourth, the cameraman captures His Airness walking alongside Curry, yelling in his ear and mouthing the words, "You showboat little bitch, you're mine." Curry doesn't dare try to match Mike's crazed shit talking. There's no way he can get to that level of aggressive maniac behavior. Mike didn't let the 89', 90' repeat champion Bad Boy Pistons get to him, he's definitely not letting this baby-faced 'assassin' get the better of him.
Steph looks like he wants to be anywhere but there and is basically a non factor during the last two quarters. But with MJ exclusively on Curry it frees up Thompson, Klay steps up to keep them in it, going off in the fourth, adding in another 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 more steals.
1: 46 left in the 4th quarter.
(Continued)
Mike has 47, Pip's got a cool 29. Both benches are contributing in various ways, big time ways. The Arena is deafening. People are losing their shit in the stands. Ronny Harper gets a jumper up off and Klay gets a little too eager and inadvertently crowds his landing space and Harp comes down, tweaking his ankle. Goes to the line. Drains both. He shouts at the crowd, "Practice like you play!" while running back with a slight limp in his gait.
Bulls are up by two.121-119.
KD comes around a Draymond screen, Toni switches, but KD shakes free and has one of the prettiest step back threes you'll ever see. He gathers the ball and launchesthat thang over Kukoc's outstretched arms. It barely moves the net as it goes through. Wet. He's forced to take over because he sees Steph is reduced to a decoy at this point. Durant's 3 pointer brings the Warriors their first lead since late in the 3rd qtr. It's 122-121, Golden State.
It's all KD and Klay at this point for Golden State, everyone is gassed, but everyone also knows the ball is going to KD. Green is M.I.A. Looks like we know what Rodman's task was: The complete evisceration of his mojo. Steph is a no show in the second half. Klay's put up a monster game up to this point. He's done just about all he could, with totals of 39, 8, 5, 2 and 6 steals and it's not over yet. Cold blooded.
Jordan and Pippen are exhausted. MJ played all but one minute of the game and Pippen has played every minute.The Bulls are slugging it out to the end but the Warriors still look to have more energy and shooting to give them one final effort, one final push. Golden State calls for time and Walton looks like he's in anguish. Somewhere high up in a Skybox, Bill is looking down, smiling. "The kid's gotta learn somehow." There are these fans behind the Warriors bench pointing and screaming. They're wearing black and red #33 and #91 jerseys. One guy stands up, yelling and pointing at Durant. It's so loud it can barely be made out what they're saying. "KD, you ain't shit, this is Steph's team! You're always gonna be number 2! FUCK you!! Go back to OKC!" Durant doesn't turn, he doesn't look, he pretends he didn't hear but he's definitely heard them.
Coming out of the final Warrior's time out, Durant has that look in his eyes. The Chicago fans have this gut-wrenching feeling in the pit of their stomachs. Ref whistles the play to start. You can't even hear it. He's gotta point to Pip to signal the start of the clock. Harper brings it up with 1: 21 left. They run the Triangle, swing it and ultimately Kukoc gets the ball in the high post only to have Iggy poke it loose. They scramble for the ball and dive to the hardwood. Dubs come away with it, KD throws it the length of the court to Livingston and he blows the dunk, clangs it right off the back of the rim, but Igoudala is trailing behind and is right there to clean it up and jams it for the putback dunk. The Arena gets quiet. 124-121, Dubs. 1: 05 left. Pippen brings it up, looks for cutters, the Warriors are playing tight defense despite looking absolutely exhausted. They look like boxers in the 12th round out there. Phil calls their last time out. It gives Mike and the Bulls an all too brief moment to sit and muster enough energy to finish this thing off. It goes by so quickly, like a blur. Mike and Scottie stand up, their legs feel like jelly, they exchange looks, Pip nods, and head to the court. They know this is it.
Whistle. The count begins. Kukoc gets it into the hands of Jordan who brings it up, looks for a shot but he finds a rolling Dennis. He's given Green a hip check but the refs don't call it or maybe they don't see it. Rodman catches it 5ft from the bucket, ignores the pass to the open Kerr in the corner. No, fuck it, he's gonna go for it. Time to pull his weight. Green recovers and slides over to contest but he's a split second too late and knocks into Rodman, forcing him to alter his trajectory, while KD slaps at the ball only to hit his elbow. Rodman stumbles and he puts up the ugliest looking shot you ever saw. He falls out of bounds into a cameraman. He resists the urge to kick the poor guy. Instead he's too busy looking at the ball. It goes off glass, hits the front of the iron, bounces back to the glass and rolls around, finally dropping through the twine. Whistle. "And 1!" The United Center explodes. The Worm gallops around the court, pumping his fists. The bench collectively holds their breath as Dennis goes to the line. James Edwards puts his face in his towel, he can't look. Phil looks like he's going to have an aneurysm. Rodman takes a deep breath, points to the sky. Dribble once. Dribble twice. Points a finger to the sky again. Let's it fly and prepares to rush in for the board. It sails through the net. Swish. Up to this point he's only had 4 points..total. Redemption is spelled D-E-N-N-I-S. He gallops down the court, with as much energy as when the game first started. Phil looks over at Tex, shakes his head and smiles. "Fucking Dennis."
Tied, 124-124.
It's almost over.
(Continued)
In times like this, some players shy away from the moment. It's too much pressure. The moment is too big. The stage is too bright. The challenge, too burdensome.
With Steph, he's shown time and time again that maybe he's just not a big moment kind of player. Klay is definitely box office but Kevin Durant, say what you want about his heart and will to compete, he very much wants to be in those big moments, and wants to have the ball when it counts. Yeah, he wants to win alright.
(Continued)
They resume play and the tall, lanky Livingston inbounds with Kukoc covering him, doing his best to disrupt the pass and maybe get a deflection that will hopefully lead to a play at the other end.
He gets it in, right into Durant's hands. He brings it up and sees Klay running through multiple screens, under the basket, and ends up in the opposite corner. Harp gets lost in the maze of screens. Thompson catches the pass right in his sweet spot and puts up the silkiest jumper of the game, perfect mechanics, perfect shot, at the perfect time. Harp is too late and sees the release. It looks good, better than good but everyone still rushes in to crash the boards. The ball finds the bottom of the net. "BAAANG!! Thompson puts Golden State on top" Mark Jackson, Van Gundy and Mike Breen are losing their shit. The referees review the shot, Klay's toe was on the line, it's changed to a 2 pointer. 126-124. Harp gets it in quickly, Pip brings it up, wasting no time. 29.3 seconds left. He gets it across half court, finds MJ but Dennis and Draymond are tied up, tripping each other up and fall to the floor. Whistles from all three refs. Dennis blatantly trips Draymond but Draymond, even more egregiously, punches at Dennis' privates. They get up and Draymond rushes Rodman. Knocking both of themselves to the ground, screaming and spitting, trying to get a reaction from The Worm. Almost begging for a reaction. Nothing. Dennis gives him nothing. Green, furious, tries to swing at Rodman. Both teams rush in and drag Green away, off of Rodman. Dennis rises to his feet, smiles and shrugs his shoulders. A master of mischief, a pro at playing dumb. It works perfectly. Tony Brothers gives Draymond the tech and says if he doesn't calm down, he'll kick him out. Immediately Green realizes all too late what he's done. He took the bait. Completely playing into Dennis' childish game. From the jump. Kerr goes up and knocks down the tech. Bulls retain possession. 126-125. Warriors on top. Kukoc gets it into Mike and he brings it up. 16.8 seconds left. Time slows down. The crowd disappears. The moment becomes the moment. Jordan sees only the rim. He goes to that place that he's gone to many times before. However, he realizes that all the work and preparation still hasn't got him ready for something like this, not a team like this. But Mike's different, he relishes this rare opportunity and gladly accepts the challenge with open arms. He embraces all conquests that will make him legendary.
Jordan keeps his dribble low, assesses what the defense is giving him. Feels it out, realizing this is his chance to either win or lose the game. He believes with every once of his being that the ball is going in.. Igoudala gets into Mike. 15 seconds. Mike palms the ball, holding it behind his back, away from his defender. 14 seconds. Iggy plants his feet and leans in. 13 seconds. His teammates back away, clearing up space for the one v one showdown. 12 seconds. Michael plants his foot and explodes to the top of the key. 11 seconds. Igoudala is right on his hip. 10 seconds. Jordan turns over his shoulder, bodies Iggy, backing him into the paint. Nine. Iggy uses his last ounce of energy and swipes at the ball. Eight. MJ turns away from his defender's reach and squares his feet and shoulders. Seven. Iggy tries to jump off his back foot to contest the shot. Six. Mike elevates. Five. He releases the ball at the apex of the shot. Four. The ball soars the air. Three. Swish. Two seconds left.
Pandemonium.
The United Center is chaos.
An absolute frenzy.
127-126. Bulls.
Mike clenches a fist and turns to the crowd. But no time for celebration, the Warriors have to inbound the ball. They still have a chance to win this thing. There's still two seconds remaining. It's Steph, Klay, Draymond, Igoudala and Kevin Durant. Anything can happen and if you want a five man squad to finish a game, it's this five man squad.
Iggy stands out of bounds, frantically looks. His heart feels like it's going to explode. Steph is running off an semi-illegal screen, trying to lose Jordan. Draymond is wrestling with Rodman. Klay tries to push through MJ to keep him off Steph. Kukoc is trying his damnedest to disrupt the inbound pass. Igoudala sees Pippen get pushed and tripped up into Klay under the basket and Durant pops out to the top of the arc. Wide open. Just enough daylight. Iggy sails it over Toni and KD goes up to receive the pass. He pulls it down, sees Pippen coming to contest. The clock starts the countdown to zero. Durant, making sure his size 18 shoes are nowhere near the line, puts the rock on the deck. The clock is winding down. Just enough time to crossover to his right, square up and lift for a divinely smooth jumper. He let's it go and releases it just a fraction of a second before the buzzer. Pip puts up his hand but he's on empty from 48 minutes of hell, chasing around the 7 foot Durant and is just a step too slow to give it an honest attempt at a contest. He turns to see the 35 foot shot hurtling toward the basket. Rodman and Green, arms tangled, turn to look up at the shot. Everyone in the United Center is on their feet. Holding their breath, and clutching each other's hands. People at home are frozen, glued to the screen. Kevin comes down, holding his pose, a perfect gooseneck. His entire basketball career, his whole life flashes before his eyes, Montrose Christian, Texas, Draft Night, the Sonics, the Thunder, the MVP season, the doubters, Russ, his mom.
Everything's brought him to this moment. He doesn't flinch. All or nothing. The ball sails toward the basket and comes down. KD closes his eyes and has to live with the result.
The Stadium erupts. It's absolute bedlam. The players clear the bench. Absolute bedlam. You'd think it was Game 7.
Johnny 'Red' Kerr can't be heard over the screams and cheers of the people surrounding him, but he says, "Folks, you could live a hundred lifetimes and never witness something like this, ever again."
"See you all back here in two days for Game 2."
Jordan finishes with 49 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 blocks, 9 steals and 1 turnover.
Steph finishes with 28 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 12 turnovers
"72 > 73"
*+This was a fun little story to write up on my two hour lunch break in between my split shifts. My math is probably off and this might be riddled with grammatical n punctuation errors but whatever. Please don't kill me. I just wanted to add something fun to the conversation. Peace to you all. Keep well, stay safe. Be kind to each other. Out.*+
-PG
That was awesome! Thanks for that.
@peterkatiem2154 I want you to know this is the greatest write up I ever seen on the internet you are amazing THANK YOU 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯🎤🙏
Luc didn't shine as much in the 90's bec he was always up against the likes of Shaq, Dream, Ewing, Mourning, Robinson, Mutombo, etc. but he was a solid anchor on the triangle and who would the Warriors throw at him? Looney? Pachulia? Not only are these guys way smaller, their laterals were also way inferior compared to Luc's. 13-15 ppg easy on top of MJ's 50.
Yeah, Luc would feast on the warriors 100%
During the 1996 Season
- MJ- Scoring Champ, All Def
- Scottie- All NBA , All Defense
- Rodman- RB Champ, All Def
- Kukoc- 6MOY
During the 2017 season
- Steph- All Star
- KD- All Star
- Klay- All Star
- Dray- DPOY, Steals Leader
I believe the 1996 team was more accomplished as far as a single season is concerned
steph was injured in 2016 so he got really tired. Steph bulked up some in 2017 and wouldnt be injured in this scenario
Imagine todays players trying to run your offence against pipen Jordan Rodman and Harper. Dramond would know what real defence is
1996 Bulls all the Waaaaaay
If they played under 1996 era and rules, remember the 3 point line was shortened during those years so Steph Klay and KD are all shooting over 50% from 3 in this series and it would be an absolute bloodbath massacre.
The best two way SF Scottie Pippen??? Um that's a hard one to swallow was Scottie Pippen better two way than Elgin Baylor??? I highly doubt it
or Klaw
In 90’s era rules, Bulls 4-0. Todays rules, Bulls 5-1.
Warriors players would all be in foul trouble as mj always attacks the rim.
Agree also ron Harper could post up klay if I'm the warriors I would play the bulls like the pacers where Reggie is coming off screens so klay and Steph be a lot running through screens and try kd with Steph pick m roll but Im taking bulls
Rodman was a beast as he was able to guard MJ to Shaq throughout his career.
People tend to forget that the 3-point line is shortened in 1996. Just imagine what will happen when Curry, Klay and KD will do from beyond the arc; kind of like the olympics and we all know KD is unstoppable in the olympics. Also while the bulls have four elite defenders in their best lineup, the warriors do as well. Yes, defense wins championships, but then with both good defense but one has more offensive weapons, the one with better offense wins; just look at how the Spurs took down the pistons in 2005 because they have duncan, Parker and ginobili.
warriors are not AS good defensively as the bulls.. pippen, jordan and harper would make it extremely difficult for your 3 boys to get off their shots.. Jordan and Pippen are top 10 perimeter defenders OF ALL TIME.. plus who is guarding Jordan? Klay?
@@soramirez5473 Who is going to guard KD? The Bulls were a great defensive team, but no defensive player is going to slow down Curry or KD on a 1-1. So yeah, as great as Jordan, Pippen and Harper are defensively, they ain't stopping them. Curry is a superb dribbler, who is only bested by Kyrie and Irving in dribbling. He also has a ton a gravity while on the court, forcing teams to double o triple team him in possessions. That would give a ton of open looks for KD or Thompson. Pippen would probabaly be assigned to KD, but KD just has so many options. He can dunk on him in transition since he is taller and has a longer reacher, or just dribble off him and shoot a mid range to score. Now, Klay being more of a spot up shooter wouldn't be bothered that much by the Bulls defense, since the Bulls would most probably try to focus either on Curry or KD. But, the second you try to double either KD or Curry, Klay would be open on the wing with a jumper, and since he is also a lethal shooter, that would hurt the Bulls so much.
@@patoooo2 who's going guard mj or pippen.u f u already vy saying 3s.bulls win regardless or what year
can we just drop the case and say neither team can gaurd each other?
@@detroitcity27 You're right, nobody is guarding MJ. After all, he is the GOAT. But Pippen, c'mon, he isn't an elite scorer. KD could guard Pippen if he wanted to. In reality, KD actually plays defense when it matters, and since he is taller and has a longer reach than Pippen, I think he would guard him pretty well. I think the Bulls would rely heavily on MJ to score on this series. But I really don't think that MJ could out score the Warriors, they have so much fire power. I give the edge to the Warriors offensively, and slightly give the edge to the Bulls defensively. This would undoubtedly give the win to the Warriors.
That 3 point shooting going to be alien to the Bulls
Steph Curry is breaking Ron Harpers crusty knees
KD would get arrested for witchcraft
Andre Igoudala would clamp Little Mikey
Zaza Pachulia with 90s rules would end all the Bulls careers
Patrick McCaw is the lucky charm
Warriors in fo’
You obviously didn’t witness what happened in the 90’s.
Bro get outta here
Klay Thompson
37 pts, 9/9 on threes, 13-13 on field goals in the 3rd quarter 😱😱🤯🤯
41 pts 11 three pointers facing elimination vs OKC in the 2016 WCF
60 pts in 29 mins with 8 threes
52 pts 14/24 threes
44 pts with 10 straight threes
*"Klay will get locked down by Pippen Jordan and Rodman."*
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@dynamic6645 klay is a spot up shooter with barely any handles that's an easy work for mj or harper
@@derpynerpy1846 Jordan isn't stopping Klay Steph and KD from draining threes
Wouldn't the Bulls playing Small Ball contradict your second bullet point a bit? That would be playing into the warriors pace, wouldn't it? Just a question...
This is a good video though! I'm enjoying this
imo the greatest scorer is that 6'11 monster on the 2017 dubs
The difference between the 90s and '17 footage is insane with how much more physical you could be with the other team. Looked like a war back then compared to now lol
Funny how u tried to say they "played zone" and "ran a full court press" but you didn't show ANY GOOD EXAMPLES. Help defense isn't zone defense.
20 year gap, that's a big era variance. Rules are crazy different, level of def, 3 sec D rule, hand checking, spread court, then you need to consider how much better the Bulls would be with modern sports science and training methods. I'd give the Bulls the edge with all that considered, but damn it's not by much
This is laughable, you have 3 all time great shooters/scorers on the same team all in their primes plus dray/iggy vs the bulls with only one great scorer who can barely hit 3s. Yes the bulls have great rebounding/defense but the warriors aint bad on either one. The bulls would be embarrassed. If you even think the bulls could win means your an old head or jordan lover
Truth.
You are Delusional and you dont know Basketball
Pippin scored more than allmof them
Yall little boyz today don't know what hand checking is. Yalls top 3 scorers are average and my husband balled with Curry and his Dad. Just stop
And yes my husband played with them at Park Road Park. It's really not the same. The bulls would put up 150 a night and 3 point line was shortened
You know everyone says that about todays basketball that the Bulls wouldn’t be able to adapt on the defensive end. But it’s not like they would be incapable of playing easier D. Also on the offensive end they’d be literally unstoppable - they could score with elbows knees and hands at their faces and yet somehow struggle with no hand checking? I’d say they’d run thru em all day long
Steph and KD got one of the best handles ever, and people act like they are anthony bennett and kwame brown, Klay is the second greatest shooter ever and is criminally underrated as a defensive player
Sorry but I don’t know a living soul who acts like Steph and KD are Kwame and Bennett.
Motivated mj is a nightmare!!!! Especially if they play in todays rules gs if on fire can shoot the lights out but they not hitting all them 3s the defense was just too strong and if people think the bulls couldn’t adjust they are crazy
Bulls in any era.
90s - tight D will hamper GSW shooters.
17' - Jordan unchecked.
People fail to recognize that if Lenard doesn’t get injured in that series the Spurs win that series