1996 Chicago Bulls V.S. 2017 Golden State Warriors, by the numbers. Who would Win?!
The biggest debate topic, which has been buzzing around is the '96 Bulls against the '17 Warriors. During a dominant showing by the 2017 Warriors in the 2017 NBA finals, people are forced to think who can stop these guys? Everyone look at the '96 72-10 Bulls, who managed to win a championship with such a outstanding regular season record. But ignoring all the depth talk, how would the stars match-up?
To make it reasonable, i took out Klay Thompson, that leaves us with 3 alike players 2 dominant scorers and 1 dominant defender. Let's start the match-ups.
3. Draymond Green v. Dennis Rodman
First let's look at Draymond Green's who is only 26 years old right now, and Dennis Rodman who was 34.
Credits to; Basketball-Reference.com
We can all see that Draymond Green would overall win this match-up except for the rebounding aspect. He is a better player this year then '96 Rodman being more efficient with a higher PER, and also a better offensive player with shooting a true percentage and with a 121 Ortg rating. Another factor would be age Green being younger would be more quicker to the ball and a tough match-up for Rodman.
2. Stephen Curry V. Scottie Pippen
Scottie Pippen well even with length and height advantage is clearly outclassed, when did a taller defender bother curry's shot anyways, with the offense the Warriors run. Steph is more efficient, better offensively and defensively looking at their ratings, Curry is winning in every single shooting category. And is not so behind in the rebounding category either. So Stephen Curry would win that match-up.
1. Kevin Durant V. Michael Jordan
Once again, it looks like Kevin Durant has better numbers, and is the better player compared to the numbers Jordan put up in '96. If Jordan and Durant were to line-up it would be a scoring show, but
Durant would eventually trouble Jordan due to this length.
Now having looked at the all 3 star match-ups, we can see the Warriors would certainly Win by the numbers.
Taking in other factors such as competition during their respective playoffs during '96 and '17, which are were certainly different we can not just declare a winner. But in my personal opinion, I believe that the Warriors shooting and depth would be enough to win a playoff series against the 1996 Chicago Bulls.
I am a Warrior fan and love seeing the 73 win team and the addition of Durant to the 2017 Warriors was amazing. The Warrior’s have a chance to prove that they are the greatest of all time but what they have shown so far is not enough. Even if I give the Warriors the benefit of today’s NBA rules (easier to score that why their numbers are better than players which any NBA analyst worth anything would ask you if you were joking when you compare Jordan to Durant, Rodman to Green or Steph to Pippen) Warriors would have a really hard time stopping the Showtime Lakers with Kareem, Magic, Worthy, Scott. I believe they can equal Warriors offense and will be better defensively with Kareem is number three in career blocks. Magic will be able to control the tempo of the game slow it down with Kareem. I give it will be close. However, the 96 Bulls with Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, KuKoc, Kerr, Harper will Beat the Warrior in 5 or 6 games Even with today’s’ rules. Alonzo Morning, Vince Carter, McGrady and even Jeff van Gundy (who hated Jordan) stated Jordan would be un-guardable with the NBA rules of today averaging 50 points per game. (I think 40 points with 10 assist a game Jordan) Pippen who averaged 22 points would average 30 with 15 assist a game with today’s rules. Charles Barkley stated under today NBA rules the “96 Bulls would be better offensively and defensively”. That is almost unarguable. The Bulls in their last three peat were hit with multiple techs because of Zone defense which is now legal!! So naturally allowing the Zone defense would make the Bulls better than they already were with their 72 win team. And offensively I don’t know how to argue that PIPPEN, Kukoc, Kerr and Harper would be better. Kerr and Kukoc were the least physical of the Bulls and still hit 52% and 41% from three respectively. In Today’s NBA rules they would hit more three and be just as accurate. PIPPEN and JORDAN would be unstoppable offensively. I think Defensive Jordan Haper and especially Pippen would hold Curry to 20 points. Harper would slow down Klay. Pippen and Durant would be an interesting matchup, because Durant good offensively but Pippen defensive is best non-center defensive I have ever seen! I think Pippen would hold Durant to 20 or lower. Warriors have no one that can handle Rodman and Green would have any open three or offensive when Rodman is Defending him. Rodman held Shaq to 0 points for an entire half in the 96 playoffs. Also, Rodman would be able to help Pippen with Defense on Durant in crucial moments and get back for rebounds. Most importantly, the only position other team in the 90s would try to expose on the Bulls was at center and Luc Longley and Warriors with Z Peculia at center is not as good as Longley! Shaq, Penny, Anderson, Shaw and Grant couldn’t take advantage of that weakness and Shaq is the Most dominate center ever. McGee would be an interesting match up when he comes in he does make a big impact but he has not proven to be able to do that for an entire game. If McGee becomes a starter and maintains his effectiveness then the 96 Bulls would be in trouble. However, RIGHT now the Bulls have elite all time great defenders in PIPPEN, JORDAN, RODMAN and HARPER that would expose the Warriors loose ball movement and lack of elite defenders. One day I think there will be a team better than the 96 Bulls but it's not 2017 Warriors.
ReplyDeletewow that was amazing, great analyzing i agree with some of your points but i think the ball movement of the Warriors would ultimately win them the series, as you mention the Bulls would be better today, there is not a guarantee to that claim, it is a big what "If" and if we wanna wanna go with the "if" game there can be hundreds of hypothetical claims, and arguments.
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