2016 Warriors vs. 1996 Bulls: Who Wins a Seven-Game Series?
The 73-9 Warriors who blew a 3-1 lead in the finals vs 72-10 Bulls who lost only 3 games in the playoffs and won the title. Who comes out on top?
No other debate in the game of basketball is as passionate as this one. Match up the 73-9 Golden State Warriors with the 72-10 Chicago Bulls in a seven-game series and they'll be talking about it for days.
Both teams were the benchmark of excellence in their times. The two led the regular season. Both had all-time great players on their team.
But what if they played against each other at the peak of their performance, would anyone walk away with the trophy?
The case for the Bulls
The 1995-96 Bulls had the single greatest weapon any team could have: The best player in the world, and to most, The Greatest Of All Time
Michael Jordan was still in peak form, scoring more than 30 points per game while also being one of the league's best perimeter defender. He was accompanied by Scottie Pippen, one of the game's finest two-way scorers, and Dennis Rodman, the game's best rebounder.
The Bulls were a very hard defense. They forced turnovers, pressured ball handlers and made defense easy offense.
The physicality and versatility of Chicago's defense would be dominant in any era, even with the contemporary emphasis on spacing and 3-point shooting
Above all, they were championship-minded. The Bulls went 15-3 in the playoffs and won the title.
A case to be made for The Warriors.
The Warriors revolutionized basketball.
Stephen Curry had arguably the best offensive season in NBA history, shooting from what was once thought to be impossible distances, and becoming the first unanimous MVP.
Draymond Green was the anchor of the defense, and Klay Thompson stretched defenses even further
Golden State was best known for its ability to make impossible matchups. Their movement, spacing and shooting were a problem for traditional defenses. Opponents could play perfect defense for 20 seconds and then see Curry hit a three from 30 feet
The Warriors also had great depth and as we know, having reserves that could hold the forte is always important in championship runs.
The Deciding Factors
Whether Chicago could maintain defense against Curry and Thompson without giving up offense is the biggest question.
It's likely Pippen will spend a lot of time playing off Curry, and Jordan would be capable of switching into either man around a crucial play.
Golden State, on the other hand, would have to deal with an opponent that few teams could ever conquer: Jordan. Despite being an elite defender, can Draymond Green guard an unstoppable scorer like MJ
The rebound might also affect the outcome of the series. Golden State would be in trouble on the glass and with Rodman as the enforcer, as he would create a lot of defensive pressure.
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Verdict: Bulls in Seven
This game would be close and most definitely be a seven game series. Golden State's shooting would win games on its own, but playoff basketball can sometimes be a game of execution in the crucial moments.
The Bulls' defense, rebounding, and most of all Michael Jordan is the decider
The Warriors have certainly revolutionized the game, but until someone can show that they've got something up their sleeve, it's still one of the most dangerous wagers in sports to bet against Jordan in a winner takes all series.
Bulls in seven. Barely.
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