Dee4Three wrote:In my opinion, I take the 95-96 Bulls over them. For the reason that Pippen could stick to Durant (Not shut him down, but contain him), and Jordan would still be the best player by far on the floor. I think defensively Jordan could lock up Klay, and if on Curry could do a great job. Ron Harper was a fantastic defender in his day (Even with the Bulls), I think Curry and Thompson being defended by Jordan and Harper would limit the impact a lot.
One of the most bewildering things I've heard in the debate is that Klay Thompson would cause problems for MJ, being bigger, taller, and a strong defender. Certainly Klay is well-equipped to guard MJ, as well-equipped to guard him as most other players that have come along, but the notion that he'd shut him down is laughable.
The funny thing about the Rodman trade is that it's a knock on Gregg Popovich that isn't really brought up as part of his history. Through all his subsequent success, he's become known as someone with a quirky sense of humour, fit to manage a bunch of different personalities and get his team on the same page for multiple title runs, to the tune of five rings. He definitely couldn't handle Rodman though, and The Worm didn't much care for him by the time they parted ways. From Bad as I Wanna Be:
Those guys in San Antonio can kiss my ass, especially Gregg Popovich, the general manager...
Popovich wanted to be the guy who tamed Dennis Rodman
Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and as noted there were people who thought Rodman would sabotage the Bulls. Phil Jackson deserves credit for being able to handle him as a player and a person, though.
air gordon wrote:Andrew,
You wonder why GSW won so many games cuz they had one bad stretch?
More that cold stretches don't have more of an impact, based on their reliance on the three-point shot, and that they don't have more off-nights where their deadliest weapon is out of commission.
