Jordan's Bulls vs Shaq's Lakers - who will win?

[- Ace -]

If Jordan's Bulls of the 90s played against this year's Lakers which team do you think would win?


What if everyone on both teams was in his prime, would the Bulls stand a chance stopping Oneil, Kobe, Payton, and Malone? Or do you think the Bulls would get blown out? Would Grant, Jordan, and Pippen or Rodman, Jordan, and Pippen's defense be good enough to stop the the Lakers?

[Shep]

with everybody in their prime? no doubt the lakers would win

[Matthew]

Geeze thats a good question. I'd have to say Bulls tho. They had such a complete team, but the main reason is when malone and payton were in their prime, they didnt have the mantality that they have now, so i dont think they would settle for 10 ppg like they are now.... plus no one has ever beaten mike in the finals series... and pippen dominated ball games with his all around game and rodmans defense and rebounding.. plus the firepower off the bench.. its just that everyones role was defined and they were happy with it and that was proven.. the lakers have more talent, but there would be some ego problems imo... so bulls would win. Good topic tho

[Filip]

Luc Longley against Shaquille O'Neal
Dennis Rodman against Karl Malone
Scottie Pippen against Devan George
Michael Jordan against Kobe Bryant
Ron Harper against Gary Payton

3-2 to LA Lakers. But LAL has only played with this lineup a couple of month, unlike Bulls who know eachother and how to play, so I think that the Bulls would win cause of their teamplay.

[jaywill]

If Jordan's Bulls of the 90s played against this year's Lakers which team do you think would win?


What if everyone on both teams was in his prime, would the Bulls stand a chance stopping Oneil, Kobe, Payton, and Malone? Or do you think the Bulls would get blown out? Would Grant, Jordan, and Pippen or Rodman, Jordan, and Pippen's defense be good enough to stop the the Lakers?

I'd go with the lakers. The Bulls lacked a respectable center. The only time they had a good center was in 1997 when they signed up the late Bison Dele aka Brian Williams.

[Filip]

I'd go with the lakers. The Bulls lacked a respectable center. The only time they had a good center was in 1997 when they signed up the late Bison Dele aka Brian Williams.

Brian Williams (Bison) is dead BTW, he got murderd by his brother or something.

[Matthew]

The centre doesn't mean much imo. Remember, the Bulls without Brian Williams aka bison dele beat the magic in 96 in shaq's final year. They also consistantly knocked off the knicks and heat who boatsed Ewing and zo. Pippen was such a force defensively, I can imagine the bulls defensive strategy, and it would be similar to what the blazers did to the lakers in 2000 after the lakers won game 4, it was play sabonis behind shaq and have scottie double from the top of the key, and they neaturalised shaq big time. Bulls would win imo, not ecuase of more talent, but becuase of michael and becuase the roles are more defined. There is no way I can see malone, payton, shaq and kobe all sharing the ball in their prime when you consider shaq and kobe bitched so much in 2001 when they were in their primes, or close to it. The only reason the lakers are working now is malone and payton have matured so much mentally they will do anything to win... and that wouldnt mean sacrifice 10, 15 ppg of their averages in their prime..

[Stevan]

I don't know about the current Lakers. Their bench is non existant. And even the championship Laker teams of the past few years which did have a good bench did not have the same concentration as the Bulls according to Phil Jackson.

Phil also said that Luc Longley atleast has the size to hold his ground with O'Neal, while Bill Cartwright (if he was the chosen centre) has the elbows.

The centre spot is fairly important in terms of running the triangle, and Luc was a good passer, though I can't say much for medical Bill. Shaq of course is a terrific passer and much more.

Apparently shooters are extremely important with the triangle and the Bulls of the 90's (either 3 peat team) had better shooters than the Lakers in my opinion.

Also since both teams are running the triangle, it might come down to who does it better, and like someone said, this Lakers team is still sort of fresh, where as those Bulls were the best teams ever to run the offence.

Defensively? I would give an edge to the Bulls. A lot depends on if we are looking at the Lakers squad as the current Lakers, or these Lakers but with a prime time Glovalone.

[RedTorro]

The determining factor.... Phil Jackson vs Phil Jackson. I've actually pondered this exact question many times. However I keep coming to the conclusion that what made the Bulls teams so dominant was not necessarily just the talent but the team always executed verrrrrrry well. Like somebody already said, everybody knew their role on the team and didn't bitch like the lakers do all the time. The Bulls knew how to put teams away (which the Shaq + Kobe lakers never do) and won games playing monster D. How else do you think you get the NBA's best regular season record of all time? I definately think that this years lakers without GP and Malone in their prime would be a better matchup because the menality is different. GP and Malone are now satisfied being role players as opposed to allstars which I think would help them in the long run against a solid Bulls TEAM.

(T)oss
(E)very
(A)ssist to
(M)ichael

[Ruff Ryder]

But who would be the coach of each team?

[Drex]

I guess Phil J. against P. Jackson

The determining factor.... Phil Jackson vs Phil Jackson.

He would coach both teams

[Andrew]

What if everyone on both teams was in his prime, would the Bulls stand a chance stopping Oneil, Kobe, Payton, and Malone? Or do you think the Bulls would get blown out? Would Grant, Jordan, and Pippen or Rodman, Jordan, and Pippen's defense be good enough to stop the the Lakers?

There's no way the Bulls would get blown out four times out of seven, nor would they get swept. But let's discuss it anyway.

Luc Longley or Bill Cartwright vs Shaquille O'Neal

During the 1991 regular season, Bill Cartwright held every centre below their season scoring average. Cartwright's physical defensive game, which includes elbows that have knocked out more than a couple of opponents (Hakeem Olajuwon and Fred Roberts come to mind), would be good enough to make sure Shaq doesn't explode every game. The way Shaq has reacted to physical play in the past, it wouldn't surprise me if he got himself kicked out of a couple of the games for losing his temper.

Luc Longley is also big enough to stand in Shaq's way. At 7'2" 265 pounds, Longley provides an obstacle that is just big enough for Shaq to use brain as well as brawn. Getting Shaq into foul trouble by making him run through Longley is a tactic that could be employed.

Statistically, Shaq would be more dominant over both Longley and Cartwright, but that isn't enough to hand the Lakers the title.

Dennis Rodman or Horace Grant vs Karl Malone

Horace Grant named Karl Malone and Kevin McHale as the two forwards he found most difficult to guard. Even though the Mailman caused a few headaches for Horace, the Bulls still managed to pick up wins over the Jazz during their regular season matchups in the late 80s and early 90s.

I much prefer the matchup of Rodman vs Malone though. The technicolour hair and wild behaviour masks a fierce competitor with an underrated defensive game. Rodman could contain the Mailman the same way he did in the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals series. Whether it was through his defense or his mind games, Rodman managed to throw opponents off their game.

Again, Malone's stats might look a little better, but Rodman would be the man that ensures the Mailman doesn't deliver.

Scottie Pippen vs Devean George

Anyone who believes Devean George is a better player than Scottie Pippen in his prime needs to do some homework. Enough said.

OK, I'll say a little more. Pippen's versatility would allow him to help out on other mismatches that would normally work in the Lakers' favour. The Bulls had enough talent to cover George while Pippen played elsewhere.

Michael Jordan vs Kobe Bryant

I know a lot of people believe Kobe has already surpassed MJ - that's another argument for another time - but if this is the Michael Jordan of 1991-1993, then I'm sorry to say anyone who believes Kobe would own MJ knows very little about the NBA pre-1996.

In the 1991 NBA Finals, MJ averaged 31.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 11.4 apg, 2.8 spg and 1.4 bpg. I admit bias when it comes to Michael Jordan, but those are awesome great as Kobe is, he's not on that level yet. He's not quite in the same league as the Jordans, Birds and Magics. He may be knocking on the door, but he's not in the club just yet.

Ron Harper or John Paxson vs Gary Payton

Payton all the way, though Harper could probably do a decent job. The Bulls could also put Pippen on Payton and move Harper over to guard George. John Paxson was a great shooter, but couldn't keep up with the Glove.

The Series: Who Would Win?

I honestly don't know. I'd like to say the Bulls in six or seven, but it could just as easily be the Lakers in six or seven. The Lakers' advantage is their awesome roster, while the Bulls' advantage is team chemistry and Michael Jordan. No player on the Lakers can take over a game quite like MJ could in his prime.

So my verdict is that it could go either way, but it would be much closer than fans of both teams would think.

[DrNick]

Simple NOBODY can contain Jordan and i mean NOBODY

I remember in 90's in the playoffs against Boston. Jordan was being triple teamed by Bird, McHale and Parish. And Jordan Still Managed to Drop 60 Points.

[benji]

Depends on which Bulls we compare to which Lakers...

2001 and 2002 Lakers couldn't beat any of the six Bulls teams...2000 could probably take '98 and '91 and maybe '93 to seven games if not beat them if a few things went their way...2003 might be able to take '98 because of all the injuries it had...

The Bulls would stop the Lakers much easier than the Lakers would stop the Bulls...the Bulls offense was just too good and the Lakers don't know how to defend the triangle well enough (the '96 Sonics were the only team that could really gum the triangle and they still got beaten by it) while on the other end the Bulls would be able to clog up the Lakers offense forcing Payton and Malone to run their side offense to pull attention...

If we're using the 2003 Lakers like Andrew did I wouldn't throw Pippen on Payton and Harper at George however...I'd keep Harper on Payton, stick Pippen on Kobe and put Jordan on George...you only want to throw Pippen at Payton occasionally because he's more active than Kobe usually is and you don't want to tire Pippen too quickly (see: McGrady on Billups, 2003 Playoffs) and having Jordan on George would conserve almost all of his energy for the offensive end...it's not farfetched since the Bulls (along with who knows how many other teams) pulled this stunt constantly back in the day...though they usually stuck him on a point guard where his size played to an advantage defensively, letting him rest against George and Russell is far more enticing than having him guard Payton or Fisher...

Plus as Stevan said the Bulls bench is just too deep here...the Lakers bench might as well be non-existant...they can't match Kukoc off of it and the Bulls better or at least equal them at 7-12...

I remember in 90's in the playoffs against Boston. Jordan was being triple teamed by Bird, McHale and Parish. And Jordan Still Managed to Drop 60 Points.

And the Bulls lost that game...

[DrNick]

LOL i knew that

[MVP]

The best Jordan Bulls team was in the 95-96 season,...the year they went 72-10. True on paper the Lakers look like they have a better starting lineup INDIVIDUALLY....

Longley vs Shaq => edge Shaq
Rodman vs Malone => edge Malone
Harper vs Payton => edge Payton
Pippen vs George => edge Pippen
Jordan vs Bryant => edge Jordan

..but it's all about TEAM chemistry. Every player on the 96-98 Bulls team knew their role. After winning 72 in the 95-96 season, the Bulls came back the following year and won 69. With Kukoc coming off the bench to add a spark..that was huge.

You can't say that it's the Laker's first year together as a group...'cuz the '96 Bulls was their first year together as well. By All-Star break the Bulls had only lost 3 games. The Lakers have already lost 3 games.

Also the big factor is Phil Jackson. Without Phil Jackson, I'm not sure the Lakers would be where they are today. He gelled that team together...Shaq even admitted it was Jackon 'the best coach ever' got things going in LA.

[DrNick]

Malone Better then Rodman????? Ok Fine Rodman is not good at offense but jordan is the only offensive weapon any team needs. Rodman will shut malone out. He can/will shut Shaq out.

[MVP]

To add a little more...
The Bulls don't need or a DOMINANT centre to be affective. Honestly, a dominant centre would be a detriment to their style of playing. It wouldn't allow MJ and Pippen to drive to the bucket as often. All the Bulls need is a a big body for defense/rebounding (Cartwright/Longley) and to score some open jumpers or put backs. And of course they need good rebounders like Grant and Rodman.

With that said, the Bulls would beat the Lakers in six or seven.

[j.23]

He can/will shut Shaq out.

i wish there was a way i could bet on this right now

[1CenT]

What you guys talkin about Bulls not having a dominant center?
Believe or not.. Luc Lonley can start the all-star team if the 72-10 bulls came back to today.. Every1 will jump the bandwagon and since there are no quality centers in the east.. and ppl luv the bulls might as well vote luc lonley =)
well seriously

Seeing both the dallas and the portland game against LA.. i see them quite beatable.. sometimes..

soo i'll pick Mr Jordan and the bulls.

[streakshooter]

nice and logical arguments we're having here.........

i'd pick the Bulls too.....why?

1. Malone, even in his prime, has proven to be a big choker (97 & 98 finals)

2. Payton, while very good, has been selfish in his peak years and couldn't deliver the goods when finally needed (96 finals)

3. Rodman can shutdown anybody (including ultra-sensitive Shaq) with his mind games and physical defense

4. Kukoc, in his best years, is the number one player outside of the NBA and is such an awesome scoring force from the bench

5. Pippen CAN do anything in his prime. There was even an argument before that in his best years, he was better than MJ himself. That's crap though.

6. Bulls are more professional/organized than the bickering Lakers. the key here is the leadership of the relentless....

7. MICHAEL JORDAN.....you can bet your bottom dollar he won't let his team lose........... no matter what.....

i must've just echoed some of the other guys points........in that case, what i mean to say is that i agree with all of you.......It's the Bulls in 6.