1996 BULLS OR 2017 WARRIORS?

1/12/22

Jay C. Brandriet

Steph Curry helped start one of those imaginary, just for fun sports debates.

When asked if he believed the Warriors with Kevin Durant could have beaten the 1996 Bulls in a seven-game Finals, Steph said the following:

“Absolutely. Obviously we will never know, you put us on paper with them, I’d like our chances. I’d say Dubs in 6, too.”

To be clear. This answer was not disrespectful. This is how EVERY champion answers these hypothetical questions. Once that champagne has poured on their heads, they have no reason to think any other way. They often say, “we would have swept them.”

Who do I think wins this series?

What rules are we playing under?

Coaching. Depth. Fire power. Both rosters have it all.

These are two of the five best teams of all time, so it’s down to centimeters.

I’m not going to act like the smartest guy in the room.

Let’s take a surface glance at these teams.

WHY THE WARRIORS WOULD WIN

Offense and lethal shooting like we have never seen before. Right away, you like the math on this side of the argument.

Kevin Durant and Steph Curry were top 3 players in the world at this point.

Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala provide quality perimeter defense.

These Warrior teams defended at a high level. Draymond Green is the engine that led the way.

WHY THE BULLS WOULD WIN

The 1996 Bulls (72-10) were number one in offense and defense.

Michael Jordan is the low hanging fruit here. For a living, he choked the basketball life out of anyone in his way of a title.

Steve Kerr, Toni Kukoc, and Jud Buechler provide spacing.

I had this conversation with Tony Abbott and Rudy Thomas four years ago.

If you were to BUILD A TEAM to play defense against the 2017 Warriors?

The 1996 Chicago Bulls is what it would look like.

Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, Ron Harper, and Luc Longley.

This length, athleticism, and versatility seems born to check a team 20 years after it’s time.