Who would win if these two juggernaughts were to play in the finals (assuming both teams were in thier prime)Sure the bulls have mj but what bull centre could stop Shaq in full flight? .I'll post my thoughts later.
The bulls would win because their team was a better defensive team. I'm guessing phil would be coaching both teams and i think he could get his team to deny post entry to Shaq. Still then, shaq of 2000 would get his numbers because when he does get the ball, there's no stopping him. Kobe would be guarded by Prime pip and he'll slow down kobe, not stop him. Kobe as good a defender is, can only hope to kinda slow down mj. It depends on which bulls team you chose, you take the first 3 peat and it finishes in 5. You take the second 3 peat and it'll go to 7. If you do, Shaq would bi*ch slap rodman just like Malone did.Back courtMj/Paxson/Hodges/BJ> Kobe/Harper/Fisher/Shaw/LueThe backcourt does it for me.
Hmm you make some good points. But do you really think MJ and Paxon/Hodges/BJ is better than Kobe / harper?I really rate Harper! i think he is/was quite good. Shaq would average 40+.MJ and Kobe would have a good ol dual (how good would that be to see )I think it would gm 7 (in Chicago)- just imagine 'robert horry hits a 3 with 4 ticks - left MJ get the ball with 2.9 secs left, shakes Kobe off (with a suspect push) and hits a 18 footer. bull swin by 1' Now the only thing i think that gives the bulls the advantage is Jordan., and his will to win. That is simply unsurpassed.
I have to agree with melo,the Bulls were a better defensive team. Even with Shaq scoring 30+points and kobe's heroics, the Bulls still have the better backcourt. Remember that BJ Armstrong was an allstar and Paxson,Kerr,Hodges were all deadly from three point range while the laker's best point guard from 2000 was Derek Fisher.Tyronne Lue was still a rookie and even now wouldnt be able to compete with the bulls.Ron Harper had his better years with the Cavs and Clippers.His veteran leadership with the Bulls and Lakers was great but Harper wasn't a big part of the Laker's championship run. Brian Shaw is similar because he had his better years with the Heat and Magic and a he played some ball with the Celtics as well.Besides the backcourt the Lakers definetly rule inside but with Michael Jordan in his prime and a young Kobe of 2000 MJ obviously has the upper hand and kobe would be overshadowed by Jordan.So IMO as much as I love the Lakers the Bulls from 92' and 93' would defeat the 2000 Lakers.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (clangus @ Aug 20 2006, 03:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Hmm you make some good points. But do you really think MJ and Paxon/Hodges/BJ is better than Kobe / harper?I really rate Harper! i think he is/was quite good. Shaq would average 40+.MJ and Kobe would have a good ol dual (how good would that be to see )I think it would gm 7 (in Chicago)- just imagine 'robert horry hits a 3 with 4 ticks - left MJ get the ball with 2.9 secs left, shakes Kobe off (with a suspect push) and hits a 18 footer. bull swin by 1' Now the only thing i think that gives the bulls the advantage is Jordan., and his will to win. That is simply unsurpassed.</div>The backcourt of the bulls is much better. You have Mj in his prime, both offensively and defensively. As lakersfan said, Harper's best days were gone by, his defense had regressed., his shooting had regressed. There's no duel in Mj and kobe, kobe's jumpshot was not as it was today so he wouldn't be able to burn Mj with his Jumpshot. Mj on offense was an absolute beast, he had so many options on offense much like kobe has. The best kobe could do was hope to slow him down. Shaq didnt' average 40 against todd mguollah* so i doubt he averages 40 against a phil jackson coached team. He'd get his numbers but not 40. They would focuss on stopping the post entry and if anyone can get their teams to stop it's tex and phil.I dont' see how this is close, Shaq would get his but Pippen/Mj would slow down Kobe and rice. Rice would not even be issue in the series.So if you slow down the 2nd scoring option and shut out the 3rd option how does it go to 7?
