I think this would've been a battle for the ages. I love Jordan's heart and desire to win (and we know they would've used the "Hack-a-Shaq"), but do you think the Bulls could've won this series? You only have so many fouls to use.
Those Bulls didn't exactly dominate the Sonics that year either. Though the Sonics had 64 wins themselves that year. The 98 Bulls, I think they could've. That team is the only team that could beat the Lakers in a 7th game in IMO. Jordan would've willed his team to victory.
doesn't matter wich team MJ's playing....when he was in his prime (or close to it), he never let his team lose no matter what
This would be cool if this could really happen imagine Kobe head to head with MJ,but who would guard Pip,Deavon George?I would say the Bulls would take this eseries in 6 games.
The keys to this series would be Pip and Rodman. Pip would be on Kobe like white on rice and Kobe has never faced as tenacious a defender as Pip. Pip would hound Kobe and frustrate that cat all over the floor and truly disrupt his game. Rodman,while nowhere near as big as Shaq would be able to disrupt him I think. Shaq would play right into Rodman's mind games (come on we all know Shaq is a little shallow in the common sense department). Rodman is physical enough to discourage,disrupt and antagonize Shaq. As lackadaisical as Shaq is on the boards and in general at times I think Rodman would do quite well. I think the Bulls win this,4 - 2 in a best of 7.
Well it may seem Shaq would be the key, but what people must remember that Chicago won a lot of their titles in a center dominated era. Even the 1998 team had to contend with the likes of Olajuwon, Ewing, Shaq, Robinson, Mourning, Mutombo etc on a nightly basis. As has been said, Rodman would be a big key here, but at the same time it's tough to see the Lakers being able to shut down Pippen AND Jordan. Kobe is an excellent defender, but I don't see a legitimate match up on the defensive end for whichever one Kobe isn't covering, which would likely be Pippen. Both are big game players, I would take the 98 Bulls in 5, maybe 6 games.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Supersonic:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe is an excellent defender, but I don't see a legitimate match up on the defensive end for whichever one Kobe isn't covering, which would likely be Pippen. Both are big game players, I would take the 98 Bulls in 5, maybe 6 games.</div> Kobe wouldn't be able to stop Mike. The '98 version of Mike would have Kobe at his disposal. I think having to guard Mike on one end then go up against Pip on the other end would be too much for KB8. Mike would get into his head eventually IMO and take him out of his game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The '98 version of Mike would have Kobe at his disposal.</div> Pretty amazing, because Jordan was in his mid 30s.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting STCBBall3:</div><div class="quote_post">Pretty amazing, because Jordan was in his mid 30s.</div> LOL The Mike after baseball was almost unguardable. If you ever watched a single Bulls game from 96 - 98 you would know this. Kobe is a good defender but he would NOT be able to stop the version of Michael Jordan.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Dre:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe wouldn't be able to stop Mike. The '98 version of Mike would have Kobe at his disposal. I think having to guard Mike on one end then go up against Pip on the other end would be too much for KB8. Mike would get into his head eventually IMO and take him out of his game.</div> I agree. You have two of the 50 greatest players (one is arguably the GOAT) two play on both the offensive and defensive end. You'll guard a time when MJ was unstoppable and MJ would probably shake Kobe with a post-up fadeaway J. On the other end, you'll have Pippen all over you. That would be too much even for a basketball God and Kobe isn't one. If there's someone who's more than willing to leave his face open for a Shaq elbow and get an offensive foul, it's Rodman.
I don't think you're using the best squad of either team. The '00 Lakers were better than the '01 Lakers, and of course the '96 Bulls were better than the '98 Bulls, if only because they were a couple years younger. But even if you put the '98 Bulls against the '00 Lakers, or whichever Lakers squad you want, the Bulls would win it. Dre brought up a huge point - Dennis Rodman. People see how dominant Shaq is and often can't think of a player who could guard him. Some bring up Hakeem in '95, but who remembers Rodman in '96. Shaq was completely thrown out of his game by a guy half his size, and Rodman could have done it again. So you have Jordan wiping out Kobe, Rodman and Longley checking Shaq, and Pippen doing whatever he pleases, whether its against Glen Rice, Rick Fox or Devean George. And lets not even start on how Ron Harper would handle Derek Fisher, or how Toni Kukoc would come off the bench and drive Samaki Walker/Horace Grant/A.C. Green mad.
One intruiging mathcup is the Ron Harper vs. Derek Fisher one...Ronny would kill it Rodman would be able to get into shaqs head as many said but shaq would get his share agains Luc Longley....Horace Grant would get killed by Rodman, Kobe wouldnt have enuff energy having to guard Mike on defense then trying to score on Pip... the 96-98 were unstoppable....if you've watched thier games, u would see their dominance....the 2001 lakers were amazing too going 15-1 but the main difference is MJ...
Oh yah, how can I forget Ron vs. Fisher. Ron can be a Ron in his Cavs days against with this matchup. But he doesn't need it of course.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting InNETSweTrust:</div><div class="quote_post">Oh yah, how can I forget Ron vs. Fisher. Ron can be a Ron in his Cavs days against with this matchup. But he doesn't need it of course.</div> well in '98 Ron still showed some flashes of the Harp of old. He could still drive with authority,played good defense had great shot selection and could bring the ball up the court. Ron Harper would give Fish fits with his all-around play.
I just simulated this game on WhatIfSports.com and here's the starting lineups: <font color="Purple">2000-2001 Lakers:</font> Point Guard: Derek Fisher Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant Small Forward: Rick Fox Power Forward: Horace Grant Center: Shaquille O'Neal <font color="Red">1997-1998 Bulls</font> Point Guard: Steve Kerr Shooting Guard: Michael Jordan Small Forward: Scottie Pippen Power Forward: Dennis Rodman Center: Luc Longley This is what happened in the simulations (considering this in a 7 game series): Game 1 (Bulls lead series 1-0) Game 2 (Bulls lead series 2-0) Game 3 (Bulls lead series 2-1) Game 4 (Series tied 2-2) Game 5 (Lakers lead series 3-2) Game 6 (Series tied 3-3) Game 7 (Lakers win series 4-3) So after a long, and great series, the 2000-2001 Lakers come with the victory. Great matchup. Jordan was great, but couldn't stop the game with Kobe and Shaq. Finals MVP: Shaquille O'Neal *Simulations may vary.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting All-Star:</div><div class="quote_post">I just simulated this game on WhatIfSports.com and here's the starting lineups: <font color="Purple">2000-2001 Lakers:</font> Point Guard: Derek Fisher Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant Small Forward: Rick Fox Power Forward: Horace Grant Center: Shaquille O'Neal <font color="Red">1997-1998 Bulls</font> Point Guard: Steve Kerr Shooting Guard: Michael Jordan Small Forward: Scottie Pippen Power Forward: Dennis Rodman Center: Luc Longley This is what happened in the simulations (considering this in a 7 game series): Game 1 (Bulls lead series 1-0) Game 2 (Bulls lead series 2-0) Game 3 (Bulls lead series 2-1) Game 4 (Series tied 2-2) Game 5 (Lakers lead series 3-2) Game 6 (Series tied 3-3) Game 7 (Lakers win series 4-3) So after a long, and great series, the 2000-2001 Lakers come with the victory. Great matchup. Jordan was great, but couldn't stop the game with Kobe and Shaq. Finals MVP: Shaquille O'Neal *Simulations may vary.</div> Are you bullshitting us? What site is this? I tried typing it into my browser and it won't come up. Sounds like you made it up instead of trying to answer the debate points brought up.
if u did that sim 10 times it would be 5/5. 100 times-50/50. you just can never know unless u really see it happen. i've gotta go w/ shaq's lakers winnin it tho. remember. in the late 90's the pacers game very close to stopping the bulls a couple times. it went to 7 games in 98(or was it 97? my bad). a couple years later, a pacer team just about the same played LA and lost in 6 games....idk. i just gotta go for LA!
I did the same sim and the Bulls came out on top 4-1, pretty one sided. The only consistent performer for the Lakers was Shaq, which is how it would have been in real life.
