NBA Legends Explain Why the 96 Bulls were The Best Team Ever

Trying to stop Michael Jordan with NO HAND CHECKING in todays NBA would be hilarious to watch... 🤷‍♂️😂😂

soft NBA can´t be compared with the greatness of 80-90 era.

I watched a game of ‘96 CHI the other day. Luc Longley was 7’2”, 270 lbs, and they went to him every possession the first 5-6 possessions. He gave CHI, lay-ups, dunks and wide open 17-footers because of his vision and passing. Dennis Rodman was as unstoppable as a defender/rebounder could be. It wasn’t just that he, - could guard virtually any position at an elite level - out-rebounded virtually everyone, even with peers of Robinson, Shaq, Mutombo, Ewing, Oakley, Daugherty, Olajuwon, Thorpe, Malone, Barkley, Willis, Mourning, and Kemp, - get to every loose ball before anyone else - make instant-offense outlet passes, - blow up his opponent’s focus and concentration, - fire up the crowd, and do all of this simultaneously for 34 minutes per game without getting tired, he also just had high b-ball intelligence, a real swagger, and a real mental toughness that just said, “you guys are not going to win this game.” Toni Kukoč was 6’10” with handles, quickness, passing, post-game, and perimeter shooting. He was too quick and had too good an outside shot for the big/strong guys, and had too much size, footwork and low-post touch for the small/quick guys. He could make plays with the pass on the break, in the half-court, from the perimeter from the post, and he made his FTs A 7’0” 250 lbs outsider shooter in Bill Wennington who seemed to make every 18-footer he ever took. Already there is too much size and versatility when we talk about the combined skills from Kukoč, Longley, Wennington and Rodman, that of outside shooting, passing, FT-shooting, post scoring, rebounding and defense, that of dudes with an average height of 6’11”. Again, too much size and depth. Depth? How about the #1 all-time leader in career 3PT%, Steve Kerr? Between Jud Buechler, Ron Harper, Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan they had outside shooting, passing, low-post scoring, rebounding and defense from 4 guys avg. height of 6’6” They were too smart, too big, too deep, too well-rounded, too unselfish and had too much Jordan to be beaten by anybody.

As a die-hard Warriors fan since the early 1990s, the 96 Bulls will literally demolish the Warriors. If the Bulls played in the current NBA, they will be ranked #1 in both defense and offense in the league. Randy Brown as a bench warmer could guard Stephen one on one and then you also have Ron Harper, standing at 6'7", MJ, Pippen, and Rodman. We do not even need to talk about offense.

Watching highlights and docs about those Bulls teams is great. But living through it was a different experience entirely bc we didn’t know how the story would end. MJ’s last shot in Utah is a great memory to relive. But watching it live in June ‘98 with an NBA title and history on the line was almost indescribable.

You can't argue Kerr... Name one person closer to all the involved players and his complete understanding of every single players skill and capacity to dominate.

I was truly blessed to witness the years of MJ and the Bulls.

MJ, Pip, Rodman, and arguably Harp are all some of the greatest defensive players EVER.

Modern fans need to realize a few things. MJ was not a bad 3pt shooter, he just never practiced it and didn’t do it a lot because he didn’t want to. The fact is that as his career moved along, he got better and better from downtown. The player with the best 3pt shooting percentage in the NBA coaches the Warriors but he played for the 96 Bulls. And last but by no means least - imagine that you have the greatest scorers in NBA history playing in an era where there is hand checking, where the 7 footer is camped out under the basket waiting for you to drive the hoop, where the game is much more physical and then you take all that away while still letting him and Pippen shut down passing lanes and play the ambush defence they were so great at….. Sorry, but playing under the way the 96 rules were called - Bulls in 4. Playing under the current rules - Bulls in 3 with the league putting in a mercy rule and cancelling game 4.

The Bulls would physically wear down GS on offense, which would impact GSs offense. Imagine Curry having to guard MJ on the block over and over again. Kukoc would even have more of an impact in todays game. His impact would be much greater, like Kerr said.

The NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL from the 1980s to 1990s were really interesting. That era was the heyday of the four major North American professional sports leagues.

The 92 Bulls was pretty strong too. MJ at this time was relentless and more athletic.

That 90s era Bulls team made me into a believer. I was a laker fan and hated the bulls. But after that 92’ Barcelona dream team, the magnitude of that team also changed. It was like watching the Beatles or Elvis on a weekly basis. No team has done that in the modern NBA. They were at the top so many years, never lost a series or an NBA title during their reign (with MJ of course)

Seeing MJ dominate with pure athleticism from 91-93 was incredible, but to see Jordan with the 96 Bulls become a cerebral assassin, just dominate and debilitate the other teams' willpower was something else. What I don't think is talked about enough about that 72 win season: The way the Bulls would pace the game, toy with opponents like a cat with a mouse, make them think they stood a fighting chance at halftime-- and the Bulls would explode out of the gates in the 3rd quarter, scoring at will and shut them down defensively, and rack up such a lead, that it became customary that Jordan, Pippen and Harper would sit out most of the 4th quarter icing their knees and joking around on the bench. The 73 win GSW team was amazing... but they didn't have that level, that aura.

Harper was woefully underrated in my view; he was an excellent defender. I think if the rules were 90’s rules where you could beat people up then no question the Bulls would be favored. Kerr knows more than me and he thinks that Bulls team would do well with current no-touch defending.

People also don't realize the psychology of the '96 Bulls. After MJ's humiliation by the Orlando Magic in the '95 playoffs, MJ came into the 95-96 season with a chip on his shoulders which paved the way for their 2nd three-peat.

Scottie is picking up steph from 75 feet, Rodman is guarding KD, MJ will no doubt want the klay Thompson match up...3 defensive 1st team members and Ron Harper, the bulls bench is way deeper with everyone playing their roles to perfection...bulls in 6

I loved watching this! I'm from Chicago, so, I saw the dynasty up close & personal! It was cool going down memory lane & Shawn does an excellent job with his videos & his basketball knowledge is A1! Much love.

I was lucky enough to grow up in a house with a satellite dish. I could watch any team, any game I wanted. I probably watched 50 plus Bulls games a year. I was not necessarily a Bulls fan, but I knew how special that era was. Thanks Sean...love your channel!!

Being the early 80's baby, I am....it was an honor and privilege to see all of this basketball evolve. In my opinion, 96 Bulls' greatest team of all time hands down. You use 80's 90's era rules...straight sweep by Chicago, you do today's rules Chicago in 5. BTM...love the channel and all the content. Keep being great my g.👌🏾🤙🏾