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1995-96 Chicago Bulls vs 2000-2001 Los Angeles Lakers

By Alan Mena

Oct 9, 2014; Lithonia, GA, USA; The NBA logo is shown with basketballs as the Atlanta Hawks conduct an open practice at Miller Grove High School. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2014; Lithonia, GA, USA; The NBA logo is shown with basketballs as the Atlanta Hawks conduct an open practice at Miller Grove High School. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NBA has some historic teams since it’s inception in 1946. I wondered, what if we could have some of these teams matchup? I picked what is considered the best 2 teams in the history of the NBA. The 95-96 Chicago Bulls won 72 games and dominated the playoffs en route to a 4th NBA title. The 00-01 Lakers, led by the duo of Shaq and Kobe, were looking to cement the legacy with a repeat. Saying they dominated could be considered a understatement, going 15-1 in the playoffs and finals combined and another championship to thier name. Let’s look at both teams’ rotation.

1995-1996 Chicago Bulls

The legendary Bulls of 1995 had Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in there prime.  Toni Kukoc was ahead of his time. A 6-10 shooter off the bench for Chicago. Steve Kerr was a long shooter, Ron Harper was a defensive point guard and between Luc Longley, Bill Wennington and Dennis Rodman, the Bulls were solid down low. The Bulls also had solid players on the end of the bench like John Salley, James Edwards and Randy Brown to take some cheap time.

2000-2001 Los Angeles Lakers

Many people would tell you: This is the greatest Lakers team in the three peat in the 2000’s. Shaquille O’ Neal (28.7 ppg and 12.7 rpg) and Kobe Bryant (28.5 ppg, 5.9rpg and 5.0apg) were on point as a dominant duo. Add to that: two clutch performers in Robert Horry and Derek Fisher. The Lakers bench was loaded as well. Horace Grant, Rick Fox,  Brian Shaw and Ron Harper filled out the rotation.

My prediction: The Lakers win in 6. I feel Kobe could play well enough against Jordan. Shaq is the difference. The Lakers should be able to take the ball in the paint and handle the Bulls’ frontcourt. Here’s the simulation game by game with a little game info. The home team is the team listed first.

Game 1: Bulls 126, Lakers 117

Gametrack: Micheal Jordan had 51 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Kobe Bryant attacked back with 40 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. The key was Chicago’s bench and big men. Shaq had a good game (26p, 18r, 5a and 4blk) but the bench came up empty almost  ( Horry- 7 points, Madsen-2 points, George-6 points). The Bulls got 6 points from Bill Wennington, 7 points from Dickey Simpson and Scottie Pippen also had 16 ponts, 12 rebounds and 8 assists.

Game 2: Bulls 91, Lakers 111

Gametrack: The Lakers return with a 20 point beatdown. Shaq gets 34 points and 20 rebounds while Kobe chips in with 24 points and 4 rebounds. Derek Fisher also scores 10 points, dishes out 7 assists and 4 rebounds. Micheal Jordan leads the Bulls in scoring with 34 points and 7 assists. The Bulls big men did not farewell against O’Neal. Luc Longley had 5 fouls in 24 minutes of action and Wennington had 2 in 12 minutes.

Game 3:  Lakers 113, Bulls 100

Gametrack: Michael Jordan had 24 points, Scottie Pippen had 16 points, Dennis Rodman chip in with 10 points and 12 rebounds, Luc Longley rebounds from a terrible game 2 with 12 points, Randy Brown with 10 points and Toni Kukoc gives the Bulls 13 points yet it wasn’t enough. The Lakers took a 2-1 lead behind Kobe Bryant’s 27 points and 7 assists. O’Neal had a solid game on offense ( 18 points) and defense (11 rebounds and 6 blocks). Big shot Rob gave the Lakers 18 points. Isiah Rider sighting. 10 points in 9 minutes.

Game 4:  Lakers 123, Bulls 118

Gametrack: In double OT, the Lakers squeeze by. O’Neal had a monster game: 46 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 blocks. Kobe Bryant wasn’t a slouch either with 30 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Rick Fox also game up big with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Micheal Jordan (29p, 9r and 6a) and Scottie Pippen (31p, 5r and 8a) carried the Bulls but it wasn’t enough.

Game 5: Bulls 111, Lakers 104

Gametrack: The Bulls hold off elimination for a game. Micheal Jordan had 29 points and 7 rebounds. Scottie Pippen with a near triple double ( 24p, 13r and 9a) along with Ron Harper with 15 points, 4 rebounds 3 assists. Bryant had 26 points and 10 rebounds while O’Neal had a subpar game with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks.

Game 6: Lakers 112, Bulls 115

Gametrack: The Bulls push for a game 7 with a 3 point victory. Jordan dominates with 29 points and 5 rebounds. Scottie Pippen again come through with another near triple double ( 21p, 7r and 10a). Dennis Rodman ( who’s had moster rebounding performances came through again with 17 rebounds ( 8 offensive). Unlike game 6, Shaq has a great game: 34 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks. Kobe continues his solid pace with a triple double 28 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds.

Game 7: Bulls 98, Lakers 97

Gametrack: In Game 7, the Bulls eek out a win with (oddly) a game winning  jumper from Dennis Rodman. Rodman had 11 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. Micheal Jordan had 27 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Scottie Pippen had 27 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. O’Neal had another great game with 36 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks. The key to Chicago’s win was Jordan’s lockdown defense on Bryant. Bryant went 6/16 shooting, 12 points and 5 assists.

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