Warriors and Bulls are different cases
There has been a ton of talk about the Golden State Warriors this season. After winning the franchise’s first NBA title since 1975, folks around the league have been discussion this year’s version because of the blistering pace the team has been on since the start of the regular season.
Now, with only one game remaining before the playoffs, Golden State stands on the edge of history. At 72-9, one more win would give the Warriors the best regular-season mark in history, eclipsing the record set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who of course were led by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson.
Al of this has led to the inevitable topic: are the Warriors or Bulls the better team?
The truth is that we will never have the definitive answer. The two teams can’t hop into a time machine and make the 95-96 Bulls come back today in prime form. There will be arguments forever, with people siding with both teams. Some will argue that Golden State has an incredible shooting duo with a more formidable frontcourt. Others will say that Chicago could have guarded the Warriors, with Jordan on Steph Curry, Scottie Pippen on Draymond Green and Dennis Rodman grabbing every rebound in sight.
The reality is that the argument is a waste of time. Both teams are of the all-time quality and should be appreciated as such.
Golden State is in all likelihood going to reach and win the NBA Finals for the second consecutive season. The Warriors are an incredble collection of talent despite being in the salary cap era. This team has two players in Klay Thompson and Curry who appear to be locks for the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame down the road, while Green is building his resume. Add in the play of veterans Andrew Bogut and Andre Iguodala, and this is one of the finest groups ever assembled.
That said, there is no discounting what the Bulls did during their time in the 90s. Jordan and Pippen were the front men for one of the greatest rock bands ever witnessed, winning six championships in eight years. The Bulls remain an iconic team and Jordan remains the biggest name in basketball despite being retired for more than a decade.
Fans of basketball should simply enjoy and understand what they are watching. The Warriors are greatness in real time with a player who is about to win his second straight MVP award, surrounded by players who perfectly compliment him. It is one thing to have a ton of talent. It is quite another to fit expertly with each other. Golden State has achieved both, and it has made the Warriors special.
Take it all in, this won’t happen again for quite some time.
