I've hear the soft label for so long but it really has no basis in reality.
All that talent last year and they got themselves beat. Reminded me of Brady's record setting Pats team. I suppose I think of the Bulls like I do Joe's Niners. Every time they got there they won. That's rare in any sport.
Yes, the game has been cleaned up but that doesn't make it soft.
I think it does in a way. Same in the NFL. Heck, the Pistons team that beat Jordan back a few times could break the rhythm and spirit of just about any team playing now in a series. Being under the boards was brutal in the day and driving there...
I never understood why clothes-lining a player as he drives to the hoop was even considered basketball? Can you imagine if Draymond Green was allowed to slap, elbow, mug, and clothes line players?
I think he'd have a shot at that game. But he's not enough and the hard play inside would kill GS. Not just clothes line fouls but more latitude under the basket and swallowed whistles. What Jordan went through with the Pistons demonstrated a remarkable toughness. And that's before we get to hand checking.
Now the question about this mythical match-up is what rules would they be playing under? That is a big factor. The Bulls team was built for their era. But they NEVER played a team that shot 3 pointers like the the Warriors. The Bulls defense was not designed to stop the 3 point shot. Also, the Bulls played a lot of players who were complete non-scorers like Dennis Rodman and Luc Longley.
Longley wasn't a scorer, but wasn't needed. Rodman could when he wanted. Mostly he decided to sweep the boards and give the Bulls a punishing defensive presence inside. But that 3 pt bit could cut both ways. Teams jack up and play differently. They're not accustomed to the sort of play the Bulls ran with and GS would feel relaxing comparatively.
Now if they played under 1996 rules how would the Warriors respond to the rougher play? That is a legitimate question. How would they deal with a rebounding machine like Rodman? On the the hand in 1996 the 3 point line was closer as well. Can imagine Steph and Klay with the 22 foot 3 point line? Scary thought.
Don't forget by that time Jordan was shooting 3s as well as any starter in the league by 95. Kukoc and Pippen were good from range too and Kerr was absurd, averaging over 50% off attempts.
The 6.5 point spread in favor of the Warriors does seem rather high, though. I'd thought the Bulls would be the slight favorites simply because of the Michael Jordan factor.
It's always fun to play the what if match ups, but the best thing is probably to leave them to their eras. Looking forward to the next game. Let's see if your guys can put their foot on the neck of the defending champs.
