Imagine if there is a device that can alter time and reality. A machine that can get us back at whatever time we want. That would be cool because we can fix the mistakes we did in the past. We can see what will happen to us in the future. We will know what really happened in World War 1 and 2. But I am not here to talk about some MARVEL stuff. I am here to talk about basketball.
What if we send the Dallas Mavericks (50-9 and now is in pace to win 70 games) 11 years back and have them face the 72-10 Chicago Bulls in a best of seven series? Who will emerge as the winner?
Center Luc Longley / Bill Wennington vs. Erick Dampier / DeSagana Diop
Forward Scottie Pippen / Dennis Rodman / Toni Kukoc / Jason Caffey vs. Dirk Nowitzki / Josh Howard / Devean George / Austin Croshere
Guard Michael Jordan / Ron Harper / Steve Kerr / Randy Brown vs. Jason Terry / Jerry Stackhouse / Devin Harris / Greg Buckner
I am missing some players… Truly appreciate it if someone could add them.
Breaking down…
Dampier is a better scorer than both Longley and Wennington combined. Dampier is a low-post scorer while the two Chicago Centers are mid-range spot-up shooters. Diop gets his points on put backs and feeds from teammates. Dampier and Diop are better shot blockers but Longley and Wennington are slightly better in man-to-man coverage. Longley and Wennington are better passers. Overall Advantage: Dallas Mavericks
Rodman vs. Nowitzki is a great match-up. Rodman is one hell of a defender but I don't think he can defend the sweet shooting Nowitzki in the perimeter. Remember how Malone burned Rodman with his mid-range shooting in 97 and 98 NBA Finals? That's what Nowitzki will do and unlike Malone, Nowitzki can even extend behind the arc. He will just shoot over the Worm. Rodman is an excellent offensive rebounder, so Rodman would get at least 2 offensive rebounds from a supposedly 2 defensive rebounds by Nowitzki. That means plus 2 possessions for the Bulls and minus 2 defensive rebounds by Dirk. Rodman will also force Dirk in turning over the ball perhaps at least twice a game. But, I don't think he will be able to prevent the German sensation from having big games. Both Caffey (rookie back then) and Croshere can #### inside but Croshere is better offensively. Rodman had plenty of championship (Pistons) and playoff experience (Spurs) as compared to Nowitzki and Croshere. Overall Advantage: Dallas Mavericks
Another great match-up. Pippen vs. J. Howard. Both can play excellent offense and defense. In a best of 7 series, both can have the same accumulated amount of points, rebounds, and blocks. Assists and steals, Pippen will get higher numbers. Pippen has better court vision and sometimes play the point guard position. Although Toni Kukoc is a slower version of Nowitzki, Kukoc is clutch and a streaky scorer. He can score in bunches at any given time. Devean George can hit the tree occasionally and have plenty of championship experience. Advantage: Pippen and Howard is a toss-up but with Kukoc to the Bulls and George (playing limited minutes this season) to the Mavs, the advantage is clearly in the Bulls' favor.
His Airness Michael Jordan will dominate the game, plain and simple. As good as a defender Greg Buckner is, he is simply no match against the brilliance and ability of Michael Jordan. Jerry Stackhouse is good scorer but with MJ guarding him, it will be a different story. Advantage: There is no need to elaborate more about the Shooting Guard match-up. This is a no brainer.
Ron Harper is taller than Jason Terry but with the triangle offense, there is no need for him to post-up against the smaller JT. What Ron Harper does is to simply bring the ball and occasionally hit the open shots. Same with Steve Kerr. Jason Terry is a scoring point-guard and Devin Harris is a relentless defender. Randy Brown doesn't bring any offense in the game. Advantage: Dallas Mavericks.
Avery Johnson had the highest winning % of any coach in the NBA and is only in his 2nd full season of coaching but Phil Jackson won 3 championships back then. Advantage: Bulls
The Mavericks is the deepest team in the NBA right now and their bench is better than the Bulls. Advantage: Mavericks
I think the Bulls will win the series 4 games to 2 regardless of home court advantage. Jordan will be Dwyane Wade (like last year) on a same magnitude. He will be scoring on free throws and splitting the defenders. If double-teamed, he can pass the ball to Pip, Kukoc, and Kerr. But one of the keys to the Bulls winning it is rebounding. Rodman will simply dominate the glass. And how did the Bulls won 72 games even though key players like Rodman and Pippen injured in some games - one of the answers is Team Chemistry. And their Team Chemistry is slightly better than the Mavericks.
Jordan would average 31 ppg, 6 rpg, 5 apg, 3 spg. Nowitzki would average 27 ppg, 9 rpg. Rodman would average 18 rpg.
Now that we know that the Mavericks will lose to the Bulls in the year 1996, they can now go back to the future as they try to win the Championship only to be beaten yet again by Michael Jordan's heir apparent - Kobe Bryant and the L.A. Lakers. Am I delusional?
