When Phil Jackson came to the Lakers during the 1999-2000 season, Dr. Jerry Buss knew exactly what he was doing. He wanted to take the blueprint for success that Jackson had in Chicago and implant it onto the Laker fabric.

Because there was no longer Showtime and the players who orchestrated the show, it was obvious the system could never be repeated in '99 with Shaq, Kobe, Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones, et al. Therefore, he had to bring in the Zenmaster to install a different machine that would eventually capture three more NBA titles.

Although Jackson has always had the best superstars on his teams, the common denominator to all of his championships has always been the triangle system. That's been the constant, and that's the main reason Jackson has the most rings of any coach in the history of pro basketball. It's easy to claim that Jackson won because he had Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaq, and Kobe. But other great coaches also had Karl Malone, John Stockton, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Dominique Wilkins, and Bernard King and never won titles. Having great players helps but it truly is the system and the way management and coaches run it that makes dynasties possible. 

His 1996 champion Chicago Bulls were special. The team had a perfect combination of veterans who'd been there done that (MJ, Pip, Rodman with the Bad Boys, John Salley with the Bad Boys, and James "Buddha" Edwards with the Bad Boys), veterans who were hungry for a ring (Ron Harper, Steve Kerr, Bill Wennington, Luc Longley), international talent (Toni Kukoc), and young players who were fundamentally sound (Randy Brown, Jason Caffey, Dickey Simpkins). All in all the team was deep, athletic, long, and extremely defensive minded.

Thirteen years later, Dr. Buss and Coach Jackson are writing another similar story in Los Angeles. The makeup of both teams are surprisingly similar. The Lakers have veterans who've been through the wars (Kobe, D-Fish, L.O., Luke Walton, and now, Andrew Bynum). They added a veteran who is hungry for a ring (Ron Artest). There is international talent (Pau Gasol, Sasha Vujacic). And they're full of young players who are solid and coachable (Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, Josh Powell, and DJ Mbenga).

Although we have yet to see if the Lakers of 2009-'10 can even come close to reaching 70 wins, we do know that they won 65 last year without Artest. So 70 wins is definitely reachable this year with an improved roster and a more experienced and battle-tested group.

I'm not going to go as far to say that this Lakers edition will be better than the '96 Bulls, but I will say that the make-up of both teams is extremely similar. We all know Kobe is a lot like MJ in skill, leadership, and competitive level. It's only obvious that Phil would want to build a roster very similar to the one he's had the most success with.

I dared myself to compare the top rotation players for both teams and here's what I came up with:

Michael Jordan vs. Kobe Bryant - Before the '95-'96 season began, MJ had three titles, two Olympic gold medals, and numerous other individual accolades that are too many to list. Bryant, right now, already has four titles, one Olympic gold medal, and countless individual accomplishments that are too many to list. And he's younger than Jordan was when MJ won his fourth ring. Edge: Even.

Scottie Pippen vs. Lamar Odom - Pip played lockdown defense, scored 20 on any given night, plays at least three positions comfortably, and is among the NBA's 50 Greatest Players of All Time. L.O. guards wingmen and low post players, rebounds like a beast, can score 15-20 on any given night, plays all five positions, and is a walking mismatch and double-double machine. Edge: BULLS.

Dennis Rodman vs. Ron Artest - The Worm was the best rebounder in the game several years in a row during his prime. Another one of his greatest assets was his ability to get under the opponents' skin and basically neutralize the other team's best low post player. Artest is arguably the best lockdown defender in the game today. At 6-7, 265 he can post up smaller twos and threes but is also quick enough to take you off the dribble and knock down outside shots. "Run-Run", as Lamar Odom calls him, can give you 20-25 on any given night while holding the other team's best wing player to well below his average. Edge: Even.

Toni Kukoc vs. Pau Gasol - At the time, Kukoc was the most highly regarded international player to play in the NBA. He was the Bulls third leading scorer and was the main sparkplug off the bench, doing virtually everything from scoring and assisting to being a floor leader as a point forward. He was also clutch. Gasol, the second leading scorer for the Lakers, is arguably the most complete big man in the game today. He commands double teams, which frees up L.O. and Andrew Bynum inside. He's a lock for a double-double every night and is the most consistent Laker other than Kobe. Without him, the Lakers don't get past the second round. Edge: LAKERS.

Ron Harper vs. Derek Fisher - Both are tough, heady veterans who probably know the intricacies of the triangle better than anybody else on the team. Both are intelligent players who play consistently solid defense, especially in the playoffs. Both have the knack for making key plays at the right moments. Both are always at the right place at the right time defensively. But Harper hasn't hit as many big clutch shots as Fisher. Edge: LAKERS.

Luc Longley vs. Andrew Bynum - Surprisingly, Longely was the fourth leading scorer for the Bulls during the regular season then slipped to fifth in the playoffs. His mid range game was superb for a big man and defensively he was dependable. At 7-2, he was able to clog the lane quite adequately and give just enough support for the greatest defensive triumvirate of all-time in Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman. Bynum, meanwhile, was the third leading scorer for the team during the season but slipped to sixth in the playoffs due to the lack of trust in his injured knee. However, Bynum's length and size are invaluable to the team. His role is to primarily provide interior defense, disrupt the lane, and block shots. His length allows the Lakers to match up against the other twin tower combinations in the league. Edge: LAKERS.

Steve Kerr vs. Jordan Farmar - Although Kerr didn't hit his famous NBA Finals game-winning clutch jumper against Utah until 1998, he was perhaps the most reliable player to come off the Bulls' bench. He consistently made over 50% of his threes and always seemed to make the right play. Farmar spearheads the Lakers' "Bench Mob" attack with his speed and ability to push the ball. His outside shot is respectable but he tends to rely on the three a little too much instead of being more of a floor general on the court. Edge: BULLS.

Jud Buechler vs. Luke Walton - Buechler had a decent mid range game and was primarily a spot-up shooter who played adequate defense. Buechler averaged only 11 minutes per game and was a marginal contributor, while Walton's role was more crucial to the team's success because he was a regular starter during the season. Walton is an excellent passer and almost plays a point forward role for the team. Walton hit some big shots during the playoffs this year and is the type of player who steps up his game during the postseason. He plays just as well starting as he does off the bench. Edge: LAKERS.

Phil Jackson (full beard) vs. Phil Jackson (clean shaved w/ soul patch) - With the '96 Bulls, Jackson didn't have to do as much teaching with so many veterans that included Jordan, Pippen, Harper, Rodman, Salley, and Edwards on the team. Jackson has had to earn his money more with the Lakers considering the team's average age is only 26 and that he's had to guide them through the all the trials and tribulations. Despite all this and then some (his age, hip, and cumbersome health issues), he's managed to take them to the last two NBA Finals, winning one title. Edge: LAKERS.

OVERALL EDGE: Lakers +3

The Verdict: What I'm saying here is that this Lakers team has the potential to be better than the Bulls of '96. I believe they're deeper, more athletic and talented, and they're bigger,stronger, and younger. Many will say that no team will ever be better than the '96 Bulls but really though... how can one say that nothing can ever be better than something when the future still hasn't been revealed? I'm sure when the Lakers went 69-13 back in '72, most people were saying that they were the best of all-time, period. And then the Bulls won 72 and people said it again. Someday, there will be a team that wins 75 games and goes undefeated in the playoffs. The Lakers went 15-1 en route to the title in 2001 after winning only 56 games in the regular season.

As an owner, coach, and player, the goal is to always improve upon the past, continue to redefine greatness, and build on your legacy. Anything is possible, and I'm sure Phil and Dr. Buss are thinking the same thing.

History will always be re-created, and I'm sure my man KOBE BRYANT is thinking the same thing too.

THE LAKERS ASSAULT CONTINUES...