One of those never-ending debates in sports is who would win in a hypothetical matchup between two teams from two different years, or even two different eras.
The 2017 Golden State Warriors were one of the best NBA teams in recent memory, as they possessed three probably future Hall of Famers in Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant.
They went a league-record 16-1 through the postseason en route to their second world championship of the era, which they earned versus LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers.
Draymond Green, who could someday give the team four Hall of Famers, flexed on the squad’s greatness when trying to compare them to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls of the late 1990s.
I’m watching the 98 Bulls vs Utah in the Finals… I can’t help but notice our 2017 team would’ve beaten these Bulls by a dub and these Jazz by 40 if they’re going to play these brands of basketball. And that’s why it’s dumb to compare Era’s
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) July 25, 2022
96 Bulls. 98 Bulls. I STAND ON IT!
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) July 25, 2022
What Would Such A Hypothetical Matchup Look Like?
Historical matchups such as this one are difficult to evaluate because it means comparing eras, which is tricky.
The NBA of the 1990s and early 2000s was a very slow-paced league in which offense wasn’t valued or emphasized as much as it is today.
Teams rarely looked to create fast breaks or early offense unless it was a gimmie, and it was rare to see a game in which one, let alone both teams, scored at least 110 points.
Of course, the game was more physical back then, partly because the rules of the day allowed for more physicality.
Those Bulls teams of 1996 to 1998 were a halfcourt-oriented team, and they were also an old team, so there’s no doubt they could run or play the up-tempo game with Golden State.
In terms of matchups, Thompson would likely guard Jordan, Durant would likely guard Pippen and in a matchup that would’ve been extra spicy, Green would’ve taken on Dennis Rodman.
On the other end, Jordan may have been able to stop Thompson, but Durant, at 6-foot-10 or 6-foot-11, could’ve shot over the 6-foot-8 Pippen.
Ron Harper, the Bulls’ other starting guard, could’ve given Curry problems, given he was several inches taller.
The difference may have been Durant’s superior length at the 3, as well as the ability of Curry and Thompson to hit multiple contested 3-pointers.
Rebounding would’ve also been a huge key, as the team that controlled the boards would’ve dictated whatever tempo they wanted, and unfortunately, the Warriors weren’t a great defensive rebounding team.
We won’t say the Warriors would’ve won the matchup if they controlled the boards, but they surely would’ve had a great shot if they didn’t let the game remain close and give Jordan an opportunity to hit clutch shots.
Richard Jefferson’s Response
Jefferson, a member of that 2016 Cavs team, dissed Green’s Warriors, saying they were only the second-best team he had ever faced.
Bro your 2017 team is the 2nd best team I played against BUT LETS CALM DOWN🤣🤣🤣!! Also, I like the move of this text on Sunday afternoon. EVERY SHOW TOMORROW “ Draymond SAID WHAT” 😂😂😂 https://t.co/3MZMkZzQKD
— Richard Jefferson (@Rjeff24) July 25, 2022
It seems Jefferson was implying the best team he had ever faced was the 2002 Los Angeles Lakers, who he lost to in the NBA Finals that year as a member of the New Jersey Nets.
Whether the Warriors would’ve beaten those Lakers is another debate, as that team had a different makeup than Jordan’s Bulls.
NEXT: Charles Barkley Puts Stephen Curry In Same Class As Isiah Thomas
