Any team in history you'd bet against the 2017 Warriors in a 7-game series?

[Optms]

96 Bulls are Earth's only hope

[jokeboy86]

The 2017 Spurs with a healthy Kawhi

I think people have really forgot just how good Kawhi was that year. That was Kawhi when he was in his athletic prime and also still locking up guys defensively. Imo he should've won the MVP that year. Hell he had 26 points before Pachulia took him out. It's amusing at times that some KD fans try to dismiss Giannis's title because of the toe and injuries to Kyrie/Harden but forget that his ring journey had injuries to the most important players on their closest rivals in the playoffs.

[mademan]

A lot of the teams people are picking would have to modernize. Cause there is exactly a 0% chance that the 96 Bulls would win putting up 16 3's vs the Warriors 32. It's just not possible

[Nate505]

I mean, say you dropped the 96 Bulls into 2017 and they played. I wouldn't be shocked if the Warriors smoked them given that they just hit a ton more threes and they were about as perfectly designed for this era as it gets, but it feels like the Bulls would adjust after the first game to this and start attempting a lot more as well.

It seems like the same thing would happen the other way as well. How well would the 2017 Warriors do if you dropped them into 1996 and they had to deal with hand checking, illegal defense rules, and frankly, not getting fouls they are accustomed to getting to? I'm guessing they would adjust as well.

[RIPskaterdude]

2002 Kings in 6

[Plossum]

Difficult comparison. Different eras played under different rules, the game meta was different too given how popular the three ball in now vs previous eras. But I won't be a party pooper so:

* 96 Bulls. They are a pretty even match on the talent front.
* Shaq/Kobe Lakers. Shaq is a huge match-up problems for GSW.
* 07 Spurs. Probably the best of the Spurs dynasty. Well coached team, has a lot of talent.
* 2013 Heat. Prime Lebron with Wade and Bosh could go toe to toe with any squad.
* 94 Rockets

I'm sure some of the Celts shills would vouch for a team like the 86 Celts team. I was but a toddler back then though so can't comment. Prob same with Pistons fans and the 89/90 Pistons.

[BoogieTime]

2001 lakers were the best team ever

[hoosierdaddy34]

2001 Lakers and 1996 Bulls

[formula 400]

The 2001 Lakers I feel like would have the best chance. Both in terms of match up problems on the offensive end and defensive problems caused by who the hell is guarding Shaq?


Kobe and Rick Fox, Brian Shaw, Ron Harper, Ty Lue...this team had some really good perimeter defenders. You swap out Hoarce Grant for Robert Horry in the starting line up for Match ups and I really like their chances.

Probably the best chance but Shaq would need to absolutely go off.

Yes the team did have good perimeter defenders for their era, but no one who had the skillset or experience to guard a modern pace and space offense.

nah. the lakers would've BEEN TOO POWERFUL and easily forced gs to play their style of ball. nobody is guarding or stopping shaq (3+ defenders and the sink).

91 bulls/96 bulls,
2001 Lakers, hell 2020 lakers

[John Murdoch]

Handchecking or nah?

[RoyceDa59]

I’d love to see them against the 2013 Heat, 2003 Spurs, 2001 Lakers or 1996 Bulls.

I think the Bulls & Lakers beat them.

It would be close with the ‘03 Spurs.

I think they’d beat the 2013 Heat.

[formula 400]

2002 Kings in 6

2002 Sacramento coulda would shoulda in 6

[C3H6N6O6]

It depends, are we playing by 2017 rules (or lack there of) where illegal moving screens, travels, carrying, push offs are allowed or by rules from the past? And if by today’s rules, do past teams get a season to adjust to the rules?

Moving screens have been allowed since the 80s. You didn't see them enough because there was less 3 point shooting to make more use of them.

[wegotthabeet]

The same team that got taken to 6 games by a 6 1/2 man sonics team and that was on top of god awful coaching by Karl?

i hate this argument. who gives a **** how many games it took to beat the other team. it's a 7 game series and they won. teams don't get two championships for sweeping the finals or any series.

because if that Sonics teams takes two games off of them what do you think a team that is another galaxy from them would do?

It’s completely irrelevant no matter what you tell yourself. If Seattle had won that would be another thing.

[ReddoverKobe]

i hate this argument. who gives a **** how many games it took to beat the other team. it's a 7 game series and they won. teams don't get two championships for sweeping the finals or any series.

because if that Sonics teams takes two games off of them what do you think a team that is another galaxy from them would do?

It’s completely irrelevant no matter what you tell yourself. If Seattle had won that would be another thing.

Much worse team wins two games. That's the point. No need to get so defensive over Jordan man.

[vxmike]

‘96 Bulls are the team with the best defensive pedigree to guard 2017 perimeter players. Rodman at C completely negates GSW’s “death lineup”.

Rodman guards KD
Pippen guards Curry
MJ guards Klay

[hoosierdaddy34]

Shaq on Green who really can’t shoot
Horry on KD
Fox on Iggy
Fisher on Klay
Kobe on Curry


I think the game plan for the Lakers is simple, bludgeon with Shaq inside and force switches for Curry having to guard Kobe. Lakers are getting an incredible amount of free throws in this series and putting GS in big foul trouble all series long. Golden St would be forced to play Javake and Zara which hurt their offense and would be playing into the LAkers style. warriors would have a real problem with the physicality of this series. Real issues inside, foul trouble McGee, old Zaza and David West, 6’7 Draymond Green. Not ideal for handling prime Shaq.

[Hitachi77]

‘96 Bulls are the team with the best defensive pedigree to guard 2017 perimeter players. Rodman at C completely negates GSW’s “death lineup”.

Rodman guards KD
Pippen guards Curry
MJ guards Klay

Rodman was an offensive 0. Particularly in this matchup, he wouldn’t be able to stay on the floor, unless they want MJ to get constant doubles.

No one beats the 16-17 Warriors. Or I should say, any team with a chance would be a big long shot.

[blackcosmos]

this team was getting smoked on their home court in game 1 of the western conference finals.

then they send in Zaza to purposely injury kawhi. so I would say the a healthy 2017 spurs

[SashimiLover]

The Durant joined a 73 win team has never been genuine reality of the situation. First, the Warriors lost Barnes and Bogut along with all the depth they had to get Durant. He didn't join in addition to that team like the narrative people want to create. The regular season is far more about depth than top end talent because of how long the season is, reason they didn't win even more regular season games when they signed KD.

Nobody is saying KD is joining the 64 win Sun's team, because he isn't. The Sun's swapped out talent just like the Warriors had.

Yeah, some people argued both Zaza and Andrew Bogut had their strenghts back then...maintaining that while Bogut was a better rim protector and facilitator Zaza was a better shooter and shot creator. But with hindsight, I feel a healthy Bogut was still substantially better as a player.

And both David Lee and Harrison Barnes probably would've provided more firepower than any Warrior not named Curry, KD, or Klay on that Warriro team...