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

[OdomFan]

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.

Can we stop pretending like Dennis Rodman had no idea how to score the basketball? He did, and he did just that in real games when he needed to, but most of the time he did not need to, and it helped that the Triangle offense was about passing the rock around to get it to the right guy. Some of those times the right person in the play was Rodman. Not very often, but you get the idea. Heck before he went to the Bulls he was scoring more in San Antonio. He did not forget how to score. That just was not his role with the Bulls for the most part. He was out there to rebound and play defense.

So yeah. If the Warriors were to leave him open he'd make them pay for it just like he made teams in 1996 pay for it here and there. He even knocked down some 3 pointers. Don't see how it would be impossible for him to do that in such a game as this too.

Go watch the game I linked in here, 96 rodman was his best version on the bulls and even then its rough

I watched those Bulls play in 1996. Great defender, great rebounder, but could do other things too.

[rtiff68]

I have; although I really didn't need to to address this.

1. Hand-checking was allowed back then; making perimeter shooting and maneuvering much more difficult than it is now.
2. There's a level of contact that a defender was allowed to have back then on a player driving towards the basket that is simply not a thing anymore. Back then you could rub your body against them; steer them away from driving lanes; even get away with light hacking of arms etc. The phrase "hand is part of the ball" came from back then. None of that is allowed nowadays. You body up on a guy driving the lane and the ref is going to call it.

Both of the points above are obvious and are a stark contrast between how the game used to be called and how it's called today.

The manner in which you are talking about the impact of hand checking makes me think that you haven’t watched one of those games recently. You’re the only one that know the truth, but immediately going to the (way exaggerated) impact of hand-checking is pretty transparent.

There’s every bit as much, if not more, physicality today on the perimeter than there was in the ‘90’s. Offensive players are hip checking, setting moving screens; defenders are grabbing and clawing at guys (check out some online photos of Curry and Jokic’s arms after games…it’s legit gross), and that’s behind the 3pt arc.

Nobody bothered even guarding beyond the 3pt line in the ‘90’s.

There was less space and overall more post banging then than there is now, but that was the result of there being less shooting. On net, the overall level of physicality really wasn’t that different.

Nobody bothered guarding beyond the 3pt line in the 90s because teams didn't shoot them. That's not reasoning that contributes to the idea of being more or less physical.

All the rest of what you describe was / is there in both eras. You had the same hip checking and clawing; only the picks and curls were for 2pt outside shots instead of threes.

Hand-checking allowed the defender to have continous contact with an offensive player. It often led to shoves or grabs. So to disallow it wholesale minimized the shoving and grabbing as well. Now any contact is called.

Another area where there is a difference is flagrant fouls. It used to be that you basically had to do a flagrant 2 (intent to injure / recklessness to that effect) to get anything close to one called on you back then.

I.e. flagrant 2s now were flagrants back then outside of punches being thrown. Anything less was a common foul.

I'm sorry. I'm 44 years old. I watched the entirety of 90s basketball during my teen years and have been watching as things have become progressively more hands off; with a big change coming in the mid 2000s. And yes, the lack of hand checks are a big part.

I’m 42 years old, and I also watched the entirety of ‘90’s basketball in my teens.

As previously stated, I have also watched several of those games recently, and it’s clear that you haven’t and are clearly just going off of your memory from 30 years ago (opinions that are validated by former players-now current talking heads).

I would recommend conducting the experiment to put your convictions/perceptions to the test. That’s all I’m saying.

[michaelm]

Can we stop pretending like Dennis Rodman had no idea how to score the basketball? He did, and he did just that in real games when he needed to, but most of the time he did not need to, and it helped that the Triangle offense was about passing the rock around to get it to the right guy. Some of those times the right person in the play was Rodman. Not very often, but you get the idea. Heck before he went to the Bulls he was scoring more in San Antonio. He did not forget how to score. That just was not his role with the Bulls for the most part. He was out there to rebound and play defense.

So yeah. If the Warriors were to leave him open he'd make them pay for it just like he made teams in 1996 pay for it here and there. He even knocked down some 3 pointers. Don't see how it would be impossible for him to do that in such a game as this too.

Go watch the game I linked in here, 96 rodman was his best version on the bulls and even then its rough

I watched those Bulls play in 1996. Great defender, great rebounder, but could do other things too.

Of course Rodman was a great player and multifaceted. And of course he could have defended old David West, although West did still have a rather useful mid range shot.

I believe the suggestion was that overly dirty play might not have been a good idea against a guy who was still rather big and strong and possessed of a martial arts black belt.

[therealbig3]

Not really. You could pick a team that had obviously great players with an obvious mismatch like Shaq and Kobe on the 01 Lakers, but defensively, Shaq would struggle too. And the Warriors still had big bodies they could throw at him just like other teams at the time did too. Just too many weapons on the Warriors and a lot of excellent defenders. The 96 Bulls no way. Really can't attack the Warriors offensively with much success, and there's no great answer to the Warriors offense, as good as the Bulls were defensively.

It's kind of broken how stacked the 17 Warriors were.

[therealbig3]

I don't remember Kobe killing Tony Allen or Andre Iguodala or Shane Battier.

Kobe was a monster, and he lit up plenty of great defenders, but he had his struggles too. Going up against Klay and KD would pose a problem, no question. KD is actually someone who I could see really bothering him a lot, I could see him blocking a lot of Kobe's shots with his length.

[OdomFan]

Go watch the game I linked in here, 96 rodman was his best version on the bulls and even then its rough

I watched those Bulls play in 1996. Great defender, great rebounder, but could do other things too.

Of course Rodman was a great player and multifaceted. And of course he could have defended old David West, although West did still have a rather useful mid range shot.

I believe the suggestion was that overly dirty play might not have been a good idea against a guy who was still rather big and strong and possessed of a martial arts black belt.

Well if West karate chopped Rodman during a game he'd get thrown out. So I don't see why Rodman would worry so much. He would be Rodman out there like he was up against everyone.

[DoItALL9]

2007 Spurs
1996 Bulls
1998 Jazz
2004 Pistons
2005 Pacers
2014 Spurs
2019 Raptors
2001 Lakers
1995 Magic
1995 Rockets
2008 Celtics
1986 Celtics
1983 76ers

All would stand a chance.

Definitely not the 2019 Raptors

They were quite inconsistent in the playoffs as a total unit. I would be more interested in seeing how that 2019 series would've finished if Klay didn't get hurt

[E-Balla]

The 83 Sixers if we give them a referee crew and rules from the early 80s. The Warriors would struggle too much getting open without screens and with more tight carrying/travel calls.

[Hoopstar23]

no one... they are the best team ever and one of the best sports teams ever... these guys are on the same level as 2008-2012 Barcelona Futbol teams... they dominated everyone!!!

[therealbig3]

The problem is, people are naming teams that MAY have been able to defend them…but the 17 Warriors were a shut down defense too. That’s what made them broken. There’s no team ever that could stand up to them on both sides of the ball. Even if you somewhat slowed them down offensively, chances are you don’t have the firepower to overcome a defense of Green, Durant, Iggy, and Thompson. That’s just off the top of my head, they had more going for them too.

[JJ_PR]

If I had to choose one team, it'd be the 2004 Detroit Pistons. They defeated the juggernaut Lakers with team basketball. The Pistons would be a good match-up to the afro mentioned Warriors. It's a hard exercise though, that Warriors team was stacked. Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala & David West off the bench? Sheesh.

The 1998 Chicago Bulls deserve a nod. That team was a well-oiled machine. They could defeat anyone.

[ReddoverKobe]

If I had to choose one team, it'd be the 2004 Detroit Pistons. They defeated the juggernaut Lakers with team basketball. The Pistons would be a good match-up to the afro mentioned Warriors. It's a hard exercise though, that Warriors team was stacked. Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala & David West off the bench? Sheesh.

The 1998 Chicago Bulls deserve a nod. That team was a well-oiled machine. They could defeat anyone.

The bulls won a game 7 at home against the Pacers 88-83. Reggie Miller lead the Pacers with 13 fga and the team was 6 for 16 from 3.

[MrPerfect1]

If we are allowed "ANY" team in History then give me The Dream Team. They would absolutely hammervthe Warriors. Only 2 players from GS would even make the roster. The size discrepancy would be laughable. It gets even worse when you compare benches.

[OdomFan]

2007 Spurs
1996 Bulls
1998 Jazz
2004 Pistons
2005 Pacers
2014 Spurs
2019 Raptors
2001 Lakers
1995 Magic
1995 Rockets
2008 Celtics
1986 Celtics
1983 76ers

All would stand a chance.

Definitely not the 2019 Raptors

They were quite inconsistent in the playoffs as a total unit. I would be more interested in seeing how that 2019 series would've finished if Klay didn't get hurt

The 2008 Celtics had tough matchups either. Don't see what that has to do with anything. Every playoff match up is about how well each match up goes for the teams. Kwahi always played well against the Warriors, and the 2019 Raptors were good enough offensively and defensively to be able to get the job done. As they briefly showed in that 2017 matchup before Leonard got hurt. I think they'd have a good chance.

[OdomFan]

The problem is, people are naming teams that MAY have been able to defend them…but the 17 Warriors were a shut down defense too. That’s what made them broken. There’s no team ever that could stand up to them on both sides of the ball. Even if you somewhat slowed them down offensively, chances are you don’t have the firepower to overcome a defense of Green, Durant, Iggy, and Thompson. That’s just off the top of my head, they had more going for them too.

Have to disagree, There are teams that had better benches, and guys in their starting line up that could match up well enough to beat those Warriors. The 2004 Pistons for example having their core line along with the Lindsey Hunters, Corliss Williamson, Okur, and even Darko come in to help out at any time, and I shouldn't have to explain the 96 Bulls to name another example. You're kidding yourself if you think these Warriors are going to shut just any all time great team down.

The Warriors did something amazing in their time, but they aren't running over everyone in history because of it.

[fteru6uhre54ew]

I don't remember Kobe killing Tony Allen or Andre Iguodala or Shane Battier.

Kobe was a monster, and he lit up plenty of great defenders, but he had his struggles too. Going up against Klay and KD would pose a problem, no question. KD is actually someone who I could see really bothering him a lot, I could see him blocking a lot of Kobe's shots with his length.

He destroyed Battier the whole series

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

"Tell Andre Iguodala I'm giving him 50 tonight"

Watch on YouTube

;t=224s


Just as a examples but this was the common the only one who make him work is Tony still he didn't stop him. And Durant wasn't defending Kobe in all his career because he was cooked everytime he played defense versus him.

[Franco]

‘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.

Can we stop pretending like Dennis Rodman had no idea how to score the basketball? He did, and he did just that in real games when he needed to, but most of the time he did not need to, and it helped that the Triangle offense was about passing the rock around to get it to the right guy. Some of those times the right person in the play was Rodman. Not very often, but you get the idea. Heck before he went to the Bulls he was scoring more in San Antonio. He did not forget how to score. That just was not his role with the Bulls for the most part. He was out there to rebound and play defense.

What?

This is an absolutely asinine take, Rodman scored more than 15 points four times in 1995 and 1996. "He could score when he needed to" is the equivalent of saying Manute Bol was a viable 3pt shooter because of that one time he knocked down 6 of them.

So yeah. If the Warriors were to leave him open he'd make them pay for it just like he made teams in 1996 pay for it here and there. He even knocked down some 3 pointers. Don't see how it would be impossible for him to do that in such a game as this too.

What in the actual **** are you talking about? Rodman hit a grand total of 3 three pointers in 1996, and he didn't even attempt a single one in the playoffs. This is just pure delusion.

[OdomFan]

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.

Can we stop pretending like Dennis Rodman had no idea how to score the basketball? He did, and he did just that in real games when he needed to, but most of the time he did not need to, and it helped that the Triangle offense was about passing the rock around to get it to the right guy. Some of those times the right person in the play was Rodman. Not very often, but you get the idea. Heck before he went to the Bulls he was scoring more in San Antonio. He did not forget how to score. That just was not his role with the Bulls for the most part. He was out there to rebound and play defense.

What?

This is an absolutely asinine take, Rodman scored more than 15 points four times in 1995 and 1996. "He could score when he needed to" is the equivalent of saying Manute Bol was a viable 3pt shooter because of that one time he knocked down 6 of them.

So yeah. If the Warriors were to leave him open he'd make them pay for it just like he made teams in 1996 pay for it here and there. He even knocked down some 3 pointers. Don't see how it would be impossible for him to do that in such a game as this too.

What in the actual **** are you talking about? Rodman hit a grand total of 3 three pointers in 1996, and he didn't even attempt a single one in the playoffs. This is just pure delusion.

it's a pretty simple take. Dennis Rodman knew how to score the basketball. It simply was not his primary role. Moving on now.

[Franco]

Can we stop pretending like Dennis Rodman had no idea how to score the basketball? He did, and he did just that in real games when he needed to, but most of the time he did not need to, and it helped that the Triangle offense was about passing the rock around to get it to the right guy. Some of those times the right person in the play was Rodman. Not very often, but you get the idea. Heck before he went to the Bulls he was scoring more in San Antonio. He did not forget how to score. That just was not his role with the Bulls for the most part. He was out there to rebound and play defense.

What?

This is an absolutely asinine take, Rodman scored more than 15 points four times in 1995 and 1996. "He could score when he needed to" is the equivalent of saying Manute Bol was a viable 3pt shooter because of that one time he knocked down 6 of them.

So yeah. If the Warriors were to leave him open he'd make them pay for it just like he made teams in 1996 pay for it here and there. He even knocked down some 3 pointers. Don't see how it would be impossible for him to do that in such a game as this too.

What in the actual **** are you talking about? Rodman hit a grand total of 3 three pointers in 1996, and he didn't even attempt a single one in the playoffs. This is just pure delusion.

it's a pretty simple take. Dennis Rodman knew how to score the basketball. It simply was not his primary role. Moving on now.

Saying the earth is flat is also a pretty simple take.

You have literally nothing to back up your claims, so might as well just make **** up.

[ReddoverKobe]

Dennis rodman took 355 3's in his career, he made 82 for a 23% average. On the Bulls he was 12-69 total, 17%

He averaged 7.7 pts for his career, the highest being 11.6 in 87-88. On the bulls he averaged 5.5, 5.7, and a whooping 4.7.

I guess he saved it all for some future game against the warriors to be unlocked.