In a seven-game series,which of these two teams you think would win if all players were in their primes? Houston C Hakeem Olajuwon/Kevin Willis PF Charles Barkley/Matt Bullard SF Eddie Johnson/Mario Elie SG Clyde Drexler/Sedale Threatt PG Matt Maloney/Brent Price Head Coach:Rudy Tomjanovich LA Lakers C Shaquille O'neal/Horace Grant PF Karl Malone/Slava Medvedenko SF Byron Russell/Rick Fox/Devean George SG Kobe Bryant/Kareem Rush PG Gary Payton/Derek Fisher Head Coachhil Jackson
They have Shaq, Kobe, Karl Malone, and Payton all in their prime against Hakeem, Clyde and Barkley of course they will kill us!
You're underselling Eddie Johnson. You also have to remember that Gary Payton didn't fit in the Triangle Offense.
I probably have to honestly say the Lakers. Trouble is it's a warped scenario, because Payton and Malone were fairly washed up in 2004. And Carl Malone is a piece of trash, generally speaking. The '97 Rockets bench is just not that great, prime or otherwise.
They win, but only because Gary Payton in his prime beats Maloney up and down. Give me Sam Cassell on that team and I pick the Rox.
I really want to say Rockets cause I hate the Lakers and I hate Malone but if everyone is in their prime, that team is just so damn good. Prime Malone is a ridiculously good stretch 4 and while Payton doesn't fit in the triangle, his facilitating, defense and shooting make him a good fit for the team.
i hate the man with a passion, but a "prime" derek fisher is a great fit for that team as well. if payton hypothetically couldn't play in the triangle offense in his prime.
I understand. I mean that it's hard to consider that scenario because Payton and Malone weren't really "Payton and Malone" on that Lakers team. But.. if everyone's in their prime: Lakers.
Shaq got let go after that season for a reason. Dream would have torn them up, & as bad of shape as Barkley was in he owned the boards! - Malone could hang...in 98 when Barkley got injured and "the wabbit had the gun." -Sir Charles after going up 2-1 in the best of 5 as an 8th seed. -97 was a way more healthy year. - people forget just how well the '04 Rox played against that 2004 Squad the Lakers put together. They were old, but Kobe began being the best player of the L starting then
Lakers sadly. A lot more depth around the stars. I might take the pre-Barkley trade roster though Cassell, Clyde, Horry, can't remember, Hakeem
You have a big three in prime Clyde the Glide, Barkley and the Dream versus a starting 5 of Top 50 All Time, HOF in their primes. Lakers sadly :/
You guys remember old man Willis and EJ. Willis was an 18/13 guy at his peak and Johnson was a 20PPG guy in his prime. Elie would start, and a bench with EJ and Willis beats the Lakers bench Shaq's dominance was inflated because he never had to play great centers after the mid 90's. He was still a monster, but his impact against guys like Dream and David Robinson was lessened. I'll take Barkley over Malone. You underrated Glide too, he was a 25/6/6 guy on teams that were making finals appearances.
If it were based on that actual year, I would take the 04 Lakers but everyone in their prime? I have got to go with the 97 Rockets IMO just barely though
