Round 2: Chicago Bulls vs Detroit Pistons Series Thread

IIRC, the Bulls lost 1 too many game in season end. Otherwise, they had tie breakers over the Cavs for the 2nd seed. Too bad.

 

what basketball you've been watching, the East has had legitimate teams all the way up until M.J. retired. And west wasn't that great either.

Western playoff teams under .500 since 92-93
(1) 92-93, 3- 50 win teams, 1 60 win team
(0) 93-94, 6- 50 win teams
(0) 94-95, 2-60 win teams, 2 50 win teams
(1) 95-96, 3 50 win teams, 1 60 win team
(3) 96-97, 1 60 win team, 3 50 win teams
(0) 97-98, 3 60 win teams, 2 50 win teams

61% of 50 games = approx 30 wins
(0), 98-99, 5 teams over 30 wins


Eastern playoff teams under or under .500, since 92-92
(0) 92-93, 3-50 win teams
(0) 93-94, 4-50 win teams
(1) 94-95, 4-50 win teams, with Chicago team that only had M.J. for 17 games but managed 47 wins
(0) 95-96, 1-70 win team, 1 60 win team, and 1 50 win team
(0) 96-97, 2 60 win teams, 4 50 win teams
(0) 97-98, 1 60 win team, 4 50 win teams


61% of 50 games = approx 30 wins

(0) 98-99, 4 teams over 61%

 

Why do you think it's been so much rarer for a team to come out of the West multiple times versus the East? The East may be more consistent (mediocre) top to bottom, but the West has always been extremely top heavy.

Put any of those Bulls teams in the West and there is no way they win 65+ games having to play the real juggernauts four times each. Likewise, put the Sonics, Spurs, Suns, Blazers, Rockets, or Jazz in the East and they make the finals more times out there.

 

a juggernaut non those teams were juggernauts...don't juggernauts usually win championships or at least make it every year. Most of thos team except the Rockets won any titles...didn't Chicago dominate most of those teams in the finals.


beat Lakers 4-1
beat Blazers 4-2
beat Suns 4-2
beat Sonics 4-2
beat Jazz (x2) 4-2

20-11 in NBA Finals (Chicago)

Besides, those teams like the Spurs, Jazz, and Sonics managed to win 60-65+, Chicago could definitely do it because they were best team basketball period.

At the point time, you're telling me the east wasn't as good as West.

Let's see...we had Ewing & Reilly Knicks team that came closer knocking Chicago out of playoffs (on several occasions) more so than any team West ever could.

Shaq & the Magic always tough match-up, The Magic were probably about 2nd or 3rd best team in league.

Reggie & Pacers led Larry Brown, they were always tough team.

Cavs (early on), Hornets (LJ and Zo-prime), Hawks (early with Wilkens and later Mutombo, Smith and Blaylock).


Only times those Chicago teams ever played 7th game in series was in Eastern Conference.

 

This is all you needed to say. It's amazing to me how many people here have selective amnesia about how good the Bulls were. I suppose a lot of it is younger posters who don't remember the NBA from 10-15 years ago.

 

No doubt in my mind that Bulls were the most dominant team of their time and maybe one of the best dynasties ever. However, the question was would they do as good if they played in the Western Conference? Same like today, East is lacking legitimate contenders only Detroit. Back in the 90's same thing was going on Chicago overpowered a weaker conference. Since the end of the Bird Celtics and Bad Boys Detroit, no team was in the way to challenge Jordan and the Bulls for the Eastern Conference crown. I think if you put them in the West, they still make the Finals but only 2-3 times not 6 trips. Jordan's rings would be cut in half especially those he got after his first retirement.