Do you think the Rockets would have won both of them championships if MJ never left?

In the Bulls' 3 championship years, the Rockets had a 5-1 record against the Bulls in the regular season, including 2-0 during the 90-91 season where Olajuwon played only like 50 games.

Jordan is great, but don't let Patrick Ewing fool you: he never faced a dominant big man like Olajuwon in the postseason in his life save for Shaq in the 95-96 season.

 

Containing him in the regular season is one thing. I'd never underestimate Jordan in the playoffs (94-95 doesn't really count since he didn't have a full season) let alone the Finals. Just be thankful he was away and we got our ring.

 

Just like the Patriots were out to prove something this year huh?

 

That, to me, is arguably the "best team that never was". I honestly think they would have taken the Bulls to the brink and probably would have beaten them. The problem with both the Sonics and the Jazz teams that played the Bulls was that neither team had a solid 2nd scorer. Sure, Seattle had Detlef Shrempf and Payton and Jazz had Stockton, but a three headed monster like Dream/Barkley/Drexler would have been the ultimate matchup.

 

Who guarded Jordan in the Finals the first 3 years of their championship? Byron Scott? Drexler? KJ? Majerle? None were on the level of Maxwell in terms of size, speed, and just nastiness. Vernon got into MJ's head. Of course, Jordan would have his 30 point nights but I am pretty sure it would have taken a lot of shots for that to happen. It's like this: Yao can battle and win against Amare, Duncan, Kaman, Dwight but Al Harrington plays him damn well.

Again, not underestimating Jordan at all.

 

Of course it's not his fault but there's something that leaves you thinking when his team did "poorly" against the Rockets during their championship runS.

Difference between Hakeem and Robinson, Ewing, and the rest is the same thing that made Jordan great: killer instinct. Olajuwon was determined to kill you on the court if the opportunity presented itself. When you put two players with that has that same kind of mentality into battle, you then have to look at the other intangibles: his teammates, each team's strengths and weaknesses. People forget how good OT was (he was an All-Star for one year ) and on those nights when Vernon and Kenny Smith were hitting, nothing could stop the Rockets. Add to that the fact that a 6-10 slim, trim, and fast Robert Horry would match up with Pippen...just use your imagination.

 

If push came to shove Jordan would've figured out a way to get by Maxwell. Especially in a 7 game series. Just like if push came to shove I'd hope Yao would figure out a way to get by Harrington (at this point and time I don't know about Yao) another thing that separates someone from a Yao and MJ that's a whole different story though.

There's a reason why Jordan is the greatest of all time. He was mentally tough and he made the necessary adjustments and made the precise executions in order to succeed. Maxwell may have had his number in a few regular season games but Jordan would've clowned on Mad Max in the finals. I know there's a lot of die hard Mad Max fans but thats my honest opinion.

 

You're missing my point. The fact of the matter is Regular season doesn't mean crap. Ask The 05-06 Pistions and the 06-07 Mavs.

 

Michael Jordan got beat by Orlando one of those years. The only question is whether they would have A) made the finals in 93'-94' and B) beat the Rockets had Jordan stayed.

My answer: No way. The Rockets were the only team in that era that owned the Bulls. Everyone else just laid down. We had great personnel to match up that year and who knows, the Knicks may have put the bulls to sleep that year.

 

I think we could have taken them. But no one will ever believe us. the 95' team would have beaten anyone - Seattle, Chicago, doesn't matter - because we played like a super team.

But no one will believe ya so it doesn't matter - and it's just history.

 

Wrong move making this poll in the Clutchfans bbs, OP. I mean, who are we kidding here? We can all claim to be objective, but it's pretty obvious that we're all biased (which is a good thing, I think). There can be no objective hardcore fan, and I'm pretty sure that MOST of us here are hardcore Rockets fans.

 

The legend of Vernon Maxwell lives on. He may be a tough guy, but MJ was the toughest SOB in the business, that's why he was so hard to beat. Vernon wouldn't get in MJ's head, my friend, it would be the other way around.

On a sidenote, has anyone read Jayson Williams' (PF, formerly of the Nets) book, "Loose Balls"? It has some interesting anecdotes in there, a good read. It told me all I needed to know about MJ, Hakeem, and many others.

 

I know, it's a shock. You never bothered trying to stop listening to the media hype machine that is ESPN, did you?