Look at the lineup of today : Pf - Juwan Howard - Maurice Taylor - Scott Padgett Sf - Jim Jackson - Bostjan Nachbar C - Yao Ming - Dikembe Mutombo Sg - Tracy Mcgrady - Tyronn Lue Pg - Bob Sura - Charlie Ward The 96' - 97' Lineup : Pf - Charles Barkley - Kevin Willis Sf - Mario Elie - Matt Bullard C - Hakeem Olajuwon - Othella Harrington - Charles Jones Sg - Clyde Drexler - Eddie JOhnson Pg - Matt Maloney - Brent Price obviously today's team has much to prove ( considering the 96 - 97' team was one Malone bear hug away from defeating the Bulls in the finals). But on paper, the lineup today looks much deeper and more balanced. Then again, there is no Olajuwon. Back to white point guards though !!!! Yee Haw!
It's hard to compare the two teams because the '96/'97 team was relatively old, and today's team is comprised of younger superstars. On paper I like the Hakeem-Drexler-Barkley team, but I also think that Yao/Tmac/Juwon could be something special.
That 96-97 team won 57 games and should have made the finals, I think this team would be lucky to get to the WC finals.
Its hard to say. You can't really ever compare any team on paper, we really need to see how this team performs.
A lot of great paper teams didn't live up to expectations or at least the level of talent their rosters indicated. The 2003-2004 Lakers come to mind. I don't think you can answer this question for another 1-2 years.
I thought the Francis/Mobley/Rice/Griffin/Yao team was the best team ever assembled, it was according to Les however.
That is similar to what Mark Cuban said a few days ago about the Mavericks he has assembled. Here's hoping the Mavericks don't make the playoffs.
i'd pick this team over any of the teams that came after the 96/97 season any day. ESPECIALLY the one with Pippen and how he lost that playoff game for us because of his inability to dribble correctly.
The 96/97 team had Hakeem, at the tail end of his prime years. One of the most dominant forces at both ends of the court that the NBA has ever seen. Nothing else matters. Case closed. Ask me again in 3-4 years and I may have a different answer, though.
This year's team is not only better but far better. Barkley has a BIG edge in talent over Juwan Howard. However, where was all the shots he needed to be at his best? Hakeem and Clyde had alot of them. Hakeem and Yao. Hakeem is the best center of all time. Better than Wilt, better than Kareem, better than George Mikan, Bill Russell, David Robinson, and Patrick Ewing. However, Yao in his third season against Hakeem in 1996-1997? Yao could very well get 23 points a game and 10 for the whole season. In which case, having Hakeem sit down for 10 - 12 minutes and have Kevin Willis as his backup would be a downgrade with Dikembe substituting for Yao. I say the center position is even. Mario Elie vs Jim Jackson. Not even close Jim is a better scorer at his present age than Mario was at his best. Additionally, he is in better shape, and is more athletic. Both are defensive stoppers. Advantage Jim Jackson Clyde vs. TMac. As much as I love Clyde, its not that close because of the age disparity. Clyde had awesome years his last four years in Houston though. Advantage TMac Matt Maloney vs. Bob Sura. compare the two players in any way you want, you'll see there really isn't one. Bob Sura wins hands down. Now there is one x-factor that isn't mentioned. HEART. If this year's team has half the heart that our former two-time champs did. We'll have another championship banner raised. I believe.
the thing is hakeem could've easily still been a 25-26 ppg guy, it's just that with barkely around he points were due to come down a little. oh and hakeem was still way better on defense. lets not say silly things like the center position is even.
Surely Lue is not going to back up TMac, I think Sura will do that. But, to answer your question; on paper, yes. By the All Star break, we will all know for sure.
As much as I like Yao, and I like T-mac. I have to pick the 96-97 team. First, they have Hakeem Second, they have Hakeem thirdly, they have hakeem and then, you've got Barkley and Willis at backup Drexler at the 2 with Eddie! Johnson. just imagine this year usa team has a guy like Eddie! and then there is super mario, air bullad. Big O, and the other charles and then there is the duo of maloney and price. This year team has nothing close to that. But I do think this year team is the best since then.
Hold up, was Matt a second team all rookie that year? He put up some pretty good stats that year. Not saying he's a better player but he was damn good for that team.
It's not like were John Stockton. 97 would just play good late 90's basketball and tire us out with their late 90s former superstar ways.
