Who would win a game between the 87 Lakers and the 96 Bulls?

Question

Match ups PG - Magic Johnson - Ron Harper
Sg - Byron Scott - Michael Jordan
Sf - James Worthy - Scottie Pipen
Pf - A.C. Green - Dennis Rodman
C Kareem Abdul Jabarr - Luc Longley

Reserves Lakers - Michael Cooper, Mychael Thompson,
Kurt Rambis,
Bulls - Toni Kukoc, Steve Kerr

Both teams won the title and that bulls team still holds the best record in NBA history.

But I say the Lakers Magic is the best

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Interesting question. I've always wondered about that myself. The Lakers are obviously more talented but I think the Bulls play better defense. The Lakers wouldn't be able to stop Jordan or Pippen but it'll be interesting to see if the Bulls can stop a 1-2-3 punch of Magic-Worthy-Kareem. The Bulls have faced teams with similar levels of talent during their championship run but N-O-N-E that featured a superstar point guard, an unstoppable low-post scoring forward, and an elite center. The bench play looks pretty evenly matched. I doubt the Bulls would be able to stop Kareem’s skyhook so therefore, he should have a high scoring game. Pippen would give Worthy problems but he wouldn't be able to stop him. I think in terms of guard matchup, Jordan will be in charge of defending Magic to try and slow him down. I don't think Michael can really stop Magic because the Laker's point guard is more of a distributor rather than a scorer (even though he can be one if he wanted to). Plus, let’s not forget that Jordan is also giving up a few inches to the Magic Man. So let's just break down the lineup and see what we can get.


PG: Magic Johnson vs Ron Harper
No one sees the floor better than Magic.
Edge: Lakers


SG: Byron Scott vs. Michael Jordan
No Laker will be able to stop MJ.
Edge: Bulls


SF: James Worthy vs. Scottie Pippen
James Worthy is an extremely crafty low post scorer with a variety of moves. Pippen is a stronger defensive player and more of an all-around talent. They won’t be able to stop each other from scoring.
Edge: Even


PF: A.C. Green vs. Dennis Rodman
Even though Rodman doesn’t score much, he’s just a good of defensive stopper as Pippen. He would give A.C. Green a matchup nightmare.
Edge: Bulls


C: Kareem Abdul-Jabarr vs. Luc Longley
Kareem wins this match easily as Longley wouldn’t even come close to stopping the skyhook.
Edge: Lakers


Bench: Michael Cooper, Mychael Thompson,
Kurt Rambis vs. Toni Kukoc, Steve Kerr

Cooper, Thompson, and Rambis played very well off the bench during the Laker’s glory years but Kukoc and Kerr are very talented and each adds a different dimension to the Bull’s game.
Edge: Even


The matchup seems pretty even with the Bulls and the Lakers earning 2 points a piece along with 2 even draws. Now it looks like we need a tie breaker so I’ll have to throw in the intangibles. Which guys on each team has the ability to will their team to victory almost by themselves in games. For the Bulls, Michael has done it countless times. However, the Lakers have 2 guys who have been able to put the team on their backs and win the game for them almost single-handedly by themselves. That Laker is Magic and Kareem. Kareem has been carrying the Lakers before Magic came to town. In the finals, when Kareem had to miss a game with an injury, Magic substituted for him at center and transformed himself into a scoring beast for L.A. He won that game for them against a very talented Sixer’s team that featured Julius Erving. So if I had to choose between the Bulls and the Lakers, I would have to give a slight edge to the Lakers because of these 2 special players.

Result: Lakers in 7 games

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Most of you guys have no idea what your taking about. The Lakers would beat the bulls probably 4-2. There is no way pipen could even think of guarding Worthy on the block. Magic and Jordan would both be unstoppable but the Bulls would be forced to double down low all game. worthy and kareem. lakers

Answer 2

thats old

Answer 3

I agree with you.

The Bulls have no answer for Kareem.

Answer 4

Da Bulls

Answer 5

Lakers in 7!!!! That would be the best series ever in the history of sports!!! Magic is da man!!!! Nice question. Lakers 4 ever!!!

Answer 6

Da Bulls win.

Answer 7

the bulls

Answer 8

'96 Bulls

Answer 9

the Air & co.

Answer 10

dude that isnt even funny. 96 bulls would demolish any team u put them up against. not even funny dude

Answer 11

It would be tough to say but looking at individual matchups the Lakers would win the PG and C matchup hands down. The Bulls would get the better of the SG match up. The SF matchup would pretty much be a wash and so probably would be the PF matchup. The reserves are just laughable but there had to be somebody else that you could've pulled out of there, but I'd also give the advantage to the Lakers.

Plus these teams played in a time when more physical play was allowed and since the Lakers had the more athletic team of the two, I'd give it to the Lakers as well. Plus Magic would have like 15 assists per game...he'd be looking all over Ron Harper's head.

Answer 12

That Bulls team dominated. If Kareem were a little younger in '87 It might be a close matchup but the Lakers. Byron Scott wouldn't be able to cover Jordan. Same thing goes for Pippen on Worthy...and on the flip side Scottie, MJ and Rodman were 3 of the best defenders in NBA history at there respective positions. Magic would give Harper fits of course and Longley wouldn't be able to stop the sky hook. Thats 3 to 2 in favor of the Bulls.