Los Angeles Lakers: Why Shaquille O’Neal is wrong about the Bulls
By Ronald Agers
Michael Jordan is 6-0 in NBA Finals. Shaquille O’Neal knows the Los Angeles Lakers can’t win.
The Last Dance is the most anticipated sports event in weeks. Michael Jordan hasn’t played in the NBA in decades. He’s still relevant and revered to this day. Take a long look at the dude that would have found a way to win. Plus, the Chicago Bulls in 1996, was the greatest team in NBA history. They knew it, but more importantly, their opponents knew it.
Members of the @chicagobulls (and their opponents) weigh in on the '96 Bulls' record-breaking season, and where it fits into history. #TheLastDance premieres Sunday (4/19) at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/cwMihh9XBV
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) April 16, 2020
This team won 72 games and is the sole reason the 73-9 Golden State Warriors have an asterisk by their NBA record. The had the phrase ” It don’t mean a thing without the ring” that carried to a 15-3 record in the postseason.
Here’s some of the numbers posted in the regular season.
Jordan: 30.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.2 steals. Messed around and got the MVP!
Scottie Pippen: 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.7 steals
Toni Kukoc: 13.1 points, 40.3 percent from 3 point range. Won NBA Sixth Man of the Year
Dennis Rodman: 5.5 points, 14.9 rebounds. Led the NBA in rebounding.
Steve Kerr: 8.4 points, 51.5 percent from the land of three. He led the NBA in 3 point shooting.
Jordan and Pippen were both All-NBA first-team selections.
Jordan, Pippen and Rodman were All-Defensive first-team selections.
Bottom line, the Bulls had the best two players in the NBA and the best three defenders.
It’s just not happening folks.
Finally while Kobe Bryant is an icon along with Michael Jordan, Jordan was better by just about every conceivable accomplishment.
Michael Jordan: Six titles, five MVPs, six NBA Finals MVPs, nine-time All-Defensive selection, 11-time All-NBA selection, 30.1 points for his career, 10-time scoring champion.
Kobe Bryant: Five titles, one MVP, two NBA Finals MVPs, 12-time All-Defensive selection, 15-time All-NBA selection, 25 points for his career, two-time scoring champion.
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So Shaquille O’Neal is absolutely right in what he said. As a competitor, that’s what he was supposed to say. He’s just wrong in the outcome.