Which will be the bigger challenge to Phil Jackson? 1993-94 "Jordanless" Bulls or today's Lakers?

Billy Thompson

PJ is often criticized for coaching teams with talent to burn. I've always countered this arguement by refering to the 1993-94 season after Jordan retired.

This was their almost "starless" roster:
http://www.basketballreference.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=CHI&lg=n&yr=1993

The "scrub" lineup of Pete Myers, BJ Armstrong, Pippen, Longley & company went on to an impressive 55-27 record and taking the New York Knicks to 7 games. If anyone wants to see one of the best pure triangle teams, watch some ESPN Classic footage against the Knicks that airs every now and then. The Bulls no longer had Jordan to hold the ball while other players spectated and were forced to rely on the triangle to generate open looks.

This year's Lakers are very similar. On paper, they may even have more talent. Kobe and Odom should be able to create their own shots, similar to Pippen and the rookie version of Kukoc. However, the defenders in Pippen, Grant, and Armstrong combined with their prior years together gives them a huge edge over this year's Lakers.

To me, this year's Lakers will be an even bigger challenge to the Zen Master.

GM OF THE FUTURE · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 9:43 am Post subject:

If Jackson can get that team to 55-27, I'm sure he can get this team to 50 wins, well see though, and a trade could help a lot.

CNR · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 9:46 am Post subject:

That Bulls team was far better defensively than this year's Lakers and, as you pointed, out was very well-versed in the triangle as most of that team had been running the offense for 5 years.
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Freakout · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 9:46 am Post subject:

This seasons team mainly due to the players not knowing the system. Odom, Mckie, Kwame, and Mihm are pretty much clueless about the system. I expect us to go through a lot of dry spells on offense to start the year until everyone learns the basics.

startrex · Starting Rotation Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 864

I think the bulls had everybody except jordan in that year. So, they lost the most significant weapon but then again Phil did not have to go from sratch in terms of getting his system executed. Pippen and Kukoc led the team back to playoffs without Jordan and eventually lost in ECF?

Meanwhile, this lakers have to begin with most starters who aren't familiar with the system.
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GM OF THE FUTURE · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 9:56 am Post subject:

Lakers can get Defense if they get Wright and Watson, and Kobe can help teach the Triangle, and that Bulls team didn't have Jordan and Lakers have kboe, so you have to take that into account.

Billy Thompson · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 10:03 am Post subject:

Laker_Dynasty · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 10:05 am Post subject:

That Bulls team was still very good defensively. This Lakers team has quite a few new additions and may or may not fit well together. Only time will tell.
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Billy_Blanko · Starting Rotation Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 474

You also have to look at the level of competition at the time. I'm not saying one era is stronger than the next, but its just something to consider when judging.

Lutter · Rookie Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 9

wolfpaclaker · Retired Number Joined: 29 May 2002 Posts: 58336

Defenitely this season.

Already had won 3 rings with Pippen - hasn't even coached Odom a game yet.

Had HoGrant and several other established players who he knew.

This is Phil's biggest challenge. He has to completely re-build a triangle team around Kobe Bryant - who he doesn't even get along with as well as he did MJ.

The Mike · Star Player Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Posts: 1126

The only real reason I see this team as more of a challenge with the 05-06 Lakers, is because at that time that Bulls team already knew how to win. Where as most of these Lakers players haven't had any real success consistantly in the NBA other than Kobe & George (maybe Mchike).

astrallionheart · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 6:28 pm Post subject:

Kobejustdunk · Sixth Man Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 59

I choose 1993-1994 Chicago Bulls. The time they lose Jordan ,leaving Pippen alone to carry the team. Now , Phil had Kobe and Odom with him now.Look out Lakers,they are coming.

X56 · Starting Rotation Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 675

My guess is this year's team, simply from an expectations point of view. The bulls lost MJ and yet took the Knicks to 7 games. Lakers are coming from a lottery season, rehires PJ and is expected to turnaround the team's fortunes [especially from the fans].

VonWafer&KobeBryantFa · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 7:49 pm Post subject:

2005-2006 Lakers

astrallionheart · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 7:59 pm Post subject:

Yeah Lakers will waltz to the title this year 16-0

Ziggy · Franchise Player Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 12712

Drifts · Retired Number Joined: 22 Nov 2004 Posts: 28374

Phil's biggest challenge was babysitting Shaq.

Hawkins · Star Player Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 1171

To be honest, I was one of those who thought Phil's legacy was lacking by never bringing a raw new team to top form. Phil has chosen to so this which has changed my opinion. Let's be honest, Phil has his work cut out for him in a media/fan pressure cooker winning franchise in the toughest media marhet in the US. Chicage never can be an equivalent of the LA market and Phil is no fool.

I expect Phil to get LAL into the playoffs this season (Kobe is the rock) and if he accomplishes a world championshup(s), he should be considered the best NBA coach ever bar none. He's still is a top tier coach nonetheless regardless of success or failure. By coming back he has put that criticism to bed.

He sticks around. The die is cast.

slavavov · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 9:25 pm Post subject:

This team is definetely more of a challenge. We do have more talent on paper than that Bulls team, but little team chemistry since we pretty much have a whole new team. Only Kobe, George, and Slava remain from Phil's last tenure. Although Odom, Mihm, JJ, and a couple others played in the triangle late last year, that doesn't really count for much. And although I think Phil will make us better defensively, we probably won't be a good defensive team, but i think we can be an average defensive team, which would be a marked improvement.

However, that Bulls team was also a huge challenge. If you think outside the box, that team had very little talent outside of Pippen. There were also questions about Pippen's character and maturity and whether he could lead a team himself (remember when he sat out the final play vs. NY because it was for Kukoc instead of him?). Does anyone happen to remember the preseason predictions for that team once Jordan took his little sabbatical?

Remarkable that Phil got that team to win 55 games, only 2 wins sh of the year before when they threepeated. For all those PJ haters who say he simply rode the coattails of MJ, Pippen, Shaq and Kobe, look at what he did with that team and their obvious lack of overall talent. Makes me more optomistic that he can get 48-50 wins out of this team.

And if he takes this team and eventually wins a chamionship with it, then he becomes, bar none, THE greatest coach in NBA history. He took 2 teams and put them over the hump, now can he take a lottery team to the promised land?

davidse · Franchise Player Joined: 03 Jul 2005 Posts: 14302

its not even close - today's lakers are the bigger challange.

the bulls had a system, and players who knew the system for many years.
the lakers need to start from scratch - im not even sure we'll see the same triangle we saw with shaq.

and most important - the 93/4 eastern conf. was pathetic.
it will be much tougher to win in today's west.

uciyo · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 1:36 am Post subject:

its redemption time for the LAKERS this season...

Billy_Blanko · Starting Rotation Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 474