Posted by: | Articles Comments Off on The MJ ‘What If’: Would the Bulls Have Eight Straight?
The MJ ‘What If’: Would the Bulls Have Eight Straight?
What if Michael Jordan Never Retired?
The question looms large in NBA history: What if Michael Jordan hadn’t retired, not once, but twice? The Chicago Bulls, already a legendary dynasty, might have achieved an unprecedented eight, or even nine, consecutive championships. It’s a tantalizing ‘what if’ that sparks endless debate among basketball fans.
The initial retirement, which saw Jordan pursue a baseball career, undoubtedly altered the Bulls’ trajectory. Some argue that without that break, the team might have faced different internal dynamics, potential contractual grievances, and player movements. Would Horace Grant have stayed? Would Dennis Rodman have joined the Bulls sooner? These shifts could have either solidified or fragmented their dominance.
The Dominant Big Man Challenge
A key point of contention in this debate is whether the Bulls ever truly faced a dominant big man in the NBA Finals. The argument is often made that if Jordan had stayed, the Bulls would have eventually clashed with a prime Hakeem Olajuwon and his Houston Rockets’ ‘Twin Towers,’ a matchup that could have presented an entirely different challenge than what they encountered.
Hakeem Olajuwon, often referred to as ‘the man with a million moves,’ was undeniably an all-time great center. His unique blend of agility, skill, and defensive prowess made him a formidable opponent for any team.
The Eastern Conference Powerhouse
However, to suggest the Bulls never faced dominant big men overlooks the incredible talent pool in the Eastern Conference during that era. The East was arguably the ‘power conference’ of the time, boasting an array of Hall of Fame-caliber centers:
- Patrick Ewing (New York Knicks)
- Shaquille O’Neal (Orlando Magic/Miami Heat)
- Alonzo Mourning (Miami Heat)
- Dikembe Mutombo (Denver Nuggets/Atlanta Hawks/Philadelphia 76ers)
- Rik Smits (Indiana Pacers)
These weren’t just good players; they were elite forces who consistently challenged the Bulls. While none of them were necessarily considered ‘better’ than Hakeem Olajuwon by all, they were certainly dominant in their own right and presented significant obstacles year after year. The Lakers, representing the Western Conference, largely dominated the Finals appearances from their side for much of the 80s and 90s, highlighting the East’s internal competition.
Ultimately, the question of whether the Bulls would have secured eight or nine straight titles remains a fascinating piece of basketball lore. It’s a testament to Michael Jordan’s unparalleled impact and the strength of the teams he played against that such a hypothetical continues to fuel passionate discussion.
Disclaimer: The info in this article may or may not be true. This was taken from a conversation from The Grind It Up Podcast and should not be used as your reliable news source but rather entertainment.
This info can be found in this episode of The Grind It Up Podcast
Listen on your favorite platform:
No Comments