RE: A Computer Simulation between '86 C's and '96 Bulls

>Flame me if you wish. I know this is pretty darn stupid, but maybe it is a
>way of deciding who really is the better of these two great teams.

There will never be *a way* (save time travel; don't hold your breath) to
determine which of these teams is really better.  But this is fun.  =)

>                      The Celtics played a
>                flawless first half but were
>                only able to manage to stay
>                even with the Bulls, 56-56
>                at halftime. The second half
>                proved the Celtics undoing,
>                as the Bulls were more than
>                a match for Boston in the
>                paint and were also on fire
>                from downtown. In the
>                game, the Bulls were
>                7-of-16 from three-point
>                range, as compared to a
>                woeful 2-of-10 for Celtics. Scottie Pippen shot 3-of-5
>                from beyond the arc, and Michael Jordan was 2-of-3. 

Keep in mind the Bulls racked up their three-point percentage from the current
kiddie line, whereas the Celtics stats were from the old 23'9" at the top of
the key.  (BTW, the ABA used to use a three-point line that was 25' all the way
around!  Why does pro basketball keep lowering the standards?)  Bird and Ainge
could destroy teams with the current three-point line.

As has been pointed out before, the Parish/Walton combo in the pivot would
destroy the stiffs the Bulls trot out in the center position.  I really don't
think in a focused, intense, play-off like atmosphere that Rodman would be any-
where near as effictive as he is now.  He gets so many rebounds in the regular
season because he plays hard against players who largely go through the
motions.  Remember when Kevin Willis exploded a couple years ago and started
collecting 18 rbs/game?  It wasn't until then that Rodman started going nuts
on the boards - I think he had the ability all along, but a gong went off with
Willis's performance.  The point being is that I think a lot of players don't
demand anything from themsleves other than what's expected.  A lot of players
get 10 rbs/game and think, "Hey, I get 10 boards a game, I'm doing my job."
even though they're capable of getting 15.

Nevertheless, if you take Bird, McHale, Parish, all capable of 10+ rbs/ game and
I just don't see him doing so well.  Especally with a focused effort.

MJ would have a field day, but a healthy McHale should be able to contain
Pippen.

Dan


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