LAKERS VS BULLS

Jul. 24, 2015

Dr. Shaquille O'Neal has riled up the "sports world" by posting a simple question "What you think?"

He is not referring to clothing/fashion, or an opinion on a selfie, recommendations on a book, favorite 80's movie. No, Dr. O'Neal straight up said The 5 greats of the Lakers would beat, by 50, the 5 greats of the Bulls in a game and is asking for the publics opinion.

5 on 5

I believe it, and here's is my take on it.

For this take, both team's players will be represented by their best season. A player does not require a championship to qualify. Some of these guys had their best performance during the regular season or in the finals and lost. I'm also adding a 7 player bench, 12 total since it's a recent change to 13, to stir up the pot a bit more. Plus it'll be fun adding more legends.

We all know the resumes for the Bulls and Lakers starters. Legends, Game Changers, MVP's, Champions, and Hall of Famers. I will be placing their name with a dominant year and a brief summary. For the reserves, although some of them are already legends and champions I will provide minimal reason with slight detail and accomplishments

The match up:

Since the Lakers are starting 2 centers, I'll substitute Derrick Rose with Artis Gilmore

BULLS reserves:

These guys are the reserves. Butler, Noah, Rose

Joakim Noah (C) - 2013-14

12.6 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 1.5 BLK

All Star

Defensive Player of the Year

6 points/ 6 rebounds / 2 blocks

Derrick Rose (PG) - 2010-11

25 PPG, 7.7 AST

MVP

All NBA First Team

All star

13 points / 8 assists

Steve Kerr (PG) - 1996-97

8.1 PPG, .533 FG%

3 point shoot out champ

Game winning shot game 6 finals

3 points / 3 assists

B.J. Armstrong (PG) - 1993-94

14.8 PPG, 3.9 AST

.453% 3 point

7 points / 4 assists

Bob Love (PF) - 1971-72

25.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG

All Star

15 points / 2 rebounds

Toni Kukoč (SF) - 1998-99

13.1 PPG, 4 RPG

6th Man of the Year

6 points / 2 rebounds / 2 assists

Jimmy Butler (SF) - 2014-15

20 PPG, 5.8 RPG

All Star

Most improved

9 points / 3 rebounds / 3 assists

LAKERS reserves:

Wilt and Jerry are coming out of the Lakers bench

Wilt chamberlain (C) - 1971-72

14.8 PPG 19.2 REB .649 Shoot %

Finals MVP

All Defensive First Team

Game 5 finals broken hand 24 pts, 29 reb, 8 assist 8 blocks

11 points / 11 rebounds / 5 assists / 5 blocks

Pau Gasol (C) - 2008-09

18.9 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 3.5 AST, 1 BLK

All Star

3 point range big man

4 points / 5 rebounds / 2 assists / 1 block

Andrew Bynum (C) - 2012-13

18.7 PPG, 11.8 REB, 1.9 BLK

All Star

A triple double playoff game including 10 blocks

2 points / 5 rebounds / 2 blocks

Jerry West (PG) - 1964-65

31 PPG, 6 RPG,

46.3 AVG against the Bullets Playoff series

All Star, All NBA First Team

15 points

James Worthy (F) - 1987-88

19.7 PPG, 3.9 AST

Finals MVP

All Star

Triple double game 7 Finals Win

6 points / 2 assists

Jamaal Wilkes (F) - 1980-81

22.6 PPG 5.4 REB

All Star

8 points

Byron Scott (SG) - 1987-88

21.7 PPG & 1.9 STL

7 points

THE STARTERS

Michael Jordan: 1990-91

Coming off losing 2 consecutive years at the hands of the Bad Boy Pistons, Jordan set out on path no one will ever reach. Focused and determined to succeed, Jordan put the team on his back averaging 30.1 PPG 6.1 AST and 6.4 RPG along with 2.3 steals during the regular season. In the playoffs 31.1 PPG, 6.4 RPG and 8.4 AST and what better team to do against than Magic and the Lakers. His 1st championship showed the world his Airness had arrived and crowned the undisputed king of basketball.

36 points 5 steals

Scottie Pippen: 1991-92

Having an All Star regular season averaging 21 PPG, 7 AST and 7.7 RPG he also took Part of the first dream team, winning gold and averaging 9 PPG, 5.9 AST and 2.1 RPG in 8 games.

18 points / 8 rebounds / 7 assists

Dennis Rodman: 1996-97

Scoring was not his best accolade while in a bulls uniform only posting 5.7 PPG. Dennis brought energy, defense and most importantly the abilty to get into other players heads while grabbing rebounds and creating 2nd opportunities with 16.1 RPG. Key to the bulls success.

5 points / 16 rebounds / 4 fouls / 1 technical foul

Horace Grant: 1993-94

He was very agile and quick on fast breaks. His 15.1 PPG to go with 11 RPG made him a double double machine. The abilty to shoot from the perimeter and post up makes him a lethal player.

13 points / 11 rebounds

Artis Gilmore: 1977-78

Coming out of a successful career in the ABA, that ended through the merger, he took right off and started where he left off. Averaging 22.9 PPG, 13.1 RPG and 2.2 BLK. Has an NBA career lead of 59% from the field

20 points / 12 rebounds / 4 blocks

THE LAKERS

"The Captain" Elgin Baylor: 1960-61

The captain. Always had his head in the game. He was aggressive always able to create a shot and had an array of moves. Scoring 71 points with 25 rebounds in a game against the Knicks that season. Posted 34.8 PPG, 5.1 AST and 19.8 RPG.

35 points / 20 rebounds / 8 assists

Kobe Bryant: 2008-09

Coming off a season where he was eliminated in the finals, Kobe immediately went back to work helping team USA win the gold medal, the second Dream Team, in the summer Olympics. During the regular season he averaged 26.8 PPG, but had 20 games with 30+ points, 4 with 40+, 1 with 50 and that 61 point game in the Garden. In my opinion he was the league MVP in 2009. He was focused and determined, The jaw said it all.

30 points / 2 steal

Magic Johnson: 1981-82

Nearly averaging a triple double for the season with 18.6 PPG 9.6 AST and 9.5 RPG with 2.7 steals. He reached the lucky 700 club, 700 points, rebounds and assists. Johnson tallied a triple double in game 6 and was named finals MVP.

21 points / 10 rebounds / 18 assists

Kareem Abdul Jabar: 1975-76

For a big man, Kareem showed his versatility posting 27.7 PPG, 16.9 RPG, 4.1 BLK, 1.5 STL and 5 AST. Earning him the league MVP, rebounds champ, block leader and all NBA First team.

31 points / 18 rebounds / 11 assists / 1 steal / 7 blocks

Shaquille O'Neal: 1999-00

"The provocateur", The Big Diesel had a direct pipeline to his body that year. He was an unstoppable force posting 29.7 PPG, 3.8 AST, 13.6 RPG and 3 BLK. Making it his best career season earning him a spot in the all NBA First team, All Star MVP, league MVP and finals MVP.

31 points / 15 rebounds / 4 assists 5 blocks

The reason I gave the Laker roster higher statistics and I believe they would win is during key important regular season or playoff games the Laker players would erupt and come out to succeed. Showing focus, hunger, passion and individual determination to win at all costs. In some match ups past and present these athletes met in different circumstances, young, old, rookie, veteran. Although the Bulls won 6 titles it was 1 man carrying the team with the same fire, hunger, passion and determination to win. Proof, Jordan retires bulls fall off the top. If I were to die and god gave me a front row special ticket to watch games like this for all eternity, I wouldn't mind the way I died.

Final verdict, Lakers 201 Bulls 151

Lakers: 84 rebounds / 50 assists / 3 steals / 20 blocks

Bulls: 67 rebounds / 30 assists / 5 steals / 6 blocks

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@Jaymazingwood L.A. Jay

NBA

Written by

Jesus Wood

I'm an analyst, but a fan first. One day I'll be in the lockeroom interviewing players directly

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Results

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Results

LAKERS VS BULLS

​​Dr. Shaquille O'Neal has riled up the "sports world" by posting a simple question "What you think?"

The match up:

BULLS reserves:

LAKERS reserves:

THE STARTERS

More Articles by Jesus Wood in Legendary Sports Organization

Other Posts About NBA

Dr. Shaquille O'Neal has riled up the "sports world" by posting a simple question "What you think?"