97 98 houston rockets roster1/8/2024 And yet feels more like an outlier as the George from this season is back down in the low 20s, which he's been throughout the majority of his prime. He finished second in the league in scoring last season whereas the highest Pippen ever finished was eighth in the first year that Jordan was off playing baseball. Upon first glance, George might seem like an odd pick. Butler is one of the very best in the NBA at drawing fouls and getting to the line, something that was not a big part of Pippen's game. The scoring, rebounding and assist numbers are all roughly the same, as is the overall field goal percentage. In terms of sheer box score numbers, Butler is probably the closest comparison. MORE: This one play shows Pippen's defensive brilliance Had Leonard played next to Jordan, he too would probably be hovering in the high teens or low 20s as a scorer. He's a far more accomplished scorer than Pippen and he isn't the level of playmaker, but he's on Pippen's level as an All-NBA lock year in and year out. If we're being honest, Leonard is the only one of these three who matches the pedigree component. That second part is important and it's why someone like Khris Middleton doesn't make the cut even though his production and role seem similar enough. The best two-way wings in the league with enough star clout to warrant a discussion. ![]() The Contenders: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Jimmy Butler If a 35-year-old four-time MVP that's unequivocally the biggest name in the game suddenly goes missing - he wasn't awarded his fifth until May of 1998 - then I'm replacing him with a 35-year-old four-time MVP that's unequivocally the biggest name in the game. An entirely different player and leading the league in assists, he's not nearly as clean of a fit on the floor as Leonard.īut this is one where stature trumps all. James, on the other hand, more closely resembles Jordan as a figure. ![]() ![]() Leonard fits the bill and even though he's six years younger now than His Airness in 1997-98, is at about the same level of athleticism. A reigning Finals MVP, a prolific scorer, a mid-range assassin, one of the best perimeter defenders, a capable playmaker for others. In terms of actual basketball ability, it's Leonard. Because the only two who you can REALLY compare are James and Leonard. The mention of Durant and Harden is more a sign of respect than a legitimate comparison. Jordan and Harden get buckets no doubt, but this is twilight-phase Jordan, not the late 80s version more reminiscent of The Beard. Harden is the most dangerous isolation player in today's game and someone in the midst of a two-year scoring binge we haven't seen since Jordan himself.Īnd yet stylistically, it just doesn't jibe. Do I care? Not in the slightest.Īs for Harden, he's just on another level than any other two guard. Did I break my own rules with the first nominee for the very first player? Yes. If you mess up with MJ, there's no point in even carrying on with the rest.ĭurant didn't even play in 2019-20 due his Achilles injury and yet if we're trying to replace a 10-time scoring champ, it's worth mentioning the active player with the most scoring titles and someone who be the best pure scorer in league history. The Contenders: LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, James Harden ![]() flip the ignition on the Old Team Time Machine and let's get weird. It's why even though Khris Middleton is having a great season as a sidekick, he's still no Scottie Pippen even if everything else kind of lines up.Īnd that's it. Look, this is an absurd exercise to begin with, but all things considered we'll try to stray from drawing comparisons between 36-year-old vets and 19-year-old rookies even if the stats, style and roles match up. You can't replace a 25-a-game scorer with someone who occasionally lights up and at times looks the part. Two players with similar stats from different eras might also be two incredibly different types of players. This isn't just about base-level production. It's like Space Jam crossed with Back to the Future.īut we do the player comparison game all of the time, so let's just take it several steps further to re-create an iconic squad. The goal is to recreate that original team with players from 2019-20 so that as few people as possible even notice. Your mission?įind the 12 current players who most resemble those from the 1997-98 Bulls and transport them back in time. You've also been given directions to a hidden time machine with room for 12 other passengers. Luckily, everything else is somehow frozen in place. The entire roster from the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls has mysteriously disappeared. The message is postmarked April 17, 1998. You've been delivered a secret message from the past.
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