Swap Pippen with Payton

[SouBeachTalents]

Payton's prime would start when Pippen's did ('91), and Pippen's would start when Payton's did ('94)

Would Payton be able to duplicate what Pippen did for the Bulls? How would his playing style mesh with Jordan? How many rings do you think they win?

Also, would the Sonics be any more successful with Pippen in Seattle? Could he defend Jordan as well as Payton did in the '96 Finals?

[Roundball_Rock]

Interesting scenario. Their primes did not occur concurrently. Payton did not hit his prime until 1994; Pippen did in 1991. Payton was a role player in 91' and even in 92' he was just a 13.5/3/5 player. So there would be no first three-peat with Payton in Chicago--and most likely no ring at all. Maybe in 93' but Pippen was huge in the ECF and Payton just was not an elite player in 93'.

With Pippen Seattle likely wins in 93' and 95'.

Chicago

1991: ECF
1992: ECSF
1993: ECF
1994: first round
1995: ECSF
1996: champs
1997: champs
1998: ECF

[Seattle

1991: 1st round
1992: WCSF
1993: champs
1994: WCF
1995: champs
1996: Finals
1997: Finals
1998: WCSF

[SouBeachTalents]

Interesting scenario. Their primes did not occur concurrently. Payton did not hit his prime until 1994; Pippen did in 1991. Payton was a role player in 91' and even in 92' he was just a 13.5/3/5 player. So there would be no first three-peat with Payton in Chicago--and most likely no ring at all. Maybe in 93' but Pippen was huge in the ECF and Payton just was not an elite player in 93'.

With Pippen Seattle likely wins in 93' and 95'.

Chicago

1991: ECF
1992: ECSF
1993: ECF
1994: first round
1995: ECSF
1996: champs
1997: champs
1998: ECF

[Seattle

1991: 1st round
1992: WCSF
1993: champs
1994: WCF
1995: champs
1996: Finals
1997: Finals
1998: WCSF

Edited OP