Replace Michael Jordan with Clyde Drexler??

[Lebron23]

How many championships for the Bulls in the 1990's???

https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fspacecityscoop-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2019-2F10-2F1036083464-850x560-060397005db320f080151bd20883ed84.jpg

[Big164]

Zero

[John8204]

Zip, Zilch, Nada

[Lebron23]

At least 4 nba titles

Drexler started to decline in the 1996 nba season

[HoopsNY]

At least 4 nba titles

Drexler started to decline in the 1996 nba season

2 at most. There's no way they win in '93, '96, '97, or '98

[Lebron23]

2 at most. There's no way they win in '93, '96, '97, or '98


People also forget that Drexler led the 1990 Blazers in the NBA Finals. Only to be defeated by the Pistons team who defeated MJ's team in the Conference finals.

[Baller789]

People also forget that Drexler led the 1990 Blazers in the NBA Finals. Only to be defeated by the Pistons team who defeated MJ's team in the Conference finals.

So?

[Lebron23]

So?

Drexler is capable of winning an NBA title with that Bulls team

[Baller789]

Drexler is capable of winning an NBA title with that Bulls team

Based on what?

[Lebron23]

Based on what?

The early 1990's media hyped him as Jordan's rival. Clyde and Pippen had a good chemistry when they both played for Team USA

[Baller789]

The early 1990's media hyped him as Jordan's rival. Clyde and Pippen had a good chemistry when they both played for Team USA

So what happened when the media hyped rivals met head to head?

[HoopsNY]

People also forget that Drexler led the 1990 Blazers in the NBA Finals. Only to be defeated by the Pistons team who defeated MJ's team in the Conference finals.

What does that have to do with anything? He still lost.

[Smook A.]

I don't think they'd win any. '91 vs Lakers would be their best chance

[Da_Realist]

Drexler wasn't the leader, competitor or player that MJ was. Therefore the Bulls wouldn't be the Bulls.

[Reggie43]

They would be lucky to win one. I dont think they would be that much better than the other great duos of the era like Malone/Stockton, Shaq/Penny, Kemp/Payton, Barkley/KJ etc.

[Bawkish]

What does that have to do with anything? He still lost.

OP thought that triangle theory in boxing also applies in basketball

[AussieSteve]

Bulls don't beat the Suns with Clyde instead of MJ. And Drexler was done being a star by 96, so no titles from 96-98.

Assuming he is replaced by an equivalent player at Portland and not just swapped with Jordan, the Bulls win 91 and 92 with Clyde.

So 2 titles.

[dankok8]

Probably zero with a small chance they could get one in 1991 or 1992, He was hurt in 1993 and then in clear decline by 1996 so no more chance then.

[Da_Realist]

How many championships for the Bulls in the 1990's???

Is the scenario basically asking what would happen if you replace MJ on the Bulls at the start (i.e. the Bulls draft Clyde instead of MJ)?

Or replace MJ with Clyde starting in 1991?

The answer to the first question is 0. I don't believe Clyde could lead a team to being elite. Especially in the 80s Eastern Conference. He could lead a team to being very good (like his Blazers) but not quite elite. Draft Clyde instead of MJ and I believe they'd be as good as the 80's Hawks or Cavs.

The second scenario...not sure. Would they beat the 91 Lakers? Clyde couldn't lead his just as talented Blazers past Magic even with homecourt advantage. Bulls vs Blazers (essentially Clyde with Bulls vs Clyde with Blazers), I think the Blazers win because they have more overall talent. No to the Suns. The Suns would run them out of the gym. No to the rest of them. All this is without considering if Clyde could master the Triangle Offense or how he'd fit with Phil Jackson. Or if there would be a struggle as to who leads the team because Scottie probably wouldn't defer to Clyde like he did with MJ. Assuming Scottie still becomes as good as he got to be playing alongside Clyde who was known to not take practices very seriously or have the fire of guys like MJ and Isiah Thomas.

It's much harder to build a winning culture than to jump into a situation that is missing a piece.

[guy]

Where is Jordan in all of this? Its not really fair to just end his existence.

The logical scenario is he goes down Clyde's path in terms of team and plays for the Blazers till 93, retires, then gets traded to the Rockets in 95 where he plays till 98. With that being the case, the Bulls don't win anything and Jordan is winning 3-4 championships with the Blazers and another 3-4 championships with the Rockets.

[tontoz]

When Drexler and MJ matched up in the '92 Finals...

MJ averaged 35.8 ppg with a TS of 61.7%
Clyde averaged 24.8 ppg with a TS of 52.2%

It was a total mismatch.

[Overdrive]

The early 90s Blazers were a better team sans their star than the Bills until 92 when Pippen became really really good.

If you just swap them chances are Jordan wins from 90 to 92 on the Blazers and thus closing Clyde's window with the Bulls.

If Jordan never exists Clyde might win either 91 or 92. His game would clash too much with Pippen though.

[bizil]

Here's the thing about the Bulls dynasty. If you look at their roster 1-12 in those six championship seasons, their TOTAL DEPTH as a team PALES in comparison to the Showtime Lakers, Doc's Sixers, Bird's Celtics, and Bad Boy Pistons. MJ was SO DOMINANT that he didn't need a team LOADED with perennial All Star type of players. MJ was SO DOMINANT he didn't need to play with another alpha dog level scorer. So my point I don't think Clyde was DOMINANT ENOUGH to lead the Bulls to six rings. I see him winning at least one ring with the Bulls. Him and Pip together would be awesome. BUT Clyde was NEVER CLOSE to being considered the best player EVER peak-prime wise.

MJ BEFORE winning a ring was in the hunt for the best player ever peak-prime wise. AT WORST, he was in the group with Wilt, Kareem, Magic, and Bird for that nod. ONCE he won a ring, MANY already thought he was the best player ever peak-prime wise. And some EVEN THOUGHT he was the GOAT. Even though the GOAT talk was a bit premature after only one ring, JUST SAYING Drexler on peak-prime level was never seen as ARGUABLY the best of all time at any point in his career. IT TAKES a player of that caliber for that Bulls team to win six rings. So guys like MJ and Bron perimeter wise.

[beau_boy04]

It's hard to replace the best player of all-time even if it with someone that was considered the 2nd best SG at that moment. They possibly could've squeeze one in during those years 1991-98, maybe 2 if they get lucky. Anyways, say they would have reached the finals and faced the same teams.

1991 vs Lakers - No MJ, they won't get passed the best PG of all-time.
1992 vs Blazers - so if are replacing Drexler with MJ, that means MJ goes to the Blazers, in that case easy win by the Blazers with MJ 4-0 sweeping the B.
1993 vs Suns - Barkley would have won his first championship, finally Shaq won't be making fun of him for being ringless.
1994-1995 - if they get lucked and reached the finals, they won't be Olajuwon will be too much for them to get thru, unless MJ was there.
1996 - Payton will have locked him up. Seattle wins first chip.
1997 and 98 - Karl Malone and Stockton would have proved to be TOO MUCH for Drex and Pip.

Rest my case, 0 to possibly 1 championship if they get lucky.

[PeroAntic]

Pippen doesn't become Pippen if he develops alongside Drexler instead of Jordan. So they win zilch.

[TheCorporation]

Assuming he doesn't kill his dad and quit?
7 or 8 sounds about right.
9 if he doesnt retire 3 times.

[FKAri]

14 titles in the 90s. Clyde becomes NBA logo. Chicago skyline is dominated by a 3000ft marble statue of Clyde leaning backwards with his dicc reaching for the heavens. Clyde dissolves the Constitution and is thrust by the People themselves as Earth Emperor, subsequently leading humanity into The Interplanetary Age.

[Chick Stern]

8
because Clyde wouldn’t have QUIT

[Phoenix]

14 titles in the 90s. Clyde becomes NBA logo. Chicago skyline is dominated by a 3000ft marble statue of Clyde leaning backwards with his dicc reaching for the heavens. Clyde dissolves the Constitution and is thrust by the People themselves as Earth Emperor, subsequently leading humanity into The Interplanetary Age.

Most likely scenario I've read in this thread.

[WhiteKyrie]

Mike on the Blazers?

Or does he cowardly join a fellow MVP caliber friend within his own conference, like LeBron circa 2011? Say Charles Barkley?

Then of course they win no chips.

Cause wherever Mike is, that’s where the winning goes. That Bulls team and Pippen isn’t Pip without MJ.

[John8204]

Mike on the Blazers?

Or does he cowardly join a fellow MVP caliber friend within his own conference, like LeBron circa 2011? Say Charles Barkley?

Then of course they win no chips.

Cause wherever Mike is, that’s where the winning goes. That Bulls team and Pippen isn’t Pip without MJ.

The three guys Jordan would have wanted to play with in order 1.) Chris Mullin, 2.) Hakeem Olajuwon, 3.) Charles Barkley. It could have been possible to get a big three with two of those guys

[TheCorporation]

Probably zero with a small chance they could get one in 1991 or 1992, He was hurt in 1993 and then in clear decline by 1996 so no more chance then.

WRONG.

Pippen & Pete Myers nearly won in 94.

Drexler > Myers

[imdaman99]

Zip zilch zero, stingy with dinero.

[WhiteKyrie]

WRONG.

Pippen & Pete Myers nearly won in 94.

Drexler > Myers

Nearly won, what? They won 1 series?

[TheCorporation]

Nearly won, what? They won 1 series?

Nearly 2.

By trading Jordan for PETE MYERS :lol

#ThatMJImpact

[Bawkish]

Nearly 2.

By trading Jordan for PETE MYERS :lol

#ThatMJImpact

#From3peatTo2ndRoundExit

[Baller789]

Nearly 2.

By trading Jordan for PETE MYERS :lol

#ThatMJImpact

Dumb take as always.

Whats next? Lebron almost won the championship last year after missing the playoffs? :oldlol:

[SATAN]

#From3peatTo2ndRoundExit

Wonder what the results would have been like if you swap MJ and Pippen in that situation...MJ and Pete Myers instead of Pippen and Myers...

[Bawkish]

Wonder what the results would have been like if you swap MJ and Pippen in that situation...MJ and Pete Myers instead of Pippen and Myers...

More like MJ and Kukoc with peak Grant and BJ, they can get past Knicks and Pacers

[PeroAntic]

Nearly 2.

By trading Jordan for PETE MYERS :lol

#ThatMJImpact

So you ban 3ball but allow this bum to come back with his bs? this board man smh....

[Hey Yo]

Mike on the Blazers?

Or does he cowardly join a fellow MVP caliber friend within his own conference, like LeBron circa 2011? Say Charles Barkley?

Then of course they win no chips.

Cause wherever Mike is, that’s where the winning goes. That Bulls team and Pippen isn’t Pip without MJ.

Wade's highest finish for MVP was 3rd..... same as MVP caliber Pippen.

Pippen accomplished way more without MJ than MJ did without Pippen..... thems the facts.

[Baller789]

Wade's highest finish for MVP was 3rd..... same as MVP caliber Pippen.

Pippen accomplished way more without MJ than MJ did without Pippen..... thems the facts.

So which one of MJ's Pipenless teams where better than any of Scottie's non-Jordan teams?

[Hey Yo]

Pippen doesn't become Pippen if he develops alongside Drexler instead of Jordan. So they win zilch.

Your speculation is hilarious.

[Hey Yo]

So which one of MJ's Pipenless teams where better than any of Scottie's non-Jordan teams?

All of them, yet MJ couldn't get out of the first round.

[PeroAntic]

Your speculation is hilarious.

Its common knowledge that Jordan's competitive personality molded players on that team into winners.

[Hey Yo]

Its common knowledge that Jordan's competitive personality molded players on that team into winners.

No it's not, it's complete speculation. If MJ molded Pippen into a 7x All-NBA and 9x All-Defensive player, then why didn't he do that for more of his teammates?

[PeroAntic]

No it's not, it's complete speculation. If MJ molded Pippen into a 7x All-NBA and 9x All-Defensive player, then why didn't he do that for more of his teammates?
Pippen had the talent for that but talent is just a precondition.

What is idiotic is to say that Drexler had the same character/mentality as Jordan so it wouldn't have made a difference.

[Baller789]

All of them, yet MJ couldn't get out of the first round.

So the Bulls with Oakley as the 2nd best player is better than the 2000 Blazers?