'83 Sixers vs. '96 Bulls

[LAZERUSS]

Who you got.

That Sixer team was loaded.

Moses and Bobby Jones were First Team All-Defense.

Dr. J, Cheeks, and Andrew Toney.

I like the Sixers.

[3ball]

Sixers.

Far too deep, too talented.. 4 all-stars in 1983 (Moses Malone, Dr. J, Andrew Toney, Maurice Cheeks), plus Bobby Jones was all-star in 1982.

Bulls only had MJ and Scottie.. Moses and Dr. J offset that well.

But then the Sixers still have Jones, Cheeks, and Toney.. So the Sixers' talent advantage is significant.

The only way the Bulls could win is the same way they always won when playing against greater talent - with superior strategy and MJ's GOAT stats making up the talent deficit, like they did in the 1992 Finals, 1993 Finals, and 1996 Finals, as well as the 1996 ECF.
.

[SouBeachTalents]

Sixers.

Far too deep, too talented.. 4 all-stars in 1983 (Moses Malone, Dr. J, Andrew Toney, Maurice Cheeks), plus Bobby Jones was all-star in 1982.

Bulls only had MJ and Scottie.. Moses and Dr. J almost cancel that out..

But then the Sixers still have Jones, Cheeks, and Toney.. So the Sixers' talent advantage is significant.

The only way the Bulls could win is the same way they always won when playing against greater talent - with superior strategy and MJ's GOAT stats making up the talent deficit, like they did in the 1992 Finals, 1993 Finals, and 1996 Finals, as well as the 1996 ECF.
.

[LAZERUSS]

Sixers.

Far too deep, too talented.. 4 all-stars in 1983, plus Bobby Jones was all-star in 1982.

Bulls only had MJ and Scottie.. Moses and Dr. J almost cancel that out..

But then the Sixers still have Jones, Cheeks, and Toney.. So the Sixers' talent advantage is significant.

The only way the Bulls could win is the same way they always won when playing against greater talent - with MJ's GOAT stats making up the talent deficit, as he did in 1992 Finals, 1993 Finals, and 1996 Finals, as well as the 1996 ECF.

While I agree about the Sixers, I think you are forgetting Rodman, as well as Kerr, Kukoc, and Harper.

I think it would be close. It would probably come down to who dominates more, MJ, or Moses. Pippen and Dr. J would have been an interesting H2H, though.

[3ball]

While I agree about the Sixers, I think you are forgetting Rodman, as well as Kerr, Kukoc, and Harper.

I think it would be close. It would probably come down to who dominates more, MJ, or Moses. Pippen and Dr. J would have been an interesting H2H, though.

No, I didn't forget KERR, Kukoc, and Harper - but they don't compare to all-stars Bobby Jones, Maurice Cheeks or Andrew Toney.. Not even close.

The Sixers would have a talent advantage, just like the 1992 Blazers, 1993 Suns, 1996 Sonics, and 1996 Magic did.

[Fallen Angel]

It would probably come down to who dominates more, MJ, or Moses.

Your bait isn't strong enough

[Dr.J4ever]

While I agree about the Sixers, I think you are forgetting Rodman, as well as Kerr, Kukoc, and Harper.

I think it would be close. It would probably come down to who dominates more, MJ, or Moses. Pippen and Dr. J would have been an interesting H2H, though.

Yep, indeed I agree with you and with parts of 3balls takes.

I was 15 years old when the 76ers won the 1983 title. It's still one of the greatest 1 year experiences of my life. I was a little simplistic then looking and gauging the strengths of lineups. I would look at the 76ers and see that we had 3 main guns in Moses, Doc, and Toney. I would compare with the Lakers and Celtics, and I liked what I saw even then.

I'm not as simplistic today, but the 76ers well balanced big 3 of offense from the center, sf, and sg positions are still very formidable. Toney is one of the underrated guards in NBA history. His career was limited due to injury, and he was treated very unfairly by the organization(to this day he shuns Philly), but Toney would have definitely led the league in scoring if he played for a weaker team where he was the primary scorer.

Toney was a physical and big bodied 6'3 and he could literally score from everywhere in the court. He had a great stand still jumper, shoot off the dribble, he had a great first step , and he could absorb contact going to the hole. He was a scoring machine. Jordan would have had his hands full guarding him, and of course vice versa.

To deal with Jordan, we would have had Clint Richardson, a 6'4 SG who played SF in college to deal with him. Along with Jones, he was our defensive specialist.

The 76ers were a fast breaking team just like the other elite teams at the time, and it was the preferred mode of offense for a lot of teams, but the 76ers weakness before Moses arrived was on the boards and playing half court ball during playoff time. This is when post up players like Mchale and Bird, and Kareem in the Finals would do their damage against our 2nd tier front line in Dawkins and Caldwell Jones.

Once Moses arrived, the 76ers became a complete team. The 76ers were able to dominate playing and even defeating fast break ball with the likes of Showtime, and at the same time playing Eastern Conference ball with Boston's massive and talented front line.

Bulls 96 vs. 83 76ers would be closer than expected, in favor of Philly, I suspect. Just remember that many analysts would consider the late 90s as a tougher era defensively than the 80s. I remember reading an article during the 90s quoting Jack Ramsay that teams in the 90s were gearing up more to get back on defense. There didn't seem to be too many cheap baskets in the 90s as compared to the more run and gun 80s.

Players became bigger and heavier, both in the front line and in the back court. I suspect 90s players are bigger than 10s players(without checking albeit). It became even more physical too compared to anything in the 80s, if you don't include the Bad Boys who started the trend.

In conclusion, the 96 Bulls would present a defensive challenge to the higher powered 76ers, the likes of which they have never seen in the 80s. In the end though, the more balanced attack of Philly would be too much for the Bulls in 7 games.

[Asukal]

I'd take the Bulls.

[Odinn]

I might get flamed for saying this but in this series (while thinking relative versions of players) Moses would be the best player, not MJ.
I'd still go with Bulls. But it's mainly due to coaching factors. 1983 Sixers players look equally good to me, but Phil Jackson probably wouldn't let the Sixers win.
Bulls in 6 or 7 games.

[r0drig0lac]

Sixers team that is as good, but not bet against the GOAT