Best Non-MJ Team of the 90s?

[ClipperRevival]

Crazy thing about the late 80's/early 90's Suns is that BEFORE Barkley came on board in 1992-93, they were already a great team and had won 55, 54, 55 and 53 games leading up to 1992-93. Of course the 1992-93 Suns peaked at 62 wins with Barkley but they would've won a title in a lot of other years for sure.

[Dragonyeuw]

1995 however would be much more difficult, especially without anyone competent at PF after losing Grant and before signing Rodman.

Personally I think Houston beats the Bulls in 95 with a full season from MJ and no true PF( and assuming they somehow get past Orlando). Hard to say now, but that would be their 5th straight finals run ( plus making it to the conference finals in 90). Hard to say how much fatigue plays into it, but Hakeem was operating at a level in the post-season that you would have needed the best of MJ to overcome, like 93 finals level MJ. And I'd rate that Houston roster a little better than Chicago's once you get past MJ/Pip and Hakeem/Drexler. The biggest issue though, the wafer-thin front court for the Bulls.

[tmacattack33]

If the Rockets were better than team X when it mattered, then they were better than team X.

How could you possibly say differently?

LOL. Who cares if team X is better than them in the regular season.

I guess the mid to late 2000 Suns and Mavs are GOAT teams in your mind.

[iamgine]

I'd have to say '95 Rockets.

They swept an insanely good Shaq/Penny's Orlando Magic in the finals. That is a mind blowing achievement.

[ClipperRevival]

The 1994-95 Rockets probably had the GOAT playoff run ever when you consider their seed (6th seed, 47-35) and who they beat:

1st round - Jazz (3rd seed) 60-22 (Malone, Stockton)
2nd round - Suns (2nd seed) 59-23 (Barkley, KJ)
WCF - Spurs (1st seed) 62-20 (DRob)
Finals - Magic (1st seed) 57-25 (Shaq, Hardaway)

[ClipperRevival]

And Hakeem's two year playoff run from (1993-94 - 1994-95) is legendary stuff:

45 playoff games - 30.9 ppg, 27.2 PER, .526%, 10.7 rpg, 4.4 apg, 3.4 bpg, 1.5 spg

Talk about all-around, impact from the blocks to setting up teammates to steals to "the man" offensive dominance against some of the best centers ever in DRob, Ewing and Shaq.

[Dragonyeuw]

And Hakeem's two year playoff run from (1993-94 - 1994-95) is legendary stuff:

45 playoff games - 30.9 ppg, 27.2 PER, .526%, 10.7 rpg, 4.4 apg, 3.4 bpg, 1.5 spg

Talk about all-around, impact from the blocks to setting up teammates to steals to "the man" offensive dominance against some of the best centers ever in DRob, Ewing and Shaq.

Over half a season. Crazy stuff...

Edit; and that should say over half a season 'against playoff competition'.

[Smoke117]

And Hakeem's two year playoff run from (1993-94 - 1994-95) is legendary stuff:

45 playoff games - 30.9 ppg, 27.2 PER, .526%, 10.7 rpg, 4.4 apg, 3.4 bpg, 1.5 spg

Talk about all-around, impact from the blocks to setting up teammates to steals to "the man" offensive dominance against some of the best centers ever in DRob, Ewing and Shaq.

And some of these fools actually believe Duncan is greater...hilarious stuff. Duncan had more team success, but Hakeem is clearly a better and greater player on an individual level. How do you rank Duncan above Hakeem when in their primes he was an overall inferior offensive and defensive player? It makes zero sense.

[bukowski81]

And some of these fools actually believe Duncan is greater...hilarious stuff. Duncan had more team success, but Hakeem is clearly a better and greater player on an individual level. How do you rank Duncan above Hakeem when in their primes he was an overall inferior offensive and defensive player? It makes zero sense.

Duncan in his 2003 run, 24 games,

24.7 ppg, 15.4 rebounds, 5.3 ast, 3.3 blks, 0.6 steals, .529 fg% 28.4 PER

Compare that with any of Hakeem runs and it is AT LEAST comparable...

[bizil]

In terms of peak, I think one of the most UNDERRATED duos of all time is Dream-Drexler! When they linked up, Dream was at his peak. And peak wise, Dream is a top 10 player of all time. I think Clyde was past his peak BUT still very much in his prime. So getting a versatile HOF wing who could ALSO be an alpha dog gave Dream a teammate he never had before. Once u throw in the role players the Rockets had, it was THE TEAM most equipped to beat the Bulls in the 90's.

[Poetry]

Before winning a ring? Bad Boy Pistons.

Competition they beat?

Early 90's Blazers
Riley Knicks
'93 Suns
Riley Heat
Mid 90's Magic
'96 Sonics
Late 90's Jazz

All were great competition. All of them 60+ win caliber teams, led by MVP players in their prime, actually playing at peak levels into June.

Reggie's Pacers should also be up there. They made 6 conference finals appearances during Reggie's career.

[Poetry]

I think Clyde was past his peak BUT still very much in his prime.

Yeah, he was still top 10 in PER on the Rockets.

[JBSptfn]

The early 90s Blazers.

True dat. The 91 Blazers were the best team in the league, but underachieved against the Lakers. Also, they were the only team in the 90's that had a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter in Chicago in a Game 6 or 7 of a playoff series (Game 6 of the 92 Finals). Not even the 95 Magic or the 98 Pacers can say that.