Bulls Not Quite Best Team Ever

Which team would win a series between the 1971-72 Lakers and the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls? Bill Sharman, coach of that ‘71-72 club, analyzes the classic series that can never happen.

The edge, however, is our call, not Sharman’s.

CENTER

Wilt Chamberlain vs. Luc Longley

* Sharman: “If Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen tried to come down the middle, they would find a lot of the shots they normally make blocked. And that’s where the Bulls get a lot of their shots.”

* Edge: Chamberlain. By lots. If the other man in the middle isn’t a dominating figure such as Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Shaquille O’Neal, there’s no discussion.

POWER FORWARD

Happy Hairston vs. Dennis Rodman

* Sharman: “Neither could shoot from the outside, but both were strong on the inside. Happy worked well with Wilt and could also trigger the fast break.”

* Edge: Rodman. Hairston had one of his best years, but Rodman has been having those for some time now. Beyond the hair, the rings and the tattoos is the best rebounder in the game.

SMALL FORWARD

Jim McMillian vs. Scottie Pippen

* Sharman: “Pippen can do more things. That’s for sure. McMillian’s strength was his consistency. He was great at finishing the break, but he was not as fancy or as flashy as Pippen.”

* Edge: Pippen. He is probably better than anyone in the game at his position. He would certainly be better than McMillian.

POINT GUARD

Jerry West vs. Michael Jordan

* Sharman: “I would pay to see that one. Jordan is the better athlete. He can jump higher than West and has a greater variety of shots. But nowadays, Jerry would have the three-point shot, which they didn’t have when he played. And I would give Jerry the edge on defense.”

* Edge: Jordan, who also plays the shooting guard quite a bit. West was one of the great guards. Jordan is the best.

SHOOTING GUARD

Gail Goodrich vs. Ron Harper

* Sharman: “Nobody else could shoot like Gail. And he could also play the point guard when necessary. He became very clever at passing off the ball.”

* Edge: Goodrich. Harper has rarely fulfilled his potential.

OTHER ASPECTS

In bench strength and coaching, there is no clear advantage.

* Bench: The Lakers had versatile Keith Erickson, sharp-shooting Flynn Robinson and bruising Pat Riley, but Chicago could counter with Toni Kukoc, currently in the starting lineup as a forward, Steve Kerr, a suitable shooting match for Robinson, bomb for bomb, and Bill Wennington and Jud Buechler, who supply strength up front.

* Coaches: Both Sharman and Phil Jackson are masters of psychology, excellent at innovation and skilled at using a soft but firm manner to keep their superstars in line.

RESULT

* Lakers in seven. The Bulls are spectacular, consistent and deep. But without someone to challenge Chamberlain in the middle, they couldn’t win.