Making the Case - 1996 Bulls 

Greatest player ever, Greatest Coach ever, Greatest sidekick ever, Greatest rebounder since the 60s, Best 6th man in the league, Most accurate shooter ever, Highest winning percentage ever, Best Net RTG ever... Is this really a debate...or a coronation? :)

“Hey Boss? Yea I gotta take my lunch early….there’s a new ‘Making the Case’.”

Dennis Rodman is the greatest baseball pitcher in basketball history

I do think that Dennis Rodman can actually throw 120 miles per hour.

Next making the case should be on the 0-2 clippers

Talking about load management : In the 3 seasons from 1995 to 1998 in the second 3peat, Michael Jordan played EVERY SINGLE game, every regular game of the season, every playoff game, every final game.

Kukoc actually (deservedly) made the Hall of Fame this year

Luc Longly was a star here in Australia....You cant imagine how cool it was to a 90’s Australian NBA fan to know one of our own played alongside 23.

This and the pistons ending gave me the chills. Also lol "72 doesn't mean a thing without a ring"

MJ led the league in minutes and played all 100 games, led the league in points, won MVP, first team all defense, first team all nba. Ladies and gentlemen this is your GOAT.

I’ve always heard people say the 1996 Bulls were the best Chicago Bulls team but I didn’t realize how good they were. Thanks for this video.

shoutout to the least interesting thing in the world, a field in Kansas

Also, thanks for bringing up Pippen's criminally underrated 1994 season. This angle really benefitted from it

Inject this content into my veins, wish these could come out more often but appreciate the effort put into them.

The 96 Bulls also can do a killer smallball if needed. Put Rodman at the 5, Kukoc at the 4, Pip and MJ at the 3 and 2 respectively, and switch Harper and Kerr at the 1 depending on the situation. People who say the 96 Bulls don't translate in the modern era - - this team will take it personally.

A team where everyone knew their role and performed to the highest standards. Also helped that they had the best player of all time. Oh yeah and it don't mean a thing without the ring

This moment, this little moment in my life, is called happiness

Most underrated basketball content creator at the moment!

It is so fantastic to see Pip get the respect he deserves.

I really like the way you describe the duo of mj and scottie. I feel like Scottie always gets discounted but you framed it in a way that highlighted why he was so important rather than just being mjs sidekick.

This made me cry. I remember getting a TV with cable in my bedroom and watching all these bulls games as a teenager. I'm almost 40 now and I can atest none of the teams since this 96 bulls team were ever as good as this bulls team. Also, Hakeem olajowan is the biggest snub off your making the case goat list.

Kukoc is so underrated.

Rodman underrated, Chicago had a big 3 for these 3 years. There ain't no other defender like Rodman, maybe Hakeem kobe or MJ himself, but he beats em all in rebound and hustle

Rodman's offensive rebounding was vital for the Bulls in the 96 Finals. Countless second chance opportunities. MJ shot only 41.5% from the field in the 96 Finals.

Yes! Oh man one of my most favored teams of all times!!!

Starting off strong. Definitely one of the most recognizable basketball teams of All Time. They had it All. The Wins. The Hall of Famers. The Big Moments. The Trophies.

I just remembered....I grew up in the 90's, and just like any 90's kid, I was a Jordan fan I remember when he came back in '95, I genuinely don't think I ever doubted that Jordan would win another championship. It literally wasn't even a thought in my head.

Making the Case: Clayton Crowley is the GOAT basketball content creator.

I loved every second of the video. The 1996 Chicago Bulls were a miracle.

People forgot that the 1996-97 Bulls regular season record could have been better than 1996. But they had avoidable losses against weaker teams like Toronto, New Jersey Nets or Cleveland. And at the end of the regular season they lost Rodman for disciplinary reasons (a headbutt against a referee, LOL!) and they lost 3 of their last 4 matches. So their 1996-97 record is 69-13 but it could have been 73, 74 or 75 victories, that's crazy !

one of the best channels on all of youtube.. keep up the great vids clayton. such good stuff to watch during the work day lol!

Any time anyone can wax poetic about my Bulls I shed a tear 😢, well done. Those Bulls teams made me happy as a 10 year old could be

Do you want your mind blown some more? Of the 10 losses, only 2 occurred with a full starting roster: 3 w/o Rodman, 3 w/o Longley, 1 w/o Harper, and 1 w/o Longley AND Rodman. THREE of these short-handed losses occurred by ONE point. ONE. To the Pacers, Raptors, and Hornets. 75-7 was extremely possible, and it could have been higher.

The vibes of that ending. Makes the team seem like the Fellowship from LOTR. Then again, everything about this team screams EPIC.

When you’re a warriors fan and you keep hearing that they have the best record while being champions 😭😭😭😭😭

Not even Patrick Beverly’s mom loves him.

Phenomenal video man, I was already a huge '96 bulls fan but somehow I'm even more of one now. Keep it up!!

This is the only channel I have ever turned Sub notifications on for

got chills at the end with that beautiful monologue and the soaring music. i've said it before and i'll say it again - this is the best basketball channel on youtube, bar none

5:29 Imagine wrestling the ball into the paint vs a guy named Rodman, releasing the shot on a prayer, only to have someone called Jordan snag that shot from behind. Pretty sure I would retire after that.

Clayton, you forgot to mention that Ron Harper was also on the 2001 Lakers.

I was lucky; born and raised in Chicago. I worked at a high-end men's retailer. When Michael Jordan first was drafted, he came in to buy some dress shirts. I helped him. Nice guy. Later, he partnered with the owners of the store on some business ventures. I was not his salesman in the store after the initial purchase, but still had a lot of interaction with him, and the rest of the Bulls team, who regularly came into the store to shop. I always bristle when someone suggests that "X" is better than Jordan; that "X" team is better than these Bulls. Different times, for sure. But NO ONE dominated like they did. Who's never lost a finals? MJ; that's who. Jack-The-Ripper of the NBA. LeBron? Great player. Durant? Great player. Russell? Great player. Bryant? Great player. They couldn't carry Scottie's jock-strap. I laugh when anyone thinks that they should be in the "conversation" about GOAT. There's only one; MJ. Respect to all of them; but no one was better, and no team was better.

New Making the Case vid? My morning has been made

Clayton, I have to say, these videos are pure gold, and I hope you keep making more of these.

Those last couple minutes gave me legit chills. Absolutely love your videos man, keep it up!

Jordan prapared his team mentally. To compete. To perform. He makes his teammates better not only passing them the ball. Not on handshakes but to play to win. Airness!

This video literally just gave me the chills.

I can't believe there are still 3 more of these. Every time I watch a making the case video, I'm like "yep, they're the greatest" then ill rewatch another one and be like "no, they're the greatest"

Yesssss it’s back! Thank you for making these videos!!

One of the most purest scorers of all time, one of the best 2 way players ever, a perennial king of the boards, the Zen Master, and a great supporting cast.

Good lord dude you just earned a sub. That was beautiful. I almost cried

Out of the dozens of basketball channels on here, yours has become my favorite. Just quality analysis and fantastic editing in your videos

Still waiting for the 14 spurs 😍

Bulls had best player of all time in mj, best perimeter defender of all time in Pippen, best modern rebounder in Rodman, best 3 pt shooter in terms of pct. of all time in Kerr, one of the best 6th man ever in Kukoc, best coach ever in Phil Jackson, one best offensive systems ever in triangle offense, best defensive team ever. Bulls were really the first modern basketball team. They were really first international team . had multiple good foreign players in Kerr (Lebanon), Kukoc (Croatia) Longley (Australia), and Wennington (Canada) . They did not rely on a dominant big man. They really had 5 interchangable players all 6'6-6'10 in MJ, Pip, Rodman, Harper, and Kukoc. and some good 3pt shooters in Kerr , Buchelor , and Kukoc. They would dominate even more in today's league. Best team ever.

The fact this video only has 180k views is ridiculous. The quality of this channels videos are absolutely impeccable

Clayton another exquisite, world class, mind blowing video. Thank you so much. Keep on doing this state-of-the-art job. Congratulations

When you have the GOAT and one of the best rebounders ever and a top 10 SF all time, you're allready one of the best teams ever.

Michael Jordan the greatest NBA 🏀 player I've ever seen in my eye

You are dominating the category, Clay. An awesome video once more. Thank you so much.

Clayton, you do an incredible job seemingly every video. Good work and thank you.

You forgot to mention Tex Winter - no NBA team ever ran the Triangle to its full potential unless it was coached by someone who learned the system directly from Tex.

Mr. Crowley, I don’t think you’ll see this comment. You sir, with your intricacy have been a pillar for us new basketball fans to better understand the sport. A salute to you sir.

You are a pillar of consistency. All of your videos have excellent editing, excellent writing and excellent narration. A1 stuff!

great to come home to a freshly new making the case video.

these get me so damn hyped lmao

In my humble opinion, the 1996 Chicago Bulls and the 1986 Boston Celtics are the two greatest teams in history. Both teams had unbelievable home records of 39-2 and 40-1 respectably. There was no doubt in many people's minds that both teams would cap of their season with a championship. :-)

I love these Making The Case vids. Thank you, Clayton!

Excellence and Perfection! Well done, perfect video! You really making the ease for Chicago Bulls 1996!

I'm insulted you only have 57k subs. Your videos are amazing.

oh yeah! the one I’ve been waiting for since you’ve covered 86 Celtics!

Clayton you are the best. Your making the case videos are perfect. You was able to teach my kid about magic, bird, MJ, etc.. Keep doing what you doing. It's definitely the best thing on RU-vid. Mad love

😢that was beautiful

Yes, thats all i have to say. Thank you Clayton

Watched this for the third time today -- another great video! And...if I'm correct only two men played on two of Clayton's best-ever teams: Kareem and Rodman. It's hard to imagine two less similar players -- their only connection being winning.

Clayton is back at it again - love your channel 💯

Respect for the team and individual narration, Scootie would appreciate this video :) Thumbs up for Making the Case!

I’m hoping KD and Steph’s warriors is someone in here. That team, and how they fit together was unfair.

In regards to the '91/ '92 Bulls vs. the '96 Bulls, I think that the 1996 Bulls were greater simply bc of their depth. We can argue athleticism vs. experience when it comes to MJ and Scottie, but the rest of the roster head-to-heads go towards the 1996 Bulls. Luc and Cartwright are just about even while Rodman and Ron Harper could defend against Horace Grant and Paxson respectively. B.J. Armstrong was the notable bench player in those first 2 championship teams but Toni Kukoc was obviously one of the best 6th Men of that decade and Steve Kerr's stats are comparable to that of B.J.'s. Playing in an era w/ Hakeem, Shaq, David Robinson, Ewing, and Alonzo, the Bulls Centers always held their own. Chalk it up to either help defense from the perimeter players like Jordan and Pippen or perhaps it's due to Phil Jackson's coaching, the best Centers of the 90s never exactly dominated the Bulls. The Bulls Centers couldn't score as great as others bigs, but they had the "3-Headed Monster" who could expend their 6 fouls and the Bulls wouldn't have to worry about the lack of scoring from the Center department if they ever got into foul trouble. When it comes to playing in the modern era, a lot of the perimeter players would of course have to shoot more 3s. Kerr and Pippen had no problems shooting, and other players like Jud Buechler and Toni were also knockdown shooters. Jordan and Ron Harper would also shoot more in today's game. They could play "small ball" by using Rodman at the 5, and Toni, Scottie, MJ, and either Ron Harper or Steve Kerr for the 4, 3, 2, and 1 positions. Jordan and Pippen were obviously great perimeter defenders, while Ron Harper at "6'6" would be capable of guarding the least athletic player from the 1-3 positions. Randy Brown can be used for a few minutes each game to defend at the start of the 2nd Quarter and the Bulls wouldn't have problems w/ playmaking as they would most likely have Scottie and Toni on the court at the same time. I'd say the only drawback in using Rodman in today's era was that the Bulls Rodman wasn't as quick w/ his lateral movements so he wasn't as good in the perimeter as he was in his Pistons days. A switch could cause some problems for the Bulls while his rebounding would be neutralized if the opponent has their Center located beyond the 3-Point line. Nevertheless, I think the 90s Bulls were perhaps the most adaptable team from before the 2010s that could play before their era or after.

Another brilliantly executed and wonderful video.

Amazing work! Thank you

It's crazy how a team in 96 had a 115 ortg

Don’t forget Rodman was a pro wrestler too

Im so glad i got to witness all that

That was EPIC! You make such great work!

>won more games than any champion team has Warriors catching strays

Making the case, more like, making a masterpiece

Great video. Last two minutes gave me goosebumps!

I've been hearing LAKEY INSPIRED's music more and more in video essays. Love his music, and I'm glad to see him finally getting the respect they deserve!

This is beautiful.

I’ll never forget the day Jordan game back against the Pacers in 95. I was 12. It was a religious experience. Our king had returned.

These videos are the purest form of art... you are really an artist...

These guys where professionals. They where precision craftsman, dedicated to performance with a touch of flare. Substance was their style. The brands, shoes, money or anything else was an afterthought in the pursuit of perfection.

Toni is a hall of famer now. So they had four hall of famers in there "primes"

This might be the best video you've ever made. Prior to this video, your MJ Making the Case was my favourite but this might top it. You keep doing him justice, and I'm not even a massive MJ fan. These videos are just impeccable. My only ask is to include a few more stats and advanced stats. When I say Advanced Stats, I don't mean older ones like PER, but the newer stats.

this is an actual masterpiece of a video! you are incredible

My day just got a whole lot better

This may be not the most talented team of all time. But this surely is the greatest team of all time.

Imagine 96 Bulls with Jordan, Pippen and Rodman were at their peak prime age!!!!!

Killing these 'Making the Case' videos. They are all way to convincing

This ain’t the last dance… this could be the last dance… what a video