Would the Chicago Bulls Have Won the Title in 1999? 

4 in a row would have been the ULTIMATE challenge for MJ, he would have shown up more determined than ever.

Is this a trick question 😂 you asking if Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman would won another title under Phil Jackson on a short season of 50 games.

I definitely think that the Bulls would win the championship in 1999. Wish it could have happened though.

If the Bulls never disbanded...PLUS the shortened schedule? Bulls would win Title #7.

Definetly would win 4 Straight, alot of people don't know this but Jordan was injured in his Wizard days he tore his Meniscus and before that injury he averaged around 28 points.

They might not have faced a superstar center in the finals but they eliminated and swept a DOMINANT HOF center (Shaq) in the ECF. And that team was the best team in the east for 2 years until MJ came back.

I would have to agree and I say this with the Spurs being my second favorite franchise in the NBA. It would have been a knockdown, drag out battle. But a Bulls team that had so much experience and potentially fresh legs against a younger Spurs team with no finals experience would have had a certain mental edge. And again, Michael Jordan changes everything. He still would be the best player in the league at that point. Despite being so much bigger, I’m still not sure how a baby Tim Duncan would have dealt with a defender like Rodman, who was still the leading rebounder in 1998. Then, there’s Phil Jackson’s legendary coaching. Pops isn’t far behind, but Phil’s ability to make adjustments over the course of a series has always been elite. The Spurs would have needed one of the Bulls big four (including Kukoc here because he was a baller!) to fall off a cliff to win 7 games against them, something no team has ever done. I just can’t see that happening.

If the Bulls kept their team together, Steve Kerr wouldn't have gone to the Spurs. The Spurs and the Jazz were tied for the #1 seed in the West in '99, with the Spurs winning the tie breaker. If Kerr was worth even one victory to the Spurs, taking him away gives the Jazz the #1 seed, and the whole playoff scenario changes. We might be talking about a third straight Bulls-Jazz final.

This would have been a 7 game series where the Bulls win on a jump shot by MJ to win it all.

The 99 Spurs vs 99 Bulls w 2nd 3peat roster would have been a very interesting NBA Finals.

Hot take: If derrick rose never got injured and the bulls kept jimmy Butler would they have gotten at least one title.

OK, so watching this video made me watch Episode 10 of The Last Dance again, specifically the last 5 minutes, where Reinsdorf and MJ both make their arguments for trying to get #7 vs. rebuilding. Here are my thoughts (Sorry if this rant is a bit long): Reinsdorf said that it would be 'suicide' to re-sign everyone because of market value and he mentioned names like Ron Harper. Harper was, in fact, signed for one more year on his deal. He was on that 99 roster, along with 7 other returning players from 98 (as was Corey Benjamin, Randy Brown, Toni Kukoc, Rusty LaRue, Dickey Simpkins and Bill Wennington). Now, hypothetically speaking, if MJ is assured by Reinsdorf that they will give the one-year deals to him, Dennis, Steve Kerr, Jud Beuchler, Luc Longley and they keep the team together. Now, Phil seemed to really want out because of how toxic his relationship with Krause got. And Scottie wanted to get paid what he felt he was rightfully owed. So signing those two back may or may not have happened. Say Scottie absolutely refuses to sign back with us. Re-sign Scott Burrell, and he could have fit in that backup 3 spot and given you decent production at Small Forward (yes, I know he was a target of MJ's scorn). But at the end of the day, he could have filled in some of the void Scottie had left. He and Toni Kukoc starting at SF would have made up for the loss of Scottie's production. Now say Phil says no. But, looking back at it, Tim Floyd's coaching staff had three holdovers from Phil's staff in 98 (Bill Cartwright, Frank Hamblen and Tex Winter). MJ respected those assistant coaches and would have been able to work with Tim Floyd, I truly believe. They still implemented the triangle offense and the players all knew the system. So say that Reinsdorf goes above Jerry Krause and signs the above-mentioned to those 1-year deals. That means MJ probably doesn't go on vacation and cuts his index finger half off with a cigar-cutter. The lockout happened later in 1998 and lasted until the beginning of 99. So that means these older players get the rest they need to gear up for one more run. And a compressed season of 50 games in 1999 would have been perfect for the aging Bulls. For all intents and purposes, they had the tools and could have at least tried to make one more run and they would have been able to handle the Spurs in the Finals. Say the Bulls lost..at least they tried and it didn't happen, but they attempted to defend their championship and lost, everyone moves on...and besides honestly, the 1999 and 2000 NBA drafts were some of the worst draft classes ever, so tanking out the season as they did wouldn't have gotten you another franchise star any of those next couple of draft classes anyway. Now all of the above-mentioned is butterfly effect. Krause got his way and we all know how that panned out. But what could have been...and if they faltered and lost, at least they had the opportunity to try.

That Spurs team was really good. It might actually be the most dominant of the Spurs Championship teams because they swept the Lakers and the Blazers and those were the two best teams the following year. Bulls vs Spurs would have been a great match up.

The reason I think they win a 4th is, I agree with the 50 game season gives them extra rest, but as for the Spurs winning, it is VERY rare that a team wins the NBA title on their first try AGAINST AN EXPERIENCED CHAMPION from the year before. That year that the Spurs won, they were inexperienced, and so were the Knicks. So they were 2 "fresh teams" playing for the chip. Look at the Pistons when they won... their first trip to the finals, they lost against the experienced Lakers that had won the year before. Then the Pistons swept the Lakers their second year. When the Sixers won the Championship in 1983 against the Lakers, that was on their second straight trip to the finals after losing it the year before to the Lakers. When the Lakers were playing Boston in the finals, the Lakers beat the Celtics in 1985, after losing to the Celtics in 1984. And that is why I say the Utah Jazz's best chance to win a title was their second year reaching the finals against the Bulls, because they would not have been nervous being on the "Finals" stage. But we know how that all turned out. And to me that is one of the major reasons why MJ is the goat. Let's take Lebron and Miami against and the Spurs. So that is usually the narrative ... a team's first trip to the finals against an experienced champion (a champion that won the year before) would almost always lose, because the finals is the highest stage, and that team would make more mistakes coming down the stretch of a game than the reigning champion would. And for that reason, the Spurs would have lost to the Bulls, and the Bulls would have picked up their 4th straight. Remember, the Bulls never got rattled on the road, because they had been there so many times before, and the other team's home court advantage played no part in rattling the Bulls. They had already won against Phoenix when Phoenix had home court advantage 4-2, and they won against Utah when Utah had home court advantage 4-2.

i agree, they would have beat the Spurs. probably win in 7 games, with Jordan having to score like 48 points, and maybe a game winner

11:16. Thank's For saying this, I'm a die hard spurs fan it's my birthplace. But i also loved the Bull's of the '90s and you're channel. This without a doubt would've been the Bull's hardest match up even more so than Houston. This Spurs team was on a misson that year. They swept the three time to be championship lakers this same year in '99. They we're absolutely unstoppable. Now, The '99 sesaon would've had the bull's a longer vacation but when the season began you also had several back to backs in all an incrediblely short amount of time for several months to make-up a 50 win shorten season. This schedule would've shredded the aging Bull's with jordon at age 36 plus even if they got past the east, i seriously doubt they would've had enough to put up against both prime David and Timmy. I understand you're a bull's channel you love jordon more than anyone else probably, but even you have to admit all this I'm sure. My Spurs we're going to win that year regardless, of who they we're facing, healthy of course. You can't say oh because they have Jordan's killer instinct and go back on what you just said. Explain, how they'd get past prime David Robinson and Tim Duncan with a loaded team? Using an aging injured riddled bull's team with title experience?. It's just not happening. And i do know jordon is the greatest player of my generation. But he isn't beating one the strongest version's of my Spurs championship team's. I mean seriously you have to find the line of separating myth from reality-based observations. This isn't happening for the bull's in 1999. And It's really a Damm Shame a little man in the bull's organization with a napoleon complex is to blame for all this!.

I wouldn't ever bet against MJ GOAT he would definetely win the chip in 1999

I think they would have won as the bulls beat other super star bigs like Ewing and Shaq for the Magic

Bulls didn't face any great centers in Finals, but did eliminate centers like Mourning, Ewing, and Shaq in the East.

I can see this being one of the greatest Finals of all time. Down 3-2 the Bulls win game 6 and then eke out a victory in a game 7 that goes to overtime. This is the end of the line though for the Bulls dynasty even if they played in the 99-00 season together, the Lakers next season are simply too good and I'm not even sure they could get past the Pacers.

This video could have been one second long... "Yes"

Nice content. I subscribed already and I'm a bulls fan as well. Thank you!

Great video! I'm glad I reminded you!

You mentioned that the Knicks had Anthony Mason in 99. Anthony Mason wasnt on the Knicks in 1999. He left the Knicks in 96. The Knicks replaced him with Larry Johnson. Sad thing for the Knicks is Larry Johnson was injury prone and his productivity declined during his Knicks years. Anthony Mason was on the Hornets from 96-2000. I've always felt the Knicks would of been much better off had they kept Anthony Mason as there defensive anchor. Sorry if I'm knit picking. Just thought I'd mention this. P.s love your channel and I've enjoyed being subscribed Keep up the great content. PEACE. RIP Anthony Mason.

Nice content. In my opinion, they could win 7th that year, and even though they will face tough challenges come playoff time, 90s Bulls are still the 90s Bulls. Always dominant and will always find a reason to win at all cost.

Most likely yes

Great Coverage! 🤙🏿

Great channel, DIEHARD 90’s Bulls fan here, just subscribed to you.

Much respect to the Rockets and Spurs, my emotional choice would have been the Bulls still. They are the types who want to see how far they will go and know who is out to knock them out. I agree with the other comments that it would given MJ motivation.

The Spurs had one big thing all Bulls Finals opponents lacked, elite centers. The only center they faced was Ewing with the Riley-led Knicks, the only team that gave them any competition. But put them against Duncan AND Robinson, the story is very different. Throw in a coach like Pop, the mountain gets higher. The Bulls could win, but it would be their hardest challenge yet, by a mile.

Thundering down the stretch, the Spurs made a dramatic late season charge! They began to steam roll their opponents! But the Spurs were just getting warmed up. Fun fact: that Spurs team has Bulls Steve Kerr, Will Perdue, and Houston Rockets two time champ Mario Ellie! Would be a VERY interesting series. That Spurs team was also one of the greatest team defensive units in history.Their top-ranked defense got even better in the playoffs as San Antonio allowed just over 81 points per game and had more games with opponents scoring in the 60s (2) than they had games with opponents scoring in the 100s (1). That's remarkable.

Yes, with that core and no injuries. Absolutely

Here's some ultimate fan fiction: MJ wins one more title with the Bulls, then follows Phil to LA and wins another three with Shaq and Kobe.

Yup thats 7 & 8 if they still have the core and coaching staff till 2000...MJ is obsess in winning..

This was a great question

Jason Caffey was traded mid-season in 1997-98. Because the GM wanted Kukoc to play more minutes come Playoff time. It baffled everyone. Because as you know, that man was a Beast.

Michael Jordan made the important point the Bulls deserved their shot to defend the title that championship run will never happen again

Jordan would’ve been 36 in a 1999 Finals series.

The fist pump right into the Scottie hug.....too Fluent!

12:22....I was at that game.........great times!!!!!

I don't think they would have their core: Jackson didn't want to coach, Pippen wanted more money which would give problems with the salary cap.

The age thing in the nba is a myth, older teams are usually the title winners

People always talk about how good players were when comparing them, and sure the spurs on paper seem like they would beat a old bulls team but people never take in the personality of the players. MJ would of been so determined to get that last championship that I actually don't think any team would of stopped them. As long as Scottie's back was okay and rodman didn't get any worse they would of won in a game 7

It would be tough. The Spurs v Bulls in the 1997/98 season were great matchups. And I think the Bulls won the 1st one in OT without Pippen and also won at the Alamodome as well

They would have definitely won a 4th in a row and their 7th. Jordan would have then retired for good without thinking of coming out of retirement again the 2nd time ala Wizards. Thus Jermaine O Neal wouldn’t have clowned himself in the 03’ All Star game which was the biggest blunder in its history, as Jordan wouldn’t have been there.

They had to got through a superstar center multiple times in Patrick Ewing and they did it. So, i don't think its as big a deal as you're making out of it. And i don't recall the Spurs playing any where near that smash mouth New York defense. So, I feel like MJ and company would've done just fine.

Perhaps the greatest dynasty in all of team sports, the 6 time NBA World Champions, the Chicago Bulls!!!!! Outstanding video!!!

Analysis aside, the highlight-cut is one of the best I've ever seen. I think they could definitely have won in '99.. I don't know if they would have in 94' - MJ was mentally exhausted, he needed the break.

If The GOAT didnt retire it would have been 9 straight

Wennington would have destroyed the twin towers with his footwork and paint moves

He said no insult to casuals and he is a casual baseball fan.... KOT4Q just said that yesterday.... and Both bulls fans......

This is a nice video. Just a slight point of criticism: Little too much exposition at the beginning. Took almost five minutes until we got into the nuts n' bolts of the actual subject matter.

As long as they kept Longley they had a chance.

The bulls could have won 2 more titles I believe , Anyway Spurs vs Bulls in '99 and Lakers vs Bulls in '00 would have been spectacular

Would have been an amazing finals, that’s for sure. Great video as always. Question, is there one Bulls game that stands out to you above all others for you? Maybe it was the most exciting, most significant, or just entertaining... Maybe you could choose one from the Jordan era, and one from the Rose era? Just a thought. I’d love to find out so I can look it up and watch. Im already missing bulls basketball!!

Hot Take: Bulls trade Coby Patrick Lauri Troy brown and picks for Lillard

I think they would have made it to the finals, I mean the 8th seed Knicks did. I am not to sure if they would have beaten the Spurs

I agree. It would be a tough match-up but Bulls find a way to win. One point you didn't touch on. Although older Rodman often kept Shaq in check throughout his career. So he'd do his job against their center!

Hot take: If we get a top 4 pick that's not the no.1 pick we should trade it along with lauri markannen for dejounte Murray since the spurs are already interested in markannen. Murray is a great young PG with a lot of potential plus he plays great defense (he even made an all-defensive team in his second season) which will really help us. Love your content man keep it up.

The Spurs started the season 6-8 and then went on a tear to finish first and then in the playoffs swept the blazers and lakers who were the favorites that year, with all that momentum I wouldn’t be surprised if they had swept the bulls too but having the experience edge they probably would have won one or two

I think the Bulls might have one cause it was also a lock out season gives them time to take a break for them and don't count out Jordan he is still the best player in the league at that point the bulls would have won 9 straight if Jordan had not retired after the 93 season LOL

What would if Derrik Rose didnt get hurt with his knee would the Bulls won the Finals that year?

I almost said no because they were so clearly tired by the end of the second threepeat. But the shortened season...

Bulls in 5, because Avery Johnson couldn't shoot, nor defend, and he certainly couldn't take on MJ.

This is actually the first video that includes the “1999 NBA Lockout”, which actually happen people in their 20’s! With only 50 games of course the Bulls would of won a 7th NBA championship! The Pacers lost to the Knicks in the NBA playoffs since it was a the Spurs and the Knicks in the NBA finals, Jordan would of smashed the Spurs and Rodman would of played mind games with Duncan, plus Steve Kerr would of never joined the Spurs in 99, so of course the Bulls would of won a 7th championship based off of experience! Now in 2000, against Shaq and Kobe that’s when they would of lost in the finals and maybe that would of been the final chapter for Jordan and we never saw him in a Washington Wizards jersey?

Yes Shorter season due to the lockout allowing more rest for them going into the season. Likely MJ's last season with the Bulls which would have motivated him even more to go out with the biggest bang possible. The Spurs would have been a good opponent. It should have been the Lakers but they were not mature enough as a team until Phil arrived.

Does anyone knows what song is playing through the video?

I made it about halfway through before I realized I'm just watching Jordan highlights and what he's saying is just white noise in the background.

lol, ... "MJ would have taken something personally to fuel his drive" if that ain't the truth...

I'm a huge fan of the Jordan era Bulls and the Duncan era Spurs. A Spurs vs Bulls finals would have been an epic series. I could make a case for both teams winning it all that season. I'm willing to bet that series would have went the full 7 games. As much as I'd want Jordan to win #8 and Duncan/Robinson to win their first title, I honestly have no clue who would come out on top. Either way I'd be super happy for who ever won. :-)

As a knock on effect if Bulls had stayed together for 99, then Phil has his year off in 2000, so maybe Lakers don’t 3peat. Which would have made the Bulls’ 3 (&4) peats even more special.

The problem is fatigue. The Spurs were knocked out in the second round in 98. The Bulls played 22 playoff games and that’s not counting the 2 previous titles.

Yes!! No question!!

I'm sure that Anthony Mason wasn't with the Knicks in 1999, he was traded to the old Charlotte Hornets for Larry Johnson. But hey man, it's fine, glad I found you, Bulls fan since 91 and still am.

I was a bulls fan until 1999 then I became a lakers fan

I don't know, man, at that point Rodman was seemingly completely unmotivated to play at a high level anymore. As incredible as he was in his prime, I don't think he would've been able to slow Robinson and / or Duncan down, hence the Spurs might've been able to win.

Would have been interesting to see 99' Spurs vs. 99' Bulls (if kept intact from 98). If the Spurs beat the Bulls that year, it would be a nice "transition" from one era to another.

That dunk at 8:58...WOW!

It's all hypothetical but with a shortened season, 50 games if Im not mistaken, they have a very good shot.

Of course they would, no question !!! Imagine MJ23 have played 94 & 95 seasons to !!! 2 or 3 rings more !!! for sure

Don't forget about Shawn Kemp...who was an absolute beast at the time that they seen him at 6'10

I'd never underestimate Duncan and Robinhood. Them boys were a problem. Definitely a team stacked with chemistry. I think if those teams played in the finals it would be very close games, all competitive, all nail biters...Bulls in 5. Also don't forget if the Lakers could have beat the damn Jazz in 1998 it would have been a Kobe-Shaq vs Jordan-Pippen finals that year. Would have been dope.

You forgot to mention Shawn Kemp who they faced in 96. In 1996 Shawn Kemp was unbelievably good and athletic and the Bulls handled him pretty good. I would rate a 96 Shawn Kemp higher than a 99 Tim Duncan.

Rodman was a shell of himself after the 98 season. He only played 35 games after leaving Chicago. The Bulls knew this too. His playing time was being reduced during the 98 season because he wasn’t as effective as he had been in the past. Jordan was exhausted after basically willing them to victory in 98. Pipen was on the decline. The 99 season was only 50 games but the schedule didn’t have as many off days. That could have really hurt the aging Bulls if they had nagging injuries and limited rest days. I think they would have needed a new power forward to replace Rodman or atlesst pick up significant minutes. All that said, the east was weak so the Bulls probably make the finals. Probably a 7 game battle with the Spurs and a coin flip ending. Jordan usually won those so it’s very likely the Bulls win in 99.

Absolutely

These Bulls at their prime are something out of the norm, they were so dominant, that Jordan was sometimes laying back and resting giving some hope to the other teams, and in the end crushing their dreams. They thought they could beat them, nah, don’t even think about it, they are unbeatable.

Rodman was cut....he didn't decide to leave...

Got to love MJ's mentality when he said he would have played until someone can beat the Bulls, shows you what he is all about. It is not about a story book finish or ending to a career. The dude just want to play until he can't, he just wants the challenge.

Of course!

I didnt even listen, i just enjoyed the video

I think the lockout season hurt every team but I believe it wouldn’t have hurt the bulls and maybe an easy title run in 99. Nobody was impressive that year but I loved how scrappy the knicks looked and they were an 8th seed. Worst case scenario they would of definitely took the East without a doubt.

Anthony Mason was out of the Knicks since 1996 who was traded for Larry Johnson

No doubt!!!

With it being a lockout year I think it’s totally possible, that extra rest would’ve been huge for them but I do agree Robinson and Duncan could’ve gave Rodman and Longley a very tough situation to overcome, but if MJ gets to the finals I just can’t see him losing it when he knows he can get 4 in a row, the spurs could’ve been shook seeing the 3 peat bulls in the finals mentally and if the bulls add their draft pick Corey Benjamin only even or draft Rafer Alston instead and let’s say they drop Randy brown for that slot I like their chances honestly

If The Bulls had 1 more season, I'm seeing Pippen stepping in as the main guy with Jordan coming in during the 4th quarter clutch when needed. Kukoc also becoming more of a Robin to Scottie's Batman on offensive usage. By this point, MJ just wanted another ring and would be willing to ride Scottie and Kukoc through the season and into the playoffs all the way to the Conference Finals where he would be set up with the opportunity to win.

Yes 💯

The biggest threats for the 99 or 2000 Bulls was the Spurs, Pacers & Knicks

This assumes the Bulls would've remained completely unchanged in 1999, but in reality they likely would've brought in some young talent to offset their age, perhaps a big who could've helped in the frontcourt against the Spurs. The Bulls have never had a star Center but always took care of teams in the East with dominant Centers, like Shaq, Ewing, Mourning...

Dennis Rodman & Luc Longley against Tim Duncan & David Robinson? Bulls had a weakness which is the Paint.

The Bulls could have won in 1999. In the footage I saw MJ go around Manute Bol for a lay up. I remember watching that game in the 1990's.