Michael Jordan vs. Magic Johnson: The RewatchaBulls With Ryen Russillo | The Bill Simmons Podcast

[@austinrawlins]

Am I the only that struggles to listen to other basketball podcasts after listening to Bill Simmons podcasts? Like his analysis and commentary is just unmatched

[@petermadash4488]

100% agreed.

[@samregier3120]

Through the wire wayyy better

[@KByrd80]

Very true

[@markmittens]

He knows what he's talking about he just isn't yelling whether you agree it disagree he live through it and watched it, that matters.

[@razkable]

i like to hear about how sometimes losing can fuel a team and how winning can satisfy them...in 2013 the spurs lost in 7 came back won vs miami blowing them out in 1988 pistons lose in 7 to the lakers come back sweep them in 1989 bulls lose in 1990 to the pistons in 7 come back sweep them in 1991 in 1982 lakers beat 76ers in 1983 76ers sweep them in 1984 lakers lose in 7 to the celtics come back in 1985 beat them in 1999 spurs sweep la in 2001 lakers sweep them and then in 2002 beat them in 5 which caused the spurs to beat them in 2003 and la to beat them in 2004 in 2005 pistons beat miami in 7 miami comes back in 2006 beats them 2015 warriors win then cavs beat them in 2016 then warriors beat them in 2017 celitcs beat kobe in 08 he beats them in 2010..I love that shit about nba history...in the moment its hard to appreciate looking back we forget but when you really look at it year to year teams compete to try to win it all and they love to get revenge on teams that beat them in route to that title...pistons in 87 lose to celtics beat them in 88 easily...its just cool to see...sadly the 2019 rockets and 1998 jazz could not do it too...would of been nice to see...

[@paulpatane2439]

Nice to see someone recognize Magic ability on post 1987-1991. Dude was deadly on post.

[@davepirtle9790]

Those of us from La who watched lots and lots of magic knew how great he was. Same as I say about bird underrated now. Unless you grew up watching these guys you wouldn't know. Thanks for you tube and videos now people can see for themselves. Bernard King was the most lethal scorer I ever saw during that stretch in NY. And that's why I don't use team stats to determine individual greatness. And also during the dream team Olympics it's almost universally accepted by those players Barkley was the best in that tournament. I don't care if he won a title or not.

[@swpdisciple]

Russillo is like “sun’s out, gun’s out” lol

[@elliota.1063]

I was thinking the same thing--Ryen's been lettin' the guns out a lot these days...

[@BALLSOHARDU]

cant wait to see who his future hot GF is....Im guessing real estate bad B/ Pilates instructor

[@Roberta_Sparrow]

Swole Patrol

[@biffvanderhuge1000]

huge props for whoever takes the time to edit all the clips of the plays exactly when they're talking about them

[@iank3924]

Russillo at 11:32, " it wasn't an older Magic." Thank you! Sincerely, Bulls Fans

[@ewolffman]

yeah im sick of those excuses blah blah mj never faced prime opponents give me a break mj ended primes put old heads into retirement and strangled newborns in their cribs

[@iank3924]

@@ewolffman 100% percent!

[@laconfidential8504]

Eric Wolff Magic was only 31 and finished 2nd in MVP voting that year to MJ, people just act like he was washed because he retired after that year. They must have forgot that he only retired because of HIV and not because he couldn’t play anymore.

[@vanishing_girl]

exactly he was the 2nd best player in the league (and at the time many people considered him the best), and the Lakers were favored to win the series

[@lakersRjstbettr]

it was a lakers team with NO KAREEM arguably the 2nd greatest player of all time...sincerely lakers fan

[@PRBoricua23]

Bill, Ryen & these podcasts/Ringer content is the only thing keeping me sane during this quarantine. Thank you, gentlemen.

[@razkable]

i think one of their interesting topics they brought up about magic is he was special without kareem or those other great 80's veteran stars and he could lead a team with just worthy to the finals cause he was still young and did so much at a young age surrounded by stars that he could relax his body and could of played till he was 40 but the aids thing ruined his prime and thats why when people go oh Stockton has the assists and magic didn't have the stats or longevity its like thats why hes top 6 in everyones mind..imagine him with longevity and how many more titles he could of won with riley as coach and if healthy cause in 83 they lose due to injury same in 89 they lost in 84 due to a dumb play by magic like they should of won 8 titles in 10 years

[@Philliesphan32]

PRBoricua23 true that

[@troyduffie3836]

Game 5, where Magic had 20 assists throwing to role players was epic. It was back and forth for three quarters and the Lakers were just outmanned with Worthy and Scott being down.

[@ewolffman]

THIS WAS FANTASTIC keep it up, this is the kind of programming I need in my sports-less life right now. Im watching goddamn horse on espn. Please keep this series going and expand to other players as well. My one note (which may be impossible due to copyright or whatever) is I wish you showed more highlights during your descriptions like you did at the end. Awesome job The Ringer!

[@jay-bt7ex]

Lol you probably never knew how much you loved basketball until you watched that horse game yesterday. If you really love the sport you watched atleast one of those games lol purely out of desperation.

[@ewolffman]

@@jay-bt7ex yup then i went and whooped my 7yr old's butt on the back patio court. lmao still HORSE champ of the house!

[@hipking23]

@@ewolffman lol 😂

[@jeanlamour770]

Absolutely!! The best program I have seen in years with two really smart basketball savvy dudes who understand how to analyze games without all the buyest

[@TheOJObserver]

The 89/90 Lakers were fascinating for their implosion. Kareem is retired, the team hates Pat Riley, Pat Riley hates the team and a 23 year old Kevin Johnson is torching the Lakers. Riley wins Coach of the Year during the Phoenix series but is disgusted that he had to wait so long to win the award. He tries to motivate the team but it falls on deaf ears. Magic accuses teammates of talking smack in the newspaper. Riley keeps running the same play in Game 5 to prove a point with little success. Just an absolute nightmare.

[@razkable]

i love how they forgot tom chambers ...that was still prime chambers entering prime hornacek and in his prime kj….like that was a scary big three plus mark west went off shooting damn near 70% avg. 14.4 ppg and avg. 3.5 blks and 11.4 rebs lol like that dude went off and a young thunder dan was on the team plus secret weapon kurt rambis who knew riley's tricks

[@razkable]

they said they liked to watch magic play so they should watch that game 5 vs the suns in 1990 where magic has 43 8 and 7 15-26 and loses i know they lost 2 games by 2 points in that series ….seeing 43 next to magic was always rare .the man did not shoot that much ever...if he had 40+ it was cause he was pissed off at his teammates clearly and a.c. green 0 points worthy 5-19 lol thats why...insane how kj killed them 37 and 8 and mark west 16 rebs...

[@razkable]

whats sad is the injuries in the 1989 finals runed what was the best lakers team imo the 89 lakers and in 90 they would of lost but they should of made the finals

[@vizionaryentertainment8464]

I feel the same way as them when i watch 89-91 Magic Johnson games and I just watch in amazement about how good and how masterful he was at the game of basketball at that stage of his career. He would pull up for set shot threes, just back down a guy every possession then dish over his shoulders to the open man, or get down low and post up out spinning the defender to the basket. All this from a guy whose 6'9/6'10 its mind boggling to watch

[@simple45679]

what do you mean "at that stage of his career", he was in his 9th/11th/12th year in his career , he wasn't old.

[@laconfidential8504]

Then his career was cut short because of HIV. People don’t realize Magic still had plenty left in the tank, but basically had to retire because we didn’t know much about the disease at the time.

[@simple45679]

@@laconfidential8504 This. Magic was still at the top of his game when he was basically forced to retire. He came 2ND in MVP voting behind MJ that year. Granted that was not peak Magic Johnson, he was still in his prime (although it was the tail end of it).

[@vizionaryentertainment8464]

@@simple45679 he wasnt old but theirs a difference in his game I've noticed from 89-91 in comparison to the run n gun showtime style of the 80s. Here he's posting up in the half court way more and showing just how all around good he was but didnt really get to show as much cause in the 80s if they were in a half court set they would almost always dump it down to kareem for the easy two

[@joel8692]

@@laconfidential8504 magic had a lot left man he had just won the mvp In 90

[@iank3924]

The Divac play is also Scottie Pippen's 6th foul. MJ hits the shot to go to OT and then leads the team to victory. That Bulls team was hungry. Horace Grant talked about how hungry they were in the 93 Knicks series.

[@LORDBYRONII]

Missed these during lockdown…wonderful, fun breakdowns…Great to remember when Jordan was “becoming”…

[@1regularperson]

Thank you guys for sharing some additional IN-DEPTH NBA history, and not just the recycled content that’s used by NBA Entertainment. Younger fans (and older fans who forgot) deserve to realize the nuances of not only the ‘91 Bulls, but also the 1990 AND 1991 Lakers squad, and how grossly underrated they were, regardless of their post-“Showtime” Era style of play.

[@jrn2121]

Listening to Bill is making me fall in love with basketball again. I grew up with the 80s and 90s era NBA. So many great memories. I wish Bill was my older brother.

[@iank3924]

Please, please cover the 92 and 93 Knicks series. Everyone talks about game 7 with the Pacers in 98, but the Knicks gave them hell. 92 went 7 and in 93 the Knicks went up 2-0 and then the Bulls won 4 straight with game 5 being the Charles Smith game. Those series have an intensity you will never see again. Also, thanks for the game 3, 91 Lakers love. Jordan goes across the court to send the game to OT! To quote Cliff Levingston in the Bulls title video "Learning to Fly," Cliff said, " When he shot it, it was like we're winning this, and when we went into overtime we're winning this, and there was no doubt about it."

[@iank3924]

Also the rivalries in that Knicks series. Jordan wanted to kill Greg Anthony because of a foul earlier in the season in 93. Freaking Xavier McDaniel is a beast in the 92 series! Then, there is Starks in both series! I could go on and on... Freaking Mace!

[@ewolffman]

Honestly you are totally right that the intensity is sky high in those bulls - knicks playoffs. closest analogue i can think of off the top of my head is the steelers - ravens bloodbaths of the ray lewis/ed reed days. I'm rambling here but for me the top mj move all time is not the one vs the lakers with the iconic marv call - the best mj move is the spin baseline out of the trap vs starks and oak, punctuated brilliantly with the power slam over ewing... pure poetry damn forgot the triple clutch vs the nets... mj was absurd

[@iank3924]

@@ewolffman totally agree with you. Cheers

[@ewolffman]

@@iank3924 people want to say lebron has a worse finals record because he played tougher teams in the finals... thats fine... jordan played tougher teams in the eastern conference all freaking season and then beat they ass in the playoffs because he played his whole career in the TOUGHER CONFERENCE. those knicks and pacers and heat and magic teams jordan beat 6 times in the playoffs easily could have won a few championships as they were that level of opponents.

[@2ndcitysaint52]

russillo is literally flexing for 49 mins doin hand motions to show off the bicep peaks.

[@Btn1136]

With that guitar case in the background too. You think by episode 3 we see the squat rack.

[@ihatesha-ool1805]

Hahaha totally.

[@vincentoravec261]

@2ndcitysaint52 you are soooo right on the money, and i dont think his shoulder blades ever not touched for the entire 49mins either lol😆😆

[@Ausbrahdave]

Content is fire atm

[@orueom7720]

Worddd...

[@slytherben]

Facts: Michael played D and NEARLY exhausted himself covering Magic full court and even covered Divac. That's why he was struggling with his shot. BUT Michael's conditioning was superior to EVERYONE else and he simply outlasted them. This game was a BATTLE between Magic & Michael. They canceled each other out and, overall, this was game was mostly controlled by the bigs. Perkins & Divac vs. Grant & Livingston. Defense was intense back then. Amazing transition D from both teams.

[@eboooo]

Thats also why Scott was so tired imo.

[@paulpatane2439]

Pippen covering Magic full court showed how valuable Scottie was

[@TheMrbc74]

You don’t KNOW Michaels conditioning was superior to everyone else, unless you have there physicals? A superior althete who’s out of shape would have better conditioning to me a regular guy who goes to the gym everyday

[@joel8692]

@@TheMrbc74 lmaooo it's not that serious bro

[@davidgreenshield2505]

This was the most important game of the series. The Lakers got the split in Chicago which was big. Even though the Bulls blew them out in game 2. The important thing for the Lakers was to get the split. The Lakers really had this game they were up 13 late in the third. The Bulls made a comeback with there bench. Then Michael hit the biggest shot of the finals to put into overtime. The Bulls outscored the Lakers 12-4 in the overtime. This is probably where the Bulls won the series.

[@simple45679]

If Magic managed to take that series home, he'd be the GOAT instead of Jordan

[@joeloomis3425]

Ooh yep that would of been quite the history changer there! Headlines "Magic gives Michael a Tragic Lesson!" Lol..

[@thetruth72667]

Louie Paolo Lumanglas That's a good point bro! Something to think about. I also have a feeling the ratings & numbers of viewers for this bulls special are gonna be big BIG! Would be anyway but with this shit going on it's gonna be mega & I can't wait lol!!

[@allsystemsgo8678]

Would of been interesting if Kareem was still around. If they had a decent Kareem who knows how this series goes. To beat the Bulls, you need a good center.

[@davidgreenshield2505]

Trulysarcastic44 Yeah there is an interesting discussion on which is the best of the showtime teams. I lean towards 84-85 over 86-87 all though it close. I tend to think 86-87 was Magic’s best season MVP regular season, Finals MVP, fourth chip. However give me 84- 85 with a Kareem who could still dominate. He was MVP of the finals at 38 . Not to mention you still had Magic, Worthy, and Scott all playing at high levels. I would also point out 81-82 was very underrated and had a ton of firepower.

[@jessieurena7583]

Omg thank you!!!! Magic is so underrated

[@lamefart]

When?! Magic is always considered as the goat pg! The rookie finals MVP in a team with Kareem! He's on everybody's best starters.

[@DaleTrinihooperAustin]

MJ was battling Tendonitis in his Knee & had a hurt Big Toe. Ahmad Rashad reported it during the Game, when I rewatched it. That's the reason MJ had a bad shooting night, no lift on his Jumpshot.

[@sunriseeternity300]

I look forward to this Jordan re-watch

[@chucktay32cs]

Ervin magic johnson my favorite player and the greatest PG of all time

[@razkable]

people will look at stats and underrate magic..you just had to watch him play to see what made him special...hes an eye test type player....watch him compared to harden or russ stokton or even peak nash ...its not close how well he controlled a game compared to them

[@daveschrumpf8261]

1991, not 1993, fix the title graphics guys. ;)

[@joejohnson3814]

David Schrumpf damn you pointed that out now it’s gunna bother me the whole video lol

[@ewolffman]

@@joejohnson3814 I noticed it at the beginning and it definitely bothered me... but honestly now i just want them to do something from '93 suns - bulls

[@BingeworthyContent]

Quarantine Fck Ups. You know they caught it after and were super mad lolol

[@dusttaker]

1993 was MJs best finals performance

[@sublime90]

im half drunk and noticed it, got some amatuers working the lay overs

[@vili76]

Hey Ryen Russillo put away the guns 💪💪

[@AndrewBeveridge461]

I'm enjoying these talks about old games far more than I thought I would.

[@slytherben]

That makes sense then, Worthy was quiet, still scored like 17, but didn't seem Worthy or Scott could help Magic in this one

[@vincentoravec261]

The Larry Holmes comp for the BadBoy Pistons at 4:17 is fucking brilliant.

[@Edd1e8]

As a Laker fan who watched the prior 5 finals in the 80s, this was a bizarre finals. The Bulls were the least hated team that ever played in the Forum. I don’t remember another playoff or Finals game were the opponent was getting cheered for as much. And Magic seem almost super nice where he didn’t want to (or have the energy) to just say eff it and go for 50 like he did against the Suns the year prior. They still lost, but he kept it close.

[@jamtv3258]

Love my Bulls but Pippen deserves more than a head statue at the United Center. He needs to be outside opposite side of the stadium of MJ's statue.

[@ianbjs]

damn he only has a head? he should have t he same statue beside MJ

[@jamtv3258]

@@ianbjs Yezzir!

[@christiansoldier77]

Goat man Pippen isnt on Jordan's level

[@jermainezinnerman7450]

Jordan more than double scoring per game output and .7 better assist in the playoffs say otherwise. I know what you're going to say. Jordan shot way more than Pippen that's why the ppg average is so lopsided. Well Jordan shot a higher volume of shots than Pippen. But Jordan still shot at a better fg% than Pippen 48 to 44. So.....

[@KTF0]

Bill talking about every old game: If this game was played today, they'd spread the floor for (insert guy) and (other guys) at the three point range. They'd shoot 7 more threes.

[@leonzaduncan2438]

Byron Scott and Sam Perkins could shoot, they just didn't.

[@eboooo]

He didn't spend like 10 minutes on it. Bill was brief about it.

[@Reefism]

Magic Johnson could've averaged, at least, 25 points per game if he wanted to.

[@scottdavidson7543]

At least!

[@ianmason2003]

Easy.

[@simple45679]

@Mick Jagger When Jordan came into the league, he was basically a dunker and finisher around the rim. By the time he retired, Jordan was the god of the midrange shot. If Jordan needed to become a 3 point shooter, he will become one. The 3point line was newly introduced as Larry Bird came into the NBA. Yet, Larry Bird is known today as one of the greatest 3point shooter of all time. People underestimate just how talented players back then were. They act like athletes today are mutants that grew 5 extra chromosomes or something over 30 years.

[@rods7028]

@@simple45679 nobody knows that for sure

[@joeloomis3425]

@Mick Jagger Had No idea you was a Basketball fan!!? Keep Rockin bro Keep Rockin!!!

Brilliant idea to do these RewatchaBulls! A couple comments/notes; - Jordan was guarding Divac in the 3rd bc Vlade was tearing up Cartwright & Grant had to guard Sam Perkins. - Pippen fouled out on the Divac 3 point-play that gave the Lakers the lead before Jordan wound up tying it to send it to overtime. - Love that game 3 of this series was chosen bc it was instrumental in the Bulls claiming control of the Finals & also for their growth as a championship team but I would argue game 3 of the ECF that year against the Pistons in Detroit was a bigger (albeit earlier) mountain for the Bulls to climb bc 1) the year before the Bulls lost all 4 games in Detroit in the 90 ECF, 2) if the Bulls had beaten the Pistons in 7 instead of sweeping them like they did, game 3 of the 91 Finals coulda easily been a loss instead of a comeback win & 3) the Pistons were going all out & putting their championship mettle & pride 100% on the line to save their dynasty & the Bulls controlled the entire game even though it was close. - Curious to see what the game for title season #2 Simmons is going to pick but I would guess either Game 7 of the 2nd round against the Knicks or game 6 of the Bulls/Blazers 92 Finals.

[@alecsanderhamilton9224]

@43:30... Bill Simmons great 👍 job explaining the Game 3 91 Finals and Game 5 93 ECF as exemplary of Chicago s will to win. very articulate note there by Mr. Simmons.

[@DGF2]

Indeed.... that graphic needs an adjustment, it's almost the only thing I can see. 1991 Finals (I'd also appreciate it if a certain someone could throw on a warm-up jacket over all that bare skin...but I can accept that if the 1993 gets switched.... thanks)

[@AdmiralHipper15]

DF you seem like a lot of fun at parties

[@DGF2]

@@AdmiralHipper15 Funny enough.... yea.

[@JBBGeek]

Reminds me of a story my dad told me about what his uncle said one time at a family gathering: “Everyone put on a jacket, Grandma’s cold.”

[@terry7907]

No, sun’s out, guns out.

[@On5000]

I fucking love when they get super “nerdy” about this stuff. When they were talking about Magic in the post I was smiling ear to ear.

[@johnlindsay7301]

Jordan wasn’t as universally loved back then as he is today. Half the people watching the games were watching to hopefully see Jordan lose. The thing is he was so good that those people who wanted to see him lose have such great respect for how good he was that they have come to revere him, even though they weren’t fans at the time. He is so respected by everyone who watched him that those haters have become admirers.

[@felipebruzaca5944]

Coach Nick from BBallbreakdown has a cool video about this game years ago. The part where mj is guarding divac is mainly because Scottie was switch to magic, who was killing mj on the post

[@salhanen868]

This is great content right now. Gotta keep up these RewatchaBulls games during the next several weeks of Last Dance.

[@tashrif46]

12:30 we know Magic is one of the greatest player ever, and also in my list he is the second greatest player of all time. He took the 1991 team without Kareem and Vlade Divac to the finals and almost won. His exploits against the Trailblazers where he rolled the ball to the other side of the court for the clock to wind down is one of the most underrated clutch plays in NBA history. Its the media members who wants to put like LeBron and Kobe ahead of Magic and Bird and I just don't see that

[@elliota.1063]

Great analyses--these bring back memories. I try and re-watch some of these games after you discuss them. Great mixture of in-depth analysis and humor/entertainment--You guys are national treasures!

[@ELROYJETSONE]

I appreciate Simmons for stuff like this

[@thebrandonloweshowwithryan6213]

This game is like watching a Huggins coaches team at WVU. Finding a way to win the game with rebounding and defense at the half court line. Hitting shots when you need them in clutch times once the opposition is exhausted and playing subpar defense. It’s beautiful basketball.

[@jules1469]

“Someone might have to tell him it’s a beer and not milk. The language barrier being what it is” 😂😂😂

[@alsunshine1]

Love watching these guys talk NBA

[@BMPremo]

Listened to the pod and now watching the video. So good

[@michaeljamesmccabe]

This was a lot of fun. Peak NBA is worth going back and revisiting.

[@iank3924]

Michael picked up Magic in a full court defense in the finals consistently with Pippen. Young people watch the Bulls first 3 peat. Watch the goat play both sides of the court for the duration of the court and dominate.

[@manofpsg]

MJ guarded Magic game 1 he puted a triple double on him. Mid first half of game 2 Phil Jackson puted Scottie on him the rest is history !!!!

[@Dkitt1]

@@manofpsg Preach my friend, history gets distorted too much! 🤦‍♂️

[@laconfidential8504]

hitch75 False, Pippen did begin to guard Magic more to give Jordan some rest but Jordan still defended him the other half of the time. In Game 5 it was Jordan who was the primary defender.

[@Dkitt1]

@@laconfidential8504 Boy relax Magic dropped a triple double game 1 N Phill put Scotty on him relax. Yes , MJ guarded him at PIONTS, but Scotty was the primary defender against Magic. N I'm not about to keep going back and forth with Fanboys that doesn't know history! People Skip facts all the time to make up these false FACTS and create their OWN narratives like Skip Bayless.

[@laconfidential8504]

D Kitt You’re talking about narratives when you’re literally using a false narrative yourself. I’m a Laker fan who watched that series live, Jordan and Pippen both guarded him equally. And why keep bringing up “Magic got a triple double”, how the hell are you responsible for your matchup getting assists and defensive rebounds? You didn’t even bring up the biggest reason the Lakers won game 1, Sam Perkins and his ability to space the floor and bring Grant out of the paint including for the game winner.

[@masonrahal6980]

1991-92 Upper Deck card of Magic/Jordan. Nice card.

[@iank3924]

Love that card

[@scottdavidson7543]

Hell yeah!

[@BD-pg2ch]

Great call Mason! Iconic basketball card!

[@petermadash4488]

These guys have piqued my curiosity to watch that game again... with my analytic eye, this time around instead of as a fanboy.

[@markmittens]

Oh my God analytics, just enjoy the game.

[@blarsen2775]

Marcus that’s some people’s way of enjoying the game.

[@c.jarmstrong3111]

The Ringer's content during the quarantine has been fucking outstanding

[@alexdb77]

Thanks for this guys!

[@eboooo]

Their was documentary about this finals called Michael Vs Magic. It was excellent. I wish KZbin didn't take it down.

[@eboooo]

The best part of the documentary is when they show Divac running into Magic's arms. Bob Ryan said it best, "did I do good? Did I please you?". It was a sweet moment

[@stephcurrytheg.o.a.t]

Michael Eyob I didn't know they took it down u absolutely right it was great

[@eboooo]

@@stephcurrytheg.o.a.t yeah man I'd watch it all the time.

[@kriskerpuchki1311]

That was actually pretty awesome to watch!talking about the Bulls being the greatest sports dynasty,there are so many narratives it never gets bored.

[@toddmichaelsen788]

Fantastic guys. These are great breakdowns of key MJ games. Awesome history refreshers too. Possibly consider extending this to 10 games because MJ and the bulls have numerous incredible and forgotten moments!

[@dayra6425]

Jordan was 29 9 9 4 that game .. pretty good for not playing good

[@orueom7720]

😂😂 that dude was just a different kinda animal.

[@sachindeshpande8923]

These podcasts are SO good. Thanks guys!

[@jdot_k]

i just wanna say i appreciate bill & ryen very much for this daily content its fuckin great and no analysts deep dive like y'all, great work 👍🏾

[@luciusdomitiusaurelianus774]

aq we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we we are we i

[@luciusdomitiusaurelianus774]

we we q erti we e by erti

[@arirahmat8ww267]

Just listening and reminiscing this moment already give me goosebumps. Cant wait for the next rewatchabulls, but next time be careful with the graphic😁

[@TayGee-mh8eo]

Great job guys. Looking forward to the other five games!

[@BD-pg2ch]

Great analysis gentlemen. As an old-school Laker fan, I still wish we had a 100% Big Game James for this series. Damn high ankle sprains and damn Pat Riley in ‘89 for overtraining the guys! Lol..

[@donaldbrady3850]

Brian Sponnick as a Laker fan myself I know exactly what your talking about.

[@BD-pg2ch]

@@donaldbrady3850 The 89 team was on fire going into the Finals against the Pistons! Undefeated in the Playoffs.. We were going to get a Championship for Kareem in his last season in the league. Jeff Pearlman told the story eloquently in the Book Showtime. Riley was a madman st the minicamp before '89 Finals at UCSB and then we were hamstrung with Magic and Scott out. The narrative of the Showtime years would have been significantly different if we landed a 6th title. Magic would have had just as many Championships as Jordan..

[@EamonnCagney]

Thank you both! This was great fun to listen to and Magic is amazing in this game and series. To understate it : this beats HORSE smh

[@slorko]

Riley was there for 1990 season. It was the first year without Kareem. Granted he wasn’t amazing his last year. The leadership and motivation he provided was missing. Vlade Divac was now the center. Also Riley started to wear out some of the players. Cooper and others were annoyed that they were losing time to Orlando Woolridge. They had swept Phoenix the year before. Lakers had the best record in the west, but the fire just wasn’t there in the 1990 playoffs.

[@mrmacross]

Yeah, surprised Rusillo and Simmons didn't put together that the reason Riley was in the studio doing analysis instead of coaching was because of the disastrous 1990 playoffs. My first college roommate was from Pasadena, and he simply summarized Riley's departure as saying Riley no longer believed he could lead or motivate that team, so he didn't return the next year.

[@laconfidential8504]

Also don’t forget that Pat Riley got a lot of criticism for the 1989 Finals. The Lakers had swept through the entire conference and had 11 days off before the Finals. Pat didn’t like them to get too much rest so he had them workout like crazy, then Magic and Byron got injured and couldn’t even play.

[@jeancarlos8442]

where is the 2002 re-draft?

[@iank3924]

This is more important. I'm sure the redraftabulls will continue after the biggest NBA documentary ever.

[@raejax3529]

Classic NBA games in review like this are the best.

[@weggiemiller41]

Hey guys. Love this stuff. It’d be really cool to hear more material about the NBA of the late 70s through the early 90s. Maybe some ABA material. Anyway, not to tell anyone how to do their job, you’re doing cool stuff as it is.

[@votdfak]

Ryen, kudos for Divac pronunciation. Perfect.

[@joechrow8341]

Jordan had it ALL...Natural Skill...Swag...Look...Cat-like Style of play...Effortless yet Dominant...Confidence...IT factor...He was the WHOLE package...Now Top all of this off with going a PERFECT 6-0 in Finals and MVP in all 6 of Those Finals and NEVER even allowing a game 7 in ANY of those Finals....What you are Left with is a TOWERING legacy that is Unattainable by Another Player...Good example of this is Old Successful men even White men dressed in a Suit wearing his "Shoes" on their feet...He represented the Top of the food chain of Greatness and Perfection on the BIGGEST stage...Michael Jordan will always stand all alone at the Top of the Mountain...His legacy is CEMENTED in History...He was a Once in a lifetime Phenomenon

[@carlanderton3rd]

The 2 titans of NBA knowledge

[@Tolstoy111]

In 1989, after The Shot, the Bulls actually won the next series against the Knicks and got to the conference finals against the Pistons.

[@County_da_kang]

6:44 expansion was in the '88 and '89 seasons

[@kristion9774]

M Haynes facts but that gets put on MJ titles when Pistons won those titles! 80s had 5 expansion teams and 70s had 8, 60s had expansion, 50s and 40s had expansion. 90s has Rapts and Grizz. 2000s Bobcats and 2010s has 0 expansions into the nba probably the only decade.

[@masonrahal6980]

Thanks again Bill for ruining every single book I’ve read after THE BOOK OF BASKETBALL. Greatest sports literature ever written. Thank you.

[@eboooo]

What about Breaks? What about the books he recommends at the end of the book?

[@cyber6sapien]

This game is arguably the most important victory in Chicago Bulls history.

[@winnietsui4253]

Bill Simmons with the clutch change the subject on Pippen fouling out with Paxson and Fratello!

[@davidgreenshield2505]

I have to defend my favorite player of all time. Magic had a very good series averaging 18 points a game 12 assists a game and 8 rebounds a game. He also had 2 triple doubles in the series. I do agree Michael was better but Magic didn’t pull a Karl Malone and play awful. Last point I would say of Magic’s 9 finals trips this would rank as his 8th or 9th best team.

[@davepirtle9790]

And let's not forget magic had HIV by then and who knows how that affected his health.

[@dinoosmic7985]

This is so good!

[@PeterCoyleCoaching]

I love this, watched the first 10 mins and then had to back and watch the game lol

[@mattdotts]

I love how they talk about the commentary too

[@markhillis1249]

hurts my head to see 1993 Finals banner all video, talking about Lakers Bulls.

[@TayGee-mh8eo]

There is clearly a difference between the defense played in the 90's and what is played now. That's why everyone asks, "Whose era are they playing in?" or "Which rules?" when comparing teams 20 years apart. It's also why PROFESSIONAL BALLPLAYERS and COACHES say "MJ would average 40 playing today." There is a difference.

[@KISS_MY_CONVERSE]

whats even funnier is that alot of players thats actually playing in todays era and the late 2000s say that todays nba is alot easier. Luka said playing overseas is more difficult than in the nba. Which explains why he's so good. He's used to overseas defense. And it explains why Giannis sturggled badly overseas.

[@mysavingfaith]

I will add that by the '89 season, Magic had an improved outside shot, the "Junior Junior" sky hook, which was a new weapon of his, had been developed and improved and was readily available at his disposal anytime he needed it, in his right pocket, AND in his left pocket, BOTH HANDS, over guards, over forwards and over centers. His free throw percentage also rose by this time and was in the top five to top three each year during his last three seasons. And, seeing that he could always score whenever and however he wanted to, his scoring did pick up starting from '87 and especially after Kareem retired. Although Earvin started to have more 40 point games to his credit after '87, he could have given you 30 or 40 per night easily.. the teams he was on hardly ever required him to average 25-30 per game, for example like Michael Jordan had to do for the first several seasons of his career. I think Magic's career average was around 19 ppg, maybe 20. Remember, he was dropping in 40 point games back in his high school days, so scoring was nothing new to him as he showed us coming in first year in the 1980 NBA finals. The Magic man has to get more consideration, his total game isn't delved into deep enough most time and that tends to make him only appear by highlighted videos as this great flashy passer who was just fortunate enough to have had other great players around him, he made the other "great players" around him, better. And was an addition to their games... there aren't many other players with that capability. When it comes to very well skilled players, he has to rank as one of the all time best in not only the NBA, but in basketball overall. When it comes to being mentioned as one of the very top tier best players to pick up the ball, the 1991 season in particular for Earvin himself should be watched over and highlighted to help his case in being discussed with more regard because as Bill mentioned, the league was stacked with many of the greats that year and the playoffs were exceedingly exciting, especially if you're talking about for the Lakers, who had a steeper hill to climb it seems as say the Chicago Bulls had that season, L.A. wouldn't have gotten out of the second round that year without Magic, regardless of what other star that you replace him with from that time... except for Michael and Larry of course.

[@Aluvsloans]

The Charles Smith game and the game before that are probably the two biggest games ever. That game 5 Knicks Bulls ECF he 5 is the best basketball game I ever saw

[@sunriseeternity300]

Speaking on the 90 playoffs. As a Portland native I had been catching up on the 90 Blazers-Phoenix series. I had forgotten what a great team Phoenix had pre-Barkley trade. Suns Defense was a bit lacking as Hornacek was easy to torture and Chambers wasn't a defensive master. Offense though. Those 2 guys, plus KJ, Ceballos, Majerle. I was surprised to see how well Kurt Rambis was playing for them. I remembered my childhood frustration of watching Mark West and Andrew Lang consistently find their way around Duckworth for rebounds and crafty scoring. Mark West was always a quiet thorn in the Blazers side.

[@tashrif46]

5:15 probably because Pat was color commentator before he became the Lakers coach in the 81/82 season

[@jules9810]

Is Ryen Russillo ever NOT throwing 110?

[@razkable]

does he realize if zeke doesn't twist his ankle in the finals the pistons win three in a row and if not for the bad pass in 87 they get to 4 finals in a row...that pistons team is overlooked cause people remember the dominance the lakers had over the 76ers and celtics had over the rockets cause the finals were the only times people in the early to mid 80's saw live games or these players due to limited market viewing....no one saw the first 2 rounds of the playoffs outside of the state the teams played in...until like 1986..the pistons are totally underrate cause they took the spotlight away from magic bird kareem mchaele mj and put it on a small guy with help and represented a city known to be trashy

[@jules1469]

I don’t think Russillo is exactly off in his remarks that way. Pistons have two in three tries. A remarkable feat in the golden age of basketball. Some of the best basketball played of that era. It’s not about Detroit being overrated, or bad, it’s just about how incredible those other teams are in the 80s/90s

[@TehNubTwinz]

Watching that game is so weird, everyone else looks like it hurts for them to even walk while Jordan just glides everywhere effortlessly.

[@slytherben]

Pippen glides too, even though he didn't have a great game. Magic looked like a boxer, trying to fight through, but exhausted.

[@bones23jones]

You guys should livestream the watching of that game too. Like the Mystery Science Theater guys. Although it might be a copyright issue 🤔

[@davidgreenshield2505]

Byron Scott didn’t show up in this series and it didn’t help Worthy was a no show in games 4 and 5. Going into the series I didn’t think Pippen and Paxson could outplay Worthy and Scott but they did.

[@josephbernardo159]

To be fair, Worthy was hurt the whole series. He sprained his ankle in the WCF.

[@razkable]

no cooper kareem nixon mcadoo wilkes ...this wasn't showtime...this was just another good team...showtime was loaded...

[@aaronhutchinson885]

Every team couldn't do it bc every team didn't have a Pippen level defender. Probably the 2nd greatest defensive wing of all time. Behind MJ. 90's is the greatest of all time..5 clones is interesting..

[@aaronhutchinson885]

@Big Cheese they cooked everyone.

[@lamefart]

@Big Cheese Grant Hill always dropped buckets on Pip and this one game MJ had to lock Grant Hill up in the 4th. It's available in KZbin. MJ was the better on-ball defender. Oh, in the series vs the Pacers, 98 ECF, they couldn't contain Reggie. Reggie dropped buckets on Harper and Pip. When MJ guarded Reggie, only 1 shot off a screen. MJ locked Reggie in the 4th. Zero points. It's never discussed enough. There's maybe a video here in KZbin. I watched it live on cable tv back then and thought they would lose! I was amazed how MJ at 35 could stick on the ever moving Reggie.

[@joel8692]

@@lamefart great point that last 3 championship bulls from 96-98 was prob the best defensive team I've seen pip,Rodman,mj are 3 of the top 6 defenders ever and Harper before his injury was a beast on defense. Also people forget about Randy Brown who came off the bench to substitute for Harper was also a top on ball defender. Mj and pip to me are the best wing on ball defenders ever

[@lamefart]

@@joel8692 MJ, Pip, and Payton are the best perimeter defenders in their position. MJ and Rodman were the best lock on defenders. Imagine rendering your opponents scoreless for a quarter or even the whole half. Well in Rodman's case until OT when he locked down Shaq of all people! I wonder why the media haven't talked about that...

[@RoChede]

12 years, 9 finals, 5 rings. Magic >>>>>>>>>> ANYONE, except Jordan.I hate when people put Lebron at number 2, he NEVER overcame Magic, never will.

[@Josh-sk5xd]

RoChede Facts Magic was a bad dude! If Magic played in this era he’s a better version of Bron! Mike Jordan in this era he would be on another level

[@SchulzEricT]

Russell should be #2, if we're being honest. I still have LBJ 3, Kareem 4, Magic 5... but yeah, I'd rather play with Magic than LBJ, for sure.

[@stevenvaldezii7936]

Alright looking forward to this!

[@TheRealDebussyFarts]

Russillo blew my mind with the 5 clones argument. There would be no better clone team than 5 Magic’s. Totally enhances my perspective on Magic among the goats.

[@guillermovazquez1084]

Hell nah no shooting on that team

[@superintelligentapefromthe121]

@@guillermovazquez1084 everyone forgets Magic shot like shit.

[@mrmacross]

@@superintelligentapefromthe121 Magic used to be a bad shooter, but by the end of his career, he became a good one. The season he attempted his most threes, 1990, he hit over 38%. In his last three full seasons (i.e. not including his post-HIV comeback), he was pretty much the best FT shooter in the NBA, shooting about 90% over that three-year stretch.

[@billyneville8579]

5 Lebrons and you have some good spacing as well

[@bolder2009]

Not sure how that would work out on defence against 5 Jordan's or 5 Larry Bird's

[@arirahmat8ww267]

I dont understand when some people said 91 pistons and lakers was 'old' and 'washed up'🧐🤔🙄

[@iank3924]

I blame youtubers like that barry guy. Young people see that and treat people like him like they are journalists when in reality they don't know basketball and are trying to be funny.

[@lakersRjstbettr]

no kareem….that's a big miss...vlade is good but def definitely not KAREEM!!!!

[@allsystemsgo8678]

Because the Pistons completely fell apart after that. Everyone argues they weren't that old, but what did they do after the Bulls beat them? Isiah retired not long after that. They lost Mahorn, Rodman, they're identity. They lost in the first round after this, and then didn't make the playoffs for years.

[@jessieurena7583]

@@lakersRjstbettr Kareem by 88-89 was washed

[@greg2797]

Well with the Pistons Isaiah Thomas was for sure banged up and injured and with the lakers they were not full strength either without Kareem and they say magic was old not because of his age but because he was in his what 12th season? Which is basketball old especially when you are in your 9th final meaning you've played longer seasons than anyone else making it to the end. Still great wins by the bulls but neither were their prime selves like they were in the 80's. Same thing when Lebron finally beat the Celtics for the first time KG was pretty banged up. Still great win tho

[@joshfreeman7081]

Great review

[@dkrdkr4690]

you guys are great

[@andyh4518]

Jeff Pearlman wrote a book about the Showtime Lakers. By 89-90 Riley had turned into a dictator and the players were ready to murder him. Magic had also become a bigger hardass. One thing I've always wondered - Magic retired at 31 and Bird broke down in his early 30s. If those guys had been able to keep going at full health and only had a typical age related decline what would have happened.

[@dkrdkr4690]

love this

[@eboooo]

When Vlade runs into Magic's arms it was so beautiful. That was a Senpai

[@jakek4286]

You guys need to do the Charles Smith game in 93’ where he gets knee’d in the third. Terrible game up to that point then he goes off.

[@johnlindsay7301]

Regarding the love people had for the Lakers and Celtics, ultimately it was a story that people didn’t want to see end. Up to that point each chapter had been historic. Even if you weren’t a Lakers or Celtics fan, even if you weren’t a basketball fan, you could get into that rivalry. It was just such good theatre. And Jordan, much like the Pistons before, was breaking that up. He was barging into their story and announcing that it was now his story. People weren’t ready for it, even though Jordan was regularly criticized for not winning. They didn’t want him to win yet. But that Bulls series became the end of the Lakers/Celtics sorry/era, but simultaneously became the beginning of the Jordan era. Not the Bulls era. Not the Bulls vs. whoever era. But the Jordan era. And the Last Dance captures it beautifully. It is too bad we don’t have a similar series covering the Lakers/Celtics era. We do have smaller documentaries covering it. But they’re like 1-2 hours max. But that’s why people loved the Celtics and the Lakers. And it is why people would come to love Jordan.

[@XDB888]

Typo in the title guys, its reading 1993, great pod!