Could the Rockets have beaten Jordan's Bulls in 1995? Kenny Smith & Stephen A. debate | First Take

[@Terror832]

Hakeem: Who guarding me tonight? Scout: Luc Longley Hakeem: 60 with some dream shake

[@MRENTERTAINMENT36]

Michael: Who guarding me tonight? Scout: Kenny Smith Mike: 93

[@mikey420ful]

60-18-7

[@gangtime8705]

MRENTERTAINMENT36 Kenny is actually a good defender and his peak was snubbed of An allstar

[@andrewnava5629]

MRENTERTAINMENT36 lmao exactly

[@kofiadjei6404]

Lol basically

[@Tian-xh4ly]

The Dream is so underrated/underappreciated. He is a top 10 all time greatest, period.

[@garytravis5669]

Who do you take out of earns top ten to out him in though. I’d take out tim Duncan to put in Allen Iverson. But espn top ten makes sense. Olajuwon is nowhere close to that field.

[@SMW34]

@@garytravis5669 This may seem sacrilegious to some but take Kobe out the top ten. For the record, I think Kobe is the 12th best player in NBA history (just behind Oscar Robertson and ahead of Isaiah)

[@yeayea8448]

@@garytravis5669 lol ai in the top 10?

[@yeayea8448]

@@Bigc-ft3zv i dont think you can argue that he's top 5 dude, but top 10 makes sense.

[@ultrawweman7265]

I don't think anyone is underrating Hakeem. Hakeem is number 9 on my list. I have him over Bill Russell. And yes, Bill Russell has 11 rings but did it in a weak era. Its not weak in terms of Physicality, its weak in terms of Competition. Hakeem won his first chip without a all star. In 1995, he won with Clyde Drexler. Had Ralph Sampson not had major injuries affecting him, Hakeem would have won more than 2 rings. Hakeem was also one of the best if not the best skilled big man we ever seen. His Dream shake was nearly impossible to stop. That being said, I still have Shaq over him, TIm Duncan, Lebron, Larry Bird, Magic, Kareem, Kobe and MJ all over him. But Hakeem deserves credit just as much as Dirk deserves credit for beating the Miami Superteam without any all stars.

[@newrecruit100]

Kenny made a good point and it’s what people (and even I didn’t consider) that in those two years they didn’t have Horace or Rodman. Two crucial players. Bulls aren’t historically great without those two.

[@robbnoble1509]

In any case the video was about 95. The bulls had a lot of trouble rebounding and Hakeem would have dominated the boards on them in 95. Mike would have made it a game, but i have a hard time seeing Houston losing when the Bulls had no answer for the dream.

[@Terror832]

Mike will get his 35+ PPG but Hakeem had a field day on Shaq and Admiral. Imagine what he’d do to Luc Longley?

[@yrgrobotics7474]

If they faced each other in the finals, the rockets would have beat bulls in ‘94 cuz in the last dance they were exhausted and regardless of rebounder or not we’ve seen Jordan and the bulls find a way to win in the last dance. In ‘95 Jordan would have taken it personal and beat the rockets and eventually 4 peat

[@newrecruit100]

Zach Altif Fair point. But they had no answer for Hakeem. People forget Hakeem was ahead of his time. He’d be perfect in today’s game because he’s athletic enough to defend on the perimeter and he would had range too. Plus he could dominate you inside. In NBA history, there is no answer for Hakeem.

[@newrecruit100]

Robb Noble yep Houston had a good surrounding. Not any real star players, but they had very good role players that fit perfectly around Hakeem.

[@LoveAllTrustNone]

I'm a Bulls fan and remember growing up in the 90's watching the Bulls play the Rockets in the regular season and they dominated the Bulls. No way would the Bulls would have beaten the Rockets twice in the finals. A split is the best case scenario.

[@bw1190]

Eazy 4. Is that based on that current team or had MJ never retired and if they had a true power forward.

[@robluv4592]

Bulls in 5

[@devangpatel5227]

youre no bulls fan faker

[@robluv4592]

In 94 95 bulls win ..in 93. Rockets didn't make finals lost again to Payton Kemp lol Hakeem overated

[@peterguidry6084]

@@robluv4592 you really believe Hakeem is overrated? Really....you never watched Olajuwon.

[@Udon_Noodle]

Nobody can contain Hakeem, they'd have scottie exhausted trying his best to slow him down while he's cooking Longley

[@Soldier979]

JORDAN HIMSELF SAID IN AN INTERVIEW HE'S GLAD HE DIDNT HAVE TO FACE THE ROCKETS BECAUSE THEY HAD NO ONE TO STOP HAKEEM. Stephen A a clown

[@kasperrieberg3495]

Stephen A is just madly in love with mj ! That’s all

[@eddiewallace7709]

Bulls had 4 centers for Patrick Ewing and handle him so the Dream no way!!!😜

[@maxfroese1822]

EDDIE WALLACE naw bro give the Dream respect.

[@LanceVance81]

@@eddiewallace7709 Bulls handled him because the Knicks had no other scoring threats. Defensively, the Knicks were tough and theres no doubt about that. But offensively, the Knicks' numbers were some of the worst in the league.

[@bucherroundhead1981]

Ya but no one can stop jordan and pippen.

[@nathanielrobinson173]

I agree with Kenny. Regardless of how great Jordan was, Houston matched up well against the Bulls.

[@Clubpenguin22]

Maybe if they kept Horace Grant but without him, definitely they do

[@oluwaseyi07]

@@Clubpenguin22 Horace Grant can't guard Hakeem

[@Hinshu85]

@@oluwaseyi07 Nobody can. He would score at will. But so would MJ. And MJ was another animal in playoffs.

[@henderickmitchell6941]

@@Hinshu85 We can contain Hakeem but can they contain Pip and MJ?

[@Hinshu85]

@@henderickmitchell6941 Read my comment. :)

[@stonecold316339]

FINALLY A REALLY GOOD HYPOTHETICAL TAKE ON THIS SHOW!!!

[@Scottiebarnes4MVP]

Hi T1000 yes. Or who is the GOAT, lebron or mj. Or some Zion topic

[@HeenaPatel253]

John Kidd Zion is better than lebron according to 2k lol

[@countpuchi]

@@HeenaPatel253 until he blows his knees haha

[@doesntmatter6453]

1 of the 1st time i actually enjoyed listening to kenny😂

[@MartinezEra45]

Been waiting on this topic for a minute

[@joshuaj.2108]

Let's not forget about Otis Thorpe, a beast of a power forward who perfectly complemented Hakeem in the post with his tough defense and rebounding and didn't demand the ball. Mad Max was one of the few guys who wasn't intimidated by MJ and would take it to him on both ends of the floor.

[@nbagoats4819]

If the Bulls had kept their roster they woulda beat them. Too much chemistry. Houston had a fresh team they were still assembling.

[@robluv4592]

Mad max would foul out

[@robluv4592]

Bulls in 94 best rockets 6 games

[@ariesballesteros5881]

@@nbagoats4819 nope. Regular season proved it during Bulls championship reign. Rockets owned Bulls.

[@davidbehman4836]

If the Bulls would have made the Finals in 1995, Houston would have won in 5 or 6 games. That was truly a great team, they had a so-so regular season, but their playoff run was unmatched in terms of the toughest road any team has ever had to travel to win a title. They beat 4 legitimate title contenders. They would have beat the Bulls in 1995, too.

[@kyfresh2death]

They would have won stephan is not always right

[@LALakers4life34]

Didn’t they fail in 96?

[@davidbehman4836]

@@LALakers4life34 yes, but we are talking about 1995. Teams change from year to year.

[@Spin24Doctor]

Well that depends on if we are talking about the actual Bulls team from that year, or how the Bulls would likely have been had JORDAN not retired. I still have Rockets winning but if Jordan didn’t retire I have it going to at least 6 games. If we are talking about the actual Bulls team that played that year they would have lost in 4 or 5 and had no business being in the finals since they got crushed by Orlando and would have been crushed by Indiana as well.

[@nbagoats4819]

The Bulls dominated the teams that gave Houston problems. If the Bulls had kept that same roster, they woulda dominated a Houston Rockets team who had a fresh new roster of a bunch of role players. Dream was good but don't forget he has been bounced 8x from the first round in his career.

[@ChillTownHoops]

“It’s a good thing they can’t ever get outta the west. Bcuz we got no answer for that monster they got. I don’t know that we can beat em.” - Michael Jordan 1992

[@credewernke2342]

The rockets would’ve had no answer for Jordan tho. Bulls would’ve 8peated

[@cutime6712]

@@credewernke2342 they had vernon maxwell who could bother him. You making it all aboutjordan. Sam Casell Otis thorpe and robert horry houston in 5

[@lolo-on6wh]

Chi had 24 fouls to use against a not so physical Hakeem a night. Jordan and Pip would have destroyed their small guards

[@lolo-on6wh]

Chi had 24 fouls a night to use against a not so physical Hakeem. Jordan and Pip would have destroyed their small guards

[@anthonyg3961]

@@lolo-on6wh u stupid AF

[@kofiadjei6404]

You lost this argument Stephen A.

[@Texas_Cruiser]

That's why he changed subjects lol

[@RGTitan901]

Facts holmes

[@TheMatrixxandRhodesShow]

Didn’t MJ already say he was afraid of The Big African because they had no answer for The Dream. Vernon Maxwell could at least bother Jordan. Considering that Phil Jackson refuses to double team Hakeem would have a field day. Hakeem averaged 33 on Shaq in the Finals. He would have went for 45 per night on the Bulls bigs.

[@yvans.]

And average 35 points on 55% against David Robinson arguably one of the greatest defender of all time and the MVP in 95. Imagine how many Hakeem would’ve give to Longley.

[@yvans.]

Terrance Thomas why you getting mad because we talking about your god. True he never said that he was afraid of dream but he fear him basketball wise. That’s why he has Hakeem in his starting 5

[@duydo6924]

@@youngblood4127 Absolutely. It would've been a very competitive Finals had those two teams faced. A fantasy matchup I would've paid to see is the 95 Rockets playing the 96 Bulls. I wanna see how Rodman would've tried to guard Hakeem.

[@brandonpurdy7658]

@Terrance Thomas He did say that.

[@brandonpurdy7658]

@@youngblood4127 Dude Houston was deeper than the Bulls. Especially in 1995. The Bulls teams never had great depth. They had Jordan. Pippen wasn't a great playoff performer throughout his career.

[@jeffladrillono2313]

Even if Jordan never retired, the 94-95 Bulls team that didn't have any interior defense didn't have a chance against the Rockets. I think Jordan's retirement and lack of conditioning was always used as an excuse to cover up the fact they had no one in the middle

[@keelinmorris2115]

Yea no

[@iskandary4943]

Whatever 🤣

[@nbagoats4819]

Bulls had killer defense inside. They disassembled that team because they had started losing and didn't make it to the semi finals the following year. If MJ was there they woulda beaten the Rockets because the Bulls just had too much chemistry. Rockets were a fresh team with a bunch of role players. The teams they struggled with the Bulls dominated with MJ and when MJ returned. The sonics, jazz and suns prevented Houston from even making it to the finals to face the Bulls. Teams the Bulls dominated.

[@Biggdoom344]

@@nbagoats4819 bulls had no answer for Hakeem. That’s why Orlando beat Chicago.they could not handle Shaq who was nowhere on Hakeem’s level

[@nbagoats4819]

@@Biggdoom344 Nowhere on his level when he averaged more points, just as many rebounds, better PER and FG%? The reason why Hakeem is not on most people's top ten list and have Shaq ahead of him is because Hakeem has been bounced 8x from the FIRST ROUND of the playoffs.

[@thebxsavage]

Hakeem Olajuwon has ALWAYS been in my Top 10

[@jameshorton3692]

Facts bro....number 1 in blocks, a center top 10 in steals, and the most diverse arsenal of scoring moves ever. Anyone who aint got him top 10 is a casual.

[@derrickdavis5836]

The rockets was beating anybody in the finals those two years. Hakeem, Sam cassell, Robert Horry, Kenny the jet, maxwell, and Clyde drexler lmao

[@skyehamilton9209]

Utah?

[@RafsanS15]

vernon only played in 1994

[@mauricegrant9229]

Not Clyde The First One... Otis Thorpe!!!💪😎

[@barbaraschultz9107]

Derrick Davis U literally named one good player. Drexler was in his twilight and everyone but Dream wasn’t that good.

[@l9ikjam]

So they were good only in those two seasons?

[@ChaoticMacho]

When Kenny talks you can feel it that his basketball iq is high

[@jasunndakidd1531]

Well playing basketball since 5years old or younger and growing in a basketball family ( he's older brother a great basketball coach ) and playing along and against great teammates and teams for more than a decade and then be an analysts for more than a decade .... yeah I can bet his basketball IQ is super high lol

[@kevinkohoutek995]

I would agree but he a north Carolina guy and you hear is bias alot. Something about that school makes people crazy

[@treypruitt1358]

jasunn dakidd why are you trying to take away from his greatness though, give Kenny credit

[@abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz4676]

I was just having this exact thought. He said something and I thought, these two he's talking to dont have a tenth of the basketball knowledge he has.

[@juliuscalatrava5211]

Its only opinion... But bulls have evidence

[@koi3277]

If MJ never retired after the 3rd championship, I believe they would have lost to the Rockets at least once, that's just my opinion. Who is going to stop Hakeem?

[@ericduncan7421]

Why does everybody think just cause they can’t stop Hakeem that the bulls won’t beat them? Who’s gonna stop Jordan? Same exact scenario. I think it’s close either way.

[@povhd8122]

Eric Duncan no one is stoppin pippen either haha

[@cia6520]

@@ericduncan7421 Jordan would score 35+, but Hakeem would dominate both ways

[@thewonthatloss227]

You have to realize that at this time, big man were the Superstars and scoring in the paint was big. Hakeem was also a defense anchor

[@Tamruthatguy]

I mean how tired was Jordan and pippen though physically and mentally I think Houston takes this one

[@tr377723]

Kenny Smith is absolutely right! They matched up so well with those Chicago teams and was 6-1 in 3 years against them. Hakeem couldn't be stopped in all those contests. Those Rocket teams were special. Orlando eliminated Chicago that year and Houston sweep the Magic. It wouldn't have been close had the Bulls Made it to the Finals in 95, Rockets would've swept em! 🧹🧹🧹

[@chriswalls5831]

Think it go 7 games if game 7 is at Chicago I got bulls if it's at Houston think rockets win

[@robluv4592]

Bulls in 5 in 1994. Bulls in 6 1995

[@nbagoats4819]

No, he's not. He's just going off of the impossible. Michael Jordan winning 8x straight. He felt like even with Michael there on the team, that woulda been their opportunity because winning 8x was impossible. Dream was good but remember that he has been bounced from the first round 8X in his career.

[@marcusalexander9764]

6-1? Twice a year... It's even numbers

[@robluv4592]

No rockets lose name 7 Chicago

[@NinaCatherineWillmon]

The fact that the '94/'95 Rockets were the sixth seed in the west, went all the way to the finals and won back to back championships tells me that for a time in the mid-90s, there was a changing of the guard in the NBA.

[@commodorezero]

They weren't a real 6th seed they got Clyde Drexler in mid February. They weren't what their record was. In 94 without Clyde the Rockets were a 2 seed and won 11 more games than the 95 team. With Drexler from the start they probably win 60ish games.

[@ogaisi]

Big MJ fan but I actually think that Rockets team would have won one of those series!!!

[@tapsirusaccoh3286]

Definitely Jordan himself said that the toughest player he ever played against is the big African Hakeem the dream Olajuwon

[@yomaine]

Both of them. Shoot Clyde was there the second year and he got 2 wins on Jordan as the only super star on Portland's team. Man the Bulls would have 100% lost both and previously too if they face the Rockets.

[@barbaraschultz9107]

UC yer on crack

[@ronaldjackson7541]

Where we're the rockets when Jordan came back and beat the magic 4 -0.

[@ogaisi]

@@yomaine you are right, rockets will win cos they are not big enough

[@SoundxHunter]

Why Stephen A. try to change the question?

[@herecomesdatrain]

Because he's petty and he knows he's wrong

[@eazyduzit-tr3nx]

herecomesdatrain How is anybody wrong in this case though? Nobody knows if Rockets would’ve won or if the Bulls would’ve won.

[@lavarball9652]

he got waxxed

[@davidgodfrey659]

Cause he worships Jordan and Kenny said hold up we had their number 🤣

[@jayphilly1703]

Pulling a Max on us😁

[@robmontana7451]

Hou use to smash bulls from 91-94. Stephen B quickly disregarded that and started talking about 2020 rockets lol

[@eazyduzit-tr3nx]

Cavs used to beat the Bulls early on in the 90’s but we all know what happened in the playoffs vs them though.

[@e.j.blacktalian3142]

No you didn't compare Calvs to Hou... know you didn't. Yall love disrespecting H-Town the fourth largest city.

[@ricoperson4035]

I remember Lebron's cavs beat the spurs 2-0 in the regular season and got swept in the playoffs

[@cchisolm92cc]

But did they stop them from accruing that 1st 3peat??

[@mosthatedny2243]

Cuz he knew he can’t argue with Greg Anthony

[@oneyedthing]

Kenny just wants to keeps it lowkey. He knows The Bulls from 91-95 wouldnt have a chance against the Rockets

[@FuShengAlex]

Orlando dumped Chicago out tho

[@monolithgeometry3221]

The Bulls would crush Houston that first 3peat team ha young Robert Horry and Otis Thorpe vs Grant, Pippen???? . And Akeem? He didn't become truly Elite until he was Hakeem , c'mon na goddam bwaw e'rybody kno dat

[@oneyedthing]

@@monolithgeometry3221 Mj and Phil even admitted to that. Yes exactly Otis and Horry were a match up problem to the Bulls front court. And that is why they never won against the Rockets for 3 straight seasons. oh sorry they won 1 game when Haleem wasnt playing

[@gustavodelgado1830]

ahh, 93/94 and 94/95 I was a wide eyed middle schooler in Houston. I remember getting my Clyde Drexler jersey and rocking that at school! I miss those uniforms! I've been waiting for another ring ever since.

[@woo_shynen8805]

We had the chance in 2018 but thank them for shooting 27 3's and missing everyone of them. Lol🤦‍♂️

[@wethenorth7849]

Bulls didnt have Rodman yet. Rockets would beat the Bulls.

[@Aditya-vn9wi]

@joceja23 That's exactly his point. i don't know what you're trying to say.

[@mrray7169]

@joceja23 he literally said the Bulls didn't have Rodman yet

[@JL-ut4md]

joceja23 read before u type a comment

[@tmt6145]

They would've smashed the Bulls with Rodman too homie. Hakeem was just that dominant he would've completely controlled the paint. And he would've no doubt won finals Mvp

[@stargellwilliams1311]

Playoff and regular season are 2different things. In a seven game series for the NBA championship, got to go with Jordan &pippen.

[@PlayGOAT]

The Bulls wouldve been to small

[@itsmike5757]

@Zach Altif Tony kuckoc and will Perdue who only averaged 5 boards were the bigs for the bulls in 95

[@tommyisrael6038]

@@itsmike5757 the bulls had scott Williams, stacy king, cartwright. They had the bodies

[@nabeelsahi2188]

@@tommyisrael6038 who?

[@chraaaa23]

Nabeel Sahi so you’re admitting you’re a little kid who doesn’t know the players of the time he’s arguing about? Ok gotcha

[@JJuiicceee]

chraaaa23 He’s trying to say those players are irrelevant

[@rendonrjr]

1995 rockets one of the greatest clutch team ever.

[@m17jr-m]

1998

[@atomlasisi4494]

I literally fell in love with basketball watching that rockets team take a pounding and showing resilience ...

[@N8veJay]

They would have defeated the Bulls in 1994-95, The Bulls had a weakness and that was rim protection... Hakeem Olajuwon being the best center in that era is going to keep delivering basket after basket and it will be extremely difficult for Pippen or Jordan to drive to the basket with Hakeem blocking

[@louismclean6662]

People need to quit fronting Mike been admitted years ago he did not want that dream smoke

[@travisblair3189]

Exactly!!!

[@MrJaysoul13]

Hakeem was a Baaaaaaad man on that NBA court!!!!

[@travisblair3189]

@Trav He was at the house like MJ was in 94 & 95.

[@lakernation26]

Trav where was MJ at in 95? Gettin smoked by penny

[@marcuscarr123]

@@lakernation26 Bulls couldn't beat The Magic.

[@taipan8021]

As a Rockets Fan, we would've Dream Shaked them to Death. To each their own

[@nakmurad9727]

I’m not even a Rockets fan but Luc Longley? Jordan playoff record at 63 looking real shaky there

[@iranianintelligenceagency9337]

@@nakmurad9727 lol

[@travfdy]

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE HEART OF A CHAMPION!

[@MeMe-td1ye]

Underrated post

[@Rambo20244]

lol it's funny nobody commented under this.. they haters.. that's why.

[@JS-xu1so]

it is funny cause the bulls were champions too.

[@travfdy]

@@JS-xu1so The Bulls were champions...but they didn't say this quote. Also, the Bulls weren't underdogs or counted out like the Rockets were. That's the purpose of the quote.

[@dalmarjackson9363]

@@JS-xu1so heart of a champion not collecting trophies

[@kasino24k71]

I agree with Kenny Smith 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@dreddthaseeker6492]

Look here, ya'll, I said this before so Ima say it one mo 'gin then Ima be quiet. Now 99.9999% of people who know anything about basketball consider Jordan to be the G.O.A.T.. And its been pointed out several times that HE said that his team had NO ANSWER FOR HAKEEM. Now someone explain to me how it is that you Jordan fans and others, think you know more than the man himself. The one who actually PLAYED the games against those rockets. What makes you think that there is NO WAY that Hakeem, who at that point in his career was as unstoppable as Jordan, (debate that all you want, but some other time, some other place), would not have taken his team to, and won that championship? As much respect as you gotta give MJ, ya'll really need to respect Hakeem's skillz more than this. Ya'll really disrespectin' the dream, here. Ima pray for ya'll.

[@edwardgreen1096]

I agree. People get greatest confused with winning. Just because you are a great individual doesn't mean that you can beat another team that. Also has a great individual.

[@TjNoLabels]

Preach

[@geralddecosta320]

Both Hakeem and MJ were giving each other ultimate respect in what they had to SAY about each other. There as NO TEAM that MJ (to himself) thought that with Pippen and 5 other warm swappable bodies could not beat once the whistle blows.

[@geralddecosta320]

And BTW, I have the Dream in the top 8 players.

[@djaftermath4313]

I'm liking this new moderator. Keep her on

[@rickwilliams4573]

Same. She doesn't interrupt them when they are debating, like others do.

[@Akiresutv]

Who is she?

[@jabarieldridge6437]

Gotta be a former model

[@ernieestrada193]

The new girl looks beautiful

[@bigdaddyroy5382]

Charlie Caruso. She use to work for the WWE backstage reporter

[@cjbrown420]

Bulls had no answer for Hakeem, and rockets had shooters I believe rockets would of won 6 or 7

[@shayanmardanbeigi2697]

Did the rockets have a answer for jordan or pippen???

[@Terror832]

“Jordan would clamp Hakeem and drop 100 in his face” - Jordan fans

[@cjbrown420]

@@shayanmardanbeigi2697 apparently yea for rockets to go 6-1 in a 3yr span against the 3 peat bulls

[@chevyboy5249]

Shayan MB the rockets had drexler and maxwell who would clamp up jordan pretty good

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

@@shayanmardanbeigi2697 Horry, Cassell, Elie...

[@peat381low8]

The Rockets were 6-1 to Jordan's first 3-peat with Horace Grant. And that team is more athletic than the older 3-peat.

[@poundmycake]

This is your best content ever!! ty

[@ezeuzuka3344]

They did Kenny dirty with that thumbnail 😂😂

[@St3phenBrown]

That was my first thought 🤣🤣

[@michaelshields3969]

I agree with Kenny saying they would not have won 8 straight if MJ didn’t retire. MJ would of burned out.

[@washburn11000]

How would he have burned out when he won two threepeats?

[@yvans.]

washburn11000 are you dumb ? Pay more attention

[@GameTime-yj6qv]

Whether the Bulls would have beaten the Rockets or whether they would have won 8 straight are two different questions.

[@brandmarikina]

How many did Bill Russell won straight?

[@Itsnowthetime]

He had a better chance winning 8 straight if his dad wasn’t murdered.

[@toucan488]

That guy looks like Pat Beverly😂

[@alexandreazevedo9906]

Thought it was just me lol

[@jenki221]

😂😂 “that guy”

[@ashian23x65]

Honestly, I'm a big time MJ fan but the bulls would've had their hands full. For those who questioned Mike leadership style in practice, that's what he had in mind. He knew he would need certain type of players with him if he wanted to beat good teams like the Rockets. Those guys were no joke. It probably would've been like 1or 2 male lions against 30 hyenas. Remember Robert Horry and Otis Thorpe was no joke!

[@Biggdoom344]

Plus Kevin Willis, Sam Cassell, Mario Eli…rockets were rough

[@alfredmcglothen6050]

Hakeem was one of a kind . He was the most dominant center at that time . Shaq even said you never knew what he was going to do . You knew what Zo Mourning at Patrick Ewing was going to do and still couldn’t stop it but not Hakeem . Remember Shaq was still very young at that time . He became the most dominant center in the early and mid 2000’s before the position pretty much was fazed out by the stretch 4 .

[@ericb7776]

Agreed except Shaq was dominant from day 1. Some of his Orlando numbers are better than Lakers

[@tobyhawthorne9150]

Kenny Smith the legend! His argument also makes complete sense, hard to disagree with

[@RodneyJ920]

Anyone notice how Stephen A changed to subject? Real smooth!!!!

[@Mostillist]

yes it would been an alltime great finals bulls didnt have rodman yet hakeem bullied ewing and shaq so gl to chicago

[@ChiChiGotDaYaYo5]

Mike bullied EVERYBODY tho

[@tommyisrael6038]

Mostillest he didn't bully Shaq and Patrick. They barely beat the Knicks and they wouldn't have 1 the next year if they didn't get Drexler

[@iortizjunior]

theyhatebakegod6 no he didn’t lmao.

[@Pantherstwitchplug2673]

Tommy Israel didn’t he sweep shaq??

[@yvans.]

Tommy Israel bro go look Ewing FG% in the finals in 94 before talking sh** the dude shot like 38%. And in 95 he didn’t bullied shaq because nobody does but they swept them and Hakeem was FMVP. Shut up

[@PronounceGaming]

In the seasons that the Houston Rockets won two championships, the Jordan-less Bulls went 2-2 against them with one of the Bulls' wins being by a 19 point margin, so if you added a basketball-ready Jordan to that Bulls team I don't think the odds favor the Rockets in a playoff series for those two seasons.

[@ianisaac2501]

Would have been a great finals series. And if they played in 95, it's really hard to see where the bulls win a seven game series against them I think.....Hakeem would be too hard to contain.

[@JohnDoe-tl6ve]

Heads up, Hakeem beat Jordan more than he lost to him. Even the GOAT said out his own mouth they would've had a hard time beating those Rockets teams.

[@eazyduzit-tr3nx]

Saying “having a hard time vs Rockets doesn’t mean “yep the Bulls would’ve lost to them” which is exactly what these MJ haters here are saying. It’s all speculation.

[@travisblair3189]

@Clippers Suck Exactly!!!

[@l9ikjam]

After kd joined the warriors, Houston dominated the warriors during the regular season. How did that workout for them in the postseason?

[@l9ikjam]

@Clippers Suck what happened the next season after jordan played the full season? They not only swept Orlando, but destroyed every team that they faced in the postseason. Houston had 3 more seasons to get back to the finals, what happened? We knew the bulls would be there waiting

[@philb6531]

FINALLY!!! I been trying to reach out to SAS for the longest about this debate

[@mcm0923]

I think they would’ve lost the first year and then a motivated mj , pip and Phil would’ve figured them out the second year

[@J972M]

Nah

[@truthandonlytruth8715]

they wud definitely lose in 95 second time so u r wrong

[@mcm0923]

J972M what would happen tho

[@tonyfort1041]

Nope would'nt happen

[@Cochise954]

95 they would have definitely lost.

[@joeltwinx3805]

Kenny Smith just put this question to bed great answer Kenny thank you for your service in Houston

[@et_m4204]

MJ had extra resources, his game is not only what we usually saw: he could handle whatever situation on the court in whatever environmental situation. We all know that, in the Finals, pressure makes the game different....defenses got locked and it's hard to score for normal players and even for stars. Specially in 90's, when in the 4th quarters teams often scored not more than 10-15 points. But for Michael it was different: he's the ONLY ONE player in Nba history able to score in whatever situation ...... whatever, don't mind the opponents, the level of the game, or the moment of the game. Larry and Magic were great, but in most Finals they looked like normal stars, not more, and in 4th quarters simply average player. Michael had two advantges: 1. technical ..... he was too skilled and superior to anybody else 2. mental/emotional ..... Michael was a man on a mission. He knew he had half world behind him; he was the standard bearer not only of the Bulls but of an entire world generation. And opponents knew it too. That gave him extra motivation and self-confidence,and in the Finals confidence is needed most. Nothing gifted..... he gained all on the court along the years. I agree that the Dream is phenomenal ..... the most skilled big man of all time, and by far too......but Michael is on another level compairing to him too. Yesterday I casually saw on youtube a Bulls/Rockets match of the 1990/91 season, in Houston......just crazy what Michael did: he dunked on Hakeem while rebounding together and stopped him when the Dream was trying to dunk himself! The same did to Othis Thorpe....not to count all the other moves. Probably from that night Vernon got his nickname "MadMax" for what I saw, it's not decisive the fact that the Rockets had great record vs Bulls in regular season.....that is confirmed by the fact that in 1998 regular season Utah swept the Bulls, but then we know. When the ball burns, with all mediatic pressure and with the defenses getting very tough, big men have troubles..... what do you remember of Malone in finals minutes of the Finals ? And about how could Bulls manage facing Hakeem, let's remember what they do to Ewing, Shaq and R. Smith in the East along the years. Moreover.....if the Dream was unstoppable how did it come that he didn't reach the Finals in 17 out of his 19 seasons? All above can be arguable but please ..... don't say that Maxwell could stop MJ! and the same about Drexler: the Glyde was much less the player he was in 1992 while MJ kept on top. And even in 1992 there was no comparison. So I say Bulls in 6 both years. Not without troubles but ...... at the end ..... MJ wins that's my point

[@choiceda5920]

He couldn’t handle Orlando in 95 so…

[@Seif97ify]

6:09 Dom looks like he's disgusted when laughing.

[@raybass1938]

When Rodman was in San Antonio in 95 just look at what Hakeem did to him and Robinson together in the playoffs.

[@winston5762]

No right or wrong answer It’s all hypothetical

[@kalinwang1]

Yes there is. Day couldn't match Michael Jordan. Kenny is going to choose his teen. But anyone not playing for the Houston Rockets that year fully knew if Jordan never retired houston has no chance. The New York Knicks were tough forward in the Houston Rockets and the troit pistons.

[@eliasdejene2779]

kalinwang1 you are disregarding fatigue Jordan is not gonna go to 5 straight finals and be just as fresh against a prime hakeem

[@claudiorabsten7179]

yeah like crack cocaine lol

[@turbografxx]

Overlord of Everything Jordan fans get more and more delusional it’s crazy

[@FuShengAlex]

There is a right answer...... the Rockets beat the Magic who sent Jordan and Chicago packing. Equals they would've beaten the Bulls

[@monolithgeometry3221]

Kenny Smith is an elite ball player and he'll tell ya all about it

[@timelapse713]

Never underestimate the heart of a champion. Jordan himself said he didn't want to face off against the Rockets. Jordan also said he would take Hakeem on his top 5 squad. Houston mastered the inside/outside game. Feed Hakeem in the middle, draw the double team, and he would find the open shooter...Kenny Smith, Sam Cassell, Mario Elie, Vernon Maxwell, Robert Horry. You name it. No center in that time could play against Hakeem. His mobility and footwork made other centers look silly.

[@LanceVance81]

None of the teams the Bulls beat had elite rim protectors. Hakeem was on a different level from not just all of them but the rest of the league. Even MJ knows that. The Bulls are the ones that got lucky. Vlade Divac Kevin Duckworth Tom Chambers Sam Perkins / Shawn Kemp Greg Ostertag People need to get real.

[@mrray7169]

But they did face Patrick Ewing, Shaquille o'neal, Alonzo Mourning in the eastern conference finals

[@UnderCapAOS]

MrRay people forget thst

[@FlashFamilia]

Bro they faced Patrick Ewing

[@batmaneatspizza]

Shut up

[@Swifty420]

So why couldnt the Rockets meet them in the finals before or after Jordan's 1st retirement?

[@tonyrex6439]

that was a really weird era of basketball, the 3 point line was brought in to like 21 feet... that was a major factor in houston winning those 2 championships.. that line coming in was perfect for them to prosper... that should be mentioned.

[@davidmejorado855]

I'd love to see this to have happened. That would've been a remarkable series. I'd be cheering for the Dream.

[@adaonetube]

YES! But not the 1995-1996 Bulls. Once the team was reshaped with the addition of Rodman and Kukoc going to the bench, they were unstoppable. It's interesting during the Bulls first 3-peat they were 1-5 vs the Rockets. During their second 3-Peat it was the opposite the Bulls were 5-1 against the Rockets.

[@chrisgonz9963]

Of course Kenny Smith does not mention after the 1995 196 The Bulls The 🐐Jordan was 5 and 1 Against his Rockets in their Second 3 peat

[@rashb3994]

Great point Kenny, they were power forwardness in 95. A point that rarely gets made.

[@chadwickallen5495]

Like Kenny said, Jordan is the greatest Basketball player ever, and who could stop him? There is one issue in that match up that the bulls didn't face in the 1st championship 3peat. the never faced a player they couldn't stop, and that was Hakeem. So you have 2 teams facing off with 2 unstoppable players in Jordan & Hakeem. It would have been very tough and to really know who would have won they would have had to play each other in the finals. The role players would have decided this one.

[@amaan.a]

MJ still wakes up from nightmares about Hakeem.

[@369pendulum]

Shut up no he doesn't. They don't even play the same position, if they did he would've took it personal....

[@Grilledhotchips]

Why?

[@hakeemolajuwonBESTROCKET]

The Knicks had a winning record vs the bulls in 1993 regular season matchups mean nothing bulls win Not just "winning record" they swept them in the regular season

[@fuckcancerism]

Jordan: “I love challenges” *Faces possible challenge of playing against the Rockets as an underdog* Jordan: “Nah I’m gonna retire. I don’t wanna ruin my finals record” Jordan fans: “OMGGGG what a competitor. LeBum would never.”

[@robbnoble1509]

Yes, thats the reason Jordan retired. 🙄

[@raphdjohnvisions]

Kenny Smith is absolutely right, I look at the 94-95 version of Hakeem the same as the 2011 version of Dirk. There wouldve been nothing Jordan, Pippen, Phil or anyone could've done, Hakeem wouldve atleast got 1 chip

[@corinth202]

Kenny Smith brought up great points on the real. When your a basketball junkie you completely understand where Kenny is coming from.

[@chamogarcia4401]

That would've been great series, Hakeem Olajuwon was a puperb center, and the Rockets team around dream was solid, they had Robert Horry, Maxwell, Sam Casell, Mario Ellie, Samson, Clyde Drexler in that team btw. Pretty deep team.

[@codejjm]

I’m here for Charlie

[@hridaykhattry]

The lady, Charly Arnolt reminds me Cherie Deville.

[@jay9121]

Not a lot of people gonna get that comment 😣

[@davidmaez7253]

🤣🤣🤣

[@jxjxtheumbra7961]

😂🤣🤫

[@irandleIV]

Bruh they look nothing alike and I like them both lol

[@nortorioustxc4359]

Lmao

[@teekay4389]

Jordan said himself he was burnt out mentality and physically so Houston would still be title holders and they need a powerfoward to win

[@andresmith6591]

25 years later, What if arises as a discussion? We can all only speculate as to which team would have been victorious in the championship game. Interesting match-up and distinct Coaching philosophy.

[@ericbarber6692]

Kenny Smith was right! Stephen A went right into a different subject when Kenny laid down facts!😀

[@olanothelusmar567]

Dont think Wade should participate in the Jet Academy. He's been a disappointing roll model lately for young boys

[@jordanbauman-putnam9524]

He has been a great role model for fathers who have LGBT children

[@virgilrw]

Akheem would have eaten them alive! 😂🤣😂😂🤣

[@gabesavage112]

Hakeem *

[@lordgodspeed1539]

Kenny Smith got his boot on Stephen A neck with this Jordan obsession.......LOL

[@md-oz8te]

really impressed with the jet academy virtual camp thing great idea

[@VintageAbed]

As was constructed, those Bulls would've had a hard time with the Rockets, but if you the GOAT and a coach who is considered a top 3 of all time, with another top 50 player, I think they could've found a way because they were just so clutch. Also, if Jordan had played the entire seasons, trades could've been made to replace Grant if MJ felt they needed it. Don't forget Dominique Wilkins signed with Celtics in 94, I think he would've loved to join the Bulls w/Jordan & Pippen to take on Hakeem & Clyde.

[@DALLASCOWBOYS-zo8zs]

Kenny's right, the bulls would've been to small

[@gio.aguayo4655]

I like how Stephen A. changed the conversation when he didn't have anything to come back with against Kenny lol

[@raymanning3659]

He always does when he wrong...

[@rddr973]

hakeem is the best center ever imo. when he finally had a good team, he won 2 rings. he lacked help his entire career

[@irvinggreene4086]

I would say Wilt

[@ΒΞΔΝ]

Bill Russell!

[@keithwilliams1018]

Hakeem in my top 5 ever...Jordan Lebron Hakeem Kobe shaq

[@Rileylmao_]

Keith Williams Kobe and Shaq are not top 5 lol

[@demasceionbyrd3776]

Riley Smh You Sound Stupid Because That’s HIS Preference And HIS Opinion

[@Pdot608]

People downplay so bad Dennis Rodman and Scottie pippens roles in helping Jordan win rings without Dennis Rodman there is no second three peat

[@heroes_and_villians]

100%. Rodman bailed that team out by stopping the opposing teams best player.

[@Classicbasketballdvds]

as much as i'm an MJ/Bulls stan from the 90s, Dream was on another level around that time. Bulls interior D was very weak once Horace left and Dennis wasn't there yet in 95. That's the one matchup I wanted to see in the Finals between the years of 93-98. They were so close to meeting in 97

[@ericb7776]

The 91-93 Rockets dominated the Bulls. Horace was there

[@MrEOM41]

The Rockets and Bulls would’ve definitely went to 7 games. I’m not betting against MJ in the clutch though.

[@luisruiz2011]

Stephen a had no response about th 6-1 regular season head to head ... changed the subject real quick

[@KelvinEkerete]

He probably didn't factor in that fact.

[@Futballr420]

To be fair reg season doesn't mean much. Toronto beat the cavs during the reg season and got destroyed during the playoffs by LeBronto.

[@dreammoves29]

🤣😂😂sharp

[@tylerhingleton8493]

@@Futballr420 The regular season does mean much, since a team has to get their seeding somewhere in the playoffs. You're a fool to not think someone like MJ wasn't pissed taking L after L against Houston, due to his competitive drive, in general. It didn't matter whether in the regular season nor postseason, since it's all about making a statement. That's who MJ is as a person and wanted to win at all costs.

[@JohnSmith-wh2ob]

The answer is yes and probably would’ve been one of the greatest finals series ever a great hypothetical

[@grgmj1980]

Kenny smith has a good point. There is always one team that has your number. Meaning there is always one team that you can’t beat. And the Bulls were 1-7 against the Rockets.

[@jumbothompson]

Houston swept Orlando, the same team that beat Chicago. The Bulls didn't have Grant anymore and no Rodman. It's not crazy to think Houston would win one or both those years.

[@JJJJ-he8bz]

They wouldn’t have beat the 94 Bulls with Jordan there’s no way

[@heroes_and_villians]

@@JJJJ-he8bz yes they would have. They were bigger and a better def team. The Bulls couldn't beat the Rockets unless they had the loaded 96 team.

[@Vortexnicholas]

Kenny looked like he aged 15 years since the pandemic.

[@justinharmon8548]

No make up crew

[@tr377723]

Jordan went just 10-12 vs. Houston from 1984-98, including a 1-5 stretch from 1991-93. 28 total games vs Rockets... Jordan went 11-17 . .

[@astro_rocket_texan]

Yeah people forget that Dennis and Grant weren't there when we got our rings.. No way the Bulls beat us without those guys

[@dlt9784]

Meh. I think that the Bulls would have gotten a PF if MJ stayed. I was a Rox fan though

[@astro_rocket_texan]

@SuperPunch76 but Rodman wasn't there... I'm talking about both of our championships by the way

[@kerke4639]

Those Rockets teams were amazing but I agree with Stephen A. Had Jordan not retired and they adjusted the team according to that, with Jordan still having the winning mentality, the skill, and athleticism since he was still physically amazing at that point, the Bulls would have won. When people say that Hakeem was unstoppable, they have a point, but so was Jordan. This man is the greatest offensive player who ever lived, beating anybody who was in his way. The advantage Hakeem had on those other teams were the best players in those teams were the big men so Hakeem's greatness affected those men. but against the Bulls, it's not up to him if Jordan is scoring 50 or 20. That would have made the difference. Clyde is great but we saw what happened to him against Jordan. People also tend to act as if Scottie did not exist. Scottie was a top 5 player at the time. The year prior, they nearly went to the Finals(1994), and yet people act as if that never happened. A Bulls team without Jordan nearly went to the Finals, and the team that beat them by the skin of their teeth took the Rockets to 7 games. Add Jordan to the equation, the Bulls beat the Knicks with Ewing and beat the Rockets. Right after his best season, he wouldn't have dropped. The Rockets had weapons but imagine the Bulls if they continued to create a team around Michael as if he never retired. They would have beaten the Magic who they took to 6 games. Swap some better pieces for Jordan, and Jordan who was still the best by a mile, they beat the Magic and people say "but the magic got swept and Jordan couldn't even take the team that got swept to 7 games." These people don't understand how styles make fights. The reason Shaq and the Magic got swept is that they met a team that was perfectly built to beat them. They had the best possible Center to neutralize Shaq, had great shooters that Hakeem can distribute to, and another star named Drexler who could challenge Penny. They were very similar teams but the Rockets were a better version of the Magic so when you play a team identical to you but better, you have no shot. We saw this many times. Even 2 years ago when the Warriors played the Blazers without Durant. Both teams had a great backcourt and a great big to help them but the problem. Portland was a great team but they were going to get swept because the Warriors were a very similar team to the Blazers but better in every way. So when you match-up against a better version of your self you probably will get swept because you don't have the different style advantage that could elevate you. However, the Bulls would have had their strengths on the guards and the small forward position. That is not something the other team's best player can have an impact on because that wasn't his position. Even though the Bulls' answer to Hakeem wouldn't be effective, neither would the Rockets' to Jordan and Pippen. I just don't understand how you can make an argument for no one being able to stop Hakeem while the opposing team has the most unstoppable player to ever live with an all-time great who was one of, if not the, greatest defender of all time who could also give you 20-25 a night.

[@allinallgames9252]

The rockets were 2 deep at 3 positions and they had Hakeem who is probably the third greatest center of all time. Pf Otis Thorpe/ Robert Horry, Sg Clyde Drexler/Vernon Maxwell, Pg Kenny Smith/Sam Cassell. Junkyard dog Mario Elie at small forward wasn't bad off the bench at sf can't remember the starting sf so yeah I just think overall they had better team

[@jamesgreen1786]

No doubt about it, Phil Jackson admitted he had absolutely no answer for Hakeem O.

[@Publicenemy85]

The triangle offense was ineffective against the type of defense Olajuwan, Thorpe and Robert Horry played. In fact whenever the Bulls played the Rockets you could see just how frustrated Jackson would get with Hakeem by suddenly asking his players to double team him (something Jackson almost NEVER does, he didn’t even do that against Ewing)

[@ledferrelin]

MJ's favorite big man is Hakeem Olajuwon. He has the utmost respect for Hakeem, because he knew they couldn't defend him. The Rockets would have had the most chances to beat the Bulls or at least extend the series to 7.

[@MandyZor-El]

In a 7 game series? Nope, not if Jordan wouldn’t of gone to play baseball.

[@hakeemolajuwon34]

I can honestly say I think MJ would have lost one of the finals to the rockets most likely in the second finals match up

[@jonathanblaze1648]

Bulls in 6. Jordan and the Bulls defense would be too much for Houston.

[@loyalpatriotsfan6rings958]

@@jonathanblaze1648 Rockets in 5. Dream would've been too much for the Bulls

[@gamesplaystv4004]

@@loyalpatriotsfan6rings958 honestly the rockets whould push to game 7 but i don't think that they whould beat the bulls

[@jayjadotte1683]

The 1995 rocket team had Dream at the top of his game. I have never seen a player have such mastery of the post game like he did. He was unstoppable, offensively and the best defensive player in the league. I don’t know if Jordan at his prime could have stopped Dream from getting a ring.

[@raymanning3659]

Olajuwon is a legend....players to this day have come down to Houston during the summer to learn from him....Kobe and Lebron always did.

[@bw1190]

People fail to realize it was more than Jordan and Hakeem , but about the perimeter shooting and I think the Rockets had the advantagde in that category in the 95 playoffs. Also, in the Orlando series it was more about Jordan and Shaq , butthe perimeter shooting , which gave the edge to Orlando.

[@ChrisM07]

The Bulls in 95 didn't have the frontcourt to go deep in the playoffs that's why they lost to the Magic in the first place. When they added Rodman it was easier for them to match up with the Magic because he had the speed to throw off Shaq who heavily relied on strength, also Grant was injured so Rodman was able to heavily focus on Shaq. The Rockets not only had Dream who was probably the most mobile C in the league (Robinson probably was the only one that was closest to Dream in that category) but Horry that was a major threat away from the basket, both gave Rodman a lot of difficulty in the WCF when he was with the Spurs.