The NBA has produced some of the best rivalries in sports history. The rivalry between teams is well noted, particularly between the Lakers and Celtics, Mavericks and Spurs, and Bulls and Pistons.
Each of these rivalries has shaped the NBA into what we know today; however, the most intense rivalry may have been between the Bulls and Pistons, especially in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
These two rivals hated each other with a passion, and that was evident as the players shared the same dislike, especially between Bulls’ superstar Michael Jordan and Pistons’ superstar Isiah Thomas. The hate between these two rivals even travels to the present day, as both have been vocal, passive-aggressively or not, about their loathing towards each other.
That has only intensified over the years, and recently, Thomas added fuel to the fire. A couple of days ago, Thomas didn’t mince words on Twitter/X when he responded to a fan who said that the Bulls couldn’t have won a championship without Jordan.
Thomas disagrees.
Thomas believes Jordan’s star teammates, Pippen and Kukoc, could have brought the city of Chicago and the Bulls organization a couple of rings.
Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan (L), injured forward Scottie Pippen (C) and forward Toni Kukoc watch their teammates play against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second quarter 05 December at the United Center, in Chicago,… More Photo credit should read VINCENT LAFORET/AFP via Getty Images
The Bulls went one full season without Jordan on their roster during the 1993-94 season. The Bulls were coming off a consecutive NBA title, and Jordan decided to give up his basketball shoes for some baseball cleats.
Without Jordan, the Bulls finished the season with a 55-27 record. It was good enough to finish as the No.3 seed in the East, which is not bad considering they lost the best player in the NBA at the time.
The Bulls started the playoffs with force, sweeping their division rivals, the Cleveland Cavaliers, 3-0 in the first round. However, the New York Knicks took advantage of the Bulls with Jordan, and the Bulls lost a tough seven-game series, 4-3, in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Pippen played at an MVP-type level, averaging 22.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. He finished third in the MVP voting. Kukoc averaged 10.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.
Although the Bulls were a formidable squad, it was Jordan who consistently took them over the top. Jordan is arguably the greatest basketball player and athlete to ever live. If Jordan was with the 1993-94 squad, they had a great shot at winning their fourth consecutive title.
We saw how it went for one season, and it’s likely the Bulls would have come up short again and again without Jordan’s heroics and leadership.