Golden State Warriors vs. ShowTime Lakers

 I would disagree that no one on the Showtime Laker team could guard Klay or Steph.  Michael Cooper was on the team.  He was the defensive player of the year in 86-87 and made the 1st or 2nd all defensive team 8 times in his career.  He was one of the best on the ball defenders to play the game.

 I would disagree that no one on the Showtime Laker team could guard Klay or Steph.  Michael Cooper was on the team.  He was the defensive player of the year in 86-87 and made the 1st or 2nd all defensive team 8 times in his career.  He was one of the best on the ball defenders to play the game.

 Did you see what OKC did to GSW? Thunder killed gsw by turning rebounds and steals into layups on the other end. Lakers would do that then with Kareem would not let up iin the halfcourt. Lakers small ball squad scott-cooper-magic-worthy and whoever. 

 Did you see what OKC did to GSW? Thunder killed gsw by turning rebounds and steals into layups on the other end. Lakers would do that then with Kareem would not let up iin the halfcourt. Lakers small ball squad scott-cooper-magic-worthy and whoever. 

The tough part of this discussion is trying to figure out how GSW could guard Kareem, and how LA would deal with the no hand checking rule on defense. Because dcase is right, Cooper was a stout defender and Byron Scott was pretty good defensively himself.

Also, we have to include the evolution of three point shot since these LA teams. The good LA teams 87, 85, took about 5 threes a game. GSW takes 30+ a game. The numbers are in GSW’s favor as a result…would the Lakers just suddenly take more threes in this matchup? Probably not…

So, in a one game matchup; playing with today’s rules, give me GSW. GSW’s fast motion offense combined with their three-point prowess would be too much for a team in LA that has never seen that before.

In a seven game series I’d choose the Lakers in 6(assuming GSW has home court lol). The Lakers would find a way to take away GSW’s three point barrages or just continue to feed Kareem and Worthy all day. Kareem could probably average 30-40PPG just because we all know Andrew Bogus couldn’t do anything to stop him.

The tough part of this discussion is trying to figure out how GSW could guard Kareem, and how LA would deal with the no hand checking rule on defense. Because dcase is right, Cooper was a stout defender and Byron Scott was pretty good defensively himself.

Also, we have to include the evolution of three point shot since these LA teams. The good LA teams 87, 85, took about 5 threes a game. GSW takes 30+ a game. The numbers are in GSW’s favor as a result…would the Lakers just suddenly take more threes in this matchup? Probably not…

So, in a one game matchup; playing with today’s rules, give me GSW. GSW’s fast motion offense combined with their three-point prowess would be too much for a team in LA that has never seen that before.

In a seven game series I’d choose the Lakers in 6(assuming GSW has home court lol). The Lakers would find a way to take away GSW’s three point barrages or just continue to feed Kareem and Worthy all day. Kareem could probably average 30-40PPG just because we all know Andrew Bogus couldn’t do anything to stop him.

But in all seriousness, this is why NBA 2K16 is out there…

But in all seriousness, this is why NBA 2K16 is out there…

 I see these constant discussions about whether or not the Warriors could beat the Bulls or the Lakers

Isn’t that why this Warriors team should be celebrated even more than those teams. 

The Bulls had Jordan – arguably the greatest player of all time – and Pippen, a top-50 player of all time. 

The Lakers had Kareem – arguably the greatest player of all time – and Magic, one of the best PGs of all time. 

The Warriors don’t have that individual talent. Which is why their team accomplishment should be viewed as that much more impressive than either of those two amazing teams. 

I don’t really give a crap if they could beat the other teams, but this Warriors team is special because they’ve got great players for this era, but I don’t think they’ve got "all-time" great players. 

 I see these constant discussions about whether or not the Warriors could beat the Bulls or the Lakers

Isn’t that why this Warriors team should be celebrated even more than those teams. 

The Bulls had Jordan – arguably the greatest player of all time – and Pippen, a top-50 player of all time. 

The Lakers had Kareem – arguably the greatest player of all time – and Magic, one of the best PGs of all time. 

The Warriors don’t have that individual talent. Which is why their team accomplishment should be viewed as that much more impressive than either of those two amazing teams. 

I don’t really give a crap if they could beat the other teams, but this Warriors team is special because they’ve got great players for this era, but I don’t think they’ve got "all-time" great players. 

Beat the Warriors. Jordans Bulls would win in 5 against these Warriors. Those teams were more talented and had the mental grit that the Cavs don’t have and outside of Westbrook, I don’t think the Thunder have the mental grit of those teams either. The Thunder gifted the last series to the Warriors, lets not forget that. Teams have proven if you can be physical with Curry you can knock him off his game enough. I think Klay is the toughest matchup on that team but like someone above said the Lakers had some guys who could play defense. As good of a player as Draymond is, I think the Lakers would exploit his talent. Don’t get me wrong, Draymond Green is talented, but what makes him so good is his competitiveness/toughness and he’s perfect for his role on the team. He’s not the kind of guy that can carry a team, so if Curry and Thompson were off, I don’t think he would be as effective. 

Beat the Warriors. Jordans Bulls would win in 5 against these Warriors. Those teams were more talented and had the mental grit that the Cavs don’t have and outside of Westbrook, I don’t think the Thunder have the mental grit of those teams either. The Thunder gifted the last series to the Warriors, lets not forget that. Teams have proven if you can be physical with Curry you can knock him off his game enough. I think Klay is the toughest matchup on that team but like someone above said the Lakers had some guys who could play defense. As good of a player as Draymond is, I think the Lakers would exploit his talent. Don’t get me wrong, Draymond Green is talented, but what makes him so good is his competitiveness/toughness and he’s perfect for his role on the team. He’s not the kind of guy that can carry a team, so if Curry and Thompson were off, I don’t think he would be as effective. 

As others have mentioned, the rules will be the decider. If played under 1980’s/90’s rules, teams like the Lakers and Bulls would win because individual offense (iso/post) was more feasible with zone defense illegal. Also, hand checking would be such a foreign concept to guys like Steph etc. that I think it would really knock them off their game. However, under the modern rules I cant see the old school teams winning. Old school centers would be obliterated defensively in the same way that Kanter/Love are if they had to defend the stretch pick and roll, and the Bulls would be a much less intimidating opponent if teams could shade their defense towards Jordan in the way teams defend Durant/LeBron these days. 

As others have mentioned, the rules will be the decider. If played under 1980’s/90’s rules, teams like the Lakers and Bulls would win because individual offense (iso/post) was more feasible with zone defense illegal. Also, hand checking would be such a foreign concept to guys like Steph etc. that I think it would really knock them off their game. However, under the modern rules I cant see the old school teams winning. Old school centers would be obliterated defensively in the same way that Kanter/Love are if they had to defend the stretch pick and roll, and the Bulls would be a much less intimidating opponent if teams could shade their defense towards Jordan in the way teams defend Durant/LeBron these days. 

 I know a former NCAA champion, NBA player, and NBA assistant, who I just had this conversation with. His name is Jerry Eaves. I coach in his aau program and have these debates all the time. He said the warriors would win in 5. And it wouldn’t really be that close. Said players now are better 1-9 then back in the 80s. He said Thunder would have a great chance to win in 5 to because of Durant and Westbrook. Said Durant would take Rambis and AC green onto the peremiter and get them in foul trouble. And he thinks that he would be able to defend either one of those guys if they decided to post him. Obviously the best players from each team would do their thing but ultimately they win because of Match ups and player skill/talent in the 4-8 players. This is also a guy that played during the showtime days and usually most older generation basketball guys swear by the historic teams etc. Jerry also gave Isiah Thomas 35 points in a game as a rookie. He knows his stuff. Also if Klays pops thinks they’d lose, then that’s about as close as you’ll get to ever knowing. Fun to talk about though

 I know a former NCAA champion, NBA player, and NBA assistant, who I just had this conversation with. His name is Jerry Eaves. I coach in his aau program and have these debates all the time. He said the warriors would win in 5. And it wouldn’t really be that close. Said players now are better 1-9 then back in the 80s. He said Thunder would have a great chance to win in 5 to because of Durant and Westbrook. Said Durant would take Rambis and AC green onto the peremiter and get them in foul trouble. And he thinks that he would be able to defend either one of those guys if they decided to post him. Obviously the best players from each team would do their thing but ultimately they win because of Match ups and player skill/talent in the 4-8 players. This is also a guy that played during the showtime days and usually most older generation basketball guys swear by the historic teams etc. Jerry also gave Isiah Thomas 35 points in a game as a rookie. He knows his stuff. Also if Klays pops thinks they’d lose, then that’s about as close as you’ll get to ever knowing. Fun to talk about though

Those Lakers teams were giving up damn near 110 points per game. These Warriors would give them complete hell. The Lakers would be so spread out defensively, Riley would be having nightmares. I mean, how in the hell does a 39-40 year old Kareem defend those high screens? How do the Lakers defend a Steph/Dray or Klay/Dray high screen and pop period? They could try and go small with Scott, Cooper, Worthy, Magic and Green/Rambis, but I just don’t see them being able to defend the Warriors. Green would have a great impact. 

The Lakers would score some points (Kareem would get his 20-25 points) but I feel like the Warriors are better equipped to defend them. IF Andre Igoudala can make life tough for LeBron and KD, obviously he could defend Magic. LBJ is a legend (bigger, stronger and more athletic than Magic) and Igoudala makes him work. Yea, handchecking would be allowed, but that means the Warriors could handcheck too.

Ppl just aren’t giving these Warriors enough credit. I think the 95/96 Bulls would be a much better matchup.

Those Lakers teams were giving up damn near 110 points per game. These Warriors would give them complete hell. The Lakers would be so spread out defensively, Riley would be having nightmares. I mean, how in the hell does a 39-40 year old Kareem defend those high screens? How do the Lakers defend a Steph/Dray or Klay/Dray high screen and pop period? They could try and go small with Scott, Cooper, Worthy, Magic and Green/Rambis, but I just don’t see them being able to defend the Warriors. Green would have a great impact. 

The Lakers would score some points (Kareem would get his 20-25 points) but I feel like the Warriors are better equipped to defend them. IF Andre Igoudala can make life tough for LeBron and KD, obviously he could defend Magic. LBJ is a legend (bigger, stronger and more athletic than Magic) and Igoudala makes him work. Yea, handchecking would be allowed, but that means the Warriors could handcheck too.

Ppl just aren’t giving these Warriors enough credit. I think the 95/96 Bulls would be a much better matchup.

 I think older generation basketball minds dont give them credit beacause they use the handcheck arguement. Which to me isnt as strong of an arguement as people think. We act like todays players couldnt pick up how to handcheck somebody. Doesnt take much skill to put hands on the guy if they are about to beat you off the dribble. So both teams(warriors, showtime lakers) could do that. Its a lot harder to learn how to defend players without handchecking like players do today as oppose to handchecking because you were allowed to.

 An arguement i dont hear enough about that compares the 80s, 90s teams to todays teams is the illegal defense rule they did away with. Under the "illegal defense" rule you had to defend your man closely to prevent anything that resembled a zone defense. And if you were caught between guarding your man loosely so you could help on the iso or dig on the dribble, they would call illegal defense. This let your best players of the 90’s virtually iso one on one with no help defense. As oppose to now a days, the Kobes, Lebrons, etc on the post up have to read the guy thats guarding them, where the helps coming from etc. Then make the right play accordingly. So teams now are way more equipped to play read/react basketball in my opinion. Overall comparing these two teams and who would win in a series has to many variables to consider to truly know who would win. So my 2 cents is this….If they played by the rules back in the 80s, showtime lakers win. If they play by todays rules, Warriors win. I would think the Warriors could make it go 7 playing by the 80s rules against the Showtime Lakers. I think the Warriors would close it 5-6 playing the lakers with todays rules.

 I think older generation basketball minds dont give them credit beacause they use the handcheck arguement. Which to me isnt as strong of an arguement as people think. We act like todays players couldnt pick up how to handcheck somebody. Doesnt take much skill to put hands on the guy if they are about to beat you off the dribble. So both teams(warriors, showtime lakers) could do that. Its a lot harder to learn how to defend players without handchecking like players do today as oppose to handchecking because you were allowed to.

 An arguement i dont hear enough about that compares the 80s, 90s teams to todays teams is the illegal defense rule they did away with. Under the "illegal defense" rule you had to defend your man closely to prevent anything that resembled a zone defense. And if you were caught between guarding your man loosely so you could help on the iso or dig on the dribble, they would call illegal defense. This let your best players of the 90’s virtually iso one on one with no help defense. As oppose to now a days, the Kobes, Lebrons, etc on the post up have to read the guy thats guarding them, where the helps coming from etc. Then make the right play accordingly. So teams now are way more equipped to play read/react basketball in my opinion. Overall comparing these two teams and who would win in a series has to many variables to consider to truly know who would win. So my 2 cents is this….If they played by the rules back in the 80s, showtime lakers win. If they play by todays rules, Warriors win. I would think the Warriors could make it go 7 playing by the 80s rules against the Showtime Lakers. I think the Warriors would close it 5-6 playing the lakers with todays rules.

Yes and the 1986 Celtics beats everyone. Look them up Youngsters !!!!!!

Yes and the 1986 Celtics beats everyone. Look them up Youngsters !!!!!!

Klay can joke because his dad was on the show time lakers

Klay can joke because his dad was on the show time lakers

 Who knows who would win its all personal opinion and preference, The game has changed drastically the old dudes will obviously say they would win, the young guys are humble and as great as they are they dont need to say anything because their letting their game speak for itself. We are all witnesses to greatness happening before our eyes. 73 wins who can say they have more, and records are meant to be broken the game is evolving.

 Who knows who would win its all personal opinion and preference, The game has changed drastically the old dudes will obviously say they would win, the young guys are humble and as great as they are they dont need to say anything because their letting their game speak for itself. We are all witnesses to greatness happening before our eyes. 73 wins who can say they have more, and records are meant to be broken the game is evolving.