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Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, who played on the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls that set the NBA record for most victories in a single season, evidently doesn't think the Golden State Warriors would match up in a hypothetical series between the two teams. Pippen told "Dan Patrick Show" producer Paul Pabst on Saturday that the 1995-96 Bulls would sweep the Warriors and he would have held Warriors star Steph Curry under 20 points.
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"Bulls in four (games)," Pippen said.
The 50-year-old Pippen was offered a chance to clarify his prediction against the Warriors and was asked whether he thought the Bulls would have an off-night against Golden State.
"I don't think we'd take a night off," Pippen told Pabst.
Pippen teamed with Michael Jordan to help the Bulls win six NBA championships. Chicago went 72-10 in the 1995-96 season before beating the Seattle SuperSonics in the NBA Finals.
The defending NBA champion Warriors need to go 5-1 over their remaining six games of the regular season to finish with a 73-9 record.
Pippen, commenting about this hypothetical series, predicted he would guard Curry while Michael Jordan would guard Klay Thompson.
"I think that my size and length would bother (Curry) a little bit. ... I think if I can keep him under 20, I think I'm doing good," Pippen said.
Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, who was also a part of that legendary Bulls team, gave his take on a Warriors-Bulls matchup when asked about it last year.
"My initial thoughts are that it is literally impossible to even compare, because the rules are so different and the eras are so different," Kerr said. "We would overload the strong side on Jordan, and they would call illegal defense; and they would put their hands all over Curry, and the refs would call a foul. ... I refuse to comment on the score of this hypothetical game that would never happen."
Curry has become tired of the criticism and comparisons being made by the NBA greats of yesteryear about the reigning MVP and the Warriors.
Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson told ESPN's "Mike & Mike" in February that Curry's success is largely due to today's style of play. Robertson criticized today's coaches and players for not being physical enough.
"It's starting to get a little annoying just because it's kind of unwarranted from across the board," Curry said in February in response to the former legends taking shots. "We have a very competent group, and we have fun when we're out there on the floor, and it shows, obviously. We enjoy what we do. But for the most part, you don't hear us talking about, you know, comparing ourselves to other great teams and 'We could beat this team, we're better than this team.' We're living in the moment."
