05/30/2025
A matchup between the 2017 Golden State Warriors and the 1996 Chicago Bulls is one of the most debated hypothetical NBA showdowns. Here’s a breakdown by key categories:
Team Overviews
1996 Chicago Bulls
Record: 72–10
Coach: Phil Jackson
Key Players: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman
Strengths:
Elite defense (Rodman, Pippen, Jordan)
Mid-range scoring and post play
Gritty, physical style
Championship experience and mental toughness
2017 Golden State Warriors
Record: 67–15 (16–1 in playoffs)
Coach: Steve Kerr (played on the '96 Bulls!)
Key Players: Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green
Strengths:
Elite 3-point shooting
Fast pace and ball movement
Versatile switch-heavy defense
Depth and offensive spacing
Matchup Factors
Category Edge
Defense : 1996 Bulls
Offense: 2017 Warriors
Star Power Even (Jordan vs. KD/Curry)
3-Point Shooting: 2017 Warriors (by far)
Rebounding: 1996 Bulls (Rodman)
Versatility: 2017 Warriors
Coaching: 1996 Bulls (Phil Jackson)
Position-by-Position Breakdown
Point Guard:
Stephen Curry (2017)
25.3 PPG | 6.6 APG | 41% 3PT
Unmatched shooting and off-ball movement.
Ron Harper (1996)
7.4 PPG | 2.6 APG | Defensive specialist
Big, defensive-minded guard. Not much of a scorer.
Edge: Warriors — Curry is a generational offensive talent.
Shooting Guard:
Klay Thompson (2017)
22.3 PPG | Elite catch-and-shoot threat | All-NBA defense
Michael Jordan (1996)
30.4 PPG | 6.6 RPG | 2.2 SPG | MVP + Finals MVP
Edge: Bulls — Jordan is the GOAT; Klay is elite, but MJ is MJ.
Small Forward:
Kevin Durant (2017)
25.1 PPG | 8.3 RPG | 55% FG | Finals MVP
Versatile scorer, efficient, great in crunch time.
Scottie Pippen (1996)
19.4 PPG | 6.4 RPG | 5.9 APG | Defensive ace
Edge: Warriors — Pippen is elite, but KD is virtually unguardable.
Power Forward:
Draymond Green (2017)
10.2 PPG | 7.9 RPG | 7.0 APG | DPOY
Glue guy, playmaker, defender.
Dennis Rodman (1996)
5.5 PPG | 14.9 RPG | Legendary rebounder and defender
Edge: Bulls — Rodman's rebounding and toughness are unmatched.
Center:
Zaza Pachulia (2017) / rotation with JaVale McGee
Serviceable, screen-setters, rim runners.
Luc Longley (1996)
Solid midrange game, size, smart passer.
Edge: Bulls — Slightly. Neither team has a dominant center.
Benches:
Warriors: Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, David West, Ian Clark
Bulls: Toni Kukoc, Steve Kerr, Jud Buechler, Bill Wennington
Edge: Even — Warriors had depth and versatility; Bulls had shooters and a Sixth Man of the Year (KukoKuko
X-Factors
Pace and Rules: Under 1990s rules, the Bulls might have the edge due to physicality and hand-checking. Under today’s rules, the Warriors would thrive with spacing and freedom of movement.
Matchups: Who guards Kevin Durant? Can Curry handle Jordan’s physicality? Can Rodman or Pippen switch effectively onto smaller guards?
Conclusion
Under modern rules, the 2017 Warriors likely win a 7-game series, 4–3 or 4–2, due to their 3-point shooting, offensive efficiency, and switching defense.
Under 1990s rules, the 1996 Bulls might have the edge, 4–3, by slowing the game down and exploiting physical matchups.
Both teams were ahead of their time. There’s no definitive winner — it depends on the era, rules, and matchups you prefer.
