Comparison between current Lakers and 90’s Bulls

Many people like to compare the recent Los Angeles Lakers to the 90’s Chicago Bulls because they think there are many similarities between these two teams. However, the Chicago Bulls in the 90’s was a championship team that had created lots of tremendous records and histories. And the current Los Angeles Lakers is a team that has been far away from the championship for many years.

Similarities

What are the similarities between these two teams?

. First, they both have the same coach, Phil Jackson.

Phil is one of the greatest coaches in the NBA history. He successfully reconstructed the 90’s Chicago Bulls to win 6 NBA championship titles in 8 years. After he went to Los Angeles in year 2000, he made Shaq and Kobe play much more effectively together and won 3 consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002.

. Second, these two teams both have a super-star player.

Michael Jordan, who is known as the greatest basketball player in the history, could averagely scored 30 plus points in his career in the Chicago Bulls.
On the other hand, the Los Angeles Lakers has Kobe Bryant, who is known as the “Black Mamba”, can be unstoppable when he is in his attack mode. He had scored 81 points against Toronto Raptors on Dec 7, 2005, which became the second highest score in the NBA history.

. Third, Lakers and Bulls are both playing Triangle Offense.

“Triangle Offense” is a great and unique strategy in basketball. It basically starts in a 1-2-2 set. Players have to space themselves apart about 15 feet. This helps discouraging double-teams and allows for short passing that will reduce the risk of interceptions. Both Lakers and Bulls are using this strategy as their main play in the game.

What is missing?

Since Lakers has several same positive similarities as 90’s Bulls, why couldn’t they win the championship?
. Lakers need “Scottie Pippen”.

Scottie Pippen, who had helped and assisted Michael Jordan when he was on and off the court. Lakers need a second role player like “Scottie” who can lead the team when Kobe Bryant is on the bench and help on scoring when Kobe is cold on his offense.

. Bench Players

Having several nice bench players is another big factor to win the championship.
Basketball is not a one-man sport. It needs a nice teamwork and gets every player involved. When Michael Jordan was suffered from the double or triple-teams, he always had someone to step up and completed his assists, like John Paxson and Steve Kerr in the 90’s Bulls. Lakers need their bench players to play confidently and consistently. They have to do all the fundamentals and complete the easy shots, but not just having too much one on one-offense and choices of bad shot.