Former NBA Superstar, Michael Jordan, will get back on the court for another 7-game series against a very dominate duo, from the early 2000's ( Kobe and Shaq). MJ, who swept Lebron and the '06-'07 Eastern Conference Champion Cleveland Cavaliers in 4 games not too long ago (http://www.armchairgm.com/Article:Can_Lebron_Beat_MJ%3F), will take on a much larger task today. Two of the most dominate duos in NBA history squared off for the first time ever, thanks to Whatifsports.com (Let's give them a nice round of applause for allowing us to hold the series!).
So, without further ado, LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!
Game 1:
Los Angeles 95
Chicago 113
http://whatifsports.com/NBA/boxscore.asp?GameID=404184&nomenu=1&teamfee=-1
Los Angeles will have to start off the series with 2 games in Chicago before going back home for games 3 and 4.
The Bulls from 1991-1992 started off the series with a bang, continuing their, now 5-game streak of 100+ point games. Although it wasn't easy. The 7 foot 1 center, Shaquille O'Neal for the 200-01 LA Lakers, went for 35 points, and 11 rebounds, but didn't get much help from teammate, Kobe Bryant. Bryant scored just 15 points (with 2 rebounds), shooting 6 from 19 from the floor. Jordan, and Scottie Pippen went for a combined 49 points, 22 rebounds, 4 steals, and a block. Pippen, and Jordan also missed only 1 FT in 8 attempts. I think the difference in the game was Chicago had more help from the bench, and had to players dominate, compared to LA's one.
Game 2:
Los Angeles 119
Chicago 118
http://whatifsports.com/NBA/boxscore.asp?GameID=404201&nomenu=1&teamfee=-1
I knew it!!! I told you from the get-go that this was gonna be a good series, and it was!! LA takes game 2 in a thriller. The reason?? Kobe produced decent numbers, simple as that. Kobe scored 23, with 4 rebounds, and 6 assists (most of which went to the big man). Shaq broke 30 again (32), and produced another double-double, grabbing 10 boards. I sure am glad to see Kobe and Shaq can still work well together. Well, the other side of the court didn't do so bad, but a dominate duo in LA can beat many great teams. MJ went for 29 once again, and was just 3 boards shy of a triple-double, but that obviously wasn't enough to top the Lakers in this game. Shaq hit a 4-foot shot with just 17 seconds to go to pick up the victory, and even the series at one apiece. So, looks like LA is in pretty good position as they head back to LA for game number 3.
Can these two fellas pull off the unthinkable upset?!
Game 3:
Chicago 121
Los Angeles 107
http://whatifsports.com/NBA/boxscore.asp?GameID=404221&nomenu=1&teamfee=-1
MJ and the Bulls bounce back in game 3, and re-take the series lead, 2-1. Jordan has been very consistent, scoring 29 points for the third straight game, and Pippen helped him out with 19 points, and 8 rebounds, himself. Shaq managed 32 points, and 13 boards for LA, but was only able to put up 107, compared to Chicago's 121. The Bulls have had alot of success from the bench, and that has been the difference so far. So, Chicago continues their streak of 100+ points, now at 7 games straight. Pretty impressive, I'd say!
Game 4:
Chicago 124
Los Angeles 118
http://whatifsports.com/NBA/boxscore.asp?GameID=404223&nomenu=1&teamfee=-1
Uh-oh, LA now finds themselves in a pretty deep hole, after losing game 4 by just 6 points, but are down 3 games to 1 in the series. MJ finally broke 30 points (37, to be exact), and added 3 boards, and 3 assists to that total. Pippen had a triple-double (first of the series for either team), posting 21 points, 10 boards, and 15 assists! Kobe led the Lakers in scoring with 25, and 11 boards. LA hasn't really had both Shaq, and Kobe come up big in the same game, and will now face elimination in Chicago for game 5.
Game 5:
Los Angeles 86
Chicago 98
http://whatifsports.com/NBA/boxscore.asp?GameID=404236&nomenu=1&teamfee=-1
Chicago's streak of 8 games in the 100's was broken, after Chicago scored just 98 against LA. But, all that matters is that Chicago came out a winner, defeating LA for the fourth and final time, 98-86, to eliminate the Lakers in five games. MJ goes for 37, again, and Horace Grant, who has been a major help to Chicago's offense all series-long, added a double-double (11 points, 11 boards). LA's scoring leader, Shaq, went for just 23 points, but pulled in 14 rebounds. Once again, LA didn't have both superstars show up on the same day, and the bench didn't produce near as much points as Chicago's bench. Therefore, Chicago wins, and takes the series, 4 games to 1.
Chicago takes series in 5
Give the Lakers a hand for stepping onto the court with MJ, Scottie Pippen, and Horace Grant FIVE different times, and giving it all they got. MJ still wears his crown proudly.
Who's next??? Bird? Magic Johnson? You'll have to stay tuned to find out.