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Why the Golden State Warriors would still beat the 95-96 Bulls

By Carlos Murillo

May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, right) celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) during the fourth quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, right) celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) during the fourth quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 96-88. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 3, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) and Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) stand on the court against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

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The Warriors’ long range strike would be something incredible to watch. In the 2015-16 season, Golden State blew away the competition in the greatest three-point shooting season in league history. In a time where the long ball is supreme, they stood out by a lot.

Stephen Curry (402) and Klay Thompson (276) would have been second in ’95-96 in three point makes. They are the two greatest three-point shooters ever. They have the range, consistency, and quick trigger that would make them nearly impossible to defend.

Curry shot 57.7 percent and Thompson shot 75 percent (3-4, admittedly) from 30-34 feet and per NBA Stats. Curry hit 44.6 percent and Thompson hit 43 percent from 25-29 feet. In the ’95-96 season, the three-point line was 22 feet all the way around. Those are layups to these two aliens.

The Bulls defended the three very well, to be fair. They allowed the 8th fewest and 10th lowest three point attempts and percentage respectively. But they never faced an attack like what Golden State would bring.

Conversely, the Bulls wouldn’t be able to keep up. While they were one of the more efficient teams in the league, (40.3 percent as a team), they were fifteenth in attempts and seventeenth in three-point attempt rate. They just wouldn’t have the volume to keep up with such a vicious attack.

The Bulls averaged 20.9 attempts per game in the playoffs; J.R. Smith, Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, and LeBron James averaged more than that between the four of them. They didn’t have the personnel or the scheme to answer.

A shorter three-point line, a defense that wouldn’t know how to defend it, and a weak counter attack would definitely benefit Golden State.

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