Klay Thompson has given the Dubs the edge over the 1996 Bulls in a hypothetical Bulls Vs Warriors showdown, but only by a narrow margin. His verdict was clear: this would be a seven-game series, and the deciding factor would be shot-making.
The comparison is one that always pulls in big names and bigger opinions. Thompson pointed to the Bulls team built around Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, but also argued that the Dubs' firepower would make the difference in a matchup that would stretch deep into a seven-game fight.
Why Thompson backs the Dubs
Thompson described the Bulls as a stacked team and said the 1996 group was perfect for the modern game because of its positionless players. He name-checked Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Ron Harper, Toni Kukoc, Luc Longley and Dennis Rodman as part of a side that would force any opponent to think hard about matchups.
But he still leaned toward the Dubs. Thompson's argument was that the 2017 Warriors had unique offensive firepower, built around two MVPs in Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, with Thompson himself playing off the ball, Draymond facilitating and Andre Iguodala as a Swiss Army knife. In his view, that combination would create enough separation when the game tightened up.
A series that would go the distance
Thompson did not frame this as a comfortable win for either side. He said it would be a great series and stressed that the battle with MJ would be a major attraction. Still, when asked to choose, he gave the edge to the Dubs because of their shot-making.
That is what makes his verdict interesting. It is not a dismissal of the 1996 Bulls. It is an acknowledgement that both teams would have the talent, versatility and star power to push each other all the way. In Thompson's view, though, the Dubs would be the side that could land the final punches across seven games.
The debate will never be settled on the court, but Thompson's answer gives a clear window into how he sees that Warriors team: explosive enough to survive against one of the great Bulls sides, and just sharp enough to come through in the end.
