Shai and Bulls de Jordan Thunder: similarities and contrasts
What similarities does the current Thunder have with the 1991 bulls? A star, Escuderos, a central office that was armed in the draft and something else.
An old phrase pronounced by the architect who built the last champion team of the NBAit is revealing and premonitory today. The 2020/21 season was about to start when SAM PRESTI He was in full task, once again, to rebuild a team that had had a presence in the playoffs 10 times in the previous 11 seasons.
In the midst of free agency in July 2020, a young man with potential called arrived at Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as part of the change of Paul George to The clippers. In a parallel decision, the general manager elected Mark Daigneault as the chief coach with the idea that the entire team grew with him.
It was then that it was heard that “when we classify a postseason, I want it to be an arrival forever and not a passing appearance.”
In the first three years, they could not even have a winning brand, but the ascent was palpable. So evident was the growth in the following two seasons that today is discussed Oklahoma City Thunder as the new champion of the best basketball league on the planet. And even debate if this title will remain as an isolated triumph or may be the one that marks the beginning of a new dynasty.
If we will take back to the 90s, we will discover that Chicago Bulls by the hand of Michael Jordan He obtained at that time the first championship in his history and gave birth to one of the most remembered dynasties of the NBA by winning 6 titles in 8 seasons.
While comparisons are hateful, one can be tempted to seek similarities and differences between these two teams. But this time, rather than comparing these teams to determine which of the two is the best, we focus on trying to find answers to questions like these: how similar or different are these teams? What attributes unite them and which ones they separate them?
To play then.
The structure
A point of union between the two can be the armed of the squad. So much Jerry Krause (Bulls) as SAN PRESTI (Thunder) They joined the team around a central figure. The two architects sought to build a group based on a culture that would guarantee continuity despite the changes that could occur. The two bet on a young nucleus (something more evident in OKC than in Chicago) that could grow in a winning and competitive culture.
In addition, these two teams were characterized by having a defined leader, a squire, a productive bank and a coach that gave the squad a defined identity. First coincidence.
A dominant leader
In this item we find similarities and differences. Understanding that about his majesty’s back Michael Jordan The possibility that those bulls became great, the talent of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander It is today the main support of this Thunder Champion.
It is appropriate to say that the first big difference is that Jordan was more talented, charismatic and with greater achievements than Shai, but that is not the central theme of discussion.
The statistics those playoffs of the 90/91 season give clear advantage to MJ. The Bulls only lost two games in the postseason while the Thunder lost seven. Jordan averaged 31.1 points per game with 52.4% in court shots (38.5% in triples) against the 29.9 PPJ of Gilgeous-Alexander with 46.2% of court. Michael had better averages than Shai in rebounds (6.4 against 5.3), assists (8.2 against 6.5) and robberies (2.3 against 1.6).
However, even in these overwhelming contrasts between what was achieved by one king or another, we also found similarities: the two were chosen as the MVP both of the regular season and the finals, shared the title of greatest scorer in the NBA and, most importantly, they won the championship.
The squires
These days we hear about how much the role of Jalen Williams With the Thunder with the Scottie Pippen In the Bulls. They were the squires of their respective king. The second violin of a refined orchestra. If the leader needed a break, it was they who assumed the prominence and responsibility of keeping the ship afloat. And they knew how to do it more than.
With scoring contributions in very similar playoffs (Scottie averaged 21.6 PPJ and Jalen reached 21.4 PPJ), the Bulls squire added better statistics (8.9 against 5.5) assists (5.8 to 4.8) and robberies (2.5 to 1.4).
As can be seen: even with similar roles as well as their position on the court, differences between them can be found.
The third wheel and bank
HORACE GRANT AND CHET HOLMGREN They share similar functions even with dissimilar game styles. That strong eaves of the Bulls of the 90/91 perfectly fulfilled what to be the third most important player on the team. Its 13.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.2 average assists per game and an effectiveness in its 58.3%launches, they certify it.
The third goal of the Thunder was Chet Holmgren, who averaged 15.1 points per game, 8.6 rebounds and 1.9 caps, being as important in the offensive side of the court as in the defense of his hoop.
On the side of the benches, both sets can boast of having good replacement players that allowed to change the game at a time that needed them and maintain the intensity on both sides of the stub when necessary. BJ Armstrong in those Bulls and Alex Caruso in this Thunder, were the leaders of the benches that, without a doubt, had a lot of impact when reaching the goal of being crowned champions.
Game style
It is obvious that the differences between the styles are obvious. Those bulls were the teachers when executing the triangular offensive that Tex Winter had created on paper and that Phil Jackson had been in charge of executing it on the court.
Oklahoma City Thunder, on the other hand, could play in different ways without clinging to a main recipe: with double post, low formations, with three -point shooters, passing the ball or clarified to take advantage of the one against one when the occasion was conducive.
However, what unites them was the defensive intensity. Neither of the two teams negotiated that quality, nor did he do it with the fight to win rebounds and with the determination to defend each rival attack as if it were the decisive play to win the game.
Statistics, beyond the highest number of the Thunder, certify the previous statements. While the Bulls had an offensive rating of 114.6 points per 100 possessions and another defensive of 105.2, the Statistics of the Thunder establish that its rating was 120.3 points per 100 possessions, while the defensive was 107.5, the best of the NBA in the recently finished season.
Conclusion
After the game of differences and similarities between the Chicago Bulls Champion of 1991 and the Oklahoma City Thunder of 2025, it is valid to ask some questions that only the future will bring us the answer.
Can the Thunder chain titles in the immediate future as did the bulls?
Is this new champion a team that can be remembered as one of the best throughout history or will it only one day flower?
Said more clearly and forcefully: can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Mark Daigneault and Sam presented the work of Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson and Jerry Krause?
Rather than venturing a definitive answer, if it is worth thinking that the step that the three pillars of the Oklahoma City Thunder champion have just given, is very similar to that given by the creators of that dynasty of Chicago Bulls.
As a conclusion, the words of Bobby Marks, the AM850 specialist in salary matters, at the beginning of the season that has just ended, can shed a little light at our search. When we asked him if later having six different champions since 2019 it was necessary to declare that the dynasties in the NBA were over, his response was blunt.
“I think it will be more difficult to form one,” said Marks. “Although I also think that Oklahoma City could be the exception to the rule. Certainly, if they win the championship now, the template will become more expensive, but they have so many accumulated draft selections that they can continue to turn the wheel and win more championships. Therefore, OKC could be the exception.”
The Thunder came to glory to stay or will it have been a passing arrival
Will they add more championships like that 1991 Chicago or will it be a one -day flower?
Will we remember them as a team that only won a title or as a dynasty?
Get out and make your bets, citizenship!
