As
sports enthusiasts, it’s in our nature to get hyped about what we
witness -- and believe contemporary events of triumph trump those
parallel in history. “I saw the Blake over Kendrick dunk in person.” “I
was there to see Terry get Knigthed by LeBron.” “I witnessed the
greatest team ever.” Our drive to compete is embedded in how we watch
sport unfold. How quickly we forget the past, and (sometimes) how quick we are to
dismiss the now.
During the current Heat streak, LeBron has been performing in the clutch
with unfathomable numbers. He has had the opportunity to showcase his
scoring and playmaking skills to the tune of a cumulative triple-double
over 48 minutes in crunchtime. Miami’s drive for the NBA all-time record
(the 1971-72 Lakers won 33 in a row) is, of course, much dependent on
the rest of the team and James’ partner in streak-setting, Dwyane Wade.
While (leading up to Wednesday night's game) LeBron is shooting 57 percent from the field and averaging 26.9
points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.9 assists over these 23 games, Wade (35.8
mpg, .546 FG, 23.5 ppg, 4 rpg, 5.9 apg) isn’t far behind. It’s safe to
say they are a hot duo.
A
fair comparison, of course, is the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls team who holds
the best regular season record with 72 wins and just 10 losses, a mark
that barely overtook those aforementioned Lakers. In all this talk of
greatest players ever and what (may) become the best team of all time,
we recount what those Bulls did (two separate streaks of 13 and 18 in a
row) and how they did it.
Perhaps
it’s not how many in a row that really matters, but the significance of
the wins during the streak. People say that in order to be mentally
focused and physically ready for the grueling playoff run it’s important to have critical rest.
The NBA schedule doesn’t help matters -- it’s an uncontrollable part of
the process. But coaches and players can help themselves by earning
valuable recovery periods, albeit slim, during games. The memory I have
of that Bulls team is Jordan and Pippen and other starters being able to
take some time off during the fourth quarters because they were blowing
teams out. Chicago won four games in a row by 24-plus points that saw
Jordan and Pippen average just 68.5 minutes together (96 is max in
regulation). The best Heat streak so far is a 4-game stretch of win
margins by 10, 13, 19, and 24. Despite Miami’s widest point margin being
Chicago’s lowest in those big wins, the tandem of LeBron and Wade still
only played 69.8 minutes.
Though
the Bulls bullied through another 3-game mini streak with wins of 20,
20, and 22, it didn’t alter the overall brunt of minutes Jordan and
Pippen endured during the 18 game excitement. Coincidentally, Jordan’s
average minutes during this time were the exact same as LeBron’s (through 23 games): 37.5
mpg. MJ shot 51 percent and averaged 31.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.8
assists during the stretch. Pippen? You guessed it -- practically on par
with Wade at 35.9 minutes per game to go along with 21.3 points, 5.1
rebounds, and 5.7 assists.
The
dilemma of when to rest and how to do it is much of a coaching staff’s
dialogue. Being able to keep players fresh while helping them stay
engaged is crucial, while forecasting for the long term (postseason run)
digs deep in their minds. Much discourse can also be consumed in HOW
teams play. Do players take plays off to rest? If so, does the offensive
system limit pounding on the lower extremities? The Bulls triangle
offense was a passing game, quite different than what Miami does. The
latter consists of lots of dribble drives, pick and roll action, and
isolations. It takes more energy to explode to the paint with the ball
than it does to cut without it -- mental pace varies. Those Bulls were a
tremendous passing team and Jordan, despite a stigma of shooting too
much, was a fabulous set up guy (just go back and watch some of those
late 90’s games). More energy consumption may lie in how a team
collaborates, whether on the floor or not.
One
would think it beneficial -- the more blowouts, the better -- so that the prime
players can rest, but (for example) is an 8-minute differential (the difference
between a 32-minute night and 40) really all that helpful? Perhaps more
mentally than physically. LeBron has been willing his team to win in
several close games, comebacks and overtime to boot. Jordan, however, didn’t regularly have to play in
the closing minutes (the Bulls had only three single-digit wins of their
18; the Heat have had nine thus far). MJ could sit and smile and
oversee his mastery, one that passed him by in many fourth quarters and
left evidence of his (and Pippen’s) dominance. He, in effect, let
himself out of work early. LeBron, however, has to muster the (mental)
stamina to close these games out. Though playing time is similar it’s WHERE the minutes occur that really matter. Stats are
harder to come by when the game is close, when teams are structuring every
possession to get stops. It’s a grind, and in that scenario, LeBron is
performing at one of the highest levels we’ve ever seen -- it’s also
enabling him to produce those stats. (Haters will insert selfish stat
production theory here, a broader scheme of missing bunnies
intentionally to gather more boards.)
The
intention here is not to compare players or even teams for the sake of
winning an argument -- it’s just too difficult even with NBA2K
simulations and all the advanced statistics available. (Though, do note,
that Bulls squad was No. 1 in the League in both offensive and
defensive efficiency in ‘95-’96.) It’s not even worth going into how
those ‘71-’72 Lakers dominated in a completely different era. (They had
only 11 single digit wins of their 33, and tallied three 30-plus
victories, two 40 or more.) What’s significant is watching Miami dominate with dynamic
teamwork and skills.
Let’s just sit back and enjoy the evolution.
