Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan hangs from the rim after a slam dunk over New Jersey Nets Chris Childs in first half action 05 April 1995. The Nets lead 56-54 at the half. AFP PHOTO / AFP / MARK PHILLIPS
Charles Barkley says the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls team that won a record 72 NBA games in one season would humble this year’s record-setting Golden State Warriors team.
Barkley, the retired NBA star now serving as a television commentator, told Chicago radio station WMVP that he favors the San Antonio Spurs for this season’s NBA crown and the Michael Jordan-led Bulls in any between-eras clash with this year’s Warriors.
“That Bulls team would kill this little team,” Barkley said, according to an ESPN website posting. “Who is going to guard Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan? What about Dennis Rodman?”
The Warriors have started the season 25-1 and are on pace to eclipse the one-season NBA mark of 72-10 achieved by the Bulls in 1995-96, a club that went on to win the NBA crown.
“I still like the Spurs to win the championship this year,” Barkley said. “Just because these guys are beating up on inferior competition, don’t over-react now.
FILE – Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors smiles during their game against the Phoenix Suns at ORACLE Arena on December 16, 2015 in Oakland, California. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP
“I know we live in the moment. These guys haven’t won the championship yet.”
Barkley, a Hall of Fame player, faced Jordan’s 95-96 Bulls while playing for Phoenix. It was Jordan’s first full season back after a 1993 retirement to attempt to play baseball.
“Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman — let me just start with those three,” Barkley said. “They would love the way the Warriors play. It’s a much easier game now. Could you imagine how many points Michael would average if you couldn’t touch him?
“Dennis would get so many rebounds against that team. They are a very small team.”
The Warriors are a week away from a Christmas rematch with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, whom Golden State defeated in last June’s NBA Finals.