10 Reasons Why Breaking the Bulls Record is Improbable but Possible

The Responsibles

Michael Jordan's Bulls set the NBA regular-season victory record mark at 72-10 in 1995-96.

Jeff Van Gundy, ex-NBA coach and commentator for ABC, was recently interviewed and stated:

"They will break the single-season win record [of 72].  And I think they have a legit shot at the Lakers' 33-game [winning] streak [in 1971-72], as well. And only the Lakers have even a remote shot at beating them in a playoff series. They will never lose two games in a row this year."

I've always liked JVG.  He always tells it like it is, never censored, never safe.  You can always count on him when other commentators say something safe and mundane to which he will counter with the more interesting cold hard truth.  Experts retaliate saying he sounds a little premature in his beliefs and ends up sounding like a fanboy (As do I, I hate it and I can't help it, not yet).  Or is he?  I will attempt to explain the complicated gargantuan task it is to attain such a record whilst giving a little Bulls history learning lesson along the way. 

10 Reasons why breaking the Bulls 72-10 record is improbable but possible:

1. The Crew

      His Airness Michael Jordan had a Super Sidekick Hall of Famer in Scottie Pippen and the infamous Dennis Rodman who led the league in rebounding and making opponents think of ways to murder him on the court without 20,000 people noticing. Sixth Man of the Year Toni Kukoc provided unmatched punch from the bench and role players such as Steve Kerr (Hall of Fame cooler), Luc Longley, Ron Harper and Bill Wennington played to their strengths and knew what was required of them.

Yes We Can! Wade and Lebron are almost lock-in future Hall of Famers and are the strongest 1-2 punch since Jordan and Pippen. Bosh is a top 5 forward in the NBA and the rest of the roster shaped up to be stronger than expected. The Heat have the luxury of not necessarily needing a potent Sixth Man with the ability to always have Wade or Lebron on the floor at all times. A consistent rotation of Miller, Chalmers, House, Anthony, Big Z and Juwan should provide a decent support system. Future MLE signings will fill the roster and bench with better talent improving the odds.

2. The Competition

      The NBA expanded that year adding the Toronto Raptors and the Vancouver Grizzlies. The expansion watered down the competition which resulted in 6 teams winning 26 games of fewer. That's a good chunk of the league considered easy wins. Not just by the Bulls.  By the fans, the non-fans and their grandmas.

Yes We Can! This is hard to overcome. The league has become stronger across the board today and does not have as many "doormats". The Heat would have to be the most dominant team, not lose to any team considered "weak" and focus on taking big games against strong teams on the road as well as home. Loaded teams like the Lakers will not be easy to sweep under the rug. The Magic will keep improving, the Celtics will hold strong for the next 2 years and you can never count on Cuban's Money is No Object Mavericks, Best Under the Radar Spurs, The Intelligent Management Rockets, We Hold the Future Worst Contract in the NBA Hawks, and the scariest, the up and coming We're Young, Fast and We Like Each Other Thunder. Portland could careen off into oblivion without Kevin Pritchard and I'm not giving them the benefit of the doubt. I'm convinced the Utah Jazz are destined to never win a championship and the Bulls are promising but sound too good on paper to be true. Okay sorry about the rant. I'm an NBA fan dammit.

3. The Best Offense

      The Bulls were an offensive powerhouse and ranked 1st in points per game. The triangle offense gave them a plethora of ways to score and made it all look easy. They ranked 3rd in offensive rebounding giving them more second chance opportunities that they needed anyway. Also ranked 3rd in 3pt% likely from all the open looks created by Jordan and Pippen.

Yes We Can! I wish I was 80 years old and watched every season ever so I could say this with a backbone. I will anyway. I don't think there's ever been a more promising offensively powerful team than what this is or could become. The 80s Lakers and Celtics were tremendously talented teams across the board but didn't have two natural scoring submachine guns like Lebron and Wade. Add Bosh and 3pt specialist Miller and the points might come so easily I'm hoping for them not get bored and start freelancing and getting too creative with their game causing a possible loss. Can't afford it.

4. Next to Best Defensive Team

      The best offense is a good defense. This is yet to be proven wrong when it's accompanied by decent offense. The Bulls had a core of great defenders in Jordan, Pippen and Rodman. Coach Phil Jackson infused a team defense mentality that could lock down opponents at will. Ranked 2nd in points per game allowed, 4th in steals, 4th in created turnovers.

Yes We Can! Bosh is not known to have the rebounding prowess or defense but this is the perfect situation for him to flourish and improve when WaBron (that's the only Brangelina I could come up with for now. Saves typing time. Give me a better one) sets the example. Anthony (signed for 5 years) will provide shot blocking in the middle whether as a starting C or as a backup once MLE signing #1 happens next year. The Heat has always held a team defense culture that will be most likely adhered to if WaBron sets the example. Look out for the signature Lebron blocks from behind and the Wade weak-side stoppers. Fun fun fun for years to come.

5. Dominance

      The Bulls led in point differential at 12.2 landing as one of the highest of all time. With their unstoppable offensive power and lock down defense they weren't just beating the rest, they were making them say "Uncle!".

Yes We Can! If there was ever a roster to obliterate the opposition this one is it. The Heat will score at will and just needs to pride themselves in the defense culture and  team defense schemes. The hope would be to start fast and aggressive and blow out the opponents from the start making it hard for the opponent to recover. Where there's a will, there's a way.

6. You're in My House

      39-2 home record. The Bulls first loss didn't come until April 8th. Their season started Nov 3rd. That's 156 days later. Enough for a teenage to start and get done with puberty. The second came on the penultimate game of the season after already winning 71 games.

Yes We Can! The American Airlines Arena cannot become Mi Casa es Su Casa. This will not be easy but with a built up pride from the Three Kings, the hometown pride of some of the role players and the sold out fan packed support, Wade's "THIS IS MY HOUSE!" saying can walk the walk. A lot.

7. Road Warriors

      33-8 away record. That matches the 5th best home record that season held by the Spurs who also held the next best away record with 26-15. Only team to lose more than once to was the Pacers.   They came to your town, obliterated your people, and they loved them anyway.

Yes We Can! The road will be hostile. The Bulls weren't really a "hated" team like the Heat has become now (for still silly and invalid reasons) and was the team all the Not-Really NBA Fans loved. Games in Cleveland will be soap operas. Orlando will spurn the "other" Florida team. Lakers, Spurs, Mavs and Boston have already put target signs on the Heat as the team to beat. The bestest reddest sharpie has already been used to circle the Heat games on the calendar. The Heat will have to show tough skin and weather the storm that awaits in these foreign cities.

*Bonus*

A Month-to-Month Record Breakdown:

November Record: 12-2
December Record: 13-1
January Record: 14-0
February Record: 11-3
March Record: 12-2
April Record: 10-2

Gnarly eh?

8. The Coach With the 11 Rings

      Coach Phil Jackson holds 11 rings today and is considered to be one of the top coaches of all time. He might've not had them all at the time but there is clearly good reason why he does now. His greatest skill? Harnessing strong characters such as Jordan and Kobe to listen and commit to the structure set by Phil.

Yes We Can! It doesn't hurt to have the best player to ever play the game MJ to help him get started. After, he's had the next best thing in Kobe. Yes he is a great coach but without the players he could have not done the same. Eric Spoelstra is a young coach who learned from one of the best, Pat Riley, and has gained the respect of Wade from his assistant coach days. If Wade follows, everyone will follow. Spoelstra has committed to a good defensive system and will always have Riley for support in case of emergency.

9. Injuries

      The Bulls were mostly healthy for the season. MJ played all 82. Pippen only missed 5. Rodman and Longley missed around 20 a piece. Otherwise everyone else held up and the Bulls just had the good fortune of keeping their best player on the court for every single game.

Yes We Can! It's no secret Wade has had his share of injuries and missed time over the years. He is now wiser and has stopped throwing his body around at will making smarter and more efficient plays. Lebron is built like a tank and would have to stay invincible. The ridiculous thing is even if one went down for some time, the other would make up for it. When else can you lose your best player and have another former MVP Top 5 player to pick up the slack? This one is left to the NBA gods and luck. Luckily, there's a not-too-shabby backup plan.

10. Accolades

MVP - Michael Jordan
Sixth Man of the Year - Toni Kukoc
All-NBA First Team - Jordan, Pippen
All-Defense First Team - Jordan, Pippen, Rodman
Coach of the Year - Phil Jackson
All-Star Game - Jordan, Pippen
Scoring Leader - Jordan
Rebound Leader - Rodman
(If you are too young to remember or have forgotten, Dennis Rodman was the Picasso of rebounding. He was like Adam Richman on Man v Food if the ball coming off the rim was a dozen egg omelet omelet with chili, onions served on a huge pizza pan, along with the other 1/2 of the pizza pan stacked with potatoes and a huge biscuit on the side. Just devoured them.)

Yes We Can! Let's be bullies and pick a fight where there isn't need one. Just wanted to show how impressive their dominance in the record setting season was. Accolades don't have to be matched or surpassed to win games. Regardless, I see an MVP or two for Wade or Lebron. A future Sixth Man for a future MLE signing. All-NBA and All-Defense First Teams for Lebron and/or Wade and guaranteed All-Star Games to come.

      As a Heat fan I feel like a giddy school girl thinking about the possibility of witnessing this event in my prime. As an NBA fan I am staying grounded and neutral and just hoping for good seasons for years to come. I can't see it happening this season. Or next. After 2 offseason of MLE (mid-level exceptions) signings, team chemistry building, knowing how to win reps and desire to truly cement a dynasty whilst breaking records and taking names, the Heat could trump the record. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Enjoy the ride. Encompass the history. We are all witnesses.