Why the 1988 Detroit Pistons is Better Than the 1996 Chicago Bulls

 The debate between the 1988 Detroit Pistons and the 1996 Chicago Bulls is one that's been going on for decades. Both teams are widely considered to be two of the greatest teams in NBA history, and comparing them has become somewhat of a sport in itself. While opinions will naturally vary, there is one thing that can't be disputed: the 1988 Detroit Pistons were better than the 1996 Chicago Bulls.

For starters, the 1988 Pistons had a better record. They went 63-19 in the regular season, compared to the Bulls' record of 72-10. That's a massive difference, and it speaks volumes about the Pistons' overall dominance that season. Additionally, the Pistons had a much better point differential than the Bulls. The Pistons outscored their opponents by an average of 6.7 points per game, while the Bulls only managed to outscore theirs by an average of 3.2 points per game. This shows that the Pistons were not only winning more games, but they were also doing it in a much more convincing fashion.

The Pistons also had a much more balanced attack than the Bulls. While the Bulls relied heavily on Michael Jordan's scoring, the Pistons had four players averaging double-figures in scoring: Isiah Thomas (19.2 points per game), Joe Dumars (17.2 points per game), Bill Laimbeer (14.6 points per game), and Adrian Dantley (14.2 points per game). This shows that the Pistons were much more than a one-man show, and it made them a much tougher team to beat.

Finally, the Pistons had a much better defensive record than the Bulls. The Pistons allowed just 98.7 points per game, which was the second-best mark in the NBA that season. The Bulls, on the other hand, allowed 103.9 points per game, which was good for ninth in the league. This shows that the Pistons were much better at preventing their opponents from scoring, and it made them a much tougher team to beat.

When it comes down to it, the 1988 Detroit Pistons were simply a better team than the 1996 Chicago Bulls. They had a better regular season record, a more balanced attack, and a much better defensive record. These factors make them the clear choice for the greatest team of the era.