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Ever since the Chicago Bulls earned the reputation as the best dynasty in NBA history, a lot of people have claimed that several teams which came after them would have a chance to take them out in a seven-game series. Metta World Peace is the most recent individual to make a bold claim, saying the 2002-03 Indiana Pacers would beat the first three-peat Bulls.
A 23 year old mentally healthy Ron Artest with the @Pacers @jermaineoneal and his crew beats the first 3 peat bulls . Maybe not easy, but we win. That @Pacers squad was serious .
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorld37) September 12, 2019
The 02-03 Pacers had a great core in Reggie Miller, Jamaal Tinsley, Jermaine O'Neal, and MWP, who was known back then as Ron Artest. They finished that season as the third seed in the East. Unfortunately, they lost to the sixth-seeded Boston Celtics in the opening round of the playoffs.
That year, MWP averaged 15.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.3 steals. It wasn't the best year of his career, but it was the start of his rise as an All-Star and as an elite defender.
It is also hard to side with World Peace on his claim, especially when you consider the fact that the Pacers never won a title with him, Miller, and O'Neal. They have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals the following year, but they lost to the eventual champion Detroit Pistons.
As for the 1990-1993 Bulls, they have taken out top-caliber teams during their first three-peat, including Magic Johnson's Los Angeles Lakers, Clyde Drexler's Portland Trail Blazers, and Charles Barkley's Phoenix Suns. Led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, they defied all the odds and cemented their legacy as a dominant basketball team, and they would further solidify their status two years later when they won their second three-peat.
