Greatest of All-Time: 1979 Seattle Supersonics

Call me an old fart. Say I'm stuck in the 1970s. Ask me why I'm not wearing my leisure suit or bell-bottom pants. Put the following words in my mouth: "Get off my lawn!"

Go ahead and say all of those things, but don't expect me to change my mind about this declaration. The 1979 Seattle Supersonics ARE the best team in the history of the franchise.

The '78 team is essentially the same and the '96 squad isn't far behind, but until we get a team back and until that team wins the NBA championship, no other Sonics' roster can lay claim to being the best.

Most who disagree will point to the '96ers. They will say they were much more athletic. They will say that the only reason they didn't win is because they faced Michael Jordan's best team and that the 1979 team would've lost to the Bulls as well. They are likely correct on both statements.

As much as I loved that team, however, the same unit (essentially) should've won the previous two championships when Jordan was away. As we painfully remember, they choked out of the first round on both occasions.

My assertion isn't just about the rings, however. It's about which team would've beaten the other in a seven-game series. I think it would've been the previous generation.

The big matchup between the two teams would've been the guards. How would the tandem of Gus Williams and Dennis Johnson do against the duo of Gary Payton and Nate McMillan?

From a defensive standpoint, Johnson was every bit as good as Payton and McMillan, but Williams probably wasn't in their class, so the '96 team would have a slight advantage.

From an offensive point of view, however, I would give the '79 team an edge because both DJ and Gus were very good offensive players. Gary developed a good offensive game, but McMillan was definitely more of a defender.

Style of play would play a big factor here. Payton tended to struggle more defending the small and quick guards like Nick Van Exel. Williams was better and quicker than Nick the Quick, and I think he would've given Payton and McMillan some real headaches.

Also consider that the 1996 team was built around a pressure defense. Gus and DJ were both exceptional ball handlers and would've been able to beat that scheme, especially when you consider they also had Johnny Johnson, who truly invented the point forward concept. Sorry, Scotty Pippen.

Once they beat the press defense, the half court offense would've been very effective. Jack Sikma would've posted up, Gus would've penetrated the lane, and Freddy Brown would've torched the net from outside. Sikma was also a very effective passer, rebounder, and free throw shooter.

Speaking of rebounding, Lonnie Shelton was effective, as was the team's enforcer, Paul Silas, coming off the bench.

The 1979 team was a well-rounded scoring unit and had seven players average double figures, compared to five for the 1996 squad.

It would've been a great series to watch. I say the old farts would've won it in seven games.

Now, get off my lawn.

THIS IS WHAT A CHAMPIONSHIP LOOKS LIKE

Comparisons aside, the Sonics beat the Washington Bullets in five games. I'm hoping that the Seahawks experience this in a few weeks. This is what can happen.

ROSTER