Had Kevin Garnett gone to the Lakers instead in '07..

[coolhandsteve]

How would things have played out?

[Rocketswin2013]

what was the trade? I remember Bill Simmons saying McHale shafted the Lakers and turned down an at the time, better deal to send KG to Boston.

[Smook A.]

Then the Lakers could've 3-peated

KG >> Pau

[ArbitraryWater]

Well Pau was better than KG in 2009 and 2010, slightly, but KG was a lot better than Pau in '08... I dunno. They win in 2008 thats for sure.. Might 3-peat

But I'm not sure Kobe/KG work tbh.. Kobe's a helluva character, and Pau always was his whipping boy.. I do believe Kobe cares for him, but he threw him under the bus too many times.. KG wouldn't play that role very long.

[Real Men Wear Green]

All depends on KGs health. If he suffers the same injury in '09 LA wins a ring in '08 and that's it. If on the other hand he stays healthy I could see a three-peat.

[Warfan]

All depends on KGs health. If he suffers the same injury in '09 LA wins a ring in '08 and that's it. If on the other hand he stays healthy I could see a three-peat.

So basically the same thing that did/would've happened with the Celtics :lol

[Real Men Wear Green]

So basically the same thing that did/would've happened with the Celtics :lol
I do believe that a healthy Garnett leads the Cs to more rings, I will admit that.

[JohnnySic]

Yeah KG was never the same after that mysterious injury in '09. Cost the C's at least 1 banner I would assume.

[JellyBean]

Kobe would have 6-7 rings. KG would have had 2 rings. I mean KG was at his peak! With Kobe and KG, oh man the Lakers would have been rolling strong for 3-4 years depending on health and adding pieces here and there.

[GimmeThat]

Kevin Garnett would have had some pretty good chances at winning a FMVP

[Wally450]

KG would've dominated himself, but who would've played Center? KG said Perkins was the best C he's ever played with. Who would be that other defensive big for LA?

Fisher
Kobe
Vlad Rad
KG
?

[ArbitraryWater]

Kobe would have 6-7 rings. KG would have had 2 rings. I mean KG was at his peak! With Kobe and KG, oh man the Lakers would have been rolling strong for 3-4 years depending on health and adding pieces here and there.

KG was not at his peak :lol

2008 was his last prime year..

[3peated]

I would own a KG jersey.

[DMV2]

Then the Lakers could've 3-peated

KG >> Pau
No and not during 2008-10.

KG broke down b/c of injuries after 2008 and never recovered. KG was a non-factor in the 2010 Finals, while Pau was great during LAL's home games.

People forget that Pau was easily a Top 3 PF during that 3-year run.

[DMV2]

KG would've dominated himself, but who would've played Center? KG said Perkins was the best C he's ever played with. Who would be that other defensive big for LA?

Fisher
Kobe
Vlad Rad
KG
?
half-injured, half-a-season Bynum would play C.

3-peat dynasty!!!!! :oldlol:

[SpecialQue]

We probably would have finally had a Kobe vs. Lebron finals.

[riseagainst]

08 finals:
Lakers vs Cavs
Lakers win 4-2

09 finals:
Lakers vs Cavs
Cavs win 4-3

Lakers vs Magic
Lakers win 4-1 or 4-0

10 finals:
Lakers vs Cavs
tough one, will end up a 7 game series

[D-FENS]

I do believe that a healthy Garnett leads the Cs to more rings, I will admit that.

I agree. Pierce, Allen and KG were the perfect storm. Their skills really meshed very well together.

[Nowitness]

He does x2 what Pau did and win Colby 4 titles, cements what we already know (that he is the second greatest PF ever) and proves that he is the greatest defensive player ever.

[BlackWhiteGreen]

They win 1 championship. Watch game 1 of the 08 finals, then watch game 7 of 2010. It's like they're 10 years apart

[Nowitness]

They win 1 championship. Watch game 1 of the 08 finals, then watch game 7 of 2010. It's like they're 10 years apart

That was Boston's fault for not giving him help. He had to carry the team and it led to injuries. At least in LA he has a borderline all-star in Kobe and could keep healthy.

[Real Men Wear Green]

That was Boston's fault for not giving him help. He had to carry the team and it led to injuries. At least in LA he has a borderline all-star in Kobe and could keep healthy.
I suppose I am supposed to reply, "2/7 for the trolling attempt." It disrespects Kobe Bryant making 7 finals and being one of the main leaders for 5 Champions but that's apparently how people act on ISH these days.

[Derka]

So basically the same thing that did/would've happened with the Celtics :lol

I would agree with that. A healthy KG nets the C's a ring in '09. I still think we lose that '10 Finals, though.

[Harison]

I would agree with that. A healthy KG nets the C's a ring in '09. I still think we lose that '10 Finals, though.
Why? Celtics had a big lead in the 3Q of Game7 and would had won if not refs who decided to suddenly officiate differently, and thats with post-injury Garnett who hadnt any lift in his legs.

Now with healthy KG Celtics would had won anyway, refs or no refs, what can they do if instead of a big lead its a blowout a la GM6 '08? KG would have grabbed his share of rebounds too, a major issue of '10 team.

[deja vu]

Boston would have 3peated had KG stayed healthy.

[Myth]

What offer did the Lakers have? I can't remember.

[Optimus Prime]

I remember how that had almost happened. Honestly, it's nearly impossible to play all these what-if games. Would KG remain healthy? Would he fit in the Triangle? Would he play beta to Kobe's alpha? Gasol was the perfect fit for Kobe, Phil and the system. :kobe:

[Nowitness]

I remember how that had almost happened. Honestly, it's nearly impossible to play all these what-if games. Would KG remain healthy? Would he fit in the Triangle? Would he play beta to Kobe's alpha? Gasol was the perfect fit for Kobe, Phil and the system. :kobe:

Seeing as Pau was the best player for one of the two titles I'd say Kobe would be second option to KG even if KG had his leg amputated.

[imnew09]

KG would've dominated himself, but who would've played Center? KG said Perkins was the best C he's ever played with. Who would be that other defensive big for LA?

Fisher
Kobe
Vlad Rad
KG
?

Chris minh

[guy]

Pretty sure the trade would've been KG for Kwame+Odom+Bynum. So is KG playing center then? I guess he could've cause he did later on, but that's still a thin frontline. But you lose out on Odom and whatever they got from Bynum. Bottom line is what was around KG in Boston in 08 was much better then this Laker team that would've been around him even if it did include Kobe. I don't see them getting past the Spurs, who probably repeat against either the Pistons, Celtics (no KG but with Ray and Al Jefferson), or Cavs.

One thing about the trade though is they probably never trade the rights to Marc Gasol, who came over in 09. But KG goes down hurt, so it doesn't matter. This team would be even worse. We're probably talking Nuggets vs. Celtics or Magic, and probably the Nuggets winning it all.

2010 might've been their year. And with no KG on the Celtics, maybe we finally see Cavs vs Lakers, Lebron vs. Kobe. With the addition of Artest, I'd say the Lakers win this one with the core of Kobe/KG/Marc/Artest/Fisher.

So 1 title, 1 Finals appearance vs. 2 titles, 3 Finals appearances. The Lakers are probably better off with what happened.