1995 NBA Playoffs Redux (WhatIf Sim)

[coolhandsteve]

With this year's playoffs coming up, I figured I take a look back at those unpredictable playoffs of 20 years ago redone on WhatIfSports, & see how (or if) the results change. I redid the player minutes round by round according to the minutes they averaged in their actual series (credit to Basketball Reference for that).

Ima start with the East 1st Round, start with the 1-8 and work my way down.

(1) Orlando Magic (57-25) vs (8) Boston Celtics (35-47)

Game 1: @ Magic 110, Celtics 105
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566398&teamfee=-1


Game 2: @ Magic 127, Celtics 105
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566399&teamfee=-1


Game 3, Magic 127, @ Celtics 110
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566401&teamfee=-1


Magic win series 3-0. Not too much of a difference there, let's see the rest

[coolhandsteve]

(2) Indiana Pacers (52-30) vs. (7) Atlanta Hawks (42-40)

Game 1: @ Pacers 99, Hawks 96
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566467&teamfee=-1

Game 2: Hawks 92, @ Pacers 87
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566470&teamfee=-1

Game 3: @ Hawks 98, Pacers 90
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566473&teamfee=-1

Game 4: Pacers 95, @ Hawks 93
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566476&teamfee=-1

Game 5: @ Pacers 120, Hawks 100
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566479&teamfee=-1

Pacers win 3-2. Oh so close by the Hawks but you gotta bring it in the deciding game.

[coolhandsteve]

(3) New York Knicks (55-27) vs. (6) Cleveland Cavaliers (43-39)

Game 1: @ Knicks 98, Cavs 89
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566490&teamfee=-1

Game 2: @ Knicks 106, Cavs 97
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566492&teamfee=-1

Game 3: @ Cavs 96, Knicks 87
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566494&teamfee=-1

Game 4: Knicks 115, Cavs 103 http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566506&teamfee=-1

Knicks win series 3-1.

[coolhandsteve]

(4) Charlotte Hornets (50-32) vs. (5) Chicago Bulls (47-35)

Game 1: Bulls 110, @ Hornets 92
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566518&teamfee=-1

Game 2: Bulls 108, @ Hornets 104 (OT)
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566521&teamfee=-1

Game 3: Hornets 105, @ Bulls 102
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566527&teamfee=-1

Game 4: @ Bulls 112, Hornets 103
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566532&teamfee=-1

Bulls win series 3-1, no change there. So there's the East 1st round..

[coolhandsteve]

On to the West 1st round..

(1) San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs. (8) Denver Nuggets (41-41)

Game 1: Nuggets 114, @ Spurs 103
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566552&teamfee=-1

Game 2: @ Spurs 111, Nuggets 98
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566557&teamfee=-1

Game 3: Spurs 99, @ Nuggets 81
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566558&teamfee=-1

Game 4: Spurs 112, @ Nuggets 104
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566567&teamfee=-1

Spurs take this series 3-1

[coolhandsteve]

(2) Phoenix Suns (59-23) vs. (7) Portland Trail Blazers (44-38)

Game 1: @ Suns 104, Blazers 95
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566621&teamfee=-1

Game 2: @ Suns 113, Blazers 98
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566622&teamfee=-1

Game 3: @ Blazers 111, Suns 102
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566624&teamfee=-1

Game 4: @ Blazers 113, Suns 103
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566627&teamfee=-1

Game 5: @ Suns 98, Blazers 89
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10566629&teamfee=-1

Suns take it 3-2. Barkley :applause:

[coolhandsteve]

(3) Utah Jazz (60-22) vs. (6) Houston Rockets (47-35)

Game 1: Rockets 104, @ Jazz 97
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10567337&teamfee=-1

Game 2: @ Jazz 88, Rockets 76
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10567338&teamfee=-1

Game 3: @ Rockets 117, Jazz 109
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10567349&teamfee=-1

Game 4: Jazz 105, @ Rockets 95
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10567351&teamfee=-1

Game 5: @ Jazz 102, Rockets 93
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10567372&teamfee=-1

Jazz win it 3-2 so there'll be a new champion. Shooters around Hakeem didn't show up consistently :facepalm. They won it for real though, so :confusedshrug:

[coolhandsteve]

(4) Seattle SuperSonics (57-25) vs. (5) Los Angeles Lakers (48-34)

Game 1: @ Sonics 109, Lakers 93
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10567552&teamfee=-1

Game 2: @ Sonics 107, Lakers 99
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10567566&teamfee=-1

Game 3: @ Lakers 112, Sonics 96
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10567579&teamfee=-1

Game 4: Sonics 118, @ Lakers 101
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10567634&teamfee=-1

Seattle wins it 3-1.

So there's the 1st round..East stays the same so far, while the obvious big changes out West being that the Sonics and Jazz didn't choke in the first round. Seattle now gets the Spurs in the semis, while Malone & Barkley go at it in the Jazz-Suns tilt. Magic-Bulls and Knicks-Pacers in the East.

Who knows, maybe now that Hakeem's out of the way , MVP David Robinson can get the Spurs to the finals. Though IDK, because his numbers looked a little underwhelming against Denver. We'll see..I'm cranking out the 2nd round results.

[coolhandsteve]

Eastern Conference Semifinals

(1) Orlando Magic (57-25) vs. (5) Chicago Bulls (47-35)

Game 1: @ Magic 112, Bulls 108
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10569148&teamfee=-1

Game 2: Bulls 116, @ Magic 112
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10569151&teamfee=-1

Game 3: @ Bulls 118, Magic 113
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10569154&teamfee=-1

Game 4: Magic 116, @ Bulls 98
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10569159&teamfee=-1

Game 5: Bulls 114, @ Magic 96
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10569166&teamfee=-1

Game 6: Magic 110, @ Bulls 92
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10569169&teamfee=-1

Game 7: @ Magic 104, Bulls 101
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10569172&teamfee=-1

Orlando pulls it out in 7 games.

[coolhandsteve]

(2) Indiana Pacers (52-30) vs. (3) New York Knicks (55-27)

Game 1: Pacers 103, @ Knicks 90
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10573320&teamfee=-1

Game 2: @ Knicks 107, Pacers 84
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10573325&teamfee=-1

Game 3: Knicks 92, @ Pacers 89
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10573327&teamfee=-1

Game 4: Knicks 102, @ Pacers 97
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10573331&teamfee=-1

Game 5: Pacers 105, @ Knicks 90
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10573338&teamfee=-1

Game 6: @ Pacers 100, Knicks 78
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10573341&teamfee=-1

Game 7: @ Knicks 115, Pacers 106
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10573342&teamfee=-1

Knicks reverse it this time and win in 7 after nearly blowing a 3-1 lead.

[HomieWeMajor]

Good thread OP. :applause:
Keep it up !

[KobesFinger]

Good work, repped. Did you do the 64 team thread (think it was 64)?

[RightToCensor]

Solidifies the lack of help Hakeem had. Thank you OP.

[IceMan2]

Good work, repped. Did you do the 64 team thread (think it was 64)?
No that was me....sadly did not finish, made it all the way down to half past the Elite 8. Family emergencies hit and I lost track :(
Want to re-do it someday







Great work OP :cheers:
Was interested in reading this whole breakdown of yours

[coolhandsteve]

'Preciate it yall.

I mean I was gonna finish this anyway but I was getting a lil worried that no one was responding LOL. Doing the West Semis now & I should have those up soon.

[KobesFinger]

No that was me....sadly did not finish, made it all the way down to half past the Elite 8. Family emergencies hit and I lost track :(
Want to re-do it someday







Great work OP :cheers:
Was interested in reading this whole breakdown of yours

Ah, yes you. Could you bump/link those threads please?

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Ah, yes you. Could you bump/link those threads please?

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=304930

[KobesFinger]

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=304930

:cheers:

[IceMan2]

Ah, yes you. Could you bump/link those threads please?

I feel like I should finish what I had left rather than do a new one.There was a lot of hard work that went into that....The Final 4 remains, and I can recreate the entire tournament bracket to give some justice to the work that was done. And maybe either do

-A new 00s Tournament (the results should be different)
-A 90s Tournament (Exciting!)
-A 2010s Tournament (of 32 teams since it is now officially half over...2010-2014)




coolhandsteve if you want to help out this time you are more than welcome to!

[Spurs5Rings2014]

Solidifies the lack of help Hakeem had. Thank you OP.

:cheers:

Could you do 2003 as well, OP?

[coolhandsteve]

:cheers:

Could you do 2003 as well, OP?

That'd be cool, either that or '05 maybe.

[coolhandsteve]

Western Conference Semifinals

(1) San Antonio Spurs (62-20) vs. (4) Seattle SuperSonics (57-25)

Game 1: Sonics 117, @ Spurs 92
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10575080&teamfee=-1

Game 2: @ Spurs 124, Sonics 91
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10575082&teamfee=-1

Game 3: @ Sonics 97, Spurs 88
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10575089&teamfee=-1

Game 4: @ Sonics 109, Spurs 85
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10575095&teamfee=-1

Game 5: @ Spurs 103, Sonics 93
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10576416&teamfee=-1

Game 6: @ Sonics 103, Spurs 94
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10576422&teamfee=-1

Sonics take it 4-2 & move on to the WCF. Goodness gracious, San Antonio supporting cast :facepalm Other than Game 1 & maybe Game 4, I can't put this on the Admiral.

[IceMan2]

More more more

[coolhandsteve]

(2) Phoenix Suns (59-23) vs. (3) Utah Jazz (60-22)

Game 1: @ Jazz 99, Suns 87
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10579958&teamfee=-1

Game 2: @ Jazz 115, Suns 114 (Double OT)
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10579963&teamfee=-1

Game 3: @ Suns 117, Jazz 96
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10579974&teamfee=-1

Game 4: @ Suns 101, Jazz 92
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10580009&teamfee=-1

Game 5: Suns 112, @ Jazz 106
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10580065&teamfee=-1

Game 6: @ Suns 117, Jazz 113
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10580096&teamfee=-1

Phoenix in 6. That box score & play by play for Game 2 though :applause:

So we have Knicks-Magic ECF & Sonics-Suns WCF!

[MJistheGOAT]

This confirms that 95 Hakeem is one of or the GOAT playoff run.
Also that Sonics and Jazz choke.

[coolhandsteve]

1995 Eastern Conference Finals

(3) New York Knicks (55-27) vs. (1) Orlando Magic (57-25)

Game 1: @ Magic 106, Knicks 86
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10582944&teamfee=-1

Game 2: @ Magic 114, Knicks 97
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10582953&teamfee=-1

Game 3: @ Knicks 115, Magic 108
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10582966&teamfee=-1

Game 4: Magic 106, @ Knicks 99
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10582976&teamfee=-1

Game 5: @ Magic 122, Knicks 78
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10582990&teamfee=-1

Magic take care of the Knicks in 5, move on to the Finals. Penny tho :applause:

[coolhandsteve]

1995 Western Conference Finals

(4) Seattle SuperSonics (57-25) vs. (2) Phoenix Suns (59-23)

Game 1: @ Suns 105, Sonics 91
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10589466&teamfee=-1

Game 2: Sonics 111, @ Suns 94
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10589488&teamfee=-1

Game 3: @ Sonics 116, Suns 106
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10589507&teamfee=-1

Game 4: Suns 100, @ Sonics 97
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10589509&teamfee=-1

Game 5: @ Suns 96, Sonics 95
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10589531&teamfee=-1

Game 6: @ Sonics 131, Suns 108
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10589519&teamfee=-1

Game 7: Sonics 114, @ Suns 108 (OT)
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10589541&teamfee=-1

So Seattle makes the run they probably should've made & gets a lil payback on Phoenix for '93. Sonics-Magic in the NBA Finals!

[MP.Trey]

Kemp with the clutch three in Game 7. :applause:

I've got Magic in 6. Big Shaq will be too much for the Sonics.

[coolhandsteve]

Kemp with the clutch three in Game 7. :applause:

I've got Magic in 6. Big Shaq will be too much for the Sonics.

He's probably gonna have to, don't think Penny will dominate like he did against the Knicks with Payton on him.

[coolhandsteve]

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQSs0LDQrU-3-Pzh-zZBerpB8GfB5pjWignubj8PX2Pgj_9USUcJQ


(4) Seattle SuperSonics (57-25) vs. (1) Orlando Magic (57-25)

Because they have the same record and the Sonics won the regular season series 2-0, Seattle gets HCA.

[coolhandsteve]

Game 1: Magic 114, @ Sonics 89
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10596228&teamfee=-1

Shaq. Way too much Shaq for Seattle to handle as he puts up 43/14/4 in a dominant Game 1 victory. He got help from the supporting cast as Grant puts up a double-double and Penny falls just 2 rebounds shy of a triple-double. Sonics shoot just 38% from the field (though oddly Kemp had no fouls).

[coolhandsteve]

Game 2: @ Sonics 138, Magic 133 (2OT)
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10596235&teamfee=-1

Look at the stats in this thriller as the Sonics even it up. The entire Sonics' starting 5 was fantastic especially Perkins & Kemp even though they understandably got in foul trouble dealing with Shaq. 59% from the field & 50% from 3 point range will get it done. Penny, Shaq & Grant were fantastic for Orlando, not so much the case with 3D and Nick Anderson.

[coolhandsteve]

Game 3: @ Magic 127, Sonics 95
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10598635&teamfee=-1

Magic shoot a blistering 54% from the field in an easy Game 3 rout. Sonics don't get much help for Payton & Kemp, who already weren't having their best shooting nights.


Game 4: Sonics 102, @ Magic 97
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10598638&teamfee=-1

Kemp has a spectacular performance (27/22) to tie the series 2-2. Seattle holds Orlando to under 20 points in the 2nd & 3rd quarters. Strangely quiet night for Shaq (18 pts, 7 rebs), and none of his teammates were good enough to lift the Magic.

[coolhandsteve]

Game 5: @ Magic 131, Sonics 125 (OT)
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10599740&teamfee=-1

Another thriller but this time Orlando pulls it out and goes up 3-2. Kemp has another spectacular performance (30/12/6 blocks), and got some help from his teammates, but O'Neal with a statline for the ages (46/27/7 BLK/5 AST,/3 STL) was understandably a little too much.




Game 6: @ Sonics 115, Magic 104
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10599742&teamfee=-1

6 Sonics score in double-digits, and the All-Star combo of Payton (25 PTS/9 AST/6 STL) & Kemp (31 PTS/15 REB/3 BLK) are too much for the Magic. Shaq with another great game (28/20/3) but with not enough support from his teammates. So it comes down to this...

[coolhandsteve]

Game 7: Magic 121, @ Sonics 114
http://www.whatifsports.com/nba/boxscore.asp?gameid=10599744&teamfee=-1

Magic win the NBA championship with this Game 7 thriller in Seattle! O'Neal caps off a dominant Finals with 39/17/5 AST/3 BLK as he wins Finals MVP. Shawn Kemp had a fantastic Finals as well, and he goes out posting 26/15/5 BLK.

Orlando's the 1995 NBA Champs! (at least here)

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQck6bt4nrgVFcix9907MsxlwNht8EJ7 j5nlJGqbMlCa8YAHByc2A

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTp4yXqlJyQ0_0AK-lTTOUY35dtUtQkaJD3towjJ5C7DB_Hdn2m

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTv4N9B_bWhoO0RonQZyVvjNnVMlM5wc HbdUmALPgNouqhPZB24



Would've been great to actually have seen a series between these 2 knowing this. Gotta also wonder how things would've been different had Orlando won it all in '95. This was fun!

[IceMan2]

Enjoyed this :applause: