Biggest What-If's in NBA history

[Young X]

- What if Jordan doesn't retire in '93 and '98?

- What if Magic never contracts HIV/retires prematurely?

- What if Len Bias doesn't overdose?

- What if Hill/Hardaway/Rose don't suffer career altering injuries?

- What if Portland drafts MJ/KD instead of Bowie/Oden?

- What if Artest doesn't go into the stands? (Does Indiana win it all? Does Miller end up with a ring?)

- What if CP3 actually went to the Lakers?

- What if Horry doesn't bodycheck Nash?

- What if OKC keeps Harden?


Add on...

[J Shuttlesworth]

-What if Love/Kyrie were healthy for the playoffs?

[SugarHill]

What if Oden and Roy don't get injured and LMA continues his development into a top tier PF. That team would have been something else.

[ChrisKreager]

What if the Denver Nuggets had not upset Seattle in the '94 playoffs and we got a Sonics/Rockets West Finals?

[NBAplayoffs2001]

- What if Jordan doesn't retire in '93 and '98?
8 championships, I don't think Hakeem's teams could beat either three peat teams in the finals.

- What if Magic never contracts HIV/retires prematurely?
More stat pading, he wasn't going to win any more titles. At this point, his career was starting to fizzle out anyway. Maybe a less tarnished reputation at the time? HIV was a huge issue in the early 1990s and him getting HIV just showed the world even the superstars of the world are not invincible.

- What if Len Bias doesn't overdose?
Hard to predict college success in the pros. Way too many pros like Sean May were beast college players but never turned out. My biggest what if is actually Earl Manigault, if he went to college/pros and didn't get sucked into drugs.

- What if Hill/Hardaway/Rose don't suffer career altering injuries?
Hill would have had a surefire Hall of Fame Career.
Rose would probably be putting up the same numbers as his MVP year and have consistent 50-60+ win teams. Although I don't think even healthy, he could have matched Westbrook's stats this year.
Hardaway would had a great career. I honestly don't remember much of him.

- What if Portland drafts MJ/KD instead of Bowie/Oden?
Draft MJ, Drexler plays at the 3. At least 3-4 championships over each other careers.
Draft KD, the team is a playoff team in the West. Be current day Thunder pretty much. Not good enough to win a title but perennial playoff contenders when healthy.

- What if Artest doesn't go into the stands? (Does Indiana win it all? Does Miller end up with a ring?)
Indiana should have made the finals that year IMO. I thought they had the better team.

- What if CP3 actually went to the Lakers?
Two titles then fizzle out cause of Kobe's health.

- What if Horry doesn't bodycheck Nash?
Suns beat Cavs in 5

- What if OKC keeps Harden?
OKC makes another final during the Miami Heat Big 3 era but lose again. Instead of in 5 games, now 6. All three would still be titleless still (Westbrook, KD, Harden)

Add on...

All included in my add ons.

[Derka]

The Len Bias overdose is Godzilla levels of huge.

[riseagainst]

-What if Love/Kyrie were healthy for the playoffs?

Cavs in 5.
Lebron with 30-11-12 on 48%FG.
becomes GOAT.

[bond10]

What if Shaq had discipline.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

If LeBron doesn't leave Cleveland, they probably continue to try to build with veterans surrounding him, maybe they land one secondary star in the FA, and he's very likely still ringless.

Jordan wouldn't be the GOAT if he stayed retired the first time around.

If Kobe goes to his drafted team, he probably ends up like TMac, sans injuries.

[ChrisKreager]

1995 NBA Playoffs- what if Phoenix doesn't blow a 3-1 lead? How would the Magic have fared against the Suns/Spurs in the NBA Finals?

1999 NBA Playoffs- what if Allen Houston's shot doesn't get the friendly roll and the Knicks go out early? Who faces the Spurs in the Finals?

[Gabuyaux]

What if Ray Allen didn't hit that corner 3 in game 6?

[daily]

-What if Love/Kyrie were healthy for the playoffs?Considering Lebron stans spent the entire season trying to convince ISH they were hot garbage I'll have to say Warriors still win the title

[ZMonkey11]

What if Isiah didn't make that bad pass in 1987 and went to the NBA finals. Then what happens the next year when the refs don't call that bogus foul on Laimbeer in the finals. Or what if Isiah didn't sprain his ankle?

Late 80s Pistons would have 4peated and rightfully become the best team in NBA history?

[Rocketswin2013]

Jordan wouldn't have 8-peated. Stop that ridiculous garbage.

[Young X]

What if Isiah didn't make that bad pass in 1987 and went to the NBA finals. Then what happens the next year when the refs don't call that bogus foul on Laimbeer in the finals. Or what if Isiah didn't sprain his ankle?

Late 80s Pistons would have 4peated and rightfully become the best team in NBA history?On the other hand you could also say...

What if Magic and Scott weren't injured in the finals the next season against Detroit? The games were still close even with them not playing/barely playing. And they went 11-0 in the playoffs before that. Maybe they 3 peat?

[Young X]

Underrated ones:

What if...

the Lakers draft Dominique instead of Worthy?

Hakeem doesn't block Starks 3 pt attempt?

Artest doesn't make that putback against the Suns?

Pippen doesn't get traded to the Bulls?

[SamuraiSWISH]

If MJ doesn't retire in '94, and '95 ... you're looking at 2x Scoring Titles, 2x All Star Teams, 2x First Teams, 2x Defensive 1st Teams, and probably an MVP, as well as the 1994 championship. So 4x championships.

[Jameerthefear]

What if the Magic didn't lowball Shaq?
What if Duncan really did come to Orlando?

[clipps]

What if the Clippers don't draft Olowokandi? How far would he have dropped?

[imdaman99]

Underrated ones:

What if...

Hakeem doesn't block Starks 3 pt attempt?

Sigh, the only one I really care about :( Starks becomes a hero, maybe even stealing Finals MVP as Ewing was not doing that well. I know that shot was going in too. I just know it. So sad how horrible he was in game 7 :(

What if Ewing was healthy in 99? I think Knicks take Spurs to 6, but probably still lose. I don't think old man Ewing with bad knees could hang with young spry Duncan.

[Young X]

^^^

What if Charles Smith actually dunks the ball?

What if Ewing makes that finger roll?


Those have to kill you :lol

[BlakFrankWhite]

What if Westbrook had been drafted by the Heat? (WB,Wade,LBJ,Bosh)

[dannywpt]

What if Thunder completed their trade for Tyson Chandler back in 2009?

Kendrick Perkins to OKC never happens, Jeff Green stays in OKC, 2011 finals would not happen (probably, Chandler too valuable for the Mavs), OKC are possibly in the finals every year from 2011-2013?

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

If KG didnt spend his prime in the worst franchise in pro sports....................easy top 10 GOAT and be seen better than Timothy

[FatComputerNerd]

What if the Cavs didn't trade away Ron Harper for Danny Ferry?

Do they win a title in the early 90's?

Do they still end up drafting Lebron in 2003?

[imdaman99]

^^^

What if Charles Smith actually dunks the ball?

What if Ewing makes that finger roll?


Those have to kill you :lol
Charles Smith is not allowed in NYC. He was CHARMIN Soft.

The Ewing finger roll... I think that was the year Reggie Miller did his 8 in 8.9 seconds in game 1?... they were down 3-1 in the series and won a big game in Indiana for Game 6, so much heart. Even in Game 7, I think they were down in the final minutes and made a comeback...only to have Ewing miss a point blank layup, off the back of the rim... Knicks are cursed :rant

[Rocketswin2013]

If KG didnt spend his prime in the worst franchise in pro sports....................easy top 10 GOAT and be seen better than Timothy
KG was a jumpshooter and played like shit a lot more in the playoffs than Duncan. Even with a better team he wouldn't have been as good as Duncan. When the playoffs came, Duncan used the extra physicality to his advantage and drew a lot of fouls. On defense, he was as effective as anyone.

[Wally450]

What if Pierce doesn't throw the alley oop to KG against Utah in 09 and KG doesn't get hurt?

Boston 3peats. That's what.

[kmart]

What if Lebron was forced to go to college?

With the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select Darko Milicic.

[ClipperRevival]

What if Isiah never gets injured in game 6 of the 1988 Finals and they win in 1988? They would be a 3 peat team. That means in that era, they would've had 3, Celtics 3, and Lakers 4, putting them right there with 2 of the greatest teams ever and holding their own. They were THAT close. KAJ hitting 2 FTs in game 7 with almost no time left. It doesn't get any closer than that.

[ClipperRevival]

Yeah, the MJ question of if he played in 1994 and 1995 is such an interesting one. Does he win 8 straight? What we do know is that MJ won 6 titles in his last 6 full seasons with the Bulls. But you can counter that the more he won, the more likely he would lose that edge. But still an interesting "what if".

[Legends66NBA7]

What if Isiah never gets injured in game 6 of the 1988 Finals and they win in 1988? They would be a 3 peat team. That means in that era, they would've had 3, Celtics 3, and Lakers 4, putting them right there with 2 of the greatest teams ever and holding their own. They were THAT close. KAJ hitting 2 FTs in game 7 with almost no time left. It doesn't get any closer than that.

Pistons would have 2 in that era, not 3. But yeah it is more closer.

Are they many debates on who is better between the 83 Sixers and 89 Pistons ?

[ClipperRevival]

Pistons would have 2 in that era, not 3. But yeah it is more closer.

Are they many debates on who is better between the 83 Sixers and 89 Pistons ?

Pistons won the title in 1989 and 1990, so had they won in 1988, they would've 3 peated.

[vert48]

What if Isiah never gets injured in game 6 of the 1988 Finals and they win in 1988? They would be a 3 peat team. That means in that era, they would've had 3, Celtics 3, and Lakers 4, putting them right there with 2 of the greatest teams ever and holding their own. They were THAT close. KAJ hitting 2 FTs in game 7 with almost no time left. It doesn't get any closer than that.
Scott and Magic were injured in games 1 and 2 in 89, or the Lakers would have 3-peated.

[HOoopCityJones]

What if any other Lakers actually show up in 2008 vs The Celtics?

[ClipperRevival]

Scott and Magic were injured in games 1 and 2 in 89, or the Lakers would have 3-peated.

I always thought the 1989 Pistons were just better than the 1989 Lakers. Even when the Lakers were a year younger in 1988, they barely beat the Pistons and it took an Isiah injury and questionable foul on Laimbeer in game 7 to beat them in 7.

I am too lazy to look it up but the Pistons record from 1988 to 1989 improved dramatically while the Lakers record from 1988 to 1989 got worse. The Pistons were a team on the rise while we were a team in decline. Of course, there is no way to prove who would've won had Magic/Scott been healthy but that's my take and I'm a Laker fan. I still remember Magic being injured, I was so pissed.

[ClipperRevival]

What if any other Lakers actually show up in 2008 vs The Celtics?

Nah, that series wasn't close. And I'm a die hard Laker fan. Even Kobe admitted that they weren't ready for Boston's toughness. They needed to get humbled to come back in 2009 stronger. Boston was a historically great team defensively and they were just the better team imo. We didn't show up because Boston was just better than us.

[Legends66NBA7]

Pistons won the title in 1989 and 1990, so had they won in 1988, they would've 3 peated.

I know, but 90 isn't 80's era is what I'm saying.

[SHAQisGOAT]

The Len Bias overdose is Godzilla levels of huge.

True...

Can't tell exactly what he would've been as a pro but most where very high on him, saw major potential... Tbh, you watch him ball in college and it's clear to see why; 6'8 already with a great pro-ready physique, terrific athlete, displayed a pretty good J doing it while jumping out the gym and releasing the ball at the apex of his jump, shot 86% from the FT-line in his final year, showed a nice post-game, could rebound and play D, needed to work on passing and ball-handling but was a smart player and most said he had good work ethic...

And he was drafted to one of the best teams, with big-time players, incredibly high-IQ players, winners and hard-workers... Would've learned from Bird himself.

Celtics had that unreal team in '86 but the following season Walton finally had to retire, Wedman followed the same path, Sichting fell off, they were getting older, McHale then screwed the rest of his career after being "forced" to play on a broken foot, never the same again, Bird was already dealing with injuries too, East was still stacked, Lakers rolling in the West... Hard for them to compete as before.
If Bias had lived while living up to the hype, plenty of that could've changed considerably. You can say they could've won more titles, even.
Their next player for the future, Reggie Lewis, also died later on.

Bird said he would've retired in '88 due to injuries, if Bias didn't die... but I don't know about that one, Len with the C's could've pronloged Larry's (even McHale's) career, as LB wouldn't be ran to the ground like he was a lot after '86, when Boston had no bench, he was already pushing 30 and playing more minutes than ever - along with other starters - doing plenty of carrying, not much rest, injuries creeping up. Bias off the bench for Bird/McHale would've been huge, in terms of giving them rest and still making the team compete.


How about the Lakers almost drafting Moncrief instead of Magic... They were leaning towards Magic and ultimately picked him but before were torn between those 2 and Jerry West actually wanted to draft Sidney.
^That would've changed the whole landscape of the 80's NBA, just many "changes" overall for things to come... Bird/Celtics would've most likely had more titles, Moncrief would've won at least one with the Lakers while much more recognized and HoF'er by now (still shameful that he isn't though), Kareem probably retires earlier and without 6 rings, don't know exactly where Magic would've ended but on a good team that made the right decisions around him, he could've led that other franchise to a title.



What if Isiah never gets injured in game 6 of the 1988 Finals and they win in 1988? They would be a 3 peat team. That means in that era, they would've had 3, Celtics 3, and Lakers 4, putting them right there with 2 of the greatest teams ever and holding their own. They were THAT close. KAJ hitting 2 FTs in game 7 with almost no time left. It doesn't get any closer than that.

Bogus call sending Kareem to the line too, Pistons should've won those Finals.

Bad Boys were really peaking when the Celtics were basically done and the Lakers were getting over the hill but they still did their thing to say the least, one of the best teams ever, beat some great teams like Jordan's Bulls too.

[zoom17]

What if Wade doesn't remove his meniscus?

What if Robert horry never makes that shot against the Kings?

What if Lebron or Shumpert make a game winner against the warriors in game 1 and Kyrie never gets injured?

[Wade's Rings]

What if Wade doesn't get hurt in the 2005 ECF after going up 3-2?

What if Wade doesn't get hurt in the 2007 Regular Season?

What of Kendrick Perkins plays in Game 7 of the 2010 Finals?

What if Kobe was healthy in the 2003 Playoffs?

What if KG doesn't get hurt and plays in the 2009 Playoffs?

[STATUTORY]

what if Stern didn't block the chris paul trade to lakers

what if Kobe never broke his achilles

Lebron is 0-6 right now

[riseagainst]

what if lebron's teammates all stayed healthy during the playoffs?

:eek:

[Mr. Jabbar]

what if lebron had a deeck?

[Young X]

What if Vince and T-Mac had stayed together in Toronto?

What if Shaq and Kobe had stayed together?

What if Lebron didn't get cramps in game 1 of the finals last year (does Miami go up 2-0 in SA?)?

What if Cassell was healthy in the '04 WCF?

What if the Pistons drafted Melo instead of Milicic?

What if Odom grabs that rebound and the Lakers beat the Suns in '06?

[keep-itreal]

What if Kendrick Perkins didn't get injured in game 6?

What if Kevin Garnett didn't get injured in 2009?

It could've been a 3peat:eek: :eek:

[Solid Snake]

-What if Hugh Hollins didn't call that phantom foul on Pippen when Hubert Davis shot that 3.

[HylianNightmare]

What if Courtney Lee makes that lob?

[FatComputerNerd]

What if the Cavs drafted Kobe instead of Vitaly Potapenko :lol

[SecondFiddle]

What if Kendrick Perkins had speed, agility, jumping ability, intelligence, a happy wife.....

[JohnnySic]

Scott and Magic were injured in games 1 and 2 in 89, or the Lakers would have 3-peated.
Not a chance. The Pistons were clearly better that the Lakers in '89, Magic/Scott or not. The Pistons already were the best team by '88 but Isiah's injury cost them. Anyone who watched NBA at the time knows this.

[Young X]

What if...

David Robinson doesn't get injured in '97?

- Spurs don't draft Duncan
- Spurs likely don't experience anywhere near the success that they did

Cleveland gets past Orlando in '09?

- Kobe and Lebron finals :eek:

[Kobe_6/8]

What if Michael Jordan, Shaq, Magic, Wade and Bird were never born?

[JT123]

What if KG doesn't get hurt in the 09 playoffs? What if Pau and Artest don't bail Kobe out in game 7 against Boston?
Would Kobe be ranked ahead of Pippen all time? I think not

[20Four]

What if KG doesn't get hurt in the 09 playoffs? What if Pau and Artest don't bail Kobe out in game 7 against Boston?
Would Kobe be ranked ahead of Pippen all time? I think not
What if leBRONZE wasn't such a bitch?

[Gotterdammerung]

This topic recurs on ISH every few years.

And I think the biggest What-If in NBA history happened during the 1984 Draft.

Portland offered Houston their #2 draft pick and Clyde Drexler for Ralph Sampson.

Had Houston accepted the deal, they would've drafted Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan. Plus Clyde as a sweetener for losing the injury-prone Ralph Sampson. :eek:

How many titles in the 80s and the 90s, you think? :banana:

[KembaWalker]

What if the rumored Ralph Sampson for Drexler and the number 2 pick in the 1984 draft went down....

Hakeem/Drexler/Jordan big 3 :biggums:

[KembaWalker]

This topic recurs on ISH every few years.

And I think the biggest What-If in NBA history happened during the 1984 Draft.

Portland offered Houston their #2 draft pick and Clyde Drexler for Ralph Sampson.

Had Houston accepted the deal, they would've drafted Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan. Plus Clyde as a sweetener for losing the injury-prone Ralph Sampson. :eek:

How many titles in the 80s and the 90s, you think? :banana:

:wtf: are we the same person? how did we just think the same sh*t

[Gotterdammerung]

:wtf: are we the same person? how did we just think the same sh*t
You just happened to think the same thing a minute late. :oldlol:

[Rocketswin2013]

What if David Robinson had a back-to-basket game? GOAT center?

[HighFlyer23]

This topic recurs on ISH every few years.

And I think the biggest What-If in NBA history happened during the 1984 Draft.

Portland offered Houston their #2 draft pick and Clyde Drexler for Ralph Sampson.

Had Houston accepted the deal, they would've drafted Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan. Plus Clyde as a sweetener for losing the injury-prone Ralph Sampson. :eek:

How many titles in the 80s and the 90s, you think? :banana:


No guarantee that would've drafted MJ

Could've been Hakeem and Bowie

[Round Mound]

What if Barkley was 6'10 or 6'11? ft GOAT Player?