The 'What If...' Thread

[Po Pimp]

Re: The 'What If...' Thread

What if number 1
What if Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming stayed relatively healthy? I think it'd be fair to assume they'd have at least 1 championship in the down years of the league (possibly steal 1 or 2 that San Antonio won or even the Miami championship)

What if number 2.5
What if Shaq stayed with the Lakers? Would they string of another 2 or so championships? Adversely what if Kobe got traded and not Shaq?

What if number 3
What if the Trailblazers drafted Kevin Durant and not Greg Oden? Would they have won a championship already similar to the Bill Walton Blazers? Would we be talking about Kevin Durant's MVP and how the Trailblazers beat the Heat...which leads to my next what if

What if number 4
What if the Heat won the NBA title instead of the Mavericks? What if LeBron put up a Herculean effort similar to Wade and they won the title. How would people feel? How would their image look. What would LeBron say?

What if number 5
What if the Bulls never got Scottie Pippen? How would Jordan's history be written? Would he be the modern era Elgin Baylor? Would we all laud him for his transcendent skills, yet inability to win a ring? Would Clyde Drexler instead be considered the best Shooting Guard of the past decade/modern era?

LOL...MJ was the best SG in the league since his rookie season...but undisputedly since his 3rd season on. Clyde's best season didn't surpass MJ's first season statwise.

[RedSceptile]

Re: The 'What If...' Thread

LOL...MJ was the best SG in the league since his rookie season...but undisputedly since his 3rd season on. Clyde's best season didn't surpass MJ's first season statwise.

If Clyde lead his team to at least 2 rings and Michael lead his team to none would Michael still be called the best Shooting Guard? As controversial as it is I doubt it he'd just be another Dan Marino.

(prepares for the incoming storm)

[Yrogergj24]

Re: The 'What If...' Thread

What if Joe Johnson stayed in Boston his whole career?
What if Magic was traded to and MJ was drafted by the Celtics, how many championships do they win with just Magic and Bird from 1979-1982 and how many championships from 1983-1992 do they win with MJ

[AlexBrady]

Re: The 'What If...' Thread

Elgin Baylor never played a lick of defense in his career and he never took practice seriously. Michael Jordan played all out defense for much of his career and competed in every practice. Fundamental differences between those two.

And Clyde Drexler was a remarkable player. He was an amazing finisher at the basket due to his hops and he could make line drive jumpers. The 'Glide' was always cool in the clutch. He could also make accurate passes and grab rebounds. Notch him as the seventh best shooting guard of all time behind Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Bill Sharman, Dwyane Wade, Sam Jones, and Hal Greer.

As for me, I always wondered how Michael Ray Richardson would have been remembered if he didn't get kicked out of the league. Some of the quickest hands and feet I ever saw.

[Dice]

Re: The 'What If...' Thread

What if Len Bias never overdose and actually played for the Celtics? That dude was a monster in college and could have been a special player in the NBA with Bird teaching him all the tricks.

[Harrison_UNC_Barnes*]

Re: The 'What If...' Thread

What if Len Bias never overdose and actually played for the Celtics? That dude was a monster in college and could have been a special player in the NBA with Bird teaching him all the tricks.

I was thinking about this a couple week ago... damn I guess playing in the NBA wasnt in gods plans for em.

[SouthBeach]

Re: The 'What If...' Thread

If Clyde lead his team to at least 2 rings and Michael lead his team to none would Michael still be called the best Shooting Guard? As controversial as it is I doubt it he'd just be another Dan Marino.

(prepares for the incoming storm)

Would people still compare LeBron to MJ or would they compare LeBron to Clyde?

[RedSceptile]

Re: The 'What If...' Thread

Would people still compare LeBron to MJ or would they compare LeBron to Clyde?

That's my point. If anything Kobe would probably have the title of best Shooting Guard in NBA history if Jordan never won any rings (best player ever? Well that's up to you to decide :3)

[coolguy124]

Re: The 'What If...' Thread

what if wilt chamberlain played in the 21st century

this is a guy in his career that averaged more than 30 points and 20 rebounds a game

maybe those numbers would be lower if he played in this era but...still

[AlexBrady]

Re: The 'What If...' Thread

That's my point. If anything Kobe would probably have the title of best Shooting Guard in NBA history if Jordan never won any rings (best player ever? Well that's up to you to decide :3)

For Jordan to have never won a ring he would have had to have been deficient in multiple areas (defense, shooting, competitiveness, ect). Otherwise it was impossible to deny him. A guy who rebounds like a power forward, passes like a point, defends all out, and dominates the clutch will never go ringless.

what if wilt chamberlain played in the 21st century

this is a guy in his career that averaged more than 30 points and 20 rebounds a game

maybe those numbers would be lower if he played in this era but...still

Wilt would post bigger numbers than that. The only guy who could even come close to him in strength is Shaq. He had an effective playing height of a 7'4 guy and he had incredible vertical quickness. The only problem I could see is that he would have a bit of trouble adjusting to the double teams.

[Dice]

Re: The 'What If...' Thread

Wilt would post bigger numbers than that. The only guy who could even come close to him in strength is Shaq. He had an effective playing height of a 7'4 guy and he had incredible vertical quickness. The only problem I could see is that he would have a bit of trouble adjusting to the double teams.

Eh. Wilt being able to dominate in this era is nothing special. While I agree with your assessment of Wilt playing in today’s game, it’ll be strictly circumstantial. The center position in today’s game is so weak, a prime Wilt would probably be the best center in the league right now. Prime Wilt wouldn’t be scoring 50 points a game, BUT he’ll garner numbers that would make him a 1st team All NBA center. Heck, throw a prime Vlade Divac in today’s game would probably be the 2nd best center in the league.

NOW, the interesting scenario would be to throw Wilt into the early-to-mid 90’s era where the center position was probably the best it ever was with prime-Olajuwon, prime-Robinson, prime-Ewing, young-Shaq, young-Mourning, young-Mutombo, young-Vlade and even Brad Daugherty before injuries ended his career early. See where Wilt fits into that mix.

[AlexBrady]

Re: The 'What If...' Thread

Eh. Wilt being able to dominate in this era is nothing special. While I agree with your assessment of Wilt playing in today’s game, it’ll be strictly circumstantial. The center position in today’s game is so weak, a prime Wilt would probably be the best center in the league right now. Prime Wilt wouldn’t be scoring 50 points a game, BUT he’ll garner numbers that would make him a 1st team All NBA center. Heck, throw a prime Vlade Divac in today’s game would probably be the 2nd best center in the league.

NOW, the interesting scenario would be to throw Wilt into the early-to-mid 90’s era where the center position was probably the best it ever was with prime-Olajuwon, prime-Robinson, prime-Ewing, young-Shaq, young-Mourning, young-Mutombo, young-Vlade and even Brad Daugherty before injuries ended his career early. See where Wilt fits into that mix.

Agreed on the state of the center position in today's game. Depressing. Relatively speaking, the 90s centers were far superior to today's guys. However, Wilt would still be the top guy in that era in my estimation.

Olajuwon was unstoppable and he scored on drives, spins, drop steps, turnarounds, and hooks. His man defense, shot blocking, and rebounding were all terrific. His weaknesses were passing and foul trouble. Hakeem was truly great, but Wilt was the slightly better player.

Robinson's best apect was his outstanding shot blocking ability. He scored mainly on foul line jumpers and lefty drives. He couldn't defend straight up. Nor could he pass, handle, score in creative ways, or deliver in the clutch. Wilt was a far superior player to Robinson.

Ewing was a terrific shot blocker. His offense was jumpers and rolling hooks. He couldn't defend his own man. Passing, handling, diverse scoring, and reliability in the clutch were other weaknesses. Wilt in a landslide.

Young Shaq was much slimmer then. His scoring was highly unpredictable as he scored on drop steps, tight spins, hooks, and twists. His rebounding and shot blocking was top notch in those days. His passing wasn't refined yet though and he was a turnover machine. Great as he was, he hadn't figured out how to truly win yet. Wilt by a slim margin.

Alonzo Mourning tried to block every shot and actually got some of them. On offense he scored on jumpers and rolling hooks. His weaknesses were man defense, passing, handling, and doing anything useful in the clutch. Wilt by a TKO.

Dikembe Mutumbo was a truly great man defender, shot blocker, and rebounder. However, his scoring wasn't diverse and he couldn't pass or handle. Also not sure how 'young' he was back then either. Wilt by a sizeable margin.

Vlade Divac was a good passer. He couldn't defend, score with creativity, rebound in a crowd, or make a clutch shot if his life depended on it. Wilt would steal his breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Brad Daugherty was a solid scorer and a good passer. But he couldn't defend or rebound at a high level. Wilt has the gigantic edge.

Based on their respective games:

1. Wilt
2. Hakeem
3. Shaq
4. Robinson
5. Mutombo
6. Ewing
7. Mourning
8. Daugherty
9. Divac

[Segagendude]

Re: The 'What If...' Thread

What if Shaq stayed in Orlando with a healthy Penny? They did make it to the Finals in like Shaq's second year, I think.


What if Kobe never did what he did in Colorado and he and Shaq stayed teammates? Would LA have about 6 or 7championships by now?

What if Yao was a truly dominant player without injury issues? Where would Houston be today?


And, sorry Seattle fans, but what if the new owner of OKC kept the team in Seattle and they were this good? Would the fanbase be strong?

[Dice]

Re: The 'What If...' Thread

Agreed on the state of the center position in today's game. Depressing. Relatively speaking, the 90s centers were far superior to today's guys. However, Wilt would still be the top guy in that era in my estimation.

Olajuwon was unstoppable and he scored on drives, spins, drop steps, turnarounds, and hooks. His man defense, shot blocking, and rebounding were all terrific. His weaknesses were passing and foul trouble. Hakeem was truly great, but Wilt was the slightly better player.

Robinson's best apect was his outstanding shot blocking ability. He scored mainly on foul line jumpers and lefty drives. He couldn't defend straight up. Nor could he pass, handle, score in creative ways, or deliver in the clutch. Wilt was a far superior player to Robinson.

Ewing was a terrific shot blocker. His offense was jumpers and rolling hooks. He couldn't defend his own man. Passing, handling, diverse scoring, and reliability in the clutch were other weaknesses. Wilt in a landslide.

Young Shaq was much slimmer then. His scoring was highly unpredictable as he scored on drop steps, tight spins, hooks, and twists. His rebounding and shot blocking was top notch in those days. His passing wasn't refined yet though and he was a turnover machine. Great as he was, he hadn't figured out how to truly win yet. Wilt by a slim margin.

Alonzo Mourning tried to block every shot and actually got some of them. On offense he scored on jumpers and rolling hooks. His weaknesses were man defense, passing, handling, and doing anything useful in the clutch. Wilt by a TKO.

Dikembe Mutumbo was a truly great man defender, shot blocker, and rebounder. However, his scoring wasn't diverse and he couldn't pass or handle. Also not sure how 'young' he was back then either. Wilt by a sizeable margin.

Vlade Divac was a good passer. He couldn't defend, score with creativity, rebound in a crowd, or make a clutch shot if his life depended on it. Wilt would steal his breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Brad Daugherty was a solid scorer and a good passer. But he couldn't defend or rebound at a high level. Wilt has the gigantic edge.

Based on their respective games:

1. Wilt
2. Hakeem
3. Shaq
4. Robinson
5. Mutombo
6. Ewing
7. Mourning
8. Daugherty
9. Divac

Not sure about the passing evaluation you have for Olajuwon. I thought Olajuwon was one of the best passing centers in the NBA. The Rockets back then would have not been successful with their "4-out 1-in" motion offense if Olajuwon was no better than an average passer at his position. His ability to read the defense and find the spot up shooters when teams crowded him was remarkable. He would also find the cutters like Horry when the defenses tightened up on the perimeter. The Magic in the 90's tried to run the same offense and failed when they got deep into the playoffs because Shaq's passing ability was not honed at the time. The key man like the center had to be a solid-to-great passer in this type of offense and Olajuwon provided this for his team.

And as much as you crucify some of these center's 'clutch' abilities, from my understanding, Wilt wasn't as clutch as I read him to be either. As supremely talented as Wilt was back then, people would argue that Bill Russell was the best center in the league at the time. And Wilt was much more talented than Russell.

[wwharton]

Re: The 'What If...' Thread

That's my point. If anything Kobe would probably have the title of best Shooting Guard in NBA history if Jordan never won any rings (best player ever? Well that's up to you to decide :3)

What if's are just that... but you have to think of the nature of basketball. Unlike football (and baseball even) it's much easier for a player with insane skill to be a huge difference in a championship team. In short, Jordan would've had to not be Jordan to not win any championships. It wasn't just a "right place/right time" thing. Maybe not win as many or maybe not win as early but there's no way he wouldn't have won a single one unless you're changing his make up as a person, athlete and player.