10. What if Len Bias didn't die from a drug overdose and played with the Celtics?
Len Bias was the second-overall pick in the 1986 draft. He was one of the greatest players of all time coming into a draft. He was built perfectly (6'8", 210 lbs.), and had tremendous basketball skills.
He was considered by many to be the most complete forward ever to come out of college, as he could score, rebound, and pass well. Coach K, the legendary head coach of the Duke Blue Devils, said that the two best players in the history of the ACC were Michael Jordan and Len Bias.
He was drafted by the Celtics after they won their third championship in the decade. He would have been a huge addition to the team, and likely would have extended their dominance. Bias would have given the Celtics room to rest their big three—in particular Larry Bird, who had back problems—more, which would have allowed them to have a few more healthy seasons.
However, Bias died shortly after being signed, and the Celtics were really never the same—until this past season, when they won their first championship since 1986.
9. What if Bill Walton had a long, healthy career?
Bill Walton was drafted first overall by the Blazers in 1974. He went on to have a couple of great seasons, but he was one of the most injured players in any sport, playing 468 games in his career.
When Walton was healthy, he was the best big man in the league not named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He was a good scorer, an excellent rebounder, fantastic defensively, and arguably the best-passing big man ever.
In his only relatively healthy season, Walton won the MVP award and led the Blazers to the only championship in their history. However, he had constant knee injuries and ended up having a wasted career for all of his skill.
Had he been healthy for 15 years, the '80s would have been even more competitive, as the Blazers would have been a championship contender in the West along with the Showtime Lakers. Individually, Walton would have likely won a couple more MVPs, and have several more All-Star, All-NBA and All-Defensive selections.
8. What if Arvydas Sabonis played with the Blazers when he was first drafted?
Sabonis was drafted in the first round in the 1986 draft by the Blazers, but he didn't play with them until the 1995-96 because of political reasons.
During his prime, Sabonis was the best European player in the world. He was considered by many to be the second-best big man in the world besides Kareem. If he would have been with the Blazers from the mid '80s, they probably would have had a dynasty during the '90s, as he would have paired up perfectly with Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter.
In his prime, Sabonis was one of the best-shooting big man ever, an excellent rebounder, one of the best passers for his size, and a fantastic defensive center who was a huge presence in the middle. Even though he came into the league late, he still managed to put up solid numbers in limited minutes, due to knee injuries and his age.
In the 1997-1998 season, he averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block, while shooting 49 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free-throw line at the age of 33.
7. What if Kevin McHale and Robert Parish weren't traded to the Celtics?
The Celtics had gotten Larry Bird the year before and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in his first season, but they needed to give him a better, younger supporting cast.
They did exactly that, as they traded Joe Barry Carroll for McHale and Parish, two future Hall of Fame big men who fit perfectly with Bird to form the greatest front court of all time.
The next season after the trade, they won the championship—and ended up winning two more in the decade, as they cemented themselves as one of the greatest teams in NBA history.
comments (49) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
Hmmm...a lot of Lakers 'what ifs' on here. Gee, I wonder why.
I have to say, though, that I agree with everyone of them. NBA history would read a lot differently if Magic, Kobe and Kareem had never worn Lakers uniforms.
I disagree with putting Duncan on this list for the reason you did. The Spurs never had any intention of picking Van Horn instead of Duncan and thank God. I think the better one would be 'what if' those lottery balls had rolled in Boston's favor?
I remember, as many San Antonio fans do, celebrating (some cried) when we knew Duncan was headed to South Texas. Even as a pesky kid, I could see that Timmy was a special player. I just knew it.
As a duel Rockets fan, I get asked all the time, 'what if' the Rockets had picked Jordan instead of Olajuwon. To me, what happened in that draft and most others happened for a reason. Can you imagine Jordan in any other uniform than the Bulls? Was he not meant to land in Chicago?
In hindsight, Bowie was a gigantic bust, and should have at least been picked behind Charles Barkley and some of the other spectacular talents. But, hindsight is just that. Portland did not want Jordan because it already boasted Clyde Drexler and felt he would prove too much of a duplicate.
Thanks for the good read. I always like revisiting these 'what ifs.'
about 1 month ago
Robert, I know there are a lot of what ifs about the Lakers, but that is because there have been several huge trades and signings the Lakers made that were so important in terms of the history of the league and how much it affected the NBA. Even though the Spurs were likely going to draft Duncan, there was still a small chance that Van Horn would be picked number 1.
from about 1 month ago
I was joshing with you about the number of Lakers' what ifs in your article, and I did say that I agreed they were all important to the league's rich history.
I still disagree there was any chance that the Spurs would not have picked Duncan in 1997. There was speculation before the draft that the Spurs might trade the pick, and Duncan himself wondered the same on draft night. Popovich quickly quelled the rumors and to this day, he says he knew Duncan was his guy all along.
But, I do agree that each of these 10 changed the NBA landscape.
about 1 month ago
Great article. These are all great picks. If Walton were healthy he would end up as one of the all time greats. If McHale and Parrish werent on the Celtics, the Celtics obviously wouldn't be the same team. And would have resulted in more rings for the Lakers in the 80's.
about 1 month ago
im pretty sure bias is the biggest what if...becasue everyone else played...but no one knew what bias was going to do...if drazen is later on this list then bias should be ahead of him...but yea...i believe bias would be the biggest what if ever...
from about 1 month ago
Sam, i disagree with you because even though Bias was a great college player, there was a chance that he could've ended up as bust or he maybe wouldn't have fit well with the team as there were already several great frontcourt players. I think there is no doubt that the Kareem coin flip/trade was the biggest what if of all time as it completely changed the league as the Suns probably wouldn't have traded him, which meant the Lakers wouldn't have ever gotten him.
about 1 month ago
Len Bias was a monster. Extremely athletic gifted. He would have added the one thing the Celtics didn't have, an athletic player to go get the ball. Throw the ball up and let Len dunk. He would have added a little "Showtime" in Boston.
Walton is a tough on for me. He was so good in college and then injury after injury. But I think you are right. It could have been a match-up with Kareem a little like Russell and Wilt.
Good article.
about 1 month ago
I think Bias should be higher because he could've helped the Celtics win a couple of more championships instead of them declining and not winning one until last year. However, it was a good overall list, especially your top three which I think were correct.
about 1 month ago
Too many what ifs? Whats the point? It didn't happen so what would it really matter if it did? I don't see the point.
from about 1 month ago
Brandon, it is just to see how important and how much of an impact each of the major trades or signings that happened or didn't had and how different the history of the league would have been if some of these things wouldn't have happened. For example, how different would the NBA have been if Jordan was on the Blazers instead of the big market Bulls.
from about 1 month ago
its nice to speculate thats really the point of articles like this.... marcel compiled some pretty nice facts and opinions here for the readers to speculate and make you think what if?
about 1 month ago
what if the Pistons picked Carmelo with the #2?
from about 1 month ago
the pistons probably would have not won the championship that year...haha...
about 1 month ago
len was one of the biggest but bowie goin before jordan def. was bigger
about 1 month ago
The Blazers had Clyde Drexler, why would they pick another shooting guard? Although it does pain me every time I hear about it...
from about 1 month ago
Clyde could have played small forward.
about 1 month ago
I like the Kobe idea, but you missed the importance. If kobe wasn't traded then there was a good chance Eddie Jones, Van Exel and shaq would have won titles while Kobe wouldn't have won anything In Charllote.
As a result Kobe would not be Kobe. He still would be one of the greatest scorers. But wihtout those early titles, the Jordan Kobe comparison would not exist, even though I think it shouldn't anyway.
from about 1 month ago
Ari,
Obviously you did not hear or see the recent interview that Shaq did on ESPN. He said that Kobe was the best little man he ever played with. He also stated that Kobe was the reason the he was able to win 3 titles in a row with the Lakers. There may never be a player as great as Micheal Jordan but then nobody ever thought that Micheal would be that great so you just never know. With that said comparisons are inevitable and even Kobe admits that he is not where Micheal is. And great talent is great talent and I don't believe it should be judged on how many championships are won as the only criteria.
about 1 month ago
6B what if kobe hadn't driven shaq out of LA? since then, the lakers have yet to win a championship, while shaq has won one.
kobe has been one of the most dominant players in the nba, but only recently have the lakers returned to being a dominant team.
shaq is by no means as dominant as he has been in the past, and kobe will continue to do so, but imagine if they had been able to turn some of those losing years into championship years
about 1 month ago
TJ, Kobe never drove Shaq out of LA. Jerry Buss didn't want to give Shaq a contract extension as he wanted $30 mil a year even though he missed several games the couple of years before on questionable injuries when he could've played, but instead chose to be lazy and not. Finally, the Lakers will win multiple championships with Kobe in the next 5-6 years as they have a great core of Kobe, Gasol, Bynum and young players like Farmar, Ariza and Sasha.
from about 1 month ago
keep on drinking that kool aid...
from about 1 month ago
Yeah...Kool Aid...more over here!
about 1 month ago
Don't forget about Reggie Lewis.
about 1 month ago
Is it really our place to say, "if not this, then that?" Who knows the future but God?
from about 1 month ago
Thank you.
about 1 month ago
Magic Johnson, humbly says Michael Jordan is the best player ever to play the ball. I just felt like adding this on this article, as a comment.
Is it his modesty, that he lies, and does not feel like saying "No, I am better" or does he really feel like it?
Jordan too is asked "do you consider yourself the best player ever" which he replies "I think is would not be fair to comment upon that since there are many other great players and since the game keeps evolving we cannot identify a 'best of all times'. We would not answer that since we have not played in the same era". This is a sensible and neat remark, which should extend itself to "who is the best F1 pilot ever" kind of questions.
from about 1 month ago
Prost.
about 1 month ago
When can we retire the Bowie question?
about 1 month ago
Walton's problems were with his FEET.
1. Magic 2. Jordan 3. Bird 4. Kareem 5. Wilt 6. Russell 7. Oscar 8. Moses 9. Dr. J 10. Elgin
from about 1 month ago
No way you put MJ behind MJ. Jordan is the epitomy of basketball. Magic is great but, even by his own admission, a great #2. Michael Jordan always will be the Babe Ruth of the NBA.
about 1 month ago
I am from Maryland and Len Bias was the real deal. Watching him play growing up was incredible. My what if would be, what if MJ hadn't retired and played baseball, could he have won 7 or 8 in a row. Him and Pippen dominated and complemented each other well on the court, all you had to do was give them a rebounder and a pure shooter and it was Ring time.
about 1 month ago
I have another one for you. What if Grant Hill had stayed healthy his entire career. He could have put up Hall of Fame numbers. Great article though.
about 1 month ago
Sam,
You're right on bullseye, with the Len Bias philosophy. I'd assumed its concensus, that Jordan wouldn't had dominated the NBA had Bias been around, who clearly showed he could outperform Jordan from time to time...when reflecting on their school's playing each other. I think the mental intensity would've come, while Bias sucked-up knowledge during years that Bird and crew where heading out, plus his skills and the physical ability was already above Jordan's. So, it would've definitely changed the 90's and Jordan's legacy, as we know them.
my rank:
4-Kobe/Vlade Divacs trade
3-What If...we could apply a _ _% distinguishing how responsible Malone is, for Stockton's legacy?
2-Portland passes on Bowie
1-Len Bias
about 1 month ago
very interesting topic here's one for ya
What if Comcast hadn't fired Bob Cousy from doing ten games a year? Well for one, I probably wouldn't be posting here. I invite all basketball fans to join our effort to bring NBA and Boston Celtivs Legend Bob Cousy back to the broadcast booth. Please join us on boston.com, celtics forum, SamRe:Cousy as we initiate a letter writing campaign and boycott to bring Bob Cousy back to the broadcast booth. thanx
about 1 month ago
David Thompson was the best player to come out of the ACC.
What if the 76ers didn't trade Moses Malone and Brad Daugherty on draft day 1986?
about 1 month ago
What about the Darko mis-step that the Pistons took in the '03 draft, passing on; Melo, Wade, or my favorite Bosh. That has had what could have been a 2 to 3 championship team in the last 5 years to the one title and a bunch of conference finals apperances.
-Curtis
from about 1 month ago
Curtis, the Darko draft pick just missed my list. The main reason why it didn't make it was because the Pistons still won a championship (though they could've won more if they drafted Bosh) after the terrible pick. Also Ron, Thompson was a great player and I thought about him, but there were just too many other ones that were ahead of that one.
about 1 month ago
Marcel,
You gotta be kidding right?
This Pistons skipped over Carmelo, and got...AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP!
If 'Melo had a few by now, or even one yet, then you might have a valid point. But he doesn't.
And for every year you all get to attack him as *his own* poisonous shortcoming, keeping from making his Team a championship contender? You're only validating how wise the Pistons were in skipping over him, since had they not, then the team would've likely been built around 'Melo and looking like the Nuggets have looked for the past 5 seasons...wise up!
from about 1 month ago
YungCaucasoid, you misunderstood what I said. I said the Pistons made a huge mistake by skipping over Bosh (not carmelo) when they drafted Darko. The Pistons wanted a young big man in the draft and the two best were Bosh and Darko. They messed up big time as they drafted a question mark in Darko instead of getting a less likely bust in Bosh.
about 1 month ago
Marcel,
Same concept and iron-clad reality applie. The Pistons skipped over Bosh, and got...AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP!
...and how many of those, does Chris Bosh have, since that '03 Draft day? How far away has Bosh been from getting one of those rings? Who's team is closer, today? How many Conference Finals have The Raptors been too, in the past 5 years, thanks to Bosh? Five! Oh----silly me----thats how many The Pistons have been to, since Bosh was passed over in that draft.
peace
from about 1 month ago
you are probably THE biggest idiot ever. Darko Milicic played FOUR minutes in 04. He made absolutely no contribution to his team. Bosh right now is a superstar and is on an good team. If bosh was on the pistons they would have won a couple of more rings.
bottom line...you have absolutely no knowledge about the game of basketball.
about 1 month ago
Has to be Jordan/ Bowie.
about 1 month ago
Yung Caucasoid, you don't know anything about what you are talking about. The Pistons were already a championship contender when they drafted Darko. The Pistons won 1 championship since they drafted Darko. If they had drafted Bosh they easily would have one 1-2 more and been in a lot better shape now instead of a declining team.
about 1 month ago
Steven,
I know it hurts your heart, to read my accuracy which you, just...can't dispel-------whatsoever!
Such as, how, The Pistons have a ring two NBA-Finals appearnces, and 5 trips to the Conference Championship, since Bosh puts his Raptors jersey on for the first time.
Since then, Chris Bosh has, well...you know.
hahahahaha
from about 1 month ago
I think you make a case here...easy.
about 1 month ago
Marcel,
I'm sorry, but I just can not waste time arguing *What If's* because I only dream them up. Like you do here, when you bring up Wade and "Melo.
Because the fact is, Detroit has been to two (2) NBA Finals and 5 Conference Finals, since passing on those boys in the '03 draft. As those same boys have shown that they can't do much of anything, toward Larry A. O'-trophy success, I mean...even take away Shaq, from Wade, and you see what he's shown us.
from about 1 month ago
I totally disagree with you yungCaucasoid. If the Pistons had drafted Bosh instead they would've had a dynasty begin as they likely would've won 3-4 championships instead of one and the Pistons would be a much better team now with Bosh in the middle along with Rasheed instead of Amir Johnson and they would continue to be a championship contender for the next 5-6 years.
about 1 month ago
What if;
Dennis Rodman wasn't at work that day. Yep, that day, when he got hunted down in the airport where he worked a low-paying job...and was Briefed on how his high-light tape had caught the interest of some team called "The Detroit Pistons" and they wanted to holler at him...
NBA---you gotta love it!
about 1 month ago
thank god pistons got darko
write a new comment