SI Article: NBA 75th Anniversary "What Ifs"

[Donoghus]

This is a pretty entertaining read.

https://www.si.com/basketball/2021/10/11/daily-cover-nba-75-anniversary-what-if?utm_medium=push_notifications&utm_source=pushly&utm_campaign=1470183

[bdm860]

Started off like a Bill Simmons article, but not as good.  Simmons' Book of Basketball had some good ones, like what if Grant Hill never signed with Fila (no ankle injuries), and what if Anthony Carter's agent didn't forget to sign his contract (Shaq doesn't end up in Miami, maybe lands in Dallas with Dirk).

A couple of things I think were overlooked here in the article worth mentioning:  Portland not drafting Julius Irving in '72 is misleading, he was already under contract with the Squires in the ABA and it's not like the NBA team that drafted him (MIL) ever got him or any compensation (at least I don't think they did).

Also Bird on landing on the Celtics, I always heard all the teams ahead of Boston in the draft tried to get Bird to agree to sign, but  he wouldn't, so they didn't risk drafting him as Bird could have reentered the draft the next year and they'd lose their Bird rights (actually got to use Bird rights for Bird!).  And Boston was willing to take the risk because they had 2 picks (#6 and #8).  So it's not like only Red thought ahead here.

[nickagneta]

What if Len Bias decided not to do coke that night?

[Moranis]

They choose some weird ones. 

Some others that come to mind.

What if the Lakers don't win the coin flip to win Magic?  Magic has stated he never would have gone to the Bulls and would have gone back to school.  How much different is the NBA landscape if Magic doesn't end up on the Lakers? 

A couple of lottery what ifs for Boston as well i.e. what if they land Duncan or what if they landed Durant seriously changing how that offseason would have played out.