If you had to narrow it down to one what-if per franchise, which one makes the cut?
I'll give examples using the team I support (the Celtics):
Injuries - KG's injury in 2009. The Celtics had a scorching start to the season, but lost in 7 to the Magic. KG's absence let Dwight loose on the boards, & the next year when they did make the finals the Big Ticket had clearly lost a step.
Deaths - Len Bias in 1986. Red Auerbach had drafted a potentially transcendent player to back-up the greatest frontcourt in the history of professional basketball. Instead, a cocaine overdose killed him hours after being drafted No. 2.
Draft Picks - Kedrick Brown in 2001. Know who the Celtics had wanted to draft? Tony Parker. Unfortunately then-GM Chris Wallace was overruled by Celtics patriarch Red Auerbach.
Suspensions - Ime Udoka in 2022. Just months after taking the Celtics to the NBA finals, the former Spurs assistant was suspended for inappopriate relations with a female employee.
Made/missed shots - Artest's 3-pointer in 2010. I will always believe we'd have stolen that game if ~~Ron Artest~~ Metta World Peace doesn't drive that dagger through our hearts.
What ifs from my team:
Injuries: Cannot think of many, since I am a pistons fan only since 09 and they have been bad since like 08 so I can think of 3.
Cade 's injury last year, which robbed him of a full year of development. Hopefully he comes back a different man
Blake's injury that cost him his career
Grant Hill's ankle injury. Without Grant Hill leaving for Orlando we do not win in 04 but he was a beast from games I have seen from him.
Suspensions:
All of Sheed's tech related suspensions
Ben's suspension for the Malice at the Palace.
Draft Picks:
Darko, Austin Daye, Kyle Singler, Henry Ellenson, Stanley Johnson. Killian Hayes.
None? Thank god I cannot think of any
Sheed not guarding Robert Horry in 05 did cost us a ring so that one.
Darko’s gotta be number one right?