Zoom's 'What If' Thread

[Zoom]

It's me and another one of my threads... This time, I want to try something (not) new. Every once in a while, I want to present a 'what if' scenario and see what you guys think. What you could think about is how it would have affected the history of the NBA, the significance of the people involved, etc...

So my first scenario is:

What If Michael Jordan Missed Game 5 AKA the Flu Game of the 1997 NBA Finals?



The Bulls only won 90-88 behind MJ's 38 points, including a game deciding three in the last minute... However, note that Utah had won Games 3 and 4 and Game 5 was to be held in Utah. So if MJ were to miss this game:

- Would the Bulls had won the game. If not, would they have won the championship?
- If the Jazz won the NBA Championship, how would that have affected the Bulls' legacy and their own legacy?
- If the Jazz had won, do you think MJ would have retired after 1998?

Link: Good Read About the Game

[Zoom]

I think that the Bulls would have played on heart without their leader on the court... I think that guys like Scottie, Rodman and Kukoc would have stepped up. However, Jeff Hornacek and John Stockton would have taken advantage of the absence of MJ. I think that the Jazz would have had an easier time, throwing defenders on Pippen over and over again and come out with the close win.

The Bulls would then need to try and swing the momentum of 3 straight Utah wins and win Game 6 at home. With MJ back, I think they could have done it and then gone on to win the series 4-3 in Game 7 at home. It would have been interesting because the Bulls have never trailed in an NBA Finals series... except for in 1998 where they were 1-0 down.

But if the Jazz had won the championship, obviously people wouldn't be talking about 2 three-peats within 8 years. The fact that that happened (winning) only adds to the MJ-led Bulls' legacy. But if they didn't win the second time round, I don't think that it would have taken too much away from Michael. The Jazz though would definitely be much more remembered IMO. Stockton would then be able to be compared (without opposition to this idea) to Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas and Bob Cousy and other championship winning guards; not syaing that he can't be compared to them now cause he can be... but a ring would really put him up there for sure. Karl Malone's place at the top of the list of great power forwards would be cemented with a ring.

Meanwhile for MJ, I think people would be saying either he lost to better opponents and it was unlucky he got sick or that ever since his return, he is a different player. That would no doubt fuel him to keep on going and trying to win more in the future. So even if the Bulls win in 1998, I don't think Michael would have retired and we may have seen Pippen and Mike keep playing together into the early 2000s. But that's wishful thinking.

[air gordon]

there's no "what if" since mj would never miss a nba finals game hehe (ruling out him being kidnapped/murdered/etc)

The Jazz probably would have won that game even though with Pippen probably getting a triple double and Kukoc scoring at least 30pts. No one on the Jazz matches up well with Kukoc but Kukoc can't guard anyone himself.

the Jazz would have the momentum but i can't see the Bulls losing at the place formerly known as the "Madhouse on Madison"

i pretty much agree with the rest of your post

[dada]

Almost 31 posts per day? ...wow.

I also dont think the flu would have kept Jordan out of the game. Only in professional sports do they make big deals out of the simplest things. I mean, I used to play basketball for hours into the night even with a pulled groin, cold/flu or tweaked ankle. Basketball was that fun for me. These days they sit out for centuries because they have a scratched elbow. I remember last season either Lebron or Wade was playing with a cold and the media were all over it as if they were superheroes for being able to dribble and sniffle at the same time. I'd be more impressed watching someone fight off a seizure and Ben Wallace at the same time.

Anyways...

If he did miss I would give the Jazz a slight edge but even if they did win I think Chicago woulda still won the series.

[Zoom]

Almost 31 posts per day? ...wow.

Got a problem with that?

[Amphatoast]

someone needs to get laid, not pointing any fingers

[Zoom]

haha, I just saw my gf a few hours ago.

Nah, its more like I need to get a job. It's Summer Holiday over here.

[Flash 3]

haha, I just saw my gf a few hours ago.

Nah, its more like I need to get a job. It's Summer Holiday over here.

Get a job. Its only spring.

[Zoom]

I got an interview at Coles this Saturday

Hopefully I get the job I had an interview at Woolies but didn't get the job cause I was 15 minutes late to my interview...

[Flash 3]

I got an interview at Coles this Saturday

Hopefully I get the job I had an interview at Woolies but didn't get the job cause I was 15 minutes late to my interview...

Why were you late? On NLSC forums posting?

[eisfeld]

Why were you late? On NLSC forums posting?

OT: I think without the leadership of MJ the Bulls would have lost the game and the Jazz finally would have got the recognition they deserved.

[maes]

That's a pretty good question. Game 5 is always the pivot game of a competitive series, being 1 game from finishing a series has a lot of mental consequences for both teams.

If the Jazz did go on to win that series and the NBA crown, nothing about the Bulls would have changed (except obviously 1 less championship). Michael retired because he wasn't going to stick around for rebuilding mode, which he tried to delay as long as possible because they were winning championships.

But in the end Krause & Reinsdorf were the opponents MJ could never defeat, and they were responsible for the Bulls' end, not any other team. His early retirement was forced on him, whether the Jazz won or not.

[hipn]

What if Arujo was actually good....hmm

[Zoom]

Why were you late? On NLSC forums posting?

Nah, this was the start of the year. I was playing ball and I said, 'one more game' when there was like 5 mins left till the interview. But i didn't think of the fact that it took 5 minutes to run up to the shopping mall ... so it was my bad

[Zoom]

What If Tracy and Vince Stuck Together?



Not sure about this but Raptors fans can fill me in! But here goes the story... Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter were cousins by marriage. They stared together in the 2000 Slam Dunk Comp and took the Raptors into the postseason for the frist time in franchise history. However, TMac would always find himself in the shadow of his team mate. Here are some things to consider:

- The two played the same position of SF
- Vince was the main scorer while TMac was relied upon to distribute and play defence... not a big enough role for him?
- Vince often got most of the fan's and media attention...

So in quoting Kobe Bryant in a SLAM (I know... SLAM... I hate that 'magazine' now) who claims that if TMac had stuck with Vince in Toronto, the Raptors would have been playing in the Finals. Do you guys think that would have happened? How good would the duo have been?

My answer: No doubt the two players are talented but the main question here is whether they would have co-existed well enough? At the time, both were improving but of course Carter was much more flashier and garnered most of the limelight... perhaps TMac didn't like that?

Well, on paper, I would say 'why not?' to if they could have played together. It would have been only a small ammount of time before the Coach would have made adjustments to have both players on the starting lineup. Trading away Doug Christie or Corliss Williamson (Whoever they would have had at the time) would have given more minutes to either of them and Mark Jackson was a superb floor general.

Obviously, on paper doesn't translate to on the court. It would be hard to say, even in hindsight, if this relationdship would have helped the Raptors.

However, with how weak the East was back in the day, I would think that TMac and Vinsanity would have had a pretty good chance of at least meeting perhaps the Pacers/Sixers/Nets in the Eastern Conference Finals and given them a good run for their money.

The lineup might have been:

C: Davis
PF: Oakley
SF: TMac
SG: Vince
PG: Jackson

As I said before... on paper looks great. Would it work? I will let you guys help me decide...

[Dean]

Depending on the talent around them, im pretty damn sure they would be challenging for at least a finals appearance.

I think that the way they act around each other in games and at ASW shows they would be able to co-exist.

[Cornerthree]

I think they would've made to the Finals, but I really doubt that McGrady would've improved so fast and become who he is right now...

[dada]

If they stuck together we would have seen alot of family feud going on on court as one questioned the others intelligence after jacking up some ridiculously difficult shot. Its easier to get away with it when there isnt any other superstar on the team capable of putting the ball in the bucket consistently.

[Zoom]

I really doubt that McGrady would've improved so fast and become who he is right now...

With minutes in Orlando, he won MIP and made the All-star team. I think he was talented in his own right... and would have contributed as a starter next to VC.

Its easier to get away with it when there isnt any other superstar on the team capable of putting the ball in the bucket consistently.

But do you think they would learn to play together?

[Cable]

I honestly think no, they wouldn't have been able co-exist. They both play almost exactly the same style of game, which means that only one of them would be able to play their game at a time and the other would have to take a supporting role. I can't see either player doing that.

I think that perhaps another option you could add to your choices was if they kept T-Mac long enough for his trade value to go up, then traded him for someone who could co-exist with Vince, probably a big man. That could have resulted in numerous finals appearances, but I don't know how likely it is that it could have happenned.

[Jackal]

probably a big man

Yeah, a big man. Hard to find quality big men you say? What rubbish?

[air gordon]

i'm with the "no" crowd also and agree with the reasons why. come to think of it- have there been any teams in recent NBA history that had 2 superstar offensive players on the wing that were successful in the league?

i'm not talking about Pippen/Jordan since they complimented one another very well and both played pg in the Bulls triangle offense

Zoom puts together some good posts/threads.. keep it up

[Its_asdf]

I think a better question for Raptors fans would be "What if McGrady was in Carter's position instead of signing with Orlando?"

In all honesty, when Carter and McGrady matched up with one another during the early 2000's when McGrady and Carter played their best basketball, it would always be McGrady that came out on top.

[Zoom]

Zoom puts together some good posts/threads.. keep it up

Cheers. Just trying to give out my opinions but also involve everybody. As i've said, forums are for discussion.

Also, it seems that a lot of you are going with no. That's cool!

Another What If scenario will be posted later! Thanks guys!

[Axel]

Great thread Zoom, and the post count doesn't matter as long as you are contributing , which I think you are.

As far as the what if scenarios, I've played the Jordan one through my head several times. It's painful to see him constantly bring his team to victory. While I agree that Jordan was exceptional, a consummate winner, and great for the league, I also believe that he spawned a future generation of selfish, individualists, which has resulted in what we have today. Had the brilliant teamwork of Stockton, Malone and their great supporting cast won at least one or two championships in place of the Bulls, I doubt we would have the the degree of MJ "impersonators" of today. Perhaps a better, more team oriented game? Would we hail players like Kobe (without Shaq), T-mac, and Vince Carter as the best in the league, despite achieving minimal team success? Or, would be more inclined to support team winners such as Tim Duncan? It's impossible to know for sure, but I think things would be much different today had MJ not come out on top each and every time.