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Continuing my obsession with what ifs by doing another all time list of “what ifs” except this time it is about some of the iconic sliding doors moments in NBA history. I know doing can be sometimes delusional, but I pick five different scenarios that are not too far-fetched but closer to reality in them happening, so here are my top five “what if” moments in NBA history.
# 5: The Andrew Bogut Trade Included Stephen Curry instead of Monta Ellis
In March 2012, the Golden State Warriors traded for center Andrew Bogut to the Milwaukee Bucks for what seemed like a lateral move at the time. The Warriors sent away guard Monta Ellis, receiving Bogut in return. But what if the Bucks had insisted on Steph Curry instead of Ellis in that deal? At the time, this would not have seemed unreasonable. Ellis was coming off a 24.1 PPG season and was considered the Warriors’ primary offensive weapon, while Curry was still dealing with ankle injuries that threatened his career.
The Bucks, desperate for a dynamic scorer, might have preferred the explosive guard who had already proven he could be a primary option. Had this happened, the NBA’s landscape would be unrecognizable. The Warriors would never have become a dynasty, Curry would have revolutionized three-point shooting, and Milwaukee might have built around a healthy Curry and a young Giannis Antetokounmpo by the mid-2010s. Instead of Golden State’s four championships, we could be talking about the Curry-Giannis dynasty in Milwaukee that dominated the decade.
#4: Patrick Ewing Makes the Game-Winning Finger Roll in 1995 vs. The Pacers
The number four “what if” moment I was there in to witness. Game seven of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals came down to one moment: Patrick Ewing’s finger roll attempt with seconds remaining that would have given the New York Knicks a 99-97 victory over the Indiana Pacers. The shot rimmed out, Indiana won 97-95, and the Knicks’ championship window effectively slammed shut as I felt and heard the life go out of the world’s most famous arena.
But what if Ewing’s finger roll went in? The Knicks would have advanced to face Shaquille O’Neal and the young Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals. New York had already proven they could hang with elite teams, having pushed the Houston Rockets to seven games in the 1994 Finals. With home-court advantage and momentum from the dramatic Game 7 victory, the Knicks could have reached their second consecutive Finals.
More importantly, this moment could have validated Ewing’s legacy as a clutch performer rather than cementing his reputation for falling short in those moments as well as his place as possibly the greatest Knick ever. A championship for the Knicks would have changed how we view one of the great centers in NBA history and potentially altered the trajectory of the franchise for years to come.
#3: Michael Jordan Does not Retire in 1993
No single decision in sports history carries more “what if” weight than Michael Jordan’s first retirement in October 1993. Coming off his first 3-peat at the peak of his powers, Jordan walked away to pursue baseball following his father’s tragic death.
If Jordan had continued playing, the Chicago Bulls’ dynasty could have been even more dominant. The 1993-94 season saw Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets capture their first title, followed by another championship in 1995. But we could have witnessed the ultimate showdown between MJ and The Dream on the biggest stage. We are potentially looking at seven consecutive championships from 1991-1997, a feat unprecedented in modern professional sports or would we have witnessed the greatest of all-time be defeated by one of the greatest centers ever? The sliding doors element to this scenario is absolutely huge.
#2: The Malice at the Palace Does not Ruin the 2004-05 Pacers Season
Our number two “what if” moment was another one those moments that you had to witness in real time to understand the impact it had that night and for the rest of that season certainly. The Indiana Pacers entered the 2004-05 season as legitimate championship contenders, boasting a deep roster led by Ron Artest, Jermaine O’Neal, and Reggie Miller in his final season. They had just pushed the eventual champion Detroit Pistons to six games in the Eastern Conference Finals and seemed poised to take the next step.
Then came November 19, 2004, and the infamous “Malice at the Palace” brawl between the Pacers and Pistons. The fallout was catastrophic: Artest received a season-long suspension, Stephen Jackson got thirty games, and O’Neal was suspended for fifteen games. The Pacers’ championship hopes evaporated overnight.
Without the brawl, this Pacers team could have made a serious run at the title. They had the perfect blend of defense, veteran leadership, and playoff experience. Miller, one of the greatest clutch performers in NBA history, deserved a championship to cap his legendary career. The Pacers would have finally broken through in the Eastern Conference and faced a San Antonio Spurs team they matched up well against.
Beyond the immediate impact, avoiding the brawl could have changed the entire trajectory of the franchise. Instead of becoming synonymous with dysfunction, the pacers might have established themselves as a model organization. The ripple effects would have extended throughout the league, potentially preventing the NBA’s image problems and gross overcorrection that happened years after.
#1: LeBron James Takes His Talents to the Garden instead of South Beach
My number one “what if” moment was a given for me, for it was conveniently an added bonus for my surprise 25th birthday as I watched along with several Knick fans as LeBron ripped their hearts out that night with his decision. The summer of 2010 represented the most consequential free agency period in NBA history, with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh all hitting the market simultaneously. While “The Decision” sent James to Miami to join Wade and Bosh, the New York Knicks were serious contenders for his services.
Imagine LeBron announcing he was taking his talents to Madison Square Garden instead of South Beach. The basketball and cultural implications would have been seismic. James would have become the king of the world’s most famous arena, playing in the media capital of the world for a franchise desperate for relevance and hope.
The on-court ramifications are fascinating to consider. Without LeBron, the Miami Heat never formed their Big Three, meaning the Boston Celtics might have one more title, the Thunder with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden could have capitalized on their youth with some more finals appearances.
Meanwhile, LeBron in New York would have created unprecedented media attention and marketing opportunities. His brand would have reached incredible heights playing for the Knicks, potentially accelerating his business empire by years. The pressure and expectations would have been immense, but succeeding in New York might have elevated his legacy even beyond its current heights potentially cementing his case for the Goat.
From a basketball standpoint, the Knicks had salary cap space to build around LeBron, and Amar’e Stoudemire was already in place as a complementary star. With competent management, they could have attracted other elite players to form their own super team and would not have to give up so much for Carmelo Anthony. The entire Eastern Conference would have looked completely different, and we might be talking about multiple championships at MSG instead of Miami.
These five scenarios remind us that NBA history is built on countless sliding door moments. Each decision, made shot, or avoided altercation creates ripple effects that extend past the immediate moment. While we can only speculate about these alternate realities, they highlight just how fragile and fascinating the path to greatness truly is. The beauty of sports lies not just in what happened, but in all the possibilities of what might have been. These “what if” scenarios will continue to fuel debates and hopes for generations of basketball fans, serving as reminders that in the NBA, anything is possible as well as everything actually matters.