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Zetlin ponders NBA ‘what ifs?’
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by Derek Zetlin
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
To tell you the truth, I’ve never been a huge NBA fan. College hoops concluded by March Madness has always been my thing. I’ve always been a proponent of team basketball, as opposed to the isolationist, one-on-one game seen in the NBA during recent years. I always thought professional players took possessions, quarters, even games off and played defense, oh, every once in a while.
Although I still believe nothing in sports compares to the Big Dance, I must admit I was wrong.
This year’s NBA playoffs have done everything but disappoint. The Celtics-Hawks series went down to the wire as we saw a young team led by future star Joe Johnson — who was traded by the Celtics to the Suns in 2002 — emerge. Somehow Kobe is still able to baffle us, and Chris Paul continues to show the world why he is the game’s most complete point guard.
The West is completely up for grabs, and after Atlanta took Boston to seven games, the East looks wider open as well.
These playoffs should continue to excite, but as I watch, I can’t help but wonder, “what if?”
Countless numbers of trades, signings and draft picks have stacked up to formulate these postseason rosters. I’m aware that had certain deals taken (or not taken) place, subsequent moves may or may not have followed. But, in honor of summer on the horizon, let’s have some fun.
That said, imagine if…
The Lakers actually traded Kobe
It seems like ages ago that No. 24 wanted out of Los Angeles. But just months later, the Lakers finished first in the talent-filled West and look poised to at least contend for a championship.
After Bryant whined over the offseason, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak decided it was time to make some moves. Youngster Andrew Bynum started to blossom, then they traded for Pau Gasol. And the rest, well, we’ll have to wait and see.
But just think about Kobe in a Bulls uniform — which almost actually happened — perhaps donning No. 23? We’d probably be discussing a Boston-Chicago Eastern Conference Final. Wouldn’t that be fun?
The ping pong balls bounced correctly in ‘97
The Celtics finished the 1996-97 regular season with the best chance of receiving the No. 1 pick in the draft thanks to a poor record and a pair of picks. In most sports, that equates to having the first pick in the upcoming draft.
Not in the NBA.
At the time, University of Kentucky head coach Rick Pitino decided to leave the Wildcats in pursuit of coaching the next dominant big man: Wake Forest’s Tim Duncan. Pitino signed with the Celtics, but the balls bounced toward the Lone Star, not the Bay, State. The Spurs ended up with Duncan and have subsequently created a dynasty. The Celtics took Chauncey Billups with the third pick and haven’t made it to the NBA Finals since.
The Celtics hadn’t given up on Billups
Substitute Rajon Rondo — one of the most exciting, but worst shooting point guards in the league — with Billups. Then the C’s would have sharpshooter Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Mr. Big Shot all on the court in crunch time with Kevin Garnett.
Never would happen. But wow.
The Suns hadn’t traded for Shaq
You don’t need to imagine this one; you’ve already seen it for the last few seasons. The Suns weren’t getting over the hump with Shawn Marion. They couldn’t beat the Spurs last year — even had Amare Stoudamire not been suspended for Game 6, Shaq didn’t slow them down or make them any worse.
Hindsight is 20/20. I still like the trade.
Orlando took Parker in ‘01
The Magic had two first round picks in 2001. They selected Steven Hunter from DePaul with the 15th pick and Jeryl Sasser from SMU with No. 22.
Don’t worry, I haven’t heard of them either.
The Spurs stole Tony Parker with the last pick in the first round. Imagine the Frenchman and Dwight Howard on the same team. A true point guard is just what Orlando needs.
Good thing there’s plenty coming in this year’s draft.
The Pistons didn’t take Darko
Which one of these names is not like the other: LeBron James, Darko Milicic, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade?
Detroit took Darko. Think about the Pistons with one of the other three (LeBron wasn’t available at No. 2). I think they would have won more than just one championship.
Enough said.
The Cavs had taken Amare in ‘02
Instead, they took Dajaun Wager from Memphis at No. 6. LeBron and Amare playing together? Need I say more?
The Hawks had taken Chris Paul
The Wake Forest point guard was on the board in 2005 at No. 2 (so was Illinois point guard Deron Williams), but Atlanta opted to take UNC sixth man Marvin Williams from Roy Williams’ championship squad.
Think the Hawks were impressive against the C’s last week? Imagine CP3 running the show in Hotlanta.
Silly.
Utah stayed domestic in ‘03
The Jazz took Serbian Alexsander Pavlovic at No. 19 that year. Kendrick Perkins went 27th and Josh Howard went 29th. The Jazz could use both right about now as they stare Kobe in the face down 0-1.
The Bucks didn’t immediately trade Dirk to Dallas after the ‘98 Draft
Sorry, I had to.
Derek is a sophomore majoring in economics. He’ll be in Madison all summer, so if you want to talk sports, you can e-mail him at dzetlin@badgerherald.com.
Anonymous (May 7, 2008 @ 7:10am):
Tough what if's!
Have a good summer. You should write for another paper this summer!
Anonymous (May 7, 2008 @ 12:01pm):
Wow way to write the exact same article as Bill Simmons...
Anonymous (May 7, 2008 @ 1:04pm):
This article is poorly written by a man who doesnt have good NBA knowledge. Darko was a good choice because they didnt need a wade or w/e.
Anonymous (May 7, 2008 @ 2:30pm):
Get some new material. As quoted by another reader, you should probably stop reading Bill Simmons before you come up with your latest piece. Simmons has his own unique style in which it is obvious you are deriving from. However, best of luck down the road - Juan Reyes
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