What If... the 16 teams with the best records went to the playoffs?

by Dan Feldman from http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/10/28/anthony-davis-puts-nba-on-quadruple-double-watch/

          It is a very opinionated debate regarding this question. If the playoffs were to start today, there would be ten teams from the West and six teams from the East. Many people have wondered if the 16 best teams should go against one another or eight from each side. TNT analyst and former NBA player, Charles Barkley has said it is unfair for those teams with above .500 from the West to miss the playoffs and teams below .500 from the East to make the playoffs.

          In last year's playoffs, the West was such a powerhouse that the Phoenix Suns, who had a 48-34 record but missed the playoffs. On the other hand, the New York Knicks had a 37-45 record and needed only 2 more wins to make the playoffs. The Atlanta Hawks were the eighth seed of the Eastern Conference. It goes to show the difference between the two conferences. For this year, it seems to be a bit of balance but the West still has the slighter edge. Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans could reach the playoffs if this change was to be made, making his hopes to the playoffs still alive. Should some teams move from the West to the East or should the 16 teams with the best records reach the playoffs?

What If... the Chicago Bulls stayed healthy all season?

by Tom Loxas from http://www.chicagonow.com/loxas-factor/2013/01/interview-espns-nick-friedell-talks-bulls-derrick-rose-kevin-love-and-the-next-ron-atrest-jimmy-butler/

                                 
          We all know what Derrick Rose is capable of when he is healthy on the floor. So far, he is averaging 18 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. He may not be getting the stats before he was injured but that's because the team has so many options. Through 30 games, he has missed 10 games due to either a knee injury or rest. He will be the key if the Chicago Bulls want to win a championship. Joakim Noah is also having a setback after an off-season surgery. He is only averaging 8.6 points and 9.8 rebounds but newly acquired Pau Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers is averaging almost 17.8 points and 11.4 rebounds which balances the frontcourt. As a veteran player of the NBA, Gasol is turning back time as one of the leaders of the Bulls as the are off to an 19-11 start, good for 4th in the East. The Bulls have all the tools to win a title because they have a good starting unit and bench. But in order for them to make it to the end, head coach, Tom Thibodeau, must make adjustments like Gregg Popovich, coach of the San Antonio Spurs. Jimmy Butler, who is leading the league in minutes played, almost 39 minutes per game. If he plays to much minutes in the season, Butler will feel the wear-and-tear in his body. He is young but still needs to be careful. But as Chris Webber quoted, "If it wasn't for the injuries of Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler would not have developed into the player he is today. He plays with so much passion on both ends of the floor. He guards the best player on the opposing teams and if the Bulls want to make it far into the playoffs, Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler needs to stay healthy.

What If... the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets were one team?

by Barbara Barker from http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/joe-johnson-may-return-for-nets-against-cavaliers-1.4995327

          If both team combined as one, would they be a top 4 team in the East? The team would consist of multiple former all-stars in the same lineup starting with Deron Williams at the point. Next to him is Joe Johnson. Carmelo Anthony would be their primary scorer while Joe Johnson is the secondary. It would be hard for the opposing players to double team either player but both players need to improve on their defense. Amar'e Stoudemire would join the starters because Kevin Garnett is too old but would provide leadership. Brook Lopez would finish up as the starting center for the team with his ability to back up in the post.

         For the bench, Josh Calderon could back up Williams and Tim Hardaway Jr. for Joe Johnson who can score at will if given minutes. J.R. Smith would see less minutes but has the ability to play great basketball on both ends of the floor. To round up for the rest, Mason Plumlee and Mirza Teletovic are both great pieces. Plumlee, who just came from winning gold medal as part of Team USA has a great defensive mentality who is still developing his offensive skills and Teletovic will make three pointers. Put these two teams together, it still doesn't look like a winning team. Is there something wrong with the city of New York or are they just unlucky?

"Holiday Edition" - What If... the All-Star game started next week, who should be on the team?

by Yahoo, @CHold from http://solecollector.com/news/damian-lillard-wears-fan-designed-adidas-rose-3-5/

       
          Welcome to the special edition of theNBAwhatIF. Today, we created a list of starters and reserves who should be on each side if the All-Star game was next week. The list includes first time all-star, Brandon Knight, who is averaging 18 points, 5 assists, and almost 5 rebounds. The Milwaukee Bucks, as of now, are in the 6th seed of the playoffs who has exceeded their expectations so far into the season. We also have Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant on the roster even though their teams aren't in the playoffs. I would've placed Russell Westbrook in the starting lineup but he missed a few games and the Oklahoma City Thunder are a few games below .500 With Kevin Durant back they should be heading nowhere but up in the West. I would love to see Marc Gasol in the starting lineup with averages of 20 points, 8 rebounds, and almost 4 assists. Stephen Curry should belong with the starters as well who is averaging 23 points and 8 rebounds. We would also like to note the Golden State Warriors are off to a 23-4 start which is the best record in the league. Should there be any changes? Let us know in the comments below!


Eastern Conference

John Wall, Washington Wizards, starting guard
Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors, starting guard
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, starting forward
Chris Bosh, Miami Heat, starting forward
Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls, starting forward

Brandon Knight, Milwaukee Bucks, reserve guard
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers, reserve guard
Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks, reserve forward
Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers, reserve forward
Demar Derozan, Toronto Raptors, reserve guard
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks, reserve forward
Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls, reserve guard

Western Conference

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors, starting guard
James Harden, Houston Rockets, starting guard
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans, starting forward
Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzles, starting forward
Lamarcus Aldridge, Portland Trailblazers, starting forward

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers, reserve guard
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, reserve guard
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers, reserve forward
Damian Lillard, Portland Trailblazers, reserve guard
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder, reserve guard
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks, reserve forward
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs, reserve forward

* exception to Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, and Dwight Howard for missing games

What If... Josh Smith was the missing piece of the Houston Rockets?

by Bruce Bennett/ Getty Images North America from http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/sKm20-vGweh/Detroit+Pistons+v+Brooklyn+Nets/xaBrP0soNTy/Josh+Smith

          Will the Houston Rockets pass the second round of the competitive Western Conference? Now that Josh Smith is the starting power forward of the Houston Rockets, he will play alongside Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, and James Harden. Once Terrence Jones is healthy, he will come off the bench for his defensive presence and rebounding ability. Their bench could use more depth and the point guard position. Patrick Beverley is a great defender but he continues to struggle on offense. With the addition of Josh Smith, will he bring the Rockets over the hump and make them a title contender? We question his leadership when he was with the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons. Will he adapt to his new role as either the 3rd or 4th option of the team? Josh Smith has to sacrifice more of his game if the Rockets to be a dominant team on a nightly basis. It will take time to find his rhythm shifting from the Eastern Conference to the West. He will have a key role once the playoff comes when he has to defend power forwards like Blake Griffin and Zach Randolph. Can Smith bring the team to the next level? We shall see. 

What If... Josh Smith was picked up by the Los Angeles Lakers?

by Carlos Osorio from/ Associated Press from http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lat-sp-pistons-15-20141202-photo.html

          Josh Smith was officially waived by the Detroit Pistons on December 22nd. With a line-up consisting of Josh Smith, Greg Monroe, Brandon Jennings, and Andre Drummond, they have not made it to the playoffs since they were formed. The Eastern Conference is not great as the Pistons should make it to the playoffs each year. What about the Lakers picking up Josh Smith? Maybe he needs to play with a superstar like Kobe Bryant. Josh Smith can help a player like Kobe Bryant because he can defend can run the fast break which Coach Byron Scott preaches of. Smith is not yet 30 years old yet and still in the midst of his prime. He is not the type of player the Lakers need to reach the playoffs but if they want excitement, Smith can give you that. The playoffs are still difficult, even the eighth seed as the teams are getting better and better. Smith needs a new home and the Lakers are a good place for him to start over if he was to get picked up.

What If... you can choose the top 5 exciting players to watch?

by Ryan McNeill from http://www.hoopsaddict.com/interviews/catching-up-with-giannis-antetokounmpo/    

          Russell Westbrook has been my number one priority because he is always in attack mode and of course is my favorite player. After him, I have to put my thinking cap on. I would have to base this topic on younger guys because they are quicker and can blow by a defender with their moves. Victor Oladipo of the Orlando Magic, is an rising young point guard/ shooting guard who in my mind will end up as an All-Star at one point of his career. He can finish in the paint and his ball handling moves are what makes you want to watch his game. Next up, I'll take Stephen Curry due to his high volume of three-point shooting and dribble moves. If you blink too fast, you will miss one his fancy dribbling skills. The Golden State Warrior's team in general, are fun to watch, not just him. We need a big guy on this list. Let's go with Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers. Every night, there is always a highlight dunk or a posterizer. That man can literally destroy the other team's momentum with a powerful dunk Griffin does on a nightly basis. The fact Griffin is developing an outside shot is scary for other teams. And for my last player on the list, I would have to go with second year player out of Greece, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who, plays for the Milwaukee Bucks. His name may be hard to pronounce but not his nickname. Known as the "Greek Freak", he can play multiple positions and his skillset is yet to be known, He has so much potential and as head coach of the Bucks, Jason Kidd has a really special player. Antetokounmpo is an 6 feet 11 guard who can run the lane and is a solid defender. We will see what he becomes after a few years in the league. My top five players to watch are Russell Westbrook, Victor Oladipo, Stephen Curry, Blake Griffin, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

What If... Kevin Garnett played like Tim Duncan at this age?

by Stephen Babb, Featured Columnist, Ronald Martinez/ Getty Images from http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2087625-tim-duncan-can-become-first-player-ever-to-win-title-in-three-different-decades

         
          Kevin Garnett has had a great career since his years from Minnesota Timberwolves to winning a championship with the Boston Celtics. His role has changed dramatically after the trade to the Brooklyn Nets. As an veteran of the team, he is more of a vocal leader who has great advice to give back to the young players. Kevin Garnett is playing around 20 minutes per game which is respectable for his age. On the other hand, Tim Duncan who has been the centerpiece of the San Antonio Spurs for over a decade, was expecting a decline from people over the world who watches the game of basketball. But he has proven those non-believers wrong each and every year. He may not be the focal point of the offense, but when the team needs a bucket, he takes care of it. Tim Duncan has been an idol for many players and playing an elite level of basketball. He has secured an top ten player of all-time after he is set to retire. It is not Kevin Garnett's fault he is not playing the way he was ten years ago. Tim Duncan has rejuvenated himself and is still motivated to play for multiple years and contend for a title. If Kevin Garnett was to average a double-double like Duncan, the Brooklyn Nets would have a solid team. Maybe they would be a top five team in the Eastern Conference. We could compare the two players if it was five years ago. Now, Garnett is playing a limited role and Tim Duncan is an ageless wonder. We are not disappointed in Kevin Garnett. We are just amazed at what Tim Duncan has accomplished at the age of thirty-eight.

What If... Carmelo Anthony replaced Kawhi Leonard last season?

by Andrew Melnick, Soobum Im- USA TODAY Sports from http://fansided.com/2014/05/29/nba-rumors-san-antonio-spurs-pursue-carmelo-anthony/ 

       
          Carmelo Anthony is known for one-on-one plays. If he was a part of the San Antonio Spurs roster, the chemistry would not be there or would Carmelo flourish in Gregg Popovich's system? Kawhi Leonard had a huge impact in the playoffs especially on the defensive end. Would the Spurs have won the championship if Carmelo was their starting small forward? He would had to guard Lebron James for seven game series which would have been a difficult task because he uses most of his energy scoring.
         
          Would Carmelo actually give up scoring 25 points a game in order to win a championship? If he listens to Popovich's advice, he could make a name for himself and people would want him as a teammate. As of now, the New York Knick's are struggling with and without him. Carmelo is not the same player as Kawhi Leonard and if he was replaced by Carmelo on the Spurs roster, they would not have won the championship last year.

What If... Paul George came back at the end of the season?

by Alex Expinoza, Correspondent, Bill Baptist/ Getty Images from http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1812392-paul-george-will-miss-wednesdays-preseason-clash-with-bronchitis

       
         Paul George was at the point of his career where he transforms from a great player to an all-star caliber type of player. His weakness is a consistency stat line on a night basis. Sometimes he would give you great numbers others not so much. But he's a young player and will learn from the small mistakes. Frank Vogel is a great head coach for Paul George to have as he will push it to his limit. Coming back from a serious injury, George should forgo the rest of the season to rest up. We know if the Indiana Pacers are in the playoffs, they won't have home advantage.

          

          We saw how Danny Granger came back from an injury. He was just not the same player. One reason could be his confidence never came back or he didn't have enough time to heal up and come back to the player he was before. We want Paul George to come back healthy and play great basketball again. Every player wants to come back as soon as possible but if he wants to have a long career, staying out this season is highly recommended. The team is struggling to find offense and rhythm without him but he is their franchise player. Don't worry PG13. Your time will come very soon.

What If... Ricky Rubio had a jump shot?

by David Nurse from http://hoopshype.com/columns/david-nurse/how-to-fix-ricky-rubios-shot

          If Ricky Rubio had a jump shot, he would be close to a poor man's Steve Nash or Jason Kidd. Their visions on the floor is unbelievable and had a steady mid range and outside shot. Ricky Rubio has to improve on his jumper. More than three years into his career, he should be averaging more points and assists year by year. Instead, it has either stayed the same or decreased. He is also susceptible to injuries as he has only one full season in his short career. In three years in the league, 15 points 10 assists per game should be reasonable for the type of player he is. He would make the game easier for himself in late game situations if others aren't open for a shot. Rubio should be worried because veteran point guard Mo Williams and rookie Zach Lavine has been looking good since Rubio went down in his 5th game of the season. Whether or not Rubio develops a jumper is still a concern for the Minnesota Timberwolves if they want to make the playoffs. Rookies Andrew Wiggins and Zach Lavine with rising star Gorgui Dieng as a back up center. The team has potential with all these young players. Ricky Rubio with a jump shot will be scary for the Western Conference after a few years when all the young players develop. If there is no change in Rubio's game, his career will long soon be over as this has become a point guard dominant game.

What If... you can repick the top 5 picks of the 2007 NBA draft?

by Clark Mitchell from http://www.chatsports.com/san-antonio-spurs/a/Report-San-Antonio-Spurs-To-Target-Grizzlies-Marc-Gasol-If-Tim-Duncan-Retires-10-192-358

          If we were to start all over with the picks of the 2007 NBA draft, Greg Oden who was originally the top pick of the draft, should not belong in the top ten. But injuries are part of the game and Oden was an unfortunate player to have multiple leg injuries throughout his short career. So far, the favorite to come first out if we were to restart the draft, it would be Kevin Durant no questions asked. In his first 8 years of his career, he has claimed himself as one of the most lethal shooters in the game. As the 2nd pick of the same draft, I would go for Marc Gasol, who was actually traded for his brother Pau Gasol. He has been as good as his brother if not better. For the third pick, it would be Joakim Noah, who is a very underrated center in this league. He is a tenacious defender who will frustrate the opposing player on every possession. Moving on to the fourth pick, Al Horford who is a center who has a quiet well-around game. For a big man, he has great quickness and footwork to go along with an mid-range shot. For the last pick, it would be Mike Conley,Jr., a crafty player known more for his picky defense. His offense wasn't quick there in his first few seasons but kept working hard and did well after receiving his new contract. Overall, my top five draft would be Kevin Durant, Marc Gasol, Joakim Noah, Al Horford, and Mike Conley, Jr.

What If... there was a "most disappointing team" award, which team would it be so far?

by Sam Alipour, Allen Einstein/ NBAE/ Getty Images from http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10476128/detroit-pistons-andre-drummond-social-media-star-espn-magazine 

          If the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers had better players, I would choose one of those three but their records shows why they are struggling. Kobe Bryant, Rajan Rondo and Carmelo Anthony can not make their team a title contender just by themselves. This pick came down to having the best team to succeed yet loses games. It was a close one as I had to chose between the Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons. I went with the Detroit Pistons because they have great basketball players yet they can't win games. Starting with Brandon Jennings who is crafty with the ball but has questionable plays. The main question on the team is Josh Smith. Coach Stan Van Gundy hasn't committed him to a particular position. With so many front court players, it seems he's deciding to put him with Greg Monroe or not. Together or not, they are clearly struggling playing together because they play better with the ball in their hands.

          A disappointing team award has to come with a disappointing team as well. To me, Andre Drummond has not been meeting expectations. Maybe it's the coach, maybe it's him. We don't know yet. We were expecting a 15 point 15 rebound game. I was expecting a much better improvement since the end of last season where he stepped up and posted big numbers. Also, they have a solid bench containing D.J. Augustin and Caron Butler. This team should be in the hunt for the playoffs if not at least a 7th seed or 8th seed of the Eastern Conference.

What If... you had to pick one player to take the last shot to win, who would it be?

by Tim MacMahon, Jerome Miron, USA TODAY Sports from http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/mavericks/post/_/id/4699325/35-year-old-dirk-goes-off-for-40 

                                                 
          Dirk Nowitzki has to be the guy to take the last shot for me. He had an unguardable fade-way jumper. At seven feet tall playing power forward, on most night, could shoot over players at his position. Many people would say either Kevin Durant, Lebron James, and Kobe Bryant. To me, Nowitzki has the most patented shot because he shoots it all the time in game and in practice. He is capable of making mid range shots and three pointers. Kevin Durant has learned from Nowitzki and added the one legged shot to his arsenal. Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki are making young players of the league look silly. Both are thirty-six years old and in their father times, yet could create problems for the opposing teams. Nowitzki has the better overall game and shot selection. His releases are quick and at the high point of his release so he doesn't get blocked often. I like James Harden also but he over dribbles and sometimes would turn the ball over in the last few seconds of the game. Nowitzki is the safe pick for me. Others would argue why Nowitzki? This is my thoughts on the question and in full support of it. Sorry for the haters. There are good choices out there but Nowitzki is who I would choose to take the last shot of the game.

What If... Anthony Davis fell down to the 2nd pick of the NBA draft?

by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com from http://photos.nola.com/tpphotos/2013/10/anthony_davis_pelicans_vs_heat.html

          It would be highly unlikely to have Michael Kidd-Gilchrist over Anthony Davis but at the time they were both rookies and the league didn't know what to expect from college players. It went the same for Greg Oden over Kevin Durant as the first pick of the NBA draft. There are many draft pick busts in each year's draft but Anthony Davis surely wasn't one of them. Hypothetically, if he was dropped down to the second pick, how would the now Charlotte Hornets be positioned in the Eastern Conference?

          Alongside with Al Jefferson and Kemba Walker, they would create a force to be reckoned with. With years of experience together, they would probably reach the playoffs and pass the first  round. Anthony Davis has improved his game dramatically since his rookie year as he developed a mid-range game to go along with his handles and quickness. For a big men, it is such an useful asset to blow by defenders who are unable to keep up with his speed. Lance Stephensen would be a complementary player and be the glue guy for the test and play a similar role when he was with the Indiana Pacers. Kemba Walker would play the facilitator role and make outside shots when Davis and Jefferson are double-teamed. There would be a lot of help in Charlotte and easier to reach the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. The New Orleans Pelicans are going to have a tough time reaching the playoffs because the Western Conference is so crowded and stacked. Hopefully, Davis won't be too old by then.

What If... Chris Bosh went to the Houston Rockets this offseason?

by Yoni Pollak, Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports from http://houseofhouston.com/2014/11/18/chris-bosh-signing-houston-guaranteed-bunch-pressure/ 

          Most likely, Chris Bosh was going to become a supporting role for Dwight Howard and James Harden. He was being overshadowed by Lebron James and Dwyane Wade. They managed to get two NBA championships as the Big 3 but saw a huge opportunity for himself when Lebron James left the Miami Heat to return home and join the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bosh knew he could be the go-to scorer with Dwyane Wade returning as well. Dwyane Wade has not been the healthiest player so much of the scoring is now depended by Bosh. 

          With the Miami Heat's early struggle, having a losing record, it will be tough for them to be a top four teams in the Eastern Conference. Home court advantage is important and this year it will be hard to accomplish for the Heat. As I was saying, Bosh with the Houston Rockets was a very close deal because that would mean going back to home for him. Under the circumstances, he would receive less money to go to the Rockets and more by staying with the Miami Heat. If Chris Bosh took the deal with the Rockets, They would be a lethal team entering the playoffs with the exception of their point guard position with Patrick Beverley. They have Terrence Jones who has a great feel for the game improving year by year. And having Trevor Ariza back making James Harden's life easier as he has someone to kick out when a double team comes. There would be too many options on the Houston Rockets which would allow them to have a deep run in the playoffs even though they are in the Western Conference. 

What If... you had to make a starting line-up with only bench players?

by Jamie McDonald/ Getty Images Europe from http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/7vQu9Mimnp-/Oklahoma+City+Thunder+v+Philadelphia+76ers/pIDqJ1M6Zjy/Reggie+Jackson

          For my backcourt, it would have to be Isaiah Thomas and Reggie Jackson. In order to have a good team, you need point guards. Thomas and Jackson has toughness and quickness at their position. At the small forward spot, I would take Andre Iguodala because he is versatile and can guard every position. As the manager, I would make him play this position because he can lock down great forwards and guards with the exception of a few players who are just unstoppable like Anthony Davis. For my forward spot, I like Taj Gibson because he's always aggressive on the defensive end and when Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah are out on nights, he can get 20 point 10 rebound game if needed. Brandon Wright would have to me my center because his field goal percentage is high and takes reasonable shots. He is able to protect the paint and plays help defense which is key to having a long career in the NBA. Draymond Green is an asterisk because he is currently replaced as a starter for David Lee who hasn't played in the season yet. Otherwise, I would pick him because he can fill the stat sheet up with assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals. Another honorable mention would be Ryan Anderson who can is a stretch four who can spread the floor for his teammates. What are your five picks?

What If... Lebron James paired up with a young Shaquille O'neal?

by Starting Blocks/ Associated Press from http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2009/06/veteran_golf_star_hale_irwin_n.html

          Can you imagine these two on the same team? We've seen Lebron James play with Shaq well pasted thirty years old. The free agent during that summer would swarm all over the Cleveland Cavaliers organization to play with the superstars.

          How cool would it be to see a 25 year old Shaq playing alongside Lebron James? If James has a difficult scoring night, all he had to do was just pass the ball to the post and Shaq would give them two points easily. Shaq was easily the most dominant big man in his era. Injury was never a huge factor for most part of his early career which allowed him to play major minutes with the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers. The only concern was his fouls. Once he commit early fouls, he would be benched. Also, if a game is coming down to the wire, Shaq would be benched due to his horrific free throws. Other than that, the opposing team's center is going to have a bad shooting night. Going back to James and Shaq as a combo, they are not great free throw shooters for their career but as team players, they make those who surround them better baskeball players. James has the vision of a point guard who can play multiple positions. With James and Shaq paired up together, would they have won more championships than Kobe Bryant and Shaq? Or would they have been a bust?

What If... the Los Angeles Lakers signed Rajon Rondo?

by S. Evans from http://www.ngngsports.com/2012/03/boston-would-trade-rajon-rondo-to-the-lakers-but-the-lakers-wont-give-up-pau-gasol.html

          Rajon Rondo is a point guard who can drop triple-doubles on any given night. Pairing up with an aging Kobe Bryant allows Bryant to settle for more open jumpers than double teams. However can the Los Angeles Lakers attract enough free agents to be considered a title contender? Rondo is the facilitator the Lakers need because there hasn't been enough ball movement when Jeremy Lin and Kobe Bryant play together. Head Coach Bryon Scott is allowing too much isolation plays for Bryant to handle and as a result, a high chance of injury. Bryant has been terrific, don't get me wrong, but he is thirty-six years old and still averaging around 25 points per game. It is amazing what his body is capable of at that age.

          Rondo gives Bryant a better chance winning games. After looking at the Western Conference, there's still the San Antonio Spurs who are the defending champions, up and rising Portland Trailblazers led by LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard, Memphis Grizzles with MVP candidate Marc Gasol, and Houston Rockets who is playing great basketball even with the absence of Dwight Howard. Tickets will be sold out because any game with Rajan Rondo and Kobe Bryant would be exciting to watch but in order to reach through the first round of the playoffs and into the Western Conference Finals, the team would need another star player. Carlos Boozer, Jordan Hill, and Ed Davis needs help in the paint as they need another body after a season ending injury suffered by rookie Julius Randle. A player like LaMarcus Aldridge would be a great addition but they have a key core of guys including Damian Lillard, Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthew, and of course, Aldridge, himself. Hopefully the Lakers can bring back championship atmosphere and Bryant another ring as only time will tell.

What If... you were able to get season tickets, FRONT ROW, for one team , which would it be?

by Nick DePaula from http://solecollector.com/news/stephen-curry-s-26th-birthday-under-armour-anatomix-spawn-pes/

          Hypothetically, we're not all wealthy so we don't have the court side seats. Stars like Drake watches the Toronto Raptor, who is often seen on TV cheering his team. If I had the chance to choose a team to watch for a season long, especially that close to the players, it would probably be the Golden State Warriors. Two deadly shooters who have range beyond the three-point line is always exciting to watch. The atmosphere is great up at the Bay Area. We know people love city of Los Angeles, who roots for their Lakers and Clippers. It's great to see Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, and Blake Griffin. But the Golden State Warriors are young and exciting with a new head coach, Steve Kerr. The team is gelling quite fast as they are off to a fast start and is at the top of the Western Conference. It's time to start taking the Golden State Warriors seriously coming to the playoffs because of their depth in bench. Stephen Curry has so many dribble moves making the defense look silly at times. Andrew Bogut also contributed to the team in the limited minutes he plays. Draymond Green has been great who is starting at power forward in place of David due to an injury. And we can't forget about Klay Thompson, who just had a contract extension. We can't underestimate the Golden State Warriors anymore as they will be tough to beat in a seven game series.

What if... Anthony Davis replaced Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs?

       

by Derick E. Hingle, USA TODAY, Matt Cianfrone from http://pelicandebrief.com/2014/11/08/game-preview-new-orleans-pelicans-vs-san-antonio-spurs/  

          Sure, the Spurs are in the hunt for another playoff ring until their Big 3 is dispatched. The team has enough salary to sign a max-contract free agent unless they want to invest their money on Kawhi Leonard who is not a bad choice either. But Anthony Davis is only in his early stages of a monstrous career. Growing up and playing the point guard position in middle school, it's rare to see big men who has handles and can break down the defense as easily as he can. Davis secures the paint with his tenacious ability of blocking and grabbing defensive and offensive rebounds. He will be the future of the NBA, no doubt. The Spurs are in need of a replacement and unless they draft another Hall of Fame player through next year's draft, they will have to sign a free agent. If the Spurs were to get Anthony Davis through free agency, they will be a top five team for the next upcoming years unless head coach Gregg Popovich decides to leave after Tim Duncan retires. Anthony Davis should be tired of losing with the New Orleans Pelicans and I wouldn't be surprised if he moved on to another team unless they start winning games and making the playoffs in the Western Conference.

What If... Lance Stephenson stayed with the Indiana Pacers?

by Dan Favale, Ron Hoskins/ Getty Images from http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1907195-is-lance-stephenson-playing-himself-out-of-indiana-pacers-price-range 

          Alright, we all know Lance Stephenson is not an all-star caliber player yet. Though, he is a great supporting role player that complemented Paul George, David West, and Roy Hibbert. If he was still a part of the Indiana Pacers, he could have played an important role as David West and George Hill were hurt at the beginning of the season. And of course, Paul George who is assumed to be out for the reason of the season after an injury during a scrimmage playing for Team USA. All hopes were up for Indiana Pacers reaching the Eastern conference finals as the Big 3 in Miami Heat broke apart last season. The Indiana Pacers had a nice chemistry between the starting players for a couple years hoping to last. If the Pacers knew Paul George's scenario, Lance Stephenson could've developed into a primary player for the team this year. They are desperately looking for a scoring punch as they have to rely on Chris Copeland and Solomon Hill. Stephenson's new team, Charlotte Hornets, are struggling to sustain a winning record as Lance Stephenson continue to learn a new system.

What If... Kobe Bryant never played with Shaquille O'neal or Pau Gasol?

by Trey Kerby from http://blogs.thescore.com/tbj/2011/10/18/shaq-and-kobe-are-still-shaq-and-kobe/

          Would Kobe Bryant be compared to Michael Jordan as the best NBA player of all-time? Kobe Bryant has won five championships so far and all his five had a dominant big man on the roster. If we were to take Shaq and Gasol away from Kobe Bryant, we might be comparing him to Allen Iverson who was always a great scorer and leader but never had a championship. Kobe Bryant is a competitive player because there was a team built around him with a great coach, Phil Jackson, who has more championships than fingers can count. I'm curious to see a young Kobe Bryant lead a team to the NBA Finals. This reminds me of Lebron James who averaged around 25 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds with the Cleveland Cavaliers before he went on to form the Big 3 in Miami with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Lebron James could lead his team to the playoffs but in decisive moments he had less success. Would Kobe Bryant have led the Los Angeles Lakers without Shaq or Gasol? We all know what Kobe Bryant is capable of as he was an elite defender and scorer. Because of the situation, Kobe Bryant did his part and helped his team. Without Kobe Bryant, the Lakers wouldn't have had those championships and without a great team, Kobe Bryant probably wouldn't have championships either.

What If... the NBA had one game per week just like the NFL?

by Brian Lewis/ Getty Images from http://nypost.com/2014/11/25/nba-commissioner-calls-nets-spending-unhealthy/

          What would the league be like? I can't imagine watching one basketball game and waiting for another week. It's obvious the team would have more time to prepare for the next game as they have can review their strategies and practice. As a unit, the NFL has more players on a team so it makes sense to have a game per week. Maybe the league should lessen the games being played in the NBA and having two games per week. That would make the San Antonio Spurs a more dangerous team as head coach, Gregg Popovich, prepares for each game carefully. There were rumors that new NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, mentioned lessening the season games. It would be great for the NBA players because they can rest up more and have more time to recover from an injury. The league can also limit each quarter to ten minutes like how the international league does. But only time will tell as chances are very slim for changes.

What If... There was one NBA player who you can hang out with for one day, who would it be?

by Dan Feldman/ Getty Images from http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/11/report-nick-young-signing-four-year-21-5-million-contract-with-lakers/

          For me, it would have to be either Russell Westbrook or Nick Young. Westbrook is such a dynamic player who attacks the basket none other than Derrick Rose in his healthy years. He has a very serious demeanor on the court and competitive at all times. On the other hand, Nick Young fools around and jokes with his teammates on and off the court. He has an unique personality who differs from the rest of the league. Sometimes his basketball plays can be questionable but overall he is a teammate that will support you and certainly his scoring has helped Kobe Bryant while coming off the bench. Nick Young is often seen goofing around on the bench even if the team is losing or winning (which may not be good idea when losing). But he enjoys the game and handles the media so well which is why the interviewers asks him many questions. So if I were to pick one player to hang out for one day, it would be Nick Young. Sorry, Westbrook, but you're still my favorite player.

What If... You can bring back one NBA player from the past into our era, who would it be?

by Lauren Schwartzberg from http://respect-mag.com/video-magic-johnson-x-the-announcement/

          I would love to see Magic Johnson running a team and making the game exciting to watch for the fans. Even though most of us young people including myself weren't there to see him, we would have loved to watch him play. His slick bounce passes and his ability as a leader is amazing since his rookie year which could not be compared. He could defend multiple positions and make his teammates better as the floor general. How about a Magic Johnson in the New York Knicks who desperately needs a point who can run the triangle offense or the Dallas Mavericks who have several stars like Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis and upcoming star Chandler Parsons. That would make them championship caliber team for several years until Dirk Nowitzki decides to retire or move on with another team. It's crazy to see the game change decade to decade but if we can see a player now from the past, it would be Magic Johnson for me, hands down.

What If... Gregg Popovich was the head coach of the New York Knicks?

by Mike Dyce from http://fansided.com/2014/01/08/jeff-van-gundys-odd-interview-spurs-gregg-popovich-ends-hug-video/

          It may seem surreal to see Gregg Popovich to coach any other team than the San Antonio Spurs but how well would the New York Knicks be if they had him as head coach? Would J.R. Smith buy into the system and become a pass first guard? Would the Knicks be able to win games with Carmelo Anthony playing 30 minutes a game? Maybe Iman Shumpert would be put in a similar situation as Kawhi Leonard and guard the best player on the opponents' team. 

          Coach Popovich had Boris Diaw play a key role in San Antonio Spurs run to the NBA finals against the Miami Heat and eventually winning the championship. Diaw didn't seem to fit with his old team, the Charlotte Bobcats. But Popovich managed to use Diaw's strength and established as part of a winning formula. Would the entire Knicks roster buy into his system? Or would it be a waste of time? We will never find out as Popovich and the Spurs continue their tradition of winning.

What If... Derrick Rose never got injured?

by Marc Serota/Getty Images from http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Mario+Chalmers/Derrick+Rose/Chicago+Bulls+v+Miami+Heat+Game+Three/xn7DWSYU58a

          Would Derrick Rose have been back to back MVP? Probably not since Lebron James is still in the league but he is getting older and Kevin Durant is on the rise. The main question is would Jimmy Butler have developed into the Jimmy Butler playing this season? His confidence is soaring through the roof since the end of last season. Playing alongside Joakim Noah and Luol Deng at the same time gave him an opportunity to show his ability as a basketball player on both sides of the court. He hustled on both ends and played on-ball defense as if he was playing for a max contract. His ability to defend was key for the team as the Chicago Bulls made the playoffs without Derrick Rose in the lineup. Jimmy Butler was a core part of head coach, Tom Thibodeau's, system. 

          If it wasn't for the injury of Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler wouldn't have the chance to showcase his skills. We knew his defense was there as he can defend multiple positions. Jimmy Butler played major minutes on the team and as a result, relied on him to play offense and defense. His game reminds me of Kawhi Leonard as his defense came first and his offense came later on. Now that Jimmy Butler has Derrick Rose back alongside with Joakim Noah and newly acquired Pau Gasol, there is a threat on the Chicago Bulls at every position. The absence of Derrick Rose brought Jimmy Butler's game to the next level in a short period of time.

What If... Phil Jackson revived Andrew Bynum's career?

by Barry Petchesky from http://deadspin.com/5919528/phil-jackson-thinks-andrew-bynum-ruined-the-lakers-mojo

          It's safe to say, Andrew Bynum has not been doing well since the blockbuster Dwight Howard trade. Fans in Philadelphia had hope of receiving an elite center. Personal injuries during the off season lead to a season on the bench and finally the team felt they had to part ways.
       
          Can Phil Jackson persuade Andrew Bynum to come to the New York Knicks and play at an elite level? The Knicks are in desperate of a post-up center. Andrew Bynum doesn't need the money right now. He needs to gain his reputation back and why not start in New York with Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher. He has nothing to lose and all the Knicks fan want is a ticket to the Eastern Conference playoffs. He can score and grab rebounds but most importantly the team needs him to play defense. We already know he can run the triangle offense when he was with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Why not give the big fella a try at MSG?

What If... Jeremy Lin was still with the New York Knicks?

by Justin Thomas from http://egotvonline.com/2012/02/16/jeremy-lin-photos/

         
          We knew Houston Rockets offered him more money. But if Jeremy Lin stayed with the Knicks, would his role continue to be the same? Amar'e Stoudemire was playing great basketball and MSG had sellouts after sellouts. Jeremy Lin provided excitement in which the Knicks lacked. The Knicks needed Jeremy Lin and Jeremy Lin needed the Knicks. It was a win-win situation. Basketball is a business and they had to part ways. After Lin's run with the Knicks, his performance went downhill after signing with the Houston Rockets and eventually traded to the Los Angeles Lakers after two seasons. It was the perfect situation for him when Mike D'Antoni was the head coach of the New York Knicks. His up-tempo offense and Jeremy Lin's playmaking and driving abilities gave outside players such as Steve Novak and Carmelo Anthony more room for their offense. Is there still hope Jeremy Lin will return to the New York Knicks again? 

What If... Carmelo Anthony went to the Chicago Bulls?

by diehardspot from http://www.diehardsport.com/nba/hypothetical-trade-sends-derrick-rose-jimmy-butler-carmelo-anthony/

          Would he have taken the pay-cut to go to the Chicago Bulls? No, that's why he returned to the New York Knicks. Some say it's all about the money. Carmelo Anthony tells the media some people aren't ready to play at MSG and he feels no pressure playing there.

          But what if he went to the Chicago Bulls and formed a legit contender for the championship? Starting with head coach Tom Thibodeau, who is defense minded which would allow Anthony's game to evolve. With a starting lineup of Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah plus himself, wouldn't they compete with any other team in the league? He decided to stick to the new look Knicks with first year head coach, Derek Fisher. We know Phil Jackson is a great foundation but it's going to take some time before free agents will head to New York. By that time, Carmelo will be over thirty years old and who knows how he will play like unless his mindset is like Kobe Bryant who is having a heck of a year at the age of 36. But going back to Carmelo Anthony as a member of the Bulls, the team has a pretty good bench as well. Leading off with a power forward who can start on most teams, Taj Gibson. As well as Mike Dunleavy, who can shoot the three ball well and a well-rounded defender. Then there's Kirk Hinrich and Arron Brooks who are reliable point guard backing up Derrick Rose anytime he needs a rest or is out due to a minor injury that comes up often. Their draft picks are great with Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic. Both are big men with range and potential to contribute in their rookie year. Carmelo Anthony would be thinking on a potential championship this year, instead he's struggling to see his Knicks win on a daily basis.

What If... There was never a 3-point line?

by Danny Moloshok from http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/warriors-guard-klay-thompson-to-miss-fridays-game/Content?oid=2733228

          Would it be fun to watch NBA anymore with the long distant bombs? For instance, the New York Knicks down by three, Carmelo Anthony comes in transition and pulls up for a 3-point. Bang. Tied game. Klay Thompson hits a three point. Sixth three-pointer of the game. People like me, enjoy watching jump shots swishing through the silky net. It shows the players range and what they're capable of. Especially from where Kobe Bryant and Damian Lillard can shoot from.

          But what if the three-point line was gone? Post players and those who have inside scoring will be dominant. Nowadays it's all about drive, penetrate, and kick out to the open man. Would players such as Klay Thompson and Kyle Korver be valuable if not for their three pointer skill-set? Maybe or maybe not. This season, Klay Thompson is showing his inside game which makes him a valuable asset to the Golden State Warriors. Well-deserved contract Klay. It's interesting to see how the game would be like. Maybe players like Marc Gasol and Dwight Howard would be Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. Who knows.

What If... Chris Paul went to the Los Angeles Lakers instead of the Los Angeles Clippers?

by Andrew D. Bernstein from www.gettyimages.com

          We all know how the NBA rescinded the trade of Chris Paul from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011.  What possibilities could the backcourt of Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul be if they were to play together? It would be a match up nightmare for the opposing team every night. The ball in the hands of Chris Paul while running the show with Kobe Bryant. The play making of Chris Paul provides Kobe Bryant a much easier game who is still shooting more than twenty shots a game. And not to mention he is in his late thirties. It would be an intriguing scenario to see Pau Gasol, leaving the Lakers with a thin frontcourt but an amazing backcourt. The two superstars would probably attract free agents to the city of L.A.. Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard didn't work as they struggled to win games. Maybe Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul would've.

What If... the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Victor Oladipo instead of Anthony Bennett as the first overall selection of the 2013 NBA draft?

by John Dodderidge from http://hoopshabit.com/2013/12/18/cleveland-cavaliers-weekly-kyrie-irving-shines-cavs-drop-2-3/2/

          Point guards are an essential part of the league. Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe, who plays for the Phoenix Suns, are very effective when they are on the floor together. Fast, relentless, and can attack the paint. Many teams are running the two points guards back court such as the Miami Heat with Norris Cole and Mario Chalmers, Oklahoma City Thunder with Russell Westbrook and Reggie Jackson. It's worth pointing out how well Victor Oladipo was going to play out of Indiana University. That goes for every college player in general. But how exciting would it be to see Victor Oladipo and Kyrie Irving on the floor at the same time? Every game could have involved a spectacular play with "ooo's and ahh'"s. Too bad we can't turn back the clock. Instead, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Anthony Bennett as the first overall pick. Bennett saw limited minutes and was eventually traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, part of the Kevin Love trade. Since the trade to the Timberwolves, he has played inconsistent minutes and comes off the bench. Would Victor Oladipo and Kyrie Irving be a bad/good/great backcourt for the Cleveland Cavaliers?

What If... Ray Allen didn't hit the game tying 3-pointer in game 6 of the NBA finals in 2013?

from http://www.gettyimages.com/

          

          If Ray Allen had missed the three-point shot, where would Lebron James legacy be? Would he have left the Miami Heat that year? Or would he have stayed with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh? He might have left but would he have returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers like he did this season? It would have been an interesting scenario because the three point shot by Ray Allen probably sealed Lebron James as a 2-time NBA champion. The game eventually went to overtime after the sequence and forced a game 7 of the NBA finals. Can he be crowned as the best NBA player that has ever played over Michael Jordan or does he need more championships? Without Ray Allen's shot, Lebron James would have only one championship. Most likely, Lebron James would probably be on a different team if he hadn't won the championship that year. Do you guys think so? Feel free to comment below!

First What If of the NBA... is about the New York Knicks. What If the Knicks didn't trade for Carmelo Anthony?

by Chris Greenberg from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/24/carmelo-anthony-62-points-knicks-record_n_4662961.html

     
          Growing up, I never had a favorite basketball team. I was never a fan of the New York Knicks. But since I do live in New York and watch basketball, the Knicks' game were on TV every now and then. I've always thought to myself, where would the Knicks be if they never traded for Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets? Hey, he's a superstar don't get me wrong, but what were the Knick's goal at the time? Were they trying to build a championship team or just an exciting team with one superstar? Or did they really believed Carmelo alone would make the Knicks an instant title contender?

          Before the trade, the New York Knicks were a playoff team. They had a decent pick and roll players between Raymond Felton and Amar'e Stoudemire. Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler took care of the small forward spot. I guess they didn't believe these players were enough to lead them to a championship. This also brings me back to the David Lee trade. He was a decent post up player who I thought was a core piece of the New York Knicks at the time. The only weakness Lee had was his defense and his only was just growing with rising potential. The year after, they acquired Amar'e Stoudemire, which I guess, was a great upgrade over David Lee. How would the Knick's team look like now if they didn't trade for Carmelo Anthony?

Welcome to my blog, theNBAwhatIF

image by Connor Anthony from http://www.sportstalkflorida.com/russell-westbrook-fractures-hand/

          

          Thank you for checking out my blog! In my blog, I will talk about "what if" scenarios that could have happened in the NBA but didn't. Some scenario could be realistic while others are just made up fantasy but still fun to discuss about. Talk about your favorite teams or players. Blogs will be released on a daily basis. Express your ideas and see what others say! If you would like me to mention a certain topic, don't hesitate, just email at theNBAwhatIF@gmail.com. Have a good time here. Hope everyone enjoys!