The biggest basketball what if aside from maybe Sabonis coming over before tearing both Achilles tendons for me is the Orlando magic of the 90’s. I still think the magic win that series if he makes even 1 of them. Then I doubt the team lowballs Shaq and he never goes to LA. Who knows what happens between them and the bulls if Orlando remains a contender with Shaq & Penny. Maybe whatever caused Penny’s injury doesn’t happen and he has the career he was meant to have. Then there’s no LA dynasty with him, Phil, & Kobe (which means the spurs basically rule the western conference unopposed for a decade and it totally changes how we view Kobe because who knows what his development looks like with someone besides Phil coaching him?), no fallout between them, no trade to Miami, likely no 2006 title for the Heat, and then maybe LeBron doesn’t sign there, which totally changed how the players operate in free agency and how front offices work with their stars. I don’t think it’s hyperbolic to say Shaq to LA is the most consequential free agent signing in NBA history when you consider its ripple effects. There’s also how different the Magic’s history would turn out which means no Dwight Howard in Orlando and who knows what he does elsewhere. It also means likely Tracy McGrady goes someplace else in free agency.
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