Was Nick Anderson 4 missed FTs in the Finals one of the biggest Watershed moments in NBA History???

[BlackMajik]

This just popped into my head and I think it was one of those moments that had a huge effect on NBA history

This comment in the video explains it perfectly

@dreadheadbm1990​

3 years ago
Nick Anderson missing those 4 free throws really deserves a deep rewind. By missing those 4 free throws some how created a weird domino effect, (Them getting swept in the series, Shaq leaving for la the next year, Brian hill getting fired two years later and etc). Now if he had made one, (They win this game, Win this series in 7, There confidence is sky high going into next season as champions, Even if they don't repeat, Shaq probably gets the contract he deserves, The penny & Shaq era goes well into the Millennium, There's no Kobe & Shaq, No lakers dynasty, etc. Him missing the free throws really was the catalyst for things to come in the future and beyond!!!

 

[mvp_status]

Shaq didn't leave for LA the following year. He was still there the next season when they got smoked by Chicago, which still happens regardless of if they win in 95 or not.

 

[Harry Sax]

Ehhh I think shaq still leaves for LA regardless

Orlando wasn’t big enough for him back then

 

[RubioTheCruel]

Ehhh I think shaq still leaves for LA regardless

Orlando wasn’t big enough for him back then

Orlando tried to jerk Shaq out of his money, he was out the door

 

[bigde09]

Shaq wasn’t staying in Orlando championship or not.

 

[RubioTheCruel]

Shaq wasn’t staying in Orlando championship or not.

Their owner had every opportunity to pay him what he was worth and they balked every time. He was gone even if they went 82-0

 

[bigde09]

Their owner had every opportunity to pay him what he was worth and they balked every time. He was gone even if they went 82-0

That and he wanted to be in LA

 

[RubioTheCruel]

That and he wanted to be in LA

True, but I think if a) they won the title in 95 and b) their owner coughed up the 7/151 he wanted... he might have stayed. Hell, he still lives in Orlando to this day.

Magic management/ownership didn't even make it an option.

 

[EarlyEarly]

They weren’t winning that series even if they win game 1 so all those what ifs after the fact don’t matter.

 

[Harry Sax]

Their owner had every opportunity to pay him what he was worth and they balked every time. He was gone even if they went 82-0

And then the fukkin newspaper ran a disrespectful article bout shaq…and we know how sensitive he is…magic fumbled shaq big time

 

[RubioTheCruel]

And then the fukkin newspaper ran a disrespectful article bout shaq…and we know how sensitive he is…magic fumbled shaq big time

That shyt was wild to me, you got a guy who is dominant all-NBA 1st team, top 3 MVP, beat in the playoffs, got to the finals in his first 4 seasons with the franchise and you're like "nah, I'm good". I get the issue about the luxury tax but you don't prioritize signing Penny, sign Shaq and figure the rest of it out later

 

[bigde09]

They weren’t winning that series even if they win game 1 so all those what ifs after the fact don’t matter.

Kenny said they felt like they had no shot until that choke happened. Game 1 gave them the confidence they needed. It was a wrap after that.kenny could just be exaggerating tho

 

[Remote]

What if Len Bias is alive and helps Larry Bird win more NBA championships?
What if Sabonis comes over from the USSR to form a dynasty with Petrovic, Porter and Drexler?

There are a lot more consequential "what ifs" than Nick Anderson.

 

[Mandizi]

Dude was garbage from the free throw the rest of his career. Those 4 misses had a serious effect on his mental fortitude.

 

[Long Live The Kane]

I get the urge, but that’s being way too liberal with the Butterfly Effect …winning that one game just automatically means the magic win in 7 instead of being swept? …that’s A LOT of hypothetical alternate universe heavy lifting