SportsVisio Lens Vol. 10

What If? The Biggest ‘What Could Have Been’ Moments in NBA History. Ultimate Hoops' Jose Zaragoza wins SportsVisio's Triple Crown.

Author

Emmett Roy
October 18, 2024

The Greatest ‘What If’ Moments That Could Have Changed the NBA Forever

Derrick Rose

From ESPN’s top ten dunks to game-winning shots we’ll never forget, and one of the most memorable MVP seasons that we’ve ever witnessed, the game of basketball will never forget a player like Derrick Rose. As we look back on the career of one of the most explosive players in NBA history, we also wonder: what if he hadn’t gotten hurt?

As fans, it’s natural to wonder What If?

Here at SportsVisio, we take a look at some of our top “what if” moments:

After Derrick Rose had one of the most dominant MVP seasons ever, his career was interrupted by an ACL tear. This injury clearly slowed the level that Rose played at for the rest of his career. Could he have been the greatest point guard of all time? Where would he rank alongside Magic Johnson, Steph Curry, Allen Iverson, and Steve Nash? How would this have affected LeBron’s dominance in the Eastern Conference with another superstar on a great team? We can only wonder


After winning three rings in 1991, ’92, and ’93, Michael Jordan had established himself as the greatest basketball player of all time, and the Chicago Bulls as one of the better teams. Leaving the NBA in 1993 to pursue his passion for baseball, then returning at the end of the 1995 season to win three more rings in ’96, ’97, and ’98, Jordan left us all wondering: What if Mike never retired? Could he have won 8 rings and given Bill Russel’s Celtics a run for the all time greatest team? Or, just maybe, the Bulls would have lacked the urgency and fizzled out, not winning any additional titles? All we can do now is debate.

There are many more “what if’s” but we want to hear your favorite:

The most compelling "what if?"

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Ultimate Hoops’ Jose Zaragoza wins the rare Badge Triple Crown

Congratulations to Ultimate Hoops Sacarmento’s Jose Zaragoza, who made a statement by earning all three coveted badges in a single game last week. Despite a tough 67-47 loss to Clark in the Choolymunga After Hours league on October 14, Zaragoza stood out, claiming Player of the Game, Sniper, and Thief honors.

A remarkable all-around performance.

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