Just asked ChatGPT the following scenarios: What if Karl Malone was banned for life and the Barkley trade never happened...? Let’s walk through it: --- Setting the Stage: No Malone, No Barkley Trade ❌ No Karl Malone Utah Jazz fall from 64 wins to a middle-of-the-pack team or worse. They're out of the 1997 NBA Finals picture entirely. ❌ No Barkley Trade The Rockets keep their depth instead of trading it for an aging Barkley. That means Houston still has: Hakeem Olajuwon Clyde Drexler Robert Horry Sam Cassell Mario Elie Kenny Smith (possibly still retained) Kevin Willis and others This is essentially the core of the 1994–95 championship team, but a bit older — still elite. --- Matchup: 1997 NBA Finals — Bulls vs. Rockets Bulls (69–13) Rockets (~57 wins) Michael Jordan Hakeem Olajuwon Scottie Pippen Clyde Drexler Dennis Rodman Robert Horry Ron Harper Sam Cassell Toni Kukoc Mario Elie --- Key Matchup Analysis Jordan vs. Drexler + Elie Jordan owns Drexler historically (see 1992 Finals), but now Drexler has more help. Elie was a strong defender who gave MJ trouble in stretches. Hakeem vs. Bulls’ Bigs Massive mismatch. Bulls had no true center — Longley, Wennington, and Rodman would get cooked. Hakeem averaged 30+ PPG in playoffs and was still elite defensively. Depth Rockets with Cassell and Horry >>> Bulls’ bench Cassell could attack a slower Ron Harper, and Horry was a clutch killer — especially in the playoffs. Coaching Phil Jackson vs. Rudy Tomjanovich — edge to Phil, but Rudy had proven playoff chops (two rings already). --- X-Factor: Championship DNA Both teams had it. But Houston was deeper, more balanced, and had the best center in the world. Also — Jordan wasn’t invincible. The 1997 Bulls: Needed 6 games to beat Utah Barely survived the “Flu Game” Relied heavily on MJ’s heroics > Against this Rockets team — with Hakeem dominating, Cassell/Horry making clutch plays, and depth wearing them down — the Bulls would have had a legit threat of losing. --- Verdict: > 1997 NBA Champions: Houston Rockets Bulls lose in 6 or 7 games, unless Jordan goes supernova. Why? No Malone → weaker West means Houston glides to the Finals. No Barkley trade → Rockets keep the chemistry and depth that won them 2 titles. Bulls had no answer for Hakeem, and Cassell/Horry were playoff assassins. --- Long-Term Ripples: Jordan finishes with 5 rings, not 6. Hakeem wins a 3rd ring, solidifying himself ahead of Shaq and maybe even Duncan in all-time rankings. Sam Cassell’s legacy skyrockets. Barkley becomes even more of a tragic “what-if” story. Rockets are remembered as the only team to stop Jordan’s dynasty.
What if Wiggins, Lucas, and Mitchell were never suspended? If Lewis Lloyd, Mitchell Wiggins, and John Lucas had never been suspended for drug violations in the mid-1980s, the Houston Rockets very likely become a dynasty, or at minimum, the dominant Western Conference team of the late '80s. Let’s break down how massive the ripple effect would be: --- Context: What Actually Happened The 1985–86 Rockets reached the NBA Finals, beating the Showtime Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Their core: Hakeem Olajuwon (rookie contract) Ralph Sampson (injury-free All-Star) Lewis Lloyd (16.9 PPG) Mitchell Wiggins (15.5 PPG) John Lucas (veteran point guard and vocal leader) In 1986–87: All three players were suspended for drug use — Lloyd and Wiggins were banned for 2.5 years, Lucas longer. Team chemistry imploded. Sampson started having injuries. The Rockets fell apart and never truly recovered until the early '90s. --- Alternate Scenario: No Suspensions 1. Rockets Stay Contenders for Years Lucas continues to lead the offense. Lloyd and Wiggins are athletic, slashing wings who give spacing and transition offense. Hakeem and Sampson remain one of the most unique frontcourts in NBA history. The team stays deep, balanced, and young. 2. Rockets Make Multiple Finals (1987–1990) Without the drug scandal: Rockets are better than: 1987 Lakers? Maybe not quite yet. 1988–1990 Lakers, Suns, Blazers, Sonics? Absolutely possible. Olajuwon becomes a perennial MVP candidate much earlier. They match up favorably against aging Celtics and Pistons, and even early Jordan Bulls. > At least one championship between 1987–1990 becomes very realistic. --- 3. Rockets Might Prevent the Lakers’ Late '80s Dominance The Lakers beat the Rockets in the 1987 and 1988 playoffs — but those Rockets were already broken and lacking depth. A fully loaded Houston team may: Repeat the upset from '86 in future seasons. Delay or derail Magic’s 5th title. Force roster or coaching changes in L.A. --- 4. NBA’s Drug Policy Might Unfold Differently If Houston doesn’t implode publicly, Stern might not use them as the face of his anti-drug campaign. Instead, the league possibly takes a less punitive, more rehabilitative approach league-wide. Players like Roy Tarpley or Chris Washburn might get different treatment. --- What Does the Rockets Dynasty Look Like? Year Key Players Realistic Outcome 1987 Hakeem, Sampson, Lucas, Lloyd, Wiggins Lose to Celtics or Pistons in Finals 1988 Hakeem enters full prime Championship contender 1989 Lakers aging, Bulls not ready Rockets could win it all 1990 Hakeem in MVP form Finals or near-Finals --- Long-Term Effects Ralph Sampson’s Fall May Be Slowed He may avoid being overused if the backcourt stays intact. Fewer injuries? Maybe. More spacing and less burden for Hakeem early. No Trade to Golden State (for Joe Barry Carroll and Sleepy Floyd) That awful trade in 1987 doesn’t happen. Rockets avoid years in mediocrity. Hakeem’s GOAT Case Grows More playoff wins in his 20s. Potential 3–4 rings instead of 2. His legend becomes even greater. --- Final Verdict: > If Lloyd, Wiggins, and Lucas never get suspended, the Houston Rockets become the team of the late 1980s. They could’ve: Won 1–2 titles before Jordan’s reign began. Delayed the Bulls' dynasty. Rewritten how the league handled drug issues. Given Hakeem and Sampson the supporting cast they needed.
People who hated the Barkley trade are misguided and I automatically disregard their opinion on basketball.
what if rox never traded for jvg. yao becomes an elite stretch 5 with crazy d. rockets play exciting fast paced basketball. 8 championships in a row. miguel yordan no longer the goat.
