What If Wednesday

Boomer, here back with another installment of "What If" Wednesday's for all the followers/fans of "The Rock". With the Opening Night of the 2012 MLB season later tonight with the newly named Miami Marlins hosting the defeating World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals, in their new ballpark (Marlins Park), I thought I'd talk a little baseball for today's post. With the career of Chipper Jones coming to an end at the conclusion of the 2012 season, I wanted to reflect back on his baseball journey with the Atlanta Braves for the past 20 plus years. Another guy I'd like to mention who's career is in the final chapters, Derek Jeter, the Yankees shortstop for almost two decades. After Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn both retired, having sent their entire careers with one club (Ripken with the Orioles; Gwynn with the Padres), Jones and most certainly Jeter would have to fall into the same category as being very loyal players to one franchise in this era of Free Agency. So lets take a trip down memory lane and ask the question(s) "What if...".

Chipper Jones as a Brave

I DID IT, MAMA!

You know you are pretty special when you are referred to by one name, "Chipper". Initially positioned to play shortstop, Chipper spent most of his career as the starting third baseball for the Atlanta Braves. For the seasons of 2002 and 2003 Chipper moved to Left Field, before coming back to the "hot corner" in 2004. Chipper debuted in 1993, and would later win the 1999 NL MVP Award, as well as the 1999 and 2000 NL Silver Slugger Award as the Braves 3rd basemen. Atlanta Braves records that he currently holds are having the best career OBP (.406) and is third all-time on the career home run list for the Braves franchise. As of the beginning of the 2012 season, Chipper is a .304 hitter with 454 homers, close to 1,500 walks and just a little over 1,500 RBI in 2,387 games. Known for being able to hit from both sides of the plate, Chipper is considered one of the games best all-around hitters, and one of the best "switch hitters" ever to play the game of baseball. Despite, winning a divisional crown 12 times and playing in the playoffs 13 times overall, Chipper was only fortunate to play in three World Series, winning one (1995). On a personal note, Chipper Jones has been Gainer's all-time favorite MLB player, and at the end of this 2012 MLB season, Gainer will no longer have any interest in the Atlanta Braves, thus starting the search for his next MLB team to root for/gain interest in.

What If

Lets say the Atlanta Braves selected one of the other future All-Stars in the first round of  the 1990 amateur MLB draft, players such as: Tony Clark, Carl Everett, Mike Mussina, and Jeremy Burnitz, instead of Chipper? Where would Chipper have landed if not with the Atlanta Braves (Detroit?, Philly?, New York?). What sort of minor league career would he of had, in another farm system? Without Chipper, what's 3rd base look like all these years down in ATL? Who's the 1999 NL MVP? How long would his career have been somewhere else? Clearly, these are all "what if" scenarios, but it does make you think, how the game of baseball would have looked over the years with one of its well-known players somewhere else than Atlanta? What if...

Derek Jeter as a Yankee

I "heart" NY

What kid hasn't tried to field a grounder in the middle of the hole at 3rd-Short, jump off his back foot and lace a rocket to first base from shallow left field? That's the play that Derek Jeter has made time in again during his 12-time All-Star and 5-time World Series Champion career. Derek Jeter for almost two decades has been the face of the NY Yankees. Drafted right out of High School in the 1992 MLB draft, Jeter debuted for the Yankees in 1995 (Rookie of the Year Award honors). Since, then when you talk about the greatest shortstops of past seasons and even all-time, Jeter's name is one of if not the first to be mentioned in the conversation. Leading the NY Yankees to World Series Titles in 1996, 1998,1999,2000 and 2009, Jeter's been at the core of the Yankee's franchise the past two decades. Winning both the 2000 All-Star Game MVP as well as the 2000 World Series MVP, Jeter has served as the team captain since 2003. He has the most hits by any shortstop all-time in the game of baseball, as well as being on top of the all-time hits list for the New York Yankees, with over 3,000+ hits. The 2012 MLB season will mark Jeter's 18th season with the Yankees, batting .313, with 240 HR's, close to 1,200 RBI's and a highlight reel of fantastic and unbelievable plays from his shortstop position. I can't see Jeter wearing another jersey, but the Yankee pinstripes.

What If

If he would of just went to college at that University up north, baseball and the Yankees, could look a lot different now a days. Offered a scholarship out of High School, Jeter decided to turn pro, where the Yankees drafted him 6th overall in the 1992 MLB draft. Having feared that Jeter would ask for a 1 million dollar signing bonus, the Houston Astros with the #1 overall pick, passed on Jeter. Jeter signed with the Yankees for 800,000. What's the career of Jeter's look like if he would of went to Houston? What if someone besides the Steinbrenner family owned the Yankees and won't all about winning and getting the best possible players via free agency? Would Jeter still been able to win with farm system guys? This one is great to think about because there are five teams to this day probably wondering, "What if we selected Derek and not the Yankees?" How the storybooks would have read....What if...

With the way the game of baseball is now, we will NEVER see what Ripken, Gwynn, Jones, and Jeter have accomplished playing for one franchise their entire careers, truly something special to have lived during and watched (for the most part) the four guys careers.

What If Wednesday

This years Final Four marks the 5th time its been played in New Orleans inside the Louisiana Superdome,  and each of the previous four have been memorable (1982, 1987, 1993, and 2003). So, I thought this week "What If" would involve two of those classic Final Four's down in the Big Easy. Again, make sure to check out this years Final Four on Saturday, first game starting at 6:09 (UL vs. UK), with the night cap starting around 9ish (Ohio State vs. Kansas).

  Chris Webber Calls a Timeout

The 1993 Final Four, featured four powerhouse programs: UNC, Kansas, Kentucky, and the Fab Five from Michigan. UNC would beat Kansas in the first national semifinal and the Fab Five needed overtime to oust Kentucky in the second national semifinal. In the National Championship, it was assumed that the Fab Five would win it all, after being embarrassed by another ACC opponent Duke in the 1992 National Championship Game. The 1993 National Championship game was defined by a single "bonehead" play by one of the Fab Five members. With the score within one possession, UNC 73 to 71, after a missed free throw by UNC, Chris Webber pulled down the rebound. Following the rebound, Webber unable to find someone to pass the ball to, appeared to travel, however, no call was made and Webber dribbled the ball down the court. Dribbling it right into a trap in front of the Michigan bench. Webber twisted and turned to the bench and frantically called a timeout. Which is the right thing to do, unless your team does not have anymore timeouts to call. Webber's TO resulted in a Technical Foul against Michigan, giving UNC two free throws and the ball. UNC would make four straight free throws and win the game 77 to 71, giving their legendary Head Coach Dean Smith his second title with the Tar Heels. Webber's timeout is one of the most memorable moments in NCAA Tournament history. In the end, the whole season was for not, as Webber would come out later and admit to getting under the table benefits from a Michigan booster, resulting in the program having to vacant the entire 1992-93 season, like it never happened. So, maybe it was meant to be for Webber to call that TO, Michigan never had.

What If

When I look back at this moment and watch the clip from the game, I always think of one thing. COME TO THE BALL! I mean I hate Michigan in everything they do, but once Webber grabbed the rebound, one of the UM guards needed to be right at Webber's hip to get the ball from him and dribble down the court to set up a last second chance for the tie or win. You felt bad for Webber as he clearly had no clue what to do, and traveled with the ball (no call was made). What would the game of been like, if the travel call was made? Even with the second chance from the no call, Webber should of found a guard to get the ball to, clearly, he did not look good dribbling down the court on his own. If Webber would of just tried to head to the hoop, what sort of shot would he have been able to get? What if Webber wasn't the one to grab the rebound from the missed FT? Lets say Michigan WOULD of had a timeout, what sort of play would been drawn up by legendary Michigan Head Coach Steve Fisher? It is a classic moment from the NCAA Tournament, and I couldn't/wouldn't want it any other way. What if...

                                                        

Hakim Warrick's Block Shot

The 2003 Final Four was another classic from New Orleans inside the Louisiana Superdome. The four teams that represented the Final Four that year were: Syracuse, Texas, Kansas, and Marquette. Syracuse would oust Texas, 95 to 84 in the first national semifinal, with the help from Freshmen Carmelo Anthony scoring 33 points. In the second national semifinal game, Kansas would blowout Marquette in the fourth largest blowout in Final Four history, 94 to 61. Setting up a great National Championship matchup, Syracuse vs. Kansas. This game matched two Head Coaches in line to win their first National Championship, in Jim Boeheim and Roy Williams. Syracuse jumped out to a 11 point lead at half. With the score Syracuse 81-78, Hakim Warrick missed two free throws for the Orange, giving the Jayhawks a lost second chance to tie the game. Warrick would totally redeem himself after the missed FT's, when he came out of no where to block KU's Michael Lee's 3-pt shot in the corner with 0.07 sec left in the game. After another Kansas 3-pt attempt bounced off the rim, Syracuse and Coach Boeheim won their 1st ever National Championship in basketball. Carmelo ended up with 20 points and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament. Warrick's block shot is another classic moment in Final Four history and one of the classic moments from another Louisiana Superdome Final Four.

What If

A game with many moments that could have changed the outlook and results from the 2003 National Championship. Another Freshmen, not named Carmelo, Gerry McNamara had a huge 1st half knocking down six three-pointers, scoring his game 18 points in the first half for Syracuse. What if Gerry misses one of those 3's? What about if Kansas and Coach Williams would of been able to stop Melo and the other bigs on Syracuse's roster? If Kansas comes back and wins this game, is Roy Williams still the coach at KU and not currently at UNC? Where is Bill Self (current KU coach) coaching at? Is Jim Boeheim stay coaching Syracuse? What if Warrick doesn't get over there to block the shot in time, does Lee's shot go in and tie the game? What would of occurred in overtime, if that were the case? Again, another moment in Final Four history, that we will never know the outcome, if it went the other way. What if...

What If Wednesday

With, Peyton Manning signing with the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow getting traded to the NY Jets, Boomer provides you with a couple "what if" moments that if were the case, these events may not of happened. Lets take a look at a few "what if" moments from the past. Enjoy!

Colts draft Peyton Manning

In the 1998 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts had a decision to make. Go with QB Peyton Manning out of the University of Tennessee or go with QB Ryan Leaf out of Washington State University. The Colts would end up drafting Manning with the #1 overall pick, while Leaf followed right behind in the #2 spot when the San Diego Chargers grabbed him. Over the next decade, the two picks would go in two different directions, and lets just say the Colts made the right decision. Peyton Manning would go on to win 4 NFL MVP's (most all-time), 11x Pro Bowler, throw for over 54,000 passing yards, including 399 passing TD's, a Super Bowl XLI MVP leading the Colts to a Super Bowl win over the Chicago Bears. Where as Ryan Leaf had a troubling and very short NFL career. While Leaf has been out of the league for years, Manning is still hanging around, althought now with is NEW team in the Denver Broncos after 14 successful years with the Colts.

What If

Now lets say the Colts went with Leaf #1 overall instead of Manning. What sort of career would each of them of had in different cities and on different teams. With Manning being in San Diego would he of still had the same success that he gained in Indy with different coaching staff and different teammates around him. If so the Chargers probably do not draft Drew Brees and/or Philip Rivers, meaning where would those two All-Pro QB's have landed in the NFL and would they of still had the same success as they have accomplished to this point in their NFL careers? Would it be the San Diego Chargers as Super Bowl XLI Champs instead of the Indianapolis Colts? Obviously, we will never know what the NFL would look like, if the first two picks in the 1998 NFL Draft were flip flopped, but its differently something to talk about and wonder. What if...

Broncos draft Tim Tebow

In the 2010 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos used the 25th pick to land Tim Tebow, and at that moment the mania begin. After sitting out for the majority of his Rookie season, and not starting till the 6 game of his 2nd season, Tebow would lead the Broncos to 7 wins in their final 11 games while winning the AFC West Division. In the playoffs, the Tebow magic continued when Tebow on the first play of overtime vs. the Steelers throw a touchdown pass, sending the Broncos into the 2nd round of the NFL playoffs. During the 2nd half of the 2011 NFL season, you couldn't watch a game without the mentioning of Tim Tebow and/or #TebowTime, #TebowMania, etc. Tim Tebow not your protectial NFL QB was finding ways to do one thing: WIN. Althought, during his stint of being the Broncos starting QB the questions were still out on Tebow being the Broncos franchise QB for years to come and the media was having a field day after every Broncos win. Now to the present, after Peyton Manning made his final decision in choicing the Broncos to be his next team, Broncos were in position to trade Tim Tebow to one of the other 31 teams in the NFL. That came today when the NY Jets traded a 4th and 6th round pick to the Broncos for Tebow and a 7th round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Now lets take a look at it from a different view.

What If

Lets say Tim Tebow doesn't get drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 2010 NFL Draft, who would have taken a chance on the Heisman Trophy winner? Without the Broncos would we have had Tebow Mania somewhere else around the league, say Cleveland, Jacksonville, Seattle? The success/fame Tebow was receiving in Denver might not of been the same or differnent else where. Who represents the AFC West in the 2011 NFL playoffs if not the Tebow-led Broncos? Like any other situtation I threw at you on Wednesday's, we will never know what the case would be if Tebow landed anywhere else, but Denver. What if...

So now Peyton Manning is in Denver and Tebow is in New York with the Jets. Two storylines that will different be at the forefront of the 2012 NFL season and overly documented by the media for sure.

What If Wednesday

What If Wednesday is going to be a little different for this week. Instead, of pulling two stories out from the past and talking about each, I'm just going to post a bunch of memorable moments from NCAA Tournaments past. With all these clips, it will make you wonder and think about what past NCAA Tournaments would look like, if "what if" were the case. Enjoy, and make sure you fill out your bracket before noon on Thursday. Last night, provided us with two great comebacks with WKU over MVSU (trailed by 16) and BYU over Iona (trailed by 25) in the night cap. Two more play-in games tonight with Lamar/Vermont and California/USF.

Here we go, in no particular order...




I know there are plenty more moments from the NCAA Tournament, that could of changed the history of the tournament, but I think I've provided you with plenty, let me know what you think and/or if you have one that I didn't put in this post.

What If Wednesday

It's Wednesday, so you know what that means, lets take a trip down memory lane and talk about two sporting events, that could of went the opposite way if "what if" happened.

On a side note, congrats to Harvard, South Dakota State, Detroit and Western Kentucky for all winning their conference tournament championship games last night. Along, with the Northeast Championship Game, that I mentioned in yesterday's post, the Patriot League (Lehigh vs. Bucknell), and Big Sky Conference (Weber State vs. Montana) have their Championship Games tonight.

McNamara's Run in the 2006 Big East Tournament

Syracuse all but needing to win the 2006 Big East Tournament to reach the NCAA Tournament, received a heroic and memorable 4-game performance by their star PG Gerry McNamara. The Orange (7-9) in the Big East that season were the #9 seed in the Big East Tournament and started play vs. Cincinnati. Down by two, McNamara would write the first chapter to this unbelievable story, splitting two Bearcat defenders, he swished a 3-pt basket with 0.5 left, Syracuse wins 74-73. Next game, McNamara and the Orange knocked off top-seeded UCONN in OT 86-84, in which McNamara knocked down a 30 footer to force overtime. In the semi-finals, Syracuse upset arch-rival Georgetown, 58 to 57. In the Championship Game, McNamara and the Orange cruised by Pitt 65 to 61 to win the automatic bid for the NCAA tournament out of the Big East Conference. Ironically, Syracuse would lose their first game in the NCAA tournament to Texas A&M, running out of gas from the previous 4 games in 4 nights Big East Tournament. For his wonderful performance in the four games, Gerry McNamara was awarded the Big East Tournament MVP award.

"What If"
A great story and run by McNamara and the Syracuse Orange, but "what if"? Say the Bearcats were able to get a hand or finger on Gerry's 3-pt attempt at the end of the game? Or if UCONN prevented him from lofting the 30 footer to force OT? What if either of those two clutch 3's rim out? What if Georgetown doesn't let him race the length of the court to find a wide-open teammate to win that game? What would of happened if they were able to beat Texas A&M in the NCAA's? It was a heck of a run, with so many what-if moments along the way. What if...



Kemba'a Run in the 2011 Big East Tournament

What's better then winning 4 games in 4 days? Winning 5 games in 5 days. That's what the UCONN Huskies and Kemba Walker did in the 2011 Big East Tournament. Like Syracuse in 2006, the Huskies started the tournament as the #9 seed and not expected to do much in the tournament. After winning their first two games in the tournament by 26 over DePaul and by 17 over Georgetown, Kemba would nail a GW-jumper vs. #1 seed Pitt in the quarterfinals, 76 to 74. In the semi-final matchup, UCONN beat Syracuse in OT, 76 to 71 and eventually winning the Big East Tournament over Louisville, 69 to 66. It was a historic and heroic run by the UCONN Huskies, that didn't end till the Huskies won it all in the NCAA tournament down in Houston, Texas. The Huskies won 11 in a row to end the season and proved no matter what, if you get hot late and have a player like Kemba, you always have a chance. Kemba won the Big East Tournament MVP, as well as the MOP in the NCAA Tournament. 

"What If"

Again, what would we read in the papers if UCONN would have not had their historic run? If Kemba's jumper vs. Pitt bounces off the back of the rim, do they win in overtime? Or what if Syracuse beats them in the semi-finals, do they still have the run in the NCAA Tournament? If Louisville beats them in the Finals, who's the MVP or the tournament? Clearly, again so many "what if" moments that we never know because of what actually happened. What if...

There have been some great moments in the Big East Tournament over the years, but these two stand out the most, because it wasn't just a single moment in a game (i.e. Allen Iverson or Ray Allen) it was a stretch of games against some quality opponents in a short period of time. That's why the Big East Tournaments is one of the best things to watch.

"What If" Wednesday

Boomer is back with another installment of "What If" Wednesday. Today is a unusual Wednesday with it being "Leap Day", 2012 is a Leap Year, so we are blessed with the 29th day of February. ENJOY!

Donovan's Goal vs. Algeria

GOAL!!!

The 2010 World Cup was something special for the United States Men's National Soccer Team. After two straight draws in their first two group games (1-1 vs. England  & 2-2 vs. Slovenia), Team USA was forced with a Win or Go Home scenario. Facing their 3rd opponent, Algeria, Team USA chances of moving on in the tournament were not looking good after 90 mins of PT. However, after a nice save and outlet pass by Goalie Tim Howard to Landon Donovan, things were in store for one epic play. As Donovan raced down the sideline, he eventually passed the ball off to forward Jozy Altidore, who found a wide open Clint Dempsey in front of the goal. Dempsey's shot was blocked by the Algeria goalie, and it looked like it wasn't going to be USA's day, but on the rebound Landon Donovan buried the ball into the back of the open net, GOAL!!!! Team USA ended up holding off Algeria in the final minutes of stoppage time to win the game, as well, as Group C. Truly, a great moment in USA Sports History, that if you saw it LIVE on TV, you watched on repeat for about an hour after the game (ME). The Men's Team would eventually lose their next game to Ghana (2-1 in extra time) in the Round of 16.

"What If"
Clearly, one the greatest moment in USA Men's Soccer History, might not of ever happened. If Algeria knowing that the USA needed a win to advance in the tourney, where able to just keep the ball away from the USA for a couple more minutes. What about the shot on goal that Tim Howard grabbed, some how split by him? Or the excellent outlet pass doesn't reach a wide open Donovan? If Altidore tries to win it with a cross that would of clearly went right over the net. What if Dempsey's blocked shot goes sky high up into the South Africa air, instead of rolling right on the turf to Donovan's foot? It's truly a great "what if" moment, that as a USA fan you wouldn't of wanted it to go any other way. What If...

Now to refresh your memory of the moment:

Wambach's Goal vs. Brazil

Oh no, she didn't...

Lightning strikes twice? It sure did, just over a year since Donovan and the Men's National team had a impossible finish of a soccer game, the Women's National team would write their own chapter in USA Soccer history. The women facing the Brazilian Women's  National soccer squad, found themselves down 2 goals to 1, with just a little bit of stoppage time left. That's when lightning would strike twice, after receiving a pass on the sideline, Megan Rapinoe took a couple dribbles and fired a beautiful cross, that found the forehead of forward Abby Wambach and the soccer ball went flying into the back of Brazil's goal. With the score now, 2 to 2, the game went into penalty kicks, with the USA women coming out on top, 5 to 3. Again, after Donovan's goal I didn't think I could witness another great soccer moment, but Wambach's heroics proved me wrong. The women would eventually lose the World Cup Final, to Japan, but we will always have that play for Brazil to look back on and enjoy.

"What If"
I'm going to be honest, I actually missed the play when it first happened, turning the game off in just pure frustration, thinking that the women were going to lose this game and be out of the tournament earlier then expected. However, I was back to watch the PK shots and enjoy the multiple replays of Wambach's header. Lets say Rapinoe's pass isn't right on target and is off by a foot or two? What if the Brazilian goalie was able to get just a finger tip and move the ball off course? What if Wambach's header skies over the goal? Again, another great moment in USA soccer history. What if...



I mean what are the chances, that within just over a year, that both the Men's and Women's National Soccer Teams would have moments like this, I still got goosebumps watching the two plays as I was writing this article. Thank you for letting me share with you again, two "What If" moments in sports history. Enjoy your Leap Day!

"What If" Wednesday

The End of Kobe-Shaq

  

And just like that, it was over. One of the greatest duos in the history of the NBA (Shaq would say THE greatest) Kobe-Shaq teamed up for the Lakers from 1996 to 2004. Kobe drafted by the Charlotte Hornets (which most of you don’t remember or have forgotten) 13^th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft, Shaq came to town via free agencies in the Summer of ‘96 from the Orlando Magic. Kobe-Shaq would enjoy plenty of success, winning NBA Championships in 3 straight seasons (2000, 2001, 2002) or what most of us like to call, a “Three-Peat”. The final season for the “dynamic duo” ended soar, when the LA Lakers would be defeated by the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals (4-1 series). Following the Finals, everyone knew someone had to go (“Shaq-Kobe” feud), that person was Shaq, and he was traded in July 2004 to the Miami Heat for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant and a future first-round draft choice. After their years together, Kobe would go onto win two more NBA Championships (2009, 2010), while Shaq collected one more with the Miami Heat (2006).

“What If”

Why can’t we just all get along? Say after the 2004 NBA Finals, as disappointing as it was, along with that whole 03-04 season with the feud between the two players, what if they could of got together and buried their personal issues and stayed together as teammates? Using the lose in the 2004 NBA Finals as motivation, they could of regrouped and went after another (or more) NBA Championships. Without Shaq, do the Heat win a NBA title in 2006? How many more years, would Shaq-Kobe been able to exist together? Would the Lakers still have won back-to-back championships in 2009, 2010? What if…

The 1994 MLB Strike

The 1994 MLB season was cut short on August 12, 1994, and there would be no post-season, no World Series, and a little boy (Me) would be denied seeing his favorite player (Ken Griffey, Jr.) play up in Cleveland vs. the Indians (I eventually did years later). The strike has been considered the worst work stoppage in sports history and it left the fans and the sports world outraged. Several teams/players were on pace to set single-season records, most notability the Montreal Expos had the best record in baseball at the time (74-40) and what most people believe, had the best chance in franchise history to win a World Series. The Montreal Expos would never get that chance, and after several years of being the basement team of the league moved to Washington D.C. forming the team now called the Washington Nationals. A lot of things were lost due to the strike in 1994; however, the sport has recovered and is still enjoyed by fans across the world to this day (well, if anything its fun to take in a game in person).

“What If”

What if the ’94 season was not cut short due to the player’s strike, does Ken Griffey, Jr. break the single-season HR record (61, he was on pace to hit 58), do the Expos actually win the World Series? What do the record books and baseball encyclopedia’s read if there were a full 1994 season played? It’s sad to think, so many historical things were cut short due to the strike that season. What If…

What If Wednesday!

Super Sonics Relocate to Oklahoma City                      

Before the 2008-09 NBA season, the Seattle Supersonics after 40 years in the city of Seattle, the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City and were renamed the Oklahoma City Thunder. In, 2006, OK City businessman Clay Bennett purchased the Supersonics. After failing to find public funding to build a new arena, the franchise relocated to OK City, following a $45 million settlement with the city of Seattle, paying off the team’s lease at Key Arena. Since the relocation, the Thunder have made the playoffs twice, making it to the Western Conference Finals last season and as of this point in the current season have the best record in the NBA. Led by Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook the Thunder are set-up to be one of the best teams in the NBA for many years to come, while the city of Seattle wait and hope that a new franchise is born, along with a new arena.

“What-If”

With the New Orleans Hornets playing the majority of their home games for two seasons, following the effects of Hurricane Katrina, the fans of Oklahoma City got a nice taste of what it felt to have an NBA franchise in their city. Which sparked the interest of Bennett purchasing the Supersonics, knowing the team’s financial situation with Key Arena and with the city of Seattle. Would the franchise still be in the Northwest, if the city of Seattle came up with the funding to build a new arena? The city would of loved to see Kevin Durant more then just ONE Rookie season. How would Russell Westbrook look in a Supersonics jersey? The team now is certainly set up to make a run at an NBA title, the franchise first since 1979 and the city of Seattle would of loved cheering for the Young Guns that make up this roster.  What if…

February 17, 1963 


Michael Jordan is born in Brooklyn, New York. The fourth of five children, Michael Jordan, once kicked off his High School basketball team, would go onto become an All-American at UNC, winning the 1982 National Championship (GW-shot) and become one of the greatest NBA players of all-time. With the Chicago Bulls, Jordan won 6 NBA Titles, 6-time Finals MVP, 5x NBA MVP, 10 NBA scoring titles, NBA Rookie of the Year, NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1987-88), NBA Slam Dunk Contest Champ 1987, 1988 (he wasn’t AFRAID to participate in the event, unlike another #23 OH, check that #6) and the list goes on and on, MJ has done it all. Winning two Olympic Gold Medals (1984, 1992) he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

“What-If”

Man, if James and Deloris Jordan would have stopped at three, what would the game of basketball (life) be like now. Georgetown would certainly have one more banner up in its gym. The Lakers, Blazers, Suns, Sonics, and Jazz would all have one (or more) NBA Championship Banners up in their arenas’. From the buzzer-beating shots to the post-game championship celebrations, sports (history) would definitely look a lot difference. What sort of NBA career would Scottie Pippen of had without his Batman? No Space Jam, No Nike Commercials, #23 jerseys, etc. What would the #23 mean, with no MJ? What if…

What If Wednesday!

MARIO CHALMERS THREE VS. MEMPHIS

In the 2008 National Championship Game, the Kansas Jayhawks went up against the Memphis Tigers. Let me set the stage for you all, Memphis up 3 (63-60), with only seconds to go in the game. However, Memphis missed their last 3 out of 4 FT attempts to keep the Jayhawks alive. The Jayhawks got one last chance, the Tigers failed to foul before the Jayhawks got a shoot up, and with 3 seconds to go Mario Chalmers launched a shoot from the top of the key, that was nothing but the bottom of the net, 63-63 OT following (the shoot is referred to as “Mario’s Miracle”). In overtime, the Jayhawks outscored the Tigers 12 to 5 to win the 2008 Men’s Hoops National Championship. It gave Kansas’ Head Coach, Bill Self his 1^st title and denied Memphis’ Head Coach Jim Calipari of winning his first, HAHA!!!

What If

Ok, where to begin with this one, first, what if the Tigers would have made their FT’s down the stretch. The Tigers were a horrible FT team all season long and it did end up hurting them.  If the Tigers fouling the Jayhawks before Chalmers’ shot maybe they would have been able to make at least one or two more free throws. In the end, this “what if”, doesn’t really matter much, with the Tigers having to forfeit their entire 2008 season, due to some off-the-court issues with some key players (most notably Derrick Rose). Seriously, that starting five looked like they couldn’t even pass 9th Grade English test, let alone attend a Division 1 University. Still, for one night they could of enjoyed being one of the greatest teams of all-time. What If?

March 4, 2006: #13 North Carolina 83, #1 Duke 76

With the UNC/Duke rivalry adding another chapter this evening (9 PM EST on ESPN), I’d like to give you a “What-If” of this historical hoops rivalry. 

On Senior Night, the Dukies were honoring J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams hosting a very young Tar Heels team. This was suppose to be a night to remember for the Duke Seniors as Redick was on his way to becoming the Player of the Year and Williams the Defensive Player of the Year. After J.J. hit his first five shoots, the Blue Devils roared out to a 13 to 2 lead and it looked like it was going to be the Redick show. However, the baby Tar Heels screamed back and spoiled Senior Night at Cameron Indoor, pulling the upset 83 to 76. The Tar Heels were riding a 7-game winning streak while the Blue Devils were the #1 team in the land.

What If

It wasn’t one shoot or play that changed this game, the what if comes with it being Duke’s Senior Night. How many of you would of hated losing your last game at home to your archrival. I can clearly, remembering watching this game, and just remember seeing Redick’s face at the end of the game. What if, that quick start by Redick would have propelled the Dukies to a run away win over the Tar Heels? What if, the Blue Devils were able to make a couple stops down the stretch; seriously, the Tar Heels caught fire late in this one. In the end, this one doesn’t really change the history of the rivalry or college hoops, but for being such a great players; Reddick and Williams were denied in their last game at memorable Cameron Indoor. What If? 

Boomer's "What If" Wednesday

This week, I bring you all “What if” Wednesday’s Super Bowl Edition.

Scott Norwood’s “Wide Right”

Honestly, one of the biggest “what if” Super Bowls of all-time, with seconds to go, in Super Bowl XXV Scott Norwood’s last second FG went “wide right”, and was no good for the Buffalo Bills. The closest the Bills ever came to winning the Super Bowl, this one started a streak of four-straight Super Bowl L’s for the Bills. The New York Giants with head coach Bill Parcells won their second Super Bowl in five years, 20 to 19. Super Bowl XXV was a rematch from a regular season meeting between the two teams (won by Buffalo in New York, 17 to 13).

“What If”

What would the legacy of Buffalo Bills QB Jim Kelly be, if he were to have a Super Bowl ring (I mean come on 0 for 4, poor guy)? If Norwood’s FG goes in, maybe it starts a run “dynasty” of sorts for the Bills (Super Bowl rings 1…2…3…4?) Would their runs to the Super Bowl been different if they would have one this first one? Maybe they never make it back, to the “big one”? What about Giants Coach Bill Parcells retiring FOR GOOD, if the Giants would have lost? Coach Parcells went on to lose Super Bowl XXXI with the Patriots and coached 11 more years after his run with the Giants, (Pats, Jets, Cowboys). A lot of “what if” moments are tied-in with Super Bowl XXV, let me know what you all think would have happened. I’m sure with a lot of Buffalo fans; they would have dreamed it ending like this:

John Elway’s Helicopter Run

The true definition of “try, try, try, try again”. After three Super Bowl losses early in his career, John Elway prevailed finally in Super Bowl XXXII, beating the defending champion Green Bay Packers, 31-24. The one remembered for as “This ones for John”, Elway was aided by Broncos RB Terrell Davis (Super Bowl MVP), scoring three touchdowns on the night. On the other side, Packers QB Brett Favre was denied back-to-back Super Bowl rings. This would ironically be the first of back-to-back Super Bowl rings for Elway and the Broncos.

“What If”

Say the Packers find a way to win this one, and with a 0-4 Super Bowl record John Elway retires after this game, leaving a Hall of Fame career without that Super Bowl ring, he searched for all those years. Brett Favre wins back-to-back Super Bowls and that 2^nd SB ring that he eventually would never win. This was another Super Bowl with multiple “what if” moments involved in the aftermath of the game. Would we have ever seen #4 in a Jets or Vikings jersey, if he wins this one?  If Elway never “goes airborne” what happens? Let me know what you think.

“What-If” Wednesdays

A new topic for the week at Rock Bottom, have you ever been thinking of a sports story/event and wondered to yourself, “What-If”? Well, for every Wednesday now on, Boomer will bring you two “What-If” sports stories from the past and provide you with his opinion on the event and give you what could of happened if “what-if” were the case. Enjoy, it should be fun, let me know what you think of it and give me your take on the story/event.

The 1980 USA Hockey Team

The “Miracle on Ice”, probably one of the greatest moments in USA sports history. Even though, I wasn’t even alive at the time, I thought this would be a good “What-If” to start with. The heavily favored USSR team (considered to be the best team in the world at the time), where expected to win the Gold Medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics. However, the USA squad led by coach Herb Brooks (made up of amateur and college players) pulled off one of the greatest upsets in sports history, winning, 4 to 3. What some people don’t remember is that the USA squad still had to beat Finland to win the Gold Medal. The USA hockey team has only been able to attain a Silver medal twice (2002, 2010) since the “Miracle on Ice”, truly the 1980 USA hockey team had one of the greatest moments in USA sports history.

“What If”

It’s hard to imagine what it would be like not having the “Miracle on Ice” as part of our USA sports history. If they don’t beat Finland, for the gold medal, maybe the game against the Soviet’s might not have been as memorable to remember. Coach Brooks probably would have been slammed (he already was getting some heat) for putting together a team of amateur’s and college players. They would have been no Miracle movie starring Kurt Russell. Of course, what would Al Michaels be remembered for if not for this game?

Hail Flutie

November 23, 1984, the Miami Orange Bowl, was the site of one of the greatest plays in college football history. Doug Flutie #22 connected with WR Gerard Phelan, giving the Boston College Eagles a dramatic 47 to 45 win over the Miami Hurricanes. The play is known as “Hail Flutie”, and for some people, its believed to have catapulted Flutie to winning the 1984 Heisman Trophy (though the Heisman ballots had been collected the week before). Some other notable stats from that game, the Hurricanes’ QB Bernie Kosar threw for a school-record 447 passing yards, while Flutie threw for 472 yards and 4 touchdowns, becoming the first college QB to throw for over 10,000 yards in his career. Clearly, one of the greatest college football plays of all-time.

“What If”

What would sports history be if Flutie didn’t get the pass away or if a Hurricanes’ defender would have batted the pass down? He ends up winning the Heisman, but he would be left without that “Heisman play” to be remembered by. Flutie had a wonderful 1984 senior season, but would people have remembered much about it, if not for that one play down at the Miami Orange Bowl? What sort of career would he have had afterwards, if not for “Hail Flutie”?