The mid-90s Sonics with a decent centre probably take the Bulls to at least 7

I believe, with shameless homerism, that if Dirk got Chandler a few years before 2011, he’d have one more title or a couple under his belt.

Portland - 1985-1995

2021 suns if they replaced ayton, I think they end up sweeping the bucks

The Stockton and Malone Jazz had Greg Ostertag as their starting center

Last year’s Celtics

If the Jazz weren’t playing the Gregs (Ostertag and Foster) I think they would’ve taken one of those series from the Bulls in ‘97 or ‘98.

We tried to trade for Rony Seikaly, but he refused to report to Utah and threatened to go back to Europe.

The Pacers were one big Achilles away from winning a title

Eh I’d say the Lakers bigger issue is that they lost 2-way role players like KCP, Caruso, and Kuzma for Westbrook who was worse than any one of those guys.

Depending on the player every team is one big away

The 2004 Pistons, apparently. They got Sheed and took off

Suns/Nets in 2021 would’ve had a good chance to beat the Bucks with better big play

Do I get to pick the big man? I’ll take the 2021 Phoenix Suns with 1972 Kareem. Pretty sure that gets it done against the Bucks

Lakers post 2020 tbh

2022 Mavs

The 2018-2019 Blazers probably still don’t get past that Warriors team, but I think it’s a far more competitive Western Conference Finals if they have Nurkic instead of Enes Kanter.

Nurkic had been putting up some wild statlines that season before breaking his leg, including a 24pts 23rebs 7asts 5blks 5stls 5x5 game. The only 5x5 since that game has been Wemby. He looked fearless before he broke his leg and then never really played as aggressively again.

And even without him the Blazers still led through halftime in 3 of the 4 games…but they couldn’t survive 2nd half Warriors with their playoff roster.

Philadelphia 76ers

Myles didn’t really exist in the Finals

Completely wrong example by OP, since Lakers bigger issues were: health, Russell Westbrook, AD not wanting to play the 5 while shooting 30% or below from 3 and being so unplayable as a 4 in post 2015 NBA, Labron defense, lack of 3pt shooting.

Anyway I would say the Suns from 2005 to 2007, but particularly in 2006 considering how basketball was played then and Amare going down in 2006. They could have sold Amare on high stocks, and bringing in an elite big plus shooting that fits better the needs (defense and being less of a balck holes). Also if they had to play 7 seconds or less I don’t want a 4 that can’t shoot (like Diaw) and a washed Kurt Thomas. Anyway I think with just Amare they likely win it all in 2006.

The triple MVP Thunder. Give them someone better than Perk and they’re winning a lot.

The pocket Rockets.

If we had one big, literally just one, who could stand in front of AD and protect the rim we might have been a real threat that season. Instead we let Morey lose his fuckin mind playing analyticball too hard and it blew up our whole Harden era.

I think Horford, Myles Turner, Brook Lopez or even a Steven Adams makes that Lakers series highly competitive.

1960s Lakers…if you move Wilt earlier or remove Russell from the Celtics….

2010 Celtics

Probably literally 3-4 seasons of Lukas career as a Mav not even exaggerating

If you look at the rosters they always were missing a big until they tanked for Lively who was still a rookie

Eventually they got Gafford but he was more of a backup big, and Lively couldn’t stay healthy beyond one season

Majority of his tenure he played with centers like Dwight Powell and Christian Wood

If LaMarcus Aldridge isn’t given incorrect medical advice which caused him to retire immediately the Brooklyn Nets would have won the championship even if Kyrie and Harden were injured.

The Bucks series which was the toe on the line would have been over in 5 games or less if LMA played.

LMA would have been a second option as a scorer and KD would have trusted him. It would have meant Giannis wouldn’t have been able to take plays off on the defensive side of the ball and would therefore have been more tired and less efficient with the ball.

PJ Tucker would still foul 9 times per game though. Nothing would change that

2002 Kings 

2025 Indiana Pacers.

Myles Turner was usually an okay center. But in the Finals, he was shooting an awful 21% from 3s, 38% from the field, and 4.4 rebs as the starting center. He was outrebounded by their own PG Tyrese Haliburton with 4.6 rebs.

If Pacers had other more servicable centers like Zubac, Jarrett Allen, Wendell Carter or even Al Horford, I think they would have won the Finals.

Pacers gm 7. They win if Hali doesn’t go down