NBA's All-What If team (1990s version)

The term "What If" is a very interesting term. You often say that to reflect back on certain situations that have taken place and wonder (aimlessly as it may be) how things may have turned out if one think would've happened differently. Well, when talking sports, we tend to do that more often than not. The fate of franchises and entire cities are turned around by singular instances (see Bill Buckner's fielding error, or the Tennessee Titans coming up 1 yard short in their quest for a SuperBowl victory, or Portland drafting Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan). Well, here today, I'll give you that opportunity to wonder what if about 6 guys that played (and in some cases, are still playing) in the NBA. I want to relive what they were at the top of their games and compare it to how they were post-injury or post-incident.

Point Guard - Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway
Before those ridiculous Nike puppets of LeBron & Kobe, there was Lil' Penny. This guy was an absolute phenom with the basketball in his hands. He and Shaq made magic in Orlando (no pun). And even after Shaq's departure, he played All-Star caliber ball. Let's remember Penny.



Shooting Guard - Grant Hill
The craziest thing about all of this is that last season was his first time in several years that he played in (or at least was healthy for) the full docket of 82 games. Had this guy stayed healthy, he was well on his way to being exactly what Kobe Bryant is today.


Small Forward - Larry Johnson
He was supposed to be the next Karl Malone (while Malone was playing). A bum back didn't allow it. But before his back went out, he, Alonzo Mourning, and Mugsy Bogues took Charlotte by storm!! But even after his back went out, he went to NYC and transformed into a combo small forward/power forward and was very formidable in the Big Apple. Then he retired quietly and disappeared into oblivion.


Power Forward - Antonio McDyess
Growing up in Alabama (where McDyess played his college ball), I can assure you that the same player that Blake Griffin is today, McDyess was that and then some!! As agile as a deer and as powerful as a bear. And he had the sweetest midrange jumper (much of which you still see today). And then the knees went out.


Center - Alonzo Mourning
Before his kidney gave out, he was the only center in the league that actually posed any sort of challenge to Shaq during his prime! (Hakeem doesn't count. Shaq was a pup at the time). But before that he was a master shot blocker and defender with a limited, but improving, offensive package. That time off with the surgery hurt his timing and other stuff. And that guy that you saw flailing awkwardly all over the floor during Miami's title run against Dallas was NOT the same guy he was before the kidney transplant.


6th man - Derrick Coleman
If he saw this, he'd probably be upset about it. Just the fact that he's 6th on the list. His biggest downfall was that someone told him he was good and he believed it. The truth is that this guy had ALL the tools. But his attitude and subsequent injuries kept him from becoming the superstar that he was no doubt destined to be.



Thoughts? Agreements? Disagreements? Let me hear them all.