10 Biggest "What If?" Questions In NBA History

It's widely believed that the NBA rigged Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals in favor of the Los Angeles Lakers, forcing a Game 7 that would inevitably be won by LA. Fans point to the fact that the Lakers shot 27 free throws in the fourth quarter, many given on brazenly incorrect calls against the Sacramento Kings. Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant elbowed Mike Bibby in plain sight and received no repercussions. Worst of all, the Lakers only squeaked by 106-102, leaving many to wonder what could have been for the Kings and Chris Webber had the refs called the game down the middle.

The 2001-02 Sacramento Kings were a special squad, a combination of great shooting and the peak of a troubled, but supremely talented Chris Webber, and they were the best team in the NBA. Had they beaten the Lakers, they would have gone on to face the New Jersey Nets, who ended up being swept aside by Los Angeles. The Nets were the beneficiaries of a bad Eastern Conference and the Kings would have stomped them as hard, if not harder, than Shaq and Kobe did. This would have given the Kings their first title since 1951.