Discover the 8 biggest what ifs in sports history

As sports fans, we can’t help but ask “what if” questions about the moments that made history, the plays or games that changed the face of sports forever. Stories like “The Catch” in the NFL, “God’s Goal” in the World Cup or the Cavaliers’ dramatic comeback in the 2016 NBA Finals always make fans wonder what could have been if those moments never happened. In this article, Premiumsoccertips will explore 8 biggest what ifs in sports history, along with what could have happened if these events had not happened.

8 biggest what ifs in sports history

1. Drew Bledsoe never got injured

In Week 2 of the 2001 NFL season, the New England Patriots suffered a major blow when quarterback Drew Bledsoe was severely injured after being hit by Mo Lewis of the New York Jets. This was an event that changed NFL history when Tom Brady, a then-unknown player, was substituted for Bledsoe. Brady, despite low expectations, led the Patriots to the Super Bowl and won, starting a great dynasty in the history of the team. If Bledsoe had not been injured, would Tom Brady have ever had the opportunity to lead the team to success? Would Brady have become the greatest player in NFL history if he had not been substituted for Bledsoe?

If Drew Bledsoe had never been injured, the Patriots might not have won Super Bowl XXXVI. Although Bledsoe was a talented quarterback, the introduction of Brady completely changed the landscape of the team and the NFL. With Bledsoe continuing to lead the team, the Patriots might not have built the empire they did over the past two decades. Tom Brady, who would go on to become the team’s icon, might never have become one of the greatest players of all time without the opportunity to lead the Patriots in their early seasons.

2. Michael Jordan still plays Baseball

After winning three consecutive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls in 1993, Michael Jordan shocked the sports world when he decided to retire at the age of 30 to pursue a baseball career. Jordan, considered the greatest player in NBA history, moved to the minor league Birmingham Barons, an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Although he was not a huge success and never made it to the MLB, this event changed the direction of Jordan’s career. However, if Jordan had not left the NBA and continued his basketball career, would he have maintained his form and led the Bulls to more championships?

If Jordan had not interrupted his basketball career and not played baseball, he may have continued to solidify his position as one of the greatest players in NBA history. With his immense talent and influence, Jordan could have won more titles, extended his legacy in the NBA, and possibly brought the Bulls more championship trophies. Without the hiatus, could Jordan’s career have been even more glorious? And would his encounters with other famous players like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird have added to his brilliance in NBA history?

3. The Red Sox never traded babe ruth to the Yankees

The story of the Boston Red Sox selling Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1919 is one of the most controversial “what if” events in sports history. Babe Ruth, after joining the Yankees, helped the team win four World Series championships and build one of the most powerful empires in professional sports. Meanwhile, the Red Sox endured an 86-year championship drought known as the “Curse of the Bambino.” This has led many to question whether the Red Sox would have been a dominant team without Ruth, or whether the Yankees would have been a dominant team without the legend.

If the Red Sox had never traded Babe Ruth, the team might have remained a force to be reckoned with for decades to come. Ruth, with his unparalleled talent, could have helped the Red Sox win more championships, instead of having to wait until 2004 to end their long championship drought. Would the Red Sox have built an empire with Ruth in the lineup? Furthermore, would the Yankees have become the great team they are today without Ruth at their helm?

4. Len Bias never died

Len Bias was widely considered one of the brightest prospects in NBA history. After being selected by the Boston Celtics with the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft, Bias was expected to be the successor to Larry Bird and bring many titles to the Celtics in the future. However, just hours after being selected, Bias died from cocaine use. If Bias had not died, the Celtics could have built a strong roster with Bias and Bird, and could have won many more NBA championships. Could Bias have gone on to become one of the greatest players in the NBA?

If Len Bias had not died, the Celtics could have continued to dominate the NBA in the 1980s and could have won at least one or two more championships. Bias, with his all-around ability and impressive athleticism, could have become a major star in the NBA and replaced Larry Bird on the Celtics roster. The big question is whether Bias can win individual titles and whether the team can continue to dominate as before?

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5. Gordon Hayward’s Buzzer-Beater shot

In the 2010 NCAA Finals between Butler and Duke, with 3.6 seconds left in the game, Butler’s Gordon Hayward had a chance to decide the outcome of the game. His shot hit the backboard and the rim but bounced out, giving Duke the win. Had the shot gone in, Butler would have created a seismic shift in March Madness history and Hayward would have been a national hero. But would Butler’s championship win change Hayward’s NBA career?

If Butler wins, it will be one of the biggest historic moments in college sports, with a small school like Butler defeating a giant like Duke. This would change Gordon Hayward’s career, possibly taking him to the next level in the NBA and helping Butler become one of the biggest names in sports. Could Hayward have become an NBA star sooner if his team had won?

6. If Tiger Woods hadn’t had a traffic accident

Tiger Woods, one of the greatest legends in golf, suffered a major blow to his career when he was involved in a serious traffic accident in 2009, following personal scandals and continuous injuries. These events prevented Woods from maintaining his previous peak performance, seriously affecting his career. If he hadn’t encountered these troubles, could Woods have continued to conquer major titles and become the greatest golfer in history? Could he have won more Major championships to surpass Jack Nicklaus and maintain the No. 1 position in golf for a long time?

If it weren’t for the car accident and off-course issues, Woods would have surpassed Jack Nicklaus in the number of Major titles, cementing himself as the greatest golfer in history. With his immense talent and fitness, Woods could have continued to play at the top level for many more years. It is also possible that if Woods hadn’t had his personal troubles, his reputation and influence in the sport would have been much greater, making golf a more popular sport with Woods’s strong appeal.

7. If LeBron James hadn’t moved to the Miami Heat

In 2010, LeBron James shocked the world when he decided to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat, a move that many fans saw as a “running away from the challenge” when he teamed up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Although LeBron won two NBA championships during his years with the Heat, the question was whether the team would have won the city’s first title in a long time if he had stayed in Cleveland. LeBron faced a lot of criticism and pressure in his early years in Miami, but in the end, the decision proved to be the right one as he won important titles. However, if he hadn’t moved to the Heat, would Cleveland have returned to the top as it did in 2016?

If LeBron James had not moved to the Miami Heat and stayed in Cleveland, it is likely that the team would have had a chance to win a title earlier, perhaps in the early 2010s, when their roster was still strong with talent like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. However, joining the Miami Heat helped LeBron learn and improve himself, from which he returned to Cleveland in 2014 and led the team to the top, winning their first title in history in 2016. Without the experience in Miami, would LeBron have developed into such a strong and complete player in later years?

8. If Usain Bolt had not suffered an injury in the 2017 Olympics

Usain Bolt, dubbed the “Fastest Man in the World,” won three consecutive gold medals in three Olympics (2008, 2012, 2016) and holds the world records in the 100m and 200m. However, at the 2017 Olympics, Bolt suffered an injury during the 4x100m relay, ending an era of his dominance. If it weren’t for the injury, would Bolt have been able to maintain his peak performance and continue to break his own world records, and would he have become the fastest athlete in the history of the sport?

If it weren’t for the injury, Usain Bolt could have won more gold medals in the following Olympics and continued to set new records. In fact, if he had maintained his consistent performance, Bolt could have held the title of “Fastest Man in the World” for many more years. With a career filled with gold medals and world records, Bolt could have certainly become an irreplaceable sports icon in history. The injury ended his glorious journey, but if it hadn’t been for that, Bolt could have surprised the sports world once again.

To Wrap It Up

The biggest what ifs in sports history are not only interesting questions about what could have happened differently, but also help us realize the importance of each moment in the formation and development of sports. Each decision, each event, no matter how small or large, can change the course of an entire generation of athletes, teams, or a sport. These “what ifs” not only bring curiosity but also help us appreciate the moments and events that actually happened, because they have contributed to the great stories in sports history. Keep watching and imagining, because sports is always full of surprises and constantly changing opportunities.

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