what players reputations would change the most with/without rings?

[70sFan]

I do wonder how history would view Reed and Frazier had they lost to the Lakers in 1970 and 1973.

Likely considerably worse, which is a shame because they were amazing. That said, Lakers winning in 1973 was unlikely, they lost the finals quite clearly.

[coastalmarker99]

I do wonder how history would view Reed and Frazier had they lost to the Lakers in 1970 and 1973.

Likely considerably worse, which is a shame because they were amazing. That said, Lakers winning in 1973 was unlikely, they lost the finals quite clearly.

Despite winning in five games in 1973 the Knicks won three games in that series by 3, 4 & 4.


It is also forgotten that Jerry West pulled his hamstring in game 2 which seriously affected his performance for the rest of the series.


As he was only able to gut out 31 minutes in game 3 in which the Lakers lost by 4 points.


He also was only able to gut out 33 minutes in game 5.


With a Healthy West, I think the Lakers win that series.



Additionally, what is perhaps forgotten is that the Lakers were down a man.


Happy Hairston, who had put up 13ppg and 13rpg as their starting PF during their title-winning 1972 season, had gone down 28 games into the 72-73 season with a knee injury, having averaged 16ppg and 13rpg to that point.

He missed the remainder of the regular season and most of the post-season; he returned for limited minutes in the last game of the conference finals and two games in the finals, but he wasn't himself.

In the 28 RS games with Hairston, the team had gone 24-4(.857) with a MOV of +9.679, while without they went 36-18(.666) with a MOV of +7.388.

You have to wonder, given three of the Lakers' four losses in the finals were by a margin of only 4-5 points, if the Lakers would've won had Hairston or West been 100%.

[coastalmarker99]

I still find it unbelievable how West and Wilt blew it in the second half of game 5 of the 1970 finals.


That is still one of the most WTF meltdowns in NBA history


If they hold on to win that game as they should have.


Baylor has a ring to end his career.

Wilt gets redemption for 1969 by winning the Finals MVP after he closes the series out in style in game 6.

West has now 2 rings.

[coastalmarker99]

honestly, I find it surprising that West is more broken up about his losses to the Celtics rather than New york.


As the Celtics always had the better team vs LA outside of 1969.

While the Lakers considering the talent they had should have won all three of their finals matchups vs New york or at the bare minimum at least two.

[migya]

I do wonder how history would view Reed and Frazier had they lost to the Lakers in 1970 and 1973.

West and Chamberlain would definitely be viewed better. Chamberlain with three championships certainly would be a definite top 4 to most.

[coastalmarker99]

I do wonder how history would view Reed and Frazier had they lost to the Lakers in 1970 and 1973.

West and Chamberlain would definitely be viewed better. Chamberlain with three championships certainly would be a definite top 4 to most.

Wilt would have four rings to go along with four finals MVP's.



He would be seen as a result as a definite top 3 player of all-time to most people.


As Wilt would have the edge over Kareem in terms of alpha rings.

As 4 finals MVPs beats two.

Plus Wilt' would also have the edge on Kareem in terms of statistical domination.

[asindc]

This might come as a surprise to some, but if Dr. J wins at least two of 77, 80, and 82 along with 83, he probably is regarded as a top 10 player.

He's an interesting one because he didn't have a long career in the nba due to being in the nba. He definitely would be top 20 if not top 15 if he had at least 12 years in the nba at his level. Winning two championships, one without Moses definitely rates him higher.

Julius is clear top 20 player ever.

I agree that he is already in the top 20. My scenario would firmly put him in the top 10, IMO.

[coastalmarker99]

If Kareem wins in 1972 and 1974.

He would be viewed nowadays as the undisputed Goat rather than a distant third to Lebron and Jordan.

As

8 rings

4 Finals MVPs


Plus his other accolades to go along with his longevity stats would make him be easily seen as the Goat by most people.

[migya]

If Kareem wins in 1972 and 1974.

He would be viewed nowadays as the undisputed Goat rather than a distant third to Lebron and Jordan.

As

8 rings

4 Finals MVPs


Plus his other accolades to go along with his longevity stats would make him be easily seen as the Goat by most people.

He certainly would. Still, I have Chamberlain higher.