This season, The Hoop Games Podcast is talking about the biggest "What if?" moments in NBA history and how all-time rankings could have been impacted with things like: a missed call going another way, a game winning shot going in or out, or an injury not happening. Using a dynamic algorithm that incorporates both commonly-used metrics like Peak and Longevity and new metrics like teammate help and Individual Championships Earned (ICE), we'll unveil GAME Model simulations, what if scenarios answering the games biggest all-time questions. Tune in for this special two-minute teaser to hear more about what's ahead for Season 1 of the Hoop Games Podcast and get a sneak peak at some of the questions that we'll be answering.

Ranking the 21st best player as of the end of the 2020 season: Oscar Robertson. In this episode, find out why Oscar Robertson is ranked 21st all time.

The what if scenarios, or GAME Model simulations, in this episode include: What if Oscar Robertson wins a championship as the lead guy in Cincinnati? Where would he land? What if Oscar Robertson didn’t miss the playoffs in the three years prior to going to Milwaukee? We will investigate this. What if Oscar Robertson won the 1971 Finals MVP instead of Kareem?

Sources:

Basketball Reference

American Sports Digest Profile on Oscar Robertson

ESPN Article on Oscar Robertson

Who's Better Who's Best book by Elliott Kalb

Sporting News Profile on Oscar Robertson

Wikipedia Article on NBA Territorial Pick

NBA.com Profile on Oscar Robertson

Backpicks.com Article on Oscar Robertson

Jonny Arnett Youtube Video on Oscar Robertson

ClutchPoints Article on playoff accomplishment for Oscar Robertson

Hoop Games on Social:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Youtube

Ranking the 22nd best player as of the end of the 2020 season: Karl Malone. In this episode, find out why Karl Malone is ranked 22nd all time.

The what if scenarios, or GAME Model simulations, in this episode include: What if Karl Malone wins a championship in either 1997, 1998 or 2004 and what are the differences in impacts between these three scenarios? What if Karl Malone only won one MVP instead of two (and was there MVP voter fatigue against Jordan during either of Malone’s MVPs)? What if Karl Malone’s postseason runs matched his regular season performances?

Sources:

Basketball Reference

Scottie Pippen Trash Talk Moment to Karl Malone

Bleacher Report Article on Controversial MVPs

NBA Reddit Voter Fatigue - 1

NBA Reddit Voter Fatigue - 2

Sportscasting.com Article on Stockton/Malone

Hoop Games on Social:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

Youtube

Ranking the 23rd best player as of the end of the 2020 season: Kevin Garnett. In this episode, find out why Kevin Garnett is ranked 23rd all time.

The what if scenarios, or GAME Model simulations, in this episode include: What if KG wins the 2008 Finals MVP instead of Paul Pierce? What if KG never gets injured in 2009, when the Celtics were leading the NBA? What happens if Tim Duncan and KG switch franchises and career paths?

Sources:

Basketball Reference

NBA.com Bio on Kevin Garnett

NBA.com Garnett Hall of Fame Profile

Bleacher Report on KG's On-Court Actions

ClutchPoints Article on KG's Trash Talking

Athletic article on Kevin Garnett

Nick Smith NBA Youtube Channel on KG

KG New York Times Interview

CelticsBlog on 2009 What If Around KG Injury

Ranking the 24th best player as of the end of the 2020 season: Chris Paul. In this episode, find out why Chris Paul is ranked 24th all time.

The what if scenarios, or GAME Model simulations, in this episode include:

What if Paul did not go down with the hamstring injury in the 2018 Western Conference Finals and the Rockets went on to win the 2018 Championship? What would that have done for his ranking?

What if CP3 had won an MVP during his career? How high could Chris Paul be ranked?

Sources:

Basketball Reference

The Athletic Article on Chris Paul's performance the last few years

Article on Chris Paul's competitive downsides

Chris Paul / Gordon Ramsey comparison tweet

Statmuse tweet on CP3's impact on winning

BoxedUp | Rentals, Delivered to Your Door

CBS Sports Article on Chris Paul's (and his teammates) rough playoff injury history

Ranking the 25th best player as of the end of the 2020 season: Dwyane Wade.

In this episode, find out why Dwyane Wade is ranked 25th all time.

The what if scenarios, or GAME Model simulations, in this episode include:

• What if Wade had won an MVP during his career?
• What if Wade didn't win the 2006 Finals? What was the value of that championship on his legacy?
• What if Ray Allen's shot didn't go in during the 2013 NBA Finals Game 6? What would it have done for Wade's ranking on the all-time list?
• What if Wade was fully healthy during his Prime?

Sources:

Basketball Reference

Bill Simmons Article on 2006 Finals

Wade/Lebron Mock Dirk in 2011 NBA Finals

Ranking the 26th best player as of the end of the 2020 season: Charles Barkley.

In this episode, find out why Charles Barkley is ranked 26th all time.

The what if scenarios, or GAME Model simulations, in this episode include:

• What if Charles had won a championship in Phoenix in 1993? What if he won one in Houston later in his career? And what is the difference between winning one as the main guy vs. a secondary contributor?
• What if he won the 1990 MVP over Magic Johnson?
• A combo simulation of the 1993 Finals scenario and the 1990 MVP scenario

Sources:

Basketball Reference

Dream Team Book by Jack McCallum

Who's Better Who's Best book by Elliott Kalb

Ranking the 27th best player as of the end of the 2020 season: Steph Curry.

In this episode, find out why Steph Curry is ranked 27th all time and what he can do to move up the list as well as the few things holding him back on the all-time ranking.

What if scenarios, or GAME Model simulations, in this episode include:

• What if Steph won the Finals MVP in 2015? What would do that for his legacy?
• What is the Warriors didn't blow a 3-1 lead in the 2016 NBA Finals?
• A combo scenario of the other two simulations

Sources:

Basketball Reference

Sean Grande Twitter

Chris Mannix Twitter

Kevin Garnett New York Times Interview

Under the Boards by Jeffrey Lane

Beta Ball Book by Erik Malinowski

Statmuse Steph Curry Tweet

BoxedUp

GoldenStateofMind Iguodala Finals MVP Article

NESN on Iguodala Finals MVP Win