Blue and Orange: Dr. J, Larry Legend, and the New York Knicks Dynasty

Great Idea that means an NBA without Magic Johnson getting HIV and Len Bias getting Cocaine Overdose ITTL, However Len Bias will still be alive as were heading to the 1990's ITTL.

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The Sonics are not trading the second pick in the 1986 draft to the Celtics, so that will give you a good idea of where he ends up
 
The Portland big man curse still applies though. Plus the Lakers were a 65 win team in 1987, I'm not sure how Portland, even with Sabonis, gets through them. They were still a young, inexperienced team when it came to winning in crunch time (albeit a very talented team).

1987 Portland with Sabonis probably loses to the Lakers in the WCF in 6 or 7, then comes back in 88 with a vengeance when they naturally improve and the Lakers age a little

Not really to Sabonis. A guy like that would cause Kareem problems, just like Hakeem did the year before.

This leads me to another point: If they take Sabas, that means they still take Bowie in this timeline, but they trade him a few years earlier.
 
Not really to Sabonis. A guy like that would cause Kareem problems, just like Hakeem did the year before.

This leads me to another point: If they take Sabas, that means they still take Bowie in this timeline, but they trade him a few years earlier.

What do you mean, not really to Sabonis? He was always hurt, even in the 1980s. :) And even in Sabonis' prime, Hakeem was better. But yes, he would cause an older Kareem problems. Overall as a team, LA in 1987 is just too strong, they were a juggernaut and they'll still have Magic, Worthy, Scott, and so forth...their big advantage in 1987 will be due to playing together a lot longer than the Blazers

I'll keep him relatively healthy for 88 though, that's going to be a shock of a season, with a wide-open title race where any of a dozen teams could win the thing...

Yes, Portland still trades Bowie ITTL, but in 1986 to Jersey instead of 1989

And I'm also resurrecting Len Bias and giving him to the Sonics (because they don't trade the 2nd pick in the draft to Boston) so you'll have juicy feuds with the Lakers and that team to your north
 
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What do you mean, not really to Sabonis? He was always hurt, even in the 1980s. :) And even in Sabonis' prime, Hakeem was better. But yes, he would cause an older Kareem problems. Overall as a team, LA in 1987 is just too strong, they were a juggernaut and they'll still have Magic, Worthy, Scott, and so forth...their big advantage in 1987 will be due to playing together a lot longer than the Blazers

I'll keep him relatively healthy for 88 though, that's going to be a shock of a season, with a wide-open title race where any of a dozen teams could win the thing...

Yes, Portland still trades Bowie ITTL, but in 1986 to Jersey instead of 1989

And I'm also resurrecting Len Bias and giving him to the Sonics (because they don't trade the 2nd pick in the draft to Boston) so you'll have juicy feuds with the Lakers and that team to your north

Yeah, he was, but nothing like Bowie. Even Sabonis at 80-90 percent is good enough to check Kareem, who was past his prime.

As for trading Bowie, maybe he can be sent to the Nets for Orlando Woolridge(I don't see them getting Buck Williams for him in 86). Another interesting part of this is having Drazen Petrovic come over somehow as well. Portland drafted him in the 86 draft in the third round.

I also agree with you about the Bias deal. In this alternate reality, Gerald Henderson probably doesn't make that steal in the 84 Finals, and the Sonics probably don't know who he is. So, they get Bias, and they can't trade Henderson to the Knicks, so they don't get Scottie Pippen and trade him to the Bulls.

And, Bias is in Seattle the night that his roommate bought the bad cocaine because the Sonics want to meet with him a little longer, and his flight gets delayed a day or two due to heavy rain or something.
 
Yeah, he was, but nothing like Bowie. Even Sabonis at 80-90 percent is good enough to check Kareem, who was past his prime.

As for trading Bowie, maybe he can be sent to the Nets for Orlando Woolridge(I don't see them getting Buck Williams for him in 86). Another interesting part of this is having Drazen Petrovic come over somehow as well. Portland drafted him in the 86 draft in the third round.

I also agree with you about the Bias deal. In this alternate reality, Gerald Henderson probably doesn't make that steal in the 84 Finals, and the Sonics probably don't know who he is. So, they get Bias, and they can't trade Henderson to the Knicks, so they don't get Scottie Pippen and trade him to the Bulls.

And, Bias is in Seattle the night that his roommate bought the bad cocaine because the Sonics want to meet with him a little longer, and his flight gets delayed a day or two due to heavy rain or something.

Yes, the Sonics are dead set on Bias. The Celtics don't get to the 1984 Finals ITTL, so Gerald Henderson doesn't have any sort of value whatsoever. As for Pippen, he's also going to be a Bull ITTL, so no change there. Seattle will have a very interesting frontcourt with Bias and the X-Man, that will definitely cause some ripples (although not sure if they win a title, Bias was an excellent player, but I don't think he would have had a Jordan-like impact the way some ACC homers did, his jumper wasn't a big strength at Maryland, and he'd need that to get better to truly become a franchise player)

I don't know why Portland would need Orlando Woolridge with Drexler there, they're similar types of players (Woolridge is a much worse version of Clyde)...and you're right, Buck Williams is too good at that point for that trade to occur. The only way that happens is if Portland trades the rights for Drazen to the Nets

And Doc Rivers will also end up on a different team, he won't be a Hawk...that'll be a big surprise
 
Updates

I'm going to update the timeline in the next couple of days...fortunately for me, work and making money got in the way

We'll finalize the Post sale, continue the pursuit of the serial killer in the yellow car, discuss a potential science fiction classic to hit the theatres in 1977, and of course, some Knicks action!

I'll put up an NBA Standings update when we get to Christmas Day 1976
 
Well I Can't Wait to See What Happened in the NBA after Christmas Day of 1976, So How Do you the Warriors are Still Doing Well ITTL after Christmas Day?
 
Finally, another update

NOVEMBER 21, 1976

MURDOCH PURCHASES NEW YORK POST
Australian Businessman Pays $31 Million To Dorothy Schiff

By Deirdre Carmody
New York Times

The New York newspaper battles received a new foreign injection as Rupert Murdoch, the influential Australian newspaper magnate, made his first foray into the American newspaper market by purchasing the New York Post from Dorothy Schiff. The deal was reported to be $31 million.

Murdoch is better known as the owner of the British tabloids Sun and News of the World, two papers that have been criticized by their competitors due to their salacious content and arch-conservative political slant. It remains to be seen whether the Post will maintain most of its trappings from the Schiff era or whether Murdoch will mold the paper in his own image.

"I expect Murdoch to turn the Post into a politically conservative daily," newspaper insider John Myles said. "His track record in Australia and Britain generally leans conservative. I do not recall any Labour endorsements by those two tabloids."

Myles is skeptical about the development of the salacious side of the paper.

"In the United States, nudity and grotesque images in the newspapers are not as readily accepted as they are in Britain and Australia," Myles said. "So I'm not sure if we'll see nude women or horrific crime scene photographs in our papers, because they have not been a good sell here."

However, the paper will shift to the right politically. Many insiders believe that if Murdoch bought the Post three months earlier, he would have endorsed incumbent Gerald Ford for President instead of current President-elect Jimmy Carter. In closely fought New York, that might have tipped the balance in the Presidential race.

NOVEMBER 28, 1976

Two Young Women Wounded in Bellerose
Wave of Mysterious Shootings Frightens City

BELLEROSE--A third mysterious shooting incident is sparking fears that the NYPD is falling short in its attempts to catch a serial killer.

At 2:30 AM, Joanne Lomino, 18, and Donna DeMasi, 16, were returning from a late-night movie in Manhattan when an assailant fired several bullets. DeMasi was shot in the lung. The bullet came very close to damaging her spinal cord, but she is believed to survive. Lomino was struck in the spine, and is believed to be paralyzed. She is currently in a coma, and her chances of survival are bleak.

Witnesses reported that the assailant asked Lomino and DeMasi for directions. However, prior to stating his desired location, he pulled a .44 caliber revolver and fired at both victims. Lomino's family rushed out of their residence after hearing the gunshots; their quick actions saved the lives of both victims, at least temporarily.

"We remain vigilant in catching this serial killer," NYPD Commissioner Michael Codd said. "It appears this sick person has a thing for young women, so I ask for citizens to congregate together late at night."

Ballstics tests will be performed on the bullets found at the scene later this week.

The next post will deal solely with the NBA...
 
Knicks vs. Sixers and Celtics

After the Knicks lost in Portland to drop their record to 8-1, there were seven games between their showdowns with Philadelphia and Boston. Here are the scores of those 7 games (courtesy of WhatifSports.com). Home teams are in bold.

November 9, 1976: Knicks 118, Bullets 93 (9-1). Doctor goes for 40.
November 12, 1976: Knicks 114, Pistons 104 (10-1). Haywood goes for 32.
November 13, 1976: Knicks 133, Bucks 106 (11-1). Doctor goes for 34.
November 16, 1976: Knicks 102, Hawks 101 (12-1). Moses with a tip in at the buzzer.
November 17, 1976: Knicks 101, Bullets 97 (13-1). The Pearl beats his old team late.
November 20, 1976: Nuggets 113, Knicks 110 (13-2). David Thompson carries Denver through the 4th quarter.
November 23, 1976: Knicks 124, Kings 93 (14-2). The Doctor goes for another 30
 
Knicks shocked by Sixers at Garden and a fight vs. the Celtics

November 27, 1976
COLLINS SCORCHES KNICKS FOR 45; SIXERS SHOCK 'BOCKERS, 117-112

Doug Collins could not be stopped.

In a dazzling performance, the clean-cut Sixers shooting guard scored 45 points as his struggling team upset the league-best New York Knicks. Collins scored 25 of his 45 points in the second half with a variety of long-range shots, including several well beyond 25 feet. Every time the amazingly talented Knicks, led by Julius Erving's 31 points, attempted to take over the game, Collins had an answer to silence the sellout crowd at the Garden.

"Collins could not miss," said Knicks head coach Red Holzman. "Today we saw firsthand why he is an All-Star and why he was selected for the Olympic team as a collegian."

Holzman attempted several different defensive assignments on the enigmatic Brooklyn native. He initially placed starter Earl Monroe on Collins, but Collins used his quickness to penetrate into the lane on several occasions, distorting the Knicks' defensive shape and leading to easy dunks for Darryl Dawkins.

"When we put Earl on Collins, he had difficulty with keeping Doug in front of him," Holzman said.

The Pearl was benched for the quicker Ticky Burden. Collins changed his game plan.

"When Ticky came into the game, I knew I couldn't get into the lane as freely, so I switched to my more natural shooting game," Collins said.

Despite Burden's best efforts, Collins lit up the Garden. The Knicks, the favorites to win the NBA title, have had the answers almost all season, but tonight, there was nothing they could do.

"Collins was toasting and posting out there," Walt Frazier said disappointedly. "Sometimes, you run into a stupendous performance. Earl the Pearl will show Collins who is boss the next time we play."

Frazier suffered back spasms early in the first quarter and had to sit the rest of the game. His status for the big game on Saturday afternoon against the Celtics is uncertain.

"I'm getting toward that age where it's hard to scoop and hoop," said Frazier. "This might be my last shot at getting that third ring, and I'm going to take care of myself as best I can."

Philadelphia improved their record to 9-8, while the Knicks dropped to 15-3.

Later that afternoon, as the Knicks had a back-to-back...

On CBS, "Last Night" by the Mar-Keys plays in the background as Brent Musberger introduces the matchup.

BRENT: New York and Boston, two cities with an eternal rivalry. It does not matter what sport they play, they're always at each other's throats. In this case, the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, arguably the two best teams in basketball, will be clashing this afternoon in a titanic matchup.

The war of words is especially fierce. Spencer Haywood vowed to stomp on the "little green leprechauns." In response, Celtics center Dave Cowens: "He'll see how little I am when he tries to get into the paint."

New York and Boston. Bad blood. Next on CBS...

Give it all you've got
Take your very best shot
And may the best team win.

The time is now, the name of the game is action.

We're on the floor and we're ready to score,
So let the game begin
And let's see how the ball's gonna bounce today...

Welcome to N-B-A,
Come on and join the rush of the crowd
It's another classic about to come your way...

You'll see the best in basketball,
When you watch the NBA,
When you watch the NBA on CBS...

BRENT: You are looking live at a fired-up Madison Square Garden. It's almost like a championship game in here, even though it's only Thanksgiving. Next to me is Mendy Rudolph, who used to be one of the great referees in NBA history.

MENDY: I haven't heard this place this loud since 1973. The Knicks fans are really fired up because the Celtics are in town.

BRENT: I think the fans have completely digested all their turkey over the holiday.

MENDY: Absolutely. Now about the matchup, we've heard a lot of talk between the two teams, especially between Haywood and Cowens. The referees will have to handle all the emotion in the building and the competitiveness of the two teams.

BRENT: The Celtics have what the Knicks want, and that is the NBA Championship. They are definitely not going to lie down for one of their fiercest rivals, even in a regular season game where the championship is not at stake.

MENDY: No way, this game is going to be very physical indeed. All games between these two teams are challenging for the officials.

BRENT: How will the injury to Clyde affect the Knicks?

MENDY: They'll use Butch Beard and Ticky Burden at the point in an effort to contain Jo-Jo.


We move to the second quarter, where the Knicks have a 45-42 lead with three minutes to play in the first half.

BRENT: Haywood receives it from Monroe in the high post. Wicks defending Spencer closely. Haywood drives to his left. Cowens is there to help but Haywood stuffs it!

Crowd explodes...

MENDY: Blocking foul on Cowens, that's his third. The Knicks have been very aggressive going after him in the paint.

BRENT: Haywood just gave Cowens a few choice words, and they're suddenly nose to nose!

MENDY: The officials have to take control of this now before a fight breaks out!

BRENT: Cowens tries to push him away, and Haywood swings at him! Here we go, Cowens and Haywood! They're wrestling wildly on the floor as both teams rush on the court to break them up.

MENDY: The officials will have to disqualify both Haywood and Cowens in order to prevent any secondary fights from breaking out.

BRENT: The Garden fans are throwing objects at the Celtics bench, this is a wild scene. The police have to restrain the Celtics from going after the fans.


We cut ahead to the fourth quarter, the game is tied at 103 with 40 seconds to play.

BRENT: This has been a back-and-forth game the entire way, with ejections, high-flying dunks, retaliatory fouls, you name it. The Knicks have the ball and Monroe takes the point against Jo-Jo. Monroe tries to penetrate, but he is cut off by McAdoo on the double-team. Monroe barely finds the Doctor, with Hondo stuck to him like glue.

MENDY: 10 on the shot clock, Julius will need to go soon.

BRENT: 24 seconds to play. The Doctor drives on Hondo. He's cut off by Wicks in the lane. The Doctor swoops around both, and lays it in! What a move by Julius as the crowd goes wild! Tommy Heinsohn has to call time out!

MENDY: I remember Baylor and Oscar, but I can't think of a guy as athletic as the Doctor when he decides to drive to the basket. What a move through two of the best defenders in the NBA.

BRENT: Heinsohn is diagramming the play and the Celtics break the huddle. There are 17 seconds to play, and Boston is out of time outs, so they have to get the ball in.

Hondo inbounds it to Jo-Jo. Jo-Jo versus the Pearl. The game is going to come down to these two legends. 10 seconds to play. Jo-Jo sizes up the Pearl, and begins his move. Seven on the clock. Jo-Jo drives by Monroe, goes for the layup, but he is stuffed by Moses! The ball goes out of bounds! Four seconds left on the clock.

MENDY: Boston still has possession because Malone touched it last before going out of bounds. I think they will have to look to Havlicek for a final shot.

BRENT: Hondo has bailed them out many times. Celtics ready to inbound. Gianelli guarding Charlie Scott, the inbounder. Scott gets it in to Hondo. Hondo has to fire quickly against the Doctor. He gets it off just in time, and it is in and out!

MENDY: Oh, I thought that was down!

BRENT: The Knicks win a classic, 105-103!


Here is Marv Albert's call of Erving's driving layup for the winning score. He is joined by Johnny Hoops, John Andariese.

MARV: Monroe dribbles against White. Monroe drives the lane, but cannot get by McAdoo. Monroe throws a desperate pass back to the Doctor that is almost stolen by Scott. The Doctor dribbles to the top of the key against Havlicek. The Doctor's got 10 seconds to work. Erving drives against Havlicek. He's cut off by Wicks. He glides around the basket, scoops the ball and hits the layup! YES! A SPECTACULAR MOVE BY JULIUS ERVING!

JOHN: That is some of the most remarkable athleticism I have ever seen on a basketball court.

MARV: The Doctor is making housecalls to all his fans as Tommy Heinsohn calls for time!
 
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Yay, Dr. J Rules the Knicks so Far, But I Got a Question Did the Golden State Warriors play on the day before, during or after Thanksgiving?
 
Yay, Dr. J Rules the Knicks so Far, But I Got a Question Did the Golden State Warriors play on the day before, during or after Thanksgiving?

They were on a road trip...they lost in OT to Houston on Thanksgiving Eve, then lost a 2 point game to San Antonio on Friday, then beat the Hawks in Atlanta on Sunday
 
Renewing the timeline

I'm going to renew the timeline sometime in the middle of May...also for you hoops fans out there we have a new Dr. J special on NBA TV coming out in June (for those of you who have NBA TV on your cable networks)
 
An update on the Knicks! Will try to get to Christmas '76 this weekend

Here are the results of the Knicks' next three games, before their long-awaited rematch with the Blazers on December 7 (home teams are in bold):

November 30: Knicks 123, Nets 103 (Doctor goes for 50 against his old team)
December 3: Knicks 115, Braves 102 (Monroe leads the Knicks with 28, Doctor with 25, Haywood with 17)
December 4: Knicks 105, Sonics 103 (Haywood bails the Knicks out late against his old team)

Here we go, Knicks and Blazers at the Garden. The Knicks are 19-3 going into this game, while the Blazers are 17-5 (one game better than in OTL). On the call, Marv Albert and John Andariese. We pick up the action early in the second quarter.

MARV: 10 minutes remaining in the first half, it is the Knicks 29 and the Blazers 27. Frazier dribbles up to the top of the key, he is shut off by Hollins. Frazier barely gets the pass off to Monroe. Monroe finds Haywood, 20 feet out above the elbow. Lucas remains in the paint. Haywood shoots from 20, Yes! That's 14 points already for Haywood!

JOHN: Red Holzman made a great adjustment. He is making Lucas guard Spencer on the perimeter. If Haywood hits his jump shot that will open up driving lanes later.


Five minutes later...

MARV: We are down to five minutes remaining before halftime, Knicks in possession up by four, 46-42. Frazier starts the offense, finds the Doctor in the post. Erving is doubled by Boone and Gross. The Doctor passes out of the double to Monroe, 10 on the 24 second clock. Monroe is shut off by Hollins. Monroe finds Haywood, 5 seconds to shoot. Haywood has Lucas on him 17 feet out on the elbow. Haywood drives the lane and scoops it in, and is HAMMERED by Lucas!

JOHN: Moses didn't appreciate that, and he's glaring at Lucas. There's going to be a fight here if the refs don't step in.

Crowd boos, chants "Lucas sucks"

MARV: Haywood now pointing at Lucas and saying a few choice words. It looks like cooler heads will prevail as Walton holds Lucas back to calm him down.

JOHN: Lucas is very frustrated by Haywood's exceptional play. Going back to his ABA days, he only had difficulty with forwards who can shoot from the perimeter. Haywood is taking advantage of Big Mo's biggest weakness.


We advance to the fourth quarter...

MARV: The Knicks have put on a terrific shooting display, they lead the Blazers 102-87 with seven minutes to play in the ballgame. Ticky Burden now at the point, shovels it off to Monroe. The Pearl passes off to Bradley, 18 feet from the basket. Hollins defending Bradley on the switch. Bradley shoots over Hollins, YES! It is 104-87, and Jack Ramsay is forced to call for time.

JOHN: He will probably pull out Walton and Lucas; they have logged heavy minutes lately. This is their fourth game in five nights, and they have another game in Boston tomorrow; they are very tired.


The Knicks go on to win 117-101, and move their record to 20-3, the best in the NBA, and three games in front of the Celtics in the Atlantic Division.
 
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