The GOAT is Retired (For Real): A New Era of 90s Basketball (NBA 2K24)

[HarkTheSound]

Hey everyone!

I may not be an unfamiliar name around these parts as I've started multiple projects here, but none of them have taken off the way I have hoped. I always find one excuse or another to not continue them. That changes with this one.

Welcome to the 1994 NBA Draft.

Quick real-life recap of where things stood leading into that draft: It was held at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis and marked the unofficial start to the 1994-1995 NBA season. Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets came off winning a championship in the first season post-Michael Jordan retirement.

As we all know, Jordan would make his return late in the 1994-1995 season with his famous “I’m Back” fax. His Chicago Bulls felt short to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference semifinals before Hakeem and Co. swept the Magic in the 1995 Finals to claim back-to-back titles. The rest of the 1990s? Dominated by Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson, and crew, as the franchise went on to win three straight championships from 1996-1998 during the Bulls’ “Last Dance.”

There are so many sliding doors moments we can look back on during the 90s and how different scenarios could have affected how things played out the rest of the decade. I’m picking two moments that could have come to fruition, but never did, to form the premise of my NBA 2K24 MyNBA Eras Association.

The first? Michael Jordan never returns from his first retirement to play baseball (or was it a gambling ban?), opening the door for the rest of the NBA to battle it out for 90s supremacy. Hakeem and the Rockets have already drawn first blood. Will this become the Hakeem Era? Or can the New York Knicks, coming off an excruciating seven-game series loss to Houston in the Finals, finally break through? What about some of the other 90s franchises that failed to overcome the Jordan hump like the Utah Jazz, the Indiana Pacers, the Phoenix Suns, and the Seattle SuperSonics?

The second sliding doors moment? I’ll get to that shortly. As a hint, I’m planning on usering one of the two teams it affects.

Before I dive in, I just wanted to give a shoutout to OS user inbar17 for the immaculate 1994-1995 2K scenario he’s created that I used as a starting point for the file. You can check out more about it here.

Now, let’s go…

[HarkTheSound]

Reserved for future use...

[HarkTheSound]

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[HarkTheSound]

Pippen, Kemp Swap Teams in Blockbuster Pre-Draft Trade

Full terms of deal yet to be announced, but multiple picks, players part of Bulls-Sonics package

Scottie Pippen and Shawn Kemp made First-Team All-NBA and Second-Team All-NBA respectively a season ago.

By Adrian Charania
June 28, 1994

In a move that is sure to shake up the basketball world, the Chicago Bulls have traded four-time NBA All-Star Scottie Pippen to the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for rising superstar Shawn Kemp.

The full terms of the deal have not been released, but it’s expected that multiple players and draft picks exchanged hands.

The blockbuster deal, announced two days before the start of the 1994 NBA Draft, marks one of the most significant trades in NBA history, reshaping the rosters of both teams and altering the landscape of the league.

Rumors of a potential trade swirled around the NBA leading up to the draft, with speculation reaching a fever pitch in the hours leading up to the draft. Pippen, widely regarded as one of the best two-way players in the game, was expected to continue his career as the Bulls’ top star following Michael Jordan’s retirement after the 1993 season. However, the Bulls saw an opportunity to acquire Kemp, an explosive power forward known for his athleticism and rebounding prowess.

“We believe Shawn Kemp will bring a new dimension to our team,” said Bulls GM Jerry Krause. “His energy and skills in the paint will complement our roster as we look to build for the future.”

Seattle, meanwhile, gains a proven veteran in Pippen, whose leadership and defensive acumen are expected to elevate the SuperSonics to new heights. SuperSonics coach George Karl expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition. “Scottie Pippen’s experience and versatility will be invaluable to our team,” Karl stated. “We’re excited about what he brings to the table.”

The trade has sparked intense reactions from fans of both teams, with emotions running high. Initially, the proposed trade involving Pippen and Kemp met with fierce resistance from SuperSonics fans. Kemp, a fan favorite known for his electrifying dunks and high-energy play, had cultivated a loyal following in Seattle.

When news of the potential trade broke, fans flooded the SuperSonics’ offices with calls of protest, expressing their outrage and dismay. Despite the initial backlash, the trade proceeded, driven by the belief in Pippen's ability to lead the team to championship contention. This bold move by the front office signifies a shift in strategy, prioritizing experience and proven leadership over raw athleticism.

For Bulls fans, the trade marks the end of an era. Pippen, who alongside Michael Jordan brought three championships to Chicago, is beloved in the Windy City. His departure leaves a significant void, raising questions about the team’s future direction. Fans have expressed mixed emotions, ranging from sadness over losing a franchise icon to cautious optimism about Kemp's potential impact.

Pippen Trade to Team That Drafted Him

It's a full-circle moment, Scottie Pippen returns to the franchise that originally drafted him in 1987. Selected fifth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics, Pippen was traded to the Chicago Bulls on draft night for Olden Polynice and future draft picks. This trade set the stage for Pippen to become an integral part of the Bulls’ dynasty alongside Michael Jordan. Now, seven years later, Pippen’s return to Seattle represents a significant twist in his storied career.

The 1993-1994 season was a challenging yet successful campaign for the Chicago Bulls, who took the floor without their superstar Jordan. Despite this, the Bulls managed to perform admirably, finishing the season with a 55-27 record, securing the 2nd place in the NBA Central Division.

Under the leadership of head coach Phil Jackson, the team demonstrated resilience, winning ten consecutive games in December and maintaining a strong position throughout the season, eventually reaching the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Pippen enjoyed a career year as the team's alpha, posting averages of 22 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.9 steals per game en route to First-Team All-NBA honors.

The Sonics enjoyed a breakout 1993-1994 season, finishing with a franchise-best 63-19 record and topping the NBA Pacific Division. Coached by George Karl, the Sonics were dominant throughout the season, winning 17 of their final 19 games and securing the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Kemp made Second-Team All-NBA after posting averages of 18.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2.1 blocks per game.

However, despite the team's regular-season success, the team suffered a shocking (and now franchise-altering) first-round exit in the playoffs, being upset by the eighth-seeded Denver Nuggets. That loss, and the desire for new General Manager Bob Whitsitt to make a big splash upon his arrival to the team’s front office, paved the way for this marquee trade to be made.

Trade Reportedly Strengthens Jordan's Retirement Position

Adding to the intrigue, Michael Jordan remains retired from the NBA, having left the Bulls in 1993 to pursue a career in baseball. This seismic trade is expected to further influence Jordan's decision regarding a potential return to the hardwood. Sources close to the Bulls’ legend suggest that the departure of his longtime teammate and trusted ally, Pippen, may solidify Jordan’s resolve to stay retired.

“If Jordan were to come back, it’s likely he would want the familiar support of Pippen by his side,” one source who requested anonymity said. “With Pippen now in Seattle, the chances of Jordan making a comeback to the Bulls are significantly diminished.”

The impact of this trade will be closely watched as the new NBA season approaches. Pippen’s arrival in Seattle and Kemp’s new role in Chicago promise to inject fresh storylines and rivalries into the league. Analysts are already debating which team will benefit more from the deal, with opinions divided.

Only time will tell how this seismic shift will play out on the court. One thing is certain: the 1994-95 NBA season just became a whole lot more intriguing.

[studbucket]

Exciting Glad to see you starting one of these. Can't wait to see how this goes. I was just an elementary student during this time period and loved the mid 90s Rockets, Sonics, and Hornets. Zo ended up being my favorite player. Excited to see what the Hornets do during this time period. Do Zo and LJ stay together?

[HarkTheSound]

Quote: Originally Posted by studbucket

Exciting Glad to see you starting one of these. Can't wait to see how this goes. I was just an elementary student during this time period and loved the mid 90s Rockets, Sonics, and Hornets. Zo ended up being my favorite player. Excited to see what the Hornets do during this time period. Do Zo and LJ stay together?

What the Hornets do will be one of the many storylines I'm excited to see play out in this reimagining of the 90s. I think things could go a lot of different ways for these Eastern Conference teams with Jordan now out of the picture!

By the way, updated one of my above posts with the second sliding glass door moment that almost played out in real life. Had a fun time reading old newspaper articles, like this one, about a trade that almost was that will now play out here in my Association.

[LoSpecialOne]

I follow the evolution of your story with interest.



I have few memories of that historical period, not so much because I was in elementary school, but because in Italy there wasn't enough coverage to be able to follow the championship. You had to rely on a specialist magazine and be lucky enough to have some friends with a pay-TV subscription recorded the Finals on VHS to then be able to watch them. After Jordan was advised to take a period of reflection to avoid disqualification because he was betting, the Orlando Magic phenomenon broke out thanks to the presence of Shaq.



Curious to know the details of the Pippen trade (not how much he was really loved by fans and teammates)

[HarkTheSound]

Quote: Originally Posted by LoSpecialOne

I follow the evolution of your story with interest. I have few memories of that historical period, not so much because I was in elementary school, but because in Italy there wasn't enough coverage to be able to follow the championship. You had to rely on a specialist magazine and be lucky enough to have some friends with a pay-TV subscription recorded the Finals on VHS to then be able to watch them. After Jordan was advised to take a period of reflection to avoid disqualification because he was betting, the Orlando Magic phenomenon broke out thanks to the presence of Shaq. Curious to know the details of the Pippen trade (not how much he was really loved by fans and teammates)

I enjoyed reading your perspective about what life was like as an NBA fan during those days. Thanks for following this story!

More details of the Pippen trade forthcoming...