🏆 The Dynasty Holds… But the Landscape Tilts 🌍

 

Keep puffing on that cigar, Red. Not only did your Celtics win their record-setting 16th title in 1986, but you might strike gold in the draft too. Red Auerbach was always making moves to keep Boston on top.

In 1986, the Celtics owned the SuperSonics’ first-round pick, and in reality, we all know they used it to draft Len Bias at No. 2. So where does that Sonics pick land in our world?

In this timeline, the Sonics finished out of the playoffs, putting them in the lottery mix. But they actually bottomed out, finishing with the worst record at 27–55. Of course, that doesn’t guarantee the top spot—not in the lottery era.

In the real 1986 draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers had the No. 1 pick, though it originally belonged to the Clippers, who finished with the 6th-worst record. In our world, that same lottery twist holds… but the team benefiting is Atlanta.

That’s right—the Hawks, who just missed the playoffs, get rewarded with the top pick. Brad Daugherty heads to Atlanta, joining Dominique Wilkins and company. They finally land the big man they’d been searching for.

As for the Celtics? That Sonics pick falls to No. 5, where they select Kenny Walker—a role player at best. So, while it's no Len Bias, at least Boston lands someone who actually played in the league.

We all know the tragic story of Len Bias, who passed away shortly after the 1986 draft due to an overdose. In this timeline, it’s the Detroit Pistons who select him. While his story remains heartbreaking, it casts a shadow over their season.

Elsewhere in the draft, Chuck Person lands with the Utah Jazz—a franchise desperately seeking direction. Maybe the “Rifleman” can help turn things around. Ron Harper still ends up in Cleveland, while Johnny Dawkins joins the Indiana Pacers. A few other rookies show promise, but those are the main Year 1 standouts.

As for the regular season, the defending champion Boston Celtics dominate once again, finishing 65–17. Everyone stepped up, and they're primed for a repeat. The Milwaukee Bucks (48–34) return to form and earn the true 2-seed, posting the East’s second-best record.

The Atlanta Hawks (45–37) are next—rewarded for their bold move to draft Brad Daugherty. And finally, Philadelphia (44–38) joins the top seed ranks for the first time in this timeline, behind a resurgent version of Moses Malone and a still-effective Andrew Toney. They're hoping to recapture their early '80s magic.

The lower East seeds are Detroit, New Jersey, Washington, and New York. Compared to real life, Indiana and Chicago fall out. Vern Fleming’s emergence helps the Nets hold their ground, while Chuck Person’s absence keeps Indiana just short—opening the door for Patrick Ewing and the Knicks to sneak into the playoff picture.

In the West, there’s a power shift at the top. The Dallas Mavericks (61–21), led by a dominant Charles Barkley, claim the No. 1 seed. This is his best season yet, and Dallas looks like a legitimate Finals threat.

Next up, the Phoenix Suns (57–25) capitalize on smart drafting. The additions of Xavier McDaniel and Michael Cage give Larry Nance the support he needs—and suddenly the Pacific Division belongs to Phoenix.

The Portland Trail Blazers (51–31) stay consistent, making it three straight years as a top-tier team. After breaking through the first round last season, they’re now eyeing something bigger.

Rounding out the top group are the Lakers (50–32), who finish fourth. Last year’s Western champs, the Houston Rockets, slip to the 5-seed in a deeper, more competitive conference. Denver, Seattle, and the Clippers round out the Western bracket.

In this version of the league, the Jazz and Warriors fall out of playoff contention. Utah remains stuck in the lottery despite adding Chuck Person, while Chris Mullin never joins Golden State. That leaves Sleepy Floyd and Joe Barry Carroll stranded, unable to lift the team out of mediocrity.

As for the Clippers, Otis Thorpe has them back in the playoffs for a second straight year. Once again, they’re the 7th seed, still searching for their first-ever trip out of the opening round.

In the East, the Celtics open the playoffs against the Knicks. Patrick Ewing makes his postseason debut in Year 2, and Bernard King, who missed the 1986 playoffs in real life due to injury, returns to the fold. But even with both stars, New York is no match for Boston’s loaded roster. The Celtics sweep, 3–0, looking every bit like a team poised to repeat.

The 2–7 matchup played out much differently. A year ago, the Bucks were a shaky 2-seed that managed to sweep an inexperienced Pacers squad. This time, they face the Bullets—a playoff-tested team despite a 37–45 record. The series goes the distance, but Milwaukee survives at home in Game 5, showing just how much they’ve grown since last year.

The Hawks (3) and Nets (6) also went the distance. But now, Dominique Wilkins finally has his running mate: top overall pick Brad Daugherty. That inside presence makes all the difference. Atlanta pulls away late in Game 5 and moves on to the second round.

The 4–5 series gave us our first upset. The 76ers, still led by an aging core, face a rising Pistons team led by Isiah Thomas. It’s a battle, but Detroit grinds out the win in five games, becoming the only lower seed in the East to advance.

In the real 1987 playoffs, the Celtics, Hawks, Bucks, and Pistons all advanced—and in our timeline, the same four teams move on, though by different paths.

Out West, the Dallas Mavericks, now a top seed and looking more dangerous than ever, start their playoff campaign against the Seattle SuperSonics. After winning the first two games at home, Seattle bounces back in Game 3. But Dallas responds in Game 4 to close out the series.

The 2–7 matchup pits a stacked Phoenix Suns lineup against a returning 7th-seed Clippers team. Like the previous year, the Clippers manage just one win, falling 3–1 once again.

At 3–6, the Portland Trail Blazers face the Denver Nuggets. Portland finally tastes playoff success after last year’s breakthrough, while Denver looks to shake off back-to-back first-round exits. The series goes five games, with Clyde Drexler finishing the job—dropping 30 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing 5 assists, including a game-winner to Terry Porter.

The 4–5 matchup features the last two Western Conference champions: the Lakers (’85) and the Rockets (’86). This series also goes the distance, but the Lakers take Game 5 at home.

In reality, the 1987 playoffs saw the Lakers, Rockets, Warriors, and Sonics advance. Here, only the Lakers make it out of the first round—and they do so by defeating the Rockets. The Warriors remain a lottery team, while the Sonics face a much tougher opponent in the Mavericks, who now boast Charles Barkley.

Moving on to the Conference Semifinals, the Pistons meet the Celtics for the third straight year. For the third consecutive time, they can only manage one victory as Larry Bird and Boston take the series 4–1.

On the Eastern side, the Hawks made their first second-round appearance, while the Bucks were making it for a third straight year—though the Hawks were hungry for their first series win. Milwaukee took the first two games at home easily, but Atlanta responded with two home victories of their own. Game 5 proved pivotal, as Paul Pressey willed his team to a crucial win.

With a chance to close out the series, the Bucks faltered in Game 6, and Dominique Wilkins made sure there would be a Game 7. But with the crowd behind them, the Bucks dominated the final game to advance comfortably.

Out West, the Mavericks did it again. Charles Barkley, now an established All-Star, tore through the Lakers’ aging frontcourt. The series lasted just five games, with Dallas securing the series win on their home court.

Just like the 2–3 matchup in the East, the West also saw a seven-game thriller. The Suns were debuting in the second round for the first time in this timeline, while the Blazers were looking to reach the Conference Finals for the first time.

In a win-or-go-home situation, it was the slightly more experienced Blazers who prevailed on the road. While the Suns were more talented overall, two of their three best players had only recently been drafted, making experience the difference.

In real life, the Final Four featured the Celtics, Pistons, Lakers, and Sonics. But for the first time in our alternate history, the Finals matchup would diverge—only the Celtics advanced.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bucks handed the Celtics another loss—but like previous years, that was all they could muster. Boston dominated Game 5 at home and won the series 4–1.

The Western Conference Finals didn’t even get that far. The Mavericks swept the Blazers, handing Clyde Drexler and Portland a quick exit.

For the first time in this timeline, a new Finals matchup emerged: the defending champion Celtics versus the Dallas Mavericks. In real life, it was Magic and the Lakers facing Boston.

It’s worth noting that in this world, Barkley reaches the Finals six years earlier than in reality, changing the course of NBA history.

Back then, the NBA used the 2–3–2 format in the Finals. The Celtics came out swinging at home, taking a 2–0 lead behind their dominant frontcourt. But Barkley and the Mavericks responded in Game 3.

In Game 4, Bird and McHale put on a show in Dallas to take a commanding 3–1 series lead. Before the Finals, the Mavericks had only lost two playoff games all postseason. Now, they had dropped three— all to the defending champs in one series.

As discussed, Game 5 was also in Dallas, and Barkley and the Mavs weren’t about to lose two in a row on their home court. The Celtics smelled blood, but the Mavericks fought back with everything they had, winning Game 5 and pushing the series back to Boston.

Game 6 in Boston was very different from the real-life Game 6 in LA, where the Lakers beat the Celtics at home. In our world, it’s the Bird Celtics who prevail, defeating the Mavericks in Boston.

This Celtics team—not the Lakers of the 1987 and 1988 Finals—becomes the first squad to go back-to-back since the Russell-era Celtics, who won eight straight titles in the ’60s. The question now: can they three-peat next year?

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Stay tuned for Season 4! Coming Soon!