How Three Legends Began to Redefine the NBA 🔥👑
In Kobe Bryant’s first season in this alternate timeline, and LeBron James’ second, it was James’ draft classmate who stole the show. Dwyane Wade, in only his second season, helped Gilbert Arenas and Larry Hughes not only reach the Finals but win the championship.
As for our three legends—James, Kobe, and Michael Jordan—the storylines diverged dramatically. LeBron James lost again in seven games to the defending champion Knicks, continuing his early playoff struggles.
Kobe Bryant wasn’t yet good enough to start for the Lakers, and his team missed the playoffs entirely. Meanwhile, Michael Jordan, entering the league in 2005 as the third overall pick, created intense anticipation.
MJ, despite a near MVP season, his New Orleans Hornets just missed the playoffs, though they would have finished 6th in the Eastern Conference had they been there.
As for the rest of the 2005 draft class it brought us impact players across the league. Andrew Bogut went #1 to the Spurs, yet even with back-to-back top picks, San Antonio still couldn’t make the playoffs.
Deron Williams, taken #4 by the Raptors, joined the league’s worst team, while Chris Paul (#5) immediately helped the Timberwolves return to the playoffs.
Raymond Felton (#6) struggled to get the Sonics out of the lottery, and Charlie Villanueva (#8) nearly led the Bobcats to their first playoff berth, missing by a single game.
Channing Frye (#9) landed in Milwaukee, but the Bucks finished just ahead of Toronto, and Danny Granger (#18) made the Blazers lineup, though Portland remained out of the postseason. These rookies would go on to help their franchises in Year 1 and set the stage for an exciting 2005–06 season.
In the Eastern Conference, it was the defending champion Wizards who dominated, finishing with a league-best 67–15 record. They said goodbye to Larry Hughes, but added Caron Butler, and the team looked poised to repeat as champions.
At #2, the Philadelphia 76ers went 50–32, winning the Atlantic Division for the first time since 2003. Kevin Garnett and company were hungry for redemption after an early first-round exit last year.
The Detroit Pistons, sitting at #3 with a 49–33 record, were no longer a disguised 6th seed like last year—they were the true #3 seed. Despite last year’s seeding quirks, they proved their worth by upsetting the Sixers in Round 1, and this season they aimed to go even further.
At #4, the Boston Celtics, led by new league MVP LeBron James, were looking to advance for the first time since Larry Bird’s final season in 1992.
The big question: can LeBron and the Celtics finally advance? To do so, they would have to overcome the team that ousted them last year—the New York Knicks, powered by Allen Iverson, who only two seasons ago hoisted the title.
As for seeds 6–8, all finished with below .500 records, but each carried its own story. The Nets (39–43) had finished 73–9 the year before, but without their best player Amar’e Stoudemire, they struggled to replicate their historic season.
The Hawks (#7) returned to the playoffs after a one-year absence, having been a mainstay since 1986. The addition of Joe Johnson gave Atlanta a solid foundation for their renewed postseason push.
Finally, the Pacers (#8), champions in 2002, were now a shadow of that team at 36–46, though Jamaal Tinsley, Peja Stojaković, and Jermaine O’Neal remained to provide continuity.
Interestingly, the Hawks essentially replaced the Heat from last year’s bracket. Even though Shaquille O’Neal was still an all-star, he had lost a step, and Miami’s record reflected it.
The Western Conference was just as competitive. The Memphis Grizzlies (64–18) finished #1 for the fifth straight year, with Shawn Marion and Pau Gasol looking to recapture the glory of 2003 after two disappointing Finals losses.
The Phoenix Suns #2, (63–19) finished just a game behind, with Steve Nash and Yao Ming pushing for an even deeper playoff run than last year’s semi-final finish.
The Denver Nuggets #3, (57–25) finished third for the third straight season, with Andrei Kirilenko and company aiming to finally break through to the Conference Finals.
The Sacramento Kings (#4) returned after last year’s run to the Conference Finals, led by Mike Bibby, while the Clippers (#5), just a game behind, showcased Elton Brand in his best season in LA, still chasing that elusive playoff breakthrough he experienced early with the Hawks.
The Rockets (#6), with Tracy McGrady joining Paul Pierce last year, looked to avenge last year’s first-round upset at the hands of the Suns. The Utah Jazz, perennial playoff participants since drafting Tim Duncan, had endured early exits since David Robinson retired in 2003.
Finally, the Minnesota Timberwolves #8, returned to the playoffs for the first time since 1999, featuring Carmelo Anthony paired with rookie Chris Paul, making them a dangerous low seed.
They replaced the Blazers as the only change from last year’s bracket, with Damon Stoudamire and Ruben Patterson leaving for playoff contenders in Memphis and Denver.
As for the three legends, we already knew what happened to Jordan in his rookie year, and LeBron James cemented his place as MVP. But Kobe Bryant, now in his second year, had finally earned a starting spot for the Lakers—though he remained far behind both James and Jordan in impact.
The Lakers, while better than Jordan’s Hornets, still missed the playoffs in a highly competitive West, where the 8-seed Timberwolves finished with a whopping 45–37 record, only 2 games behind the East's 4 seed Celtics.
The East opened with a clash of past champions. At #1, the defending champion Wizards looked to defend their crown, while at #8, the Pacers—2002 champs—were just hanging onto old glory.
Their decline had been steady: Finals in 2003 (lost to the Grizzlies), semis in 2004 (knocked out by the Knicks), and last year, a Round 1 exit to these same Wizards. Well, history repeated itself. Washington handled business in five, giving Indiana nothing but a Game 3 home win before shutting the door.
The 2/7 matchup had drama written all over it. The Sixers, haunted by last year’s collapse against Detroit, were determined to rewrite the script. But the Hawks, back in the postseason behind new leader Joe Johnson, weren’t intimidated.
With the series tied at 2, Game 5 in Philly became an instant classic. The Sixers led 102–100 with seconds left, just one inbound away from control. But Andre Iguodala deflected the pass, Zaza Pachulia recovered it, and with a long outlet, Joe Johnson drilled a buzzer-beating three. Philly never recovered. Game 6 in Atlanta was all Hawks, sending Garnett, Webber, and company home broken-hearted yet again.
The 3/6 battle brought the gritty Pistons against the banged-up Nets. Last year, New Jersey rode a 73–9 dream season all the way to the Conference Finals.
This year? They limped in without Amar’e Stoudemire. Jason Kidd and Vince Carter still fought like warriors, dragging the series to seven. But in Detroit, the Pistons locked down defensively, clawing their way to their fourth straight Semis berth.
That left the 4/5 rematch: Celtics vs Knicks, LeBron vs Iverson. One year earlier, New York barely survived Boston in seven. But this time, LeBron was the reigning MVP, and he wasn’t leaving empty-handed.
The series went the distance again, but in Game 7 in Boston, LeBron exploded for 40 points—just enough to outduel Iverson’s 39. The Celtics celebrated their first playoff series win since 1992, Larry Bird's final year.
But the party didn’t last. Boston’s prize was a date with the defending champs. The Wizards were too deep, too experienced. James willed Boston to a Game 3 home win, but Washington answered with back-to-back wins. For the first time in his young career, LeBron lost a series in just five games.
On the other side, Pistons vs Hawks found themselves tied at 2 after 4 games. A Game 5 win at home broke Atlanta’s spirit, and the Pistons finished the job on the road in Game 6.
Suddenly, Detroit stood where they hadn’t been since 1993, back when Isiah Thomas led a Cinderella run. And not since 1956, back in Fort Wayne, had this franchise seen the NBA Finals, could this be the year?
The Conference Finals was a war. Washington had been untouchable in the playoffs, but the Pistons refused to bow. They did what no one else had—beat the Wizards twice, tying the series 2–2. Game 5 in D.C. came down to the wire.
Gilbert Arenas slipped a perfect pass to Dwyane Wade on a backdoor cut. The layup looked like the winner—until Ben Wallace soared from nowhere, swatting the shot as time expired. Pistons won by 1!
Back home in Detroit for Game 6, the Palace was rocking like it hadn’t in decades. The Pistons smelled history—and delivered it. They closed out the champs with grit, defense, and sheer will. The drought was finally over.
After 50 long years, the Pistons were back in the NBA Finals.
The West opened with a familiar script—but new faces in the cast.
The Memphis Grizzlies were once again the top seed, their fifth straight year at #1. Four consecutive Finals appearances, yet only one championship banner hung in the rafters.
Their dynasty was in question, but their opponent was all promise and no history: the Minnesota Timberwolves, back in the playoffs for the first time since 1999. That year, they were swept out by the #1 Rockets. This time, armed with Carmelo Anthony and rookie sensation Chris Paul, they had built a future.
The Wolves shocked the West by tying the series 2–2, but experience prevails in May. In Game 5, Shawn Marion and Pau Gasol carried Memphis to a convincing win.
Back in Minnesota for Game 6, the Grizzlies silenced the crowd, hammering the Wolves by double digits. The champs of the West marched on, while young Timberwolves left to dream of what could be.
The 2/7 series gave us lightning in a bottle: the Phoenix Suns, rebuilt in a flash behind Steve Nash, Yao Ming, and sophomore Emeka Okafor. The Jazz, by contrast, were steady if not spectacular.
They hadn’t missed the playoffs since drafting Tim Duncan in 1997, but hadn't won a series either since David Robinson retired in 2003. Duncan dragged Utah to a Game 7 in Phoenix, but the tank was empty. Nash’s Suns ran away with it, punching a second straight ticket to the Semifinals.
The 3/6 matchup pitted the Nuggets against the Rockets. Denver was chasing a fourth consecutive trip to the Semis, while Houston desperately wanted back in.
The pairing of Tracy McGrady and Paul Pierce was supposed to reignite the Rockets’ playoff magic—but the Nuggets’ frontcourt was suffocating. Andrei Kirilenko, Kenyon Martin, and Marcus Camby dominated the glass and controlled the series. Denver advanced with ease, 4–1.
That left the 4/5 clash between the resurgent Kings and the best Clippers team of the Elton Brand era. L.A. had pushed Denver to seven games the year before and pushed Sacramento here, too.
But just as in ’05, the higher seed protected home court. The Kings closed the door in Game 7, moving on with a balanced attack and a raucous Arco crowd behind them.
The Semis began with a heavyweight grudge match: Grizzlies vs Kings, a rematch of last year’s Conference Finals. That series went six, Memphis surviving late. Again, it was 2–2 going back to Memphis for Game 5.
And then chaos.
With seconds left, Memphis led by one and had possession. Damon Stoudamire braced for the foul. Instead, Ron Artest flew in from the weak side, slapping the ball free into the hands of Mike Bibby.
Bibby fired ahead to Bonzi Wells, who slammed home the dunk as the horn blared. No whistle. No call. The Kings stole the game. The Grizzlies froze in disbelief, half their roster screaming for a foul that never came.
Game 6 was a meltdown. Memphis played like ghosts, whining at the refs, stuck in the fog of Game 5. Sacramento smelled blood, and they buried the Grizzlies in a blowout. Shawn Marion, usually calm, exploded afterward: “We were robbed back home—point blank!” But robbed or not, the Grizzlies were gone.
On the other side, Suns vs Nuggets went the distance. Through six games, the home team had won every time. Game 7 in Phoenix was no different, though Denver made them sweat. Nash, calm as ever, orchestrated the fourth quarter with precision—27 points, 11 assists, and just enough magic to send Phoenix to its first Conference Finals since 1996.
And then, the showdown: Suns vs Kings.
It was a battle of droughts. The Suns hadn’t seen the Finals since Barkley’s run in 1994. The Kings hadn’t been since 1951, back when they were the Rochester Royals. Through six games, it was déjà vu—the home team won every single time.
Game 7 in Phoenix decided it. The Kings hung close, just as the Nuggets had before them. But once again, Steve Nash refused to blink. He controlled the tempo, dissected the defense, and sealed the night with a double-double masterpiece: 25 points, 13 assists.
The Finals arrived, and the Suns wasted no time asserting themselves. That’s right—the Suns swept the Pistons. On paper, Phoenix was the more talented squad, but Detroit had just battled past the defending champs with their trademark grit and defense.
Maybe they ran out of gas. Maybe the moment was too big. Whatever the case, the Pistons seemed to forget what got them there, and the Suns seized the opportunity.
Don’t mistake it for a string of blowouts—the games were tight—but every time the Pistons clawed close, Steve Nash slammed the door shut. Nash was brilliant, averaging 27 points and 12 assists across the four games, earning Finals MVP honors as he, Yao Ming, and Emeka Okafor delivered the franchise its first-ever championship.
In the real life, Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal were celebrating in Miami after defeating the Mavericks at the end. But here, the story diverges. Wade, a defending champion with the Wizards, fell in the Conference Finals. Shaq and the Heat didn’t even sniff the playoffs.
As for the our three legends reshaping the league’s future, LeBron James, just three years in, has already leapt ahead of both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant in playoff mileage and accolades.
With a ROY,three All-Star nods, a league MVP, three playoff appearances, and even a trip to the Conference Semis, LeBron’s career is already rocketing into uncharted territory.
Kobe, in his sophomore season with the Lakers, is making strides as a starter, though his team once again missed the postseason. And Jordan, dazzling as a rookie, walked away with Rookie of the Year & All-Star honors—even if his squad too came up short of the playoffs.
So the Suns celebrate, the Pistons wonder what might have been, and the league braces for another year of shifting power. What will 2006–07 bring for the NBA and our three rising icons? Stay tuned for our 23rd season.
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