In sports, it’s impossible not to look back at history, reminisce, and wonder what could have changed had things gone differently. Every team has those moments, and they’re often associated with on-court events and championships. For the Spurs, such moments include what if Derek Fisher doesn’t hit a shot with 0.4 seconds left? What if Robert Horry doesn’t go crazy in Game 5? What if Manu Ginobili doesn’t foul Dirk Nowitzki? Etc.
However, what-ifs don’t always have to come on the court. Franchise-altering events can happen off the court as well, and sometimes in ways that seemed bad at the time but ended up working out for the better.