Selective memory would lead most to believe both of the Bulls’ three-peats in the 1990′s were obstacle-free. By the way they dealt with opponents with no blotches on their playoff resume, history will continue to support that. Still, think back to June 1994. Chicago had just completed their first full season sans-MJ and coming off a 4-3 season ending series in the conference semis to the New York Knicks. This is where the immediate and distant future of the NBA would teter in the balance.

Given his recent well earned enshrinement into the Hall of Fame, the fact that Scottie Pippen constantly battled trade rumors throughout his career is often swept under the rug. The most infamous involved “The Reignman” himself – Shawn Kemp. Before you begin to dismiss the deal, remember Kemp averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals during the 1993-94 season. For whatever reasons though, the deal did not go through and when asked about the proposed trade in January 1996, Mike and Phil kept it simple and ominous.

“It’s a scary thought, isn’t it?” Bulls coach Phil Jackson said.

“I probably wouldn’t be here,” Michael Jordan said immediately. [Sun Times]

Let’s face it, Jordan not returning in March 1995 changes everything. For one, Chicago doesn’t three peat with Shawn Kemp as their go-to-guy and 72 wins is likely considered an ignorant prediction as opposed to rarefied air. And just for the “you-had-to-be-there-to-appreciate-it” moments, the “flu game” nor does that last shot over Russell take place. A generation’s worth of memories gone if Pippen had been traded back to the team he was originally drafted to in 1987. So if the Bulls didn’t win from ’96-’98, who would? Would Shaq and Penny have stayed together in Orlando? How much does MJ’s legacy change if he ends his career with three rings instead of six? Tons of hypotetical, yet meaningless questions to ponder next time you’re in a bar or at a cookout.

Bonus – Another popular Pippen trade scenario involved himself, Luc Longley, the Boston Celtics and the third and sixth picks in the 1997 Draft. The story goes the only reason the trade didn’t go down was because Jordan was opposed to playing with rookies. It’s hard to blame the Bulls for looking towards the future especially if they could have taken Chauncey Billups and a young high school talent in Tracy McGrady that year. What’s even crazier is that Pippen would be hobbled by injuries and miss 38 games during the 1997-98 season.