10 Greatest NBA What-Ifs in the 2000s

#9 What if the 2002 Sacramento Kings made it to the finals?

Were the 2002 Sacramento Kings robbed?

Many people consider the 2002 Western Conference Finals one of the best playoff series in history, thanks to some close games, including an overtime win the deciding game 7. However, the hype for this great match-up was spoiled, after some allegations of corruption.

The Kings were up 3-2 and had the opportunity to return to the NBA Finals for the first time in 51 years. But according to former NBA official, Tim Donaghy, two of the referees who officiated game 6 wanted to "extend the series to seven games", because "it was in the NBA's interest to add another game to the series".

Sacramento eventually lost the series in seven games, supposedly as the league wanted, and missed the chance to get their second NBA title in history, while the Lakers went on to sweep the New Jersey Nets in the finals.

The team of Webber, Divac and Stojakovic wouldn’t necessarily win the finals if they made it, but considering the Kings never came close to the finals since, it could change the franchise's entire future.