Grady Sizemore and 4 other Cleveland stars who deserve second chances

Jim Chones, C, Cavs

If Jim Chones doesn’t break his foot during practice ahead of the 1976 Eastern Conference Finals, whose to say the Cavs don’t knock off the Celtics and then storm to the NBA title?

After all, this was “The Miracle at Richfield” squad, which had defeated the heavily favored Wes Unsled led Washington Bullets.

That Cavs squad, which also featured beloved starts such as Austin Carr, Bingo Smith, Dick Snyder and Nate Thurmond took the Celtics to six games without Chones, who was averaging 15 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 block per game according to Cleveland.com.

Boston beat the Phoenix Suns in The Finals.

Unlike the rest of the players on this list, Chones’ career continued following his injury. He even picked up a ring as a member of the Lakers in 1980.

But undoubtedly, fans who witnessed the Miracle at Richfield will forever wonder how Cleveland would’ve played Boston had Chones been able to get on the court–and that includes Chones.

"“Chones, however, has said he was more confident that the Cavs could beat Boston than he was that they could defeat Washington,” according to Cleveland.com."

Chones is fourth in Cavs history with 450 blocks, and seventh in rebounds (3,790).

A case could be made for Zydruans Illgausksas in this spot, or Kyrie Irving for that matter, since his injury during the 2015 finals significantly altered the outcome of that series.

But to see that Miracle team win the title? That would’ve been something, and with Chones on the court, it might’ve been more likely than you think.