Alternate Routes Wondery

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When Joel Embiid is on the court, he’s one of the greatest big men the NBA has ever seen. However, emphasis on the word “when” - injuries have proven to be Embiid’s achilles heel, fractured back, and tweaked knee. Just days before the 2014 draft, Embiid fractured his foot in a workout for the Cleveland Cavaliers, causing them to pass on the Cameronian superstar, leaving him available for Philly, and forever altering the sports-time continuum. But, what if Embiid stayed healthy and went to the Cavs in 2014? Do he, LeBron and Kyrie go on to win a fistful of rings? Does the Golden State dynasty disappear? And would we ever have learned to “trust the process”?! Find out on Alternate Routes.

Hang on, hear us out, this is a real thing that almost happened, multiple times. It’s widely reported that beginning in the early 1980s, Donald Trump had interest in purchasing multiple NFL teams: The Baltimore Colts, The New England Patriots, The Dallas Cowboys, and The Buffalo Bills. What if even one of these scenarios actually materialized? If Trump buys The Patriots, do we ever get a dynasty in New England? If Trump became an NFL owner, would he ever have run for President, or hosted The Apprentice? And, why would American Football become the biggest sport in Russia?! Find out, on Alternate Routes.

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Whether you love him, hate him, or REALLY hate him, there’s no denying that Alex Rodriguez was one of baseball’s most perplexing stars. Despite becoming the best player in the AL and signing (at the time) the richest contract in pro-sports history, he never really sealed the deal with the fans - or with J-Lo (twice). But, instead of landing on the Yankees, what if his 2003 trade to the Red Sox went through? Would he have led Boston to multiple titles, or would the curse of the Bambino be alive and well? Would the Rangers have won their first ring decades earlier, and would we ever have experienced Manny Ramirez playing pro ball in Japan with guaranteed unlimited sushi?! Find out on Alternate Routes.

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Super Bowl XLIX. Seattle vs. New England. The Seahawks are on the one yard line with the chance to win back to back Lombardis and the game in their hands. You know whose hands the ball should’ve been in?! Marshawn Lynch. Instead, Russell Wilson threw the ball into the arms of Patriots’ cornerback Malcolm Butler. The rest, as they say, is history. But what if Russ handed off to Beastmode for the game winning touchdown? How does a Seahawks Super Bowl win alter the Brady/Belichick legacy? Does Pete Carroll become the greatest coach of all time? And does Marshawn Lynch become a fashion mogul and turn Skittles into a top-selling health food?! Find out on Alternate Routes.

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What’s the most you’ve ever lost on a coin toss? What’s the most you’ve ever stood to gain? The Bulls and Lakers once had more than life or death on the line; they had Earvin “Magic” Johnson. The top draft pick in 1979 went to the winner of a toss between LA and Chicago, and we all know how that story played out. But, what if the coin flipped the other way and Magic went to The Chi? Are we now making TV shows about the Showtime Bulls? Does Michael Jordan end up building a dynasty with the 76ers? And, does this alternate flip of the coin lead to Charles Barkley becoming our first Black president?! Find out on Alternate Routes.

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