What If Jim Chones Never Broke His Foot During Cavs ‘Miracle’ Year?

Let’s just say it: if Jim Chones plays in the 1976 Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavs might beat the Celtics. Yeah, I said it. And no, it’s not a hot take — it’s just looking at the facts with both eyes open.

That Celtics team was tough, sure. Hall of Famers everywhere. But those Cavs matched up. They played Boston even during the regular season. The secret weapon? Chones. He gave Dave Cowens fits. Physical, mobile, not afraid to mix it up. Without him? Cleveland had to throw undersized bodies into the fire. Cowens feasted. The Cavs folded in six.

But with Chones? That series probably goes seven — and if it goes seven, Richfield is hosting the decider. That crowd? That barn? It would’ve blown the roof off. The Bullets series already turned Richfield into a war zone. Add Boston to the mix and you’ve got a full-on riot (the good kind).

Win that Game 7? Suddenly, the Cavs are in the NBA Finals.

And guess who’s waiting? The Phoenix Suns. Good team. Scrappy. But not a juggernaut. If the Celtics couldn’t handle Cleveland’s defense and depth, the Suns sure weren’t built for it. That’s not a slight to Paul Westphal and Alvan Adams, but that Cavs team was nasty when fully loaded.

So yeah, Jim Chones stays healthy, and Cleveland might’ve won its first NBA championship in 1976. That’s four decades before LeBron chased down Iguodala and Kevin Love stayed in front of Steph.

Imagine that: banners going up at Richfield Coliseum. A dynasty in the making. The Stepien Era maybe never happens. The franchise stays stable. Who knows? Maybe the NBA views Cleveland like it views Boston or L.A. today.

But instead?

A broken foot. A missed chance. And a story filed under “What Could’ve Been.”

Granted, you can’t blame it all on one injury. But sometimes, one injury is all it takes. Chones was that important. The Cavs were that close. And Cleveland? It was that ready.

But hey, around here, miracles always come with a side of heartbreak.

Still, what a ride.