What if Candace Parker never beat the guys in the 2004 Powerade Jam Fest dunk contest? What if Parker didn't even compete?
What if Parker didn't win and didn't compete but Louisiana State's Sylvia Fowles did?
That nearly happened, and history nearly looked a lot different.
Both Parker and Fowles received invites to dunk with the male All-Americans but first had to prove to the judges that they could.
Parker got her dunk down, Fowles didn't.
Up until that point, the two prep standouts were known as the only female high school players to dunk in high school competition. After that point, Parker became a national celebrity.
How would Parker and Fowles -- the two players expected to be selected first and second in the WNBA Draft next month -- be known now had they flip-flopped roles four years ago?
Even if Candace hadn't been in the dunk contest - and won it - she would have burst onto the scene somewhere, somehow.
She's too good a player, and with her looks and personality, an advertiser's dream. I'm sure the talent agencies will be lining up to sign her once she goes pro.