When Russell Westbrook hit his game-tying shot against the Toronto Raptors on Friday, much has been said about his awareness of putting his feet behind the 3-point line after briefly stepping on it. Apparently, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel referenced it in his Kevin Durant joke to Russ after the game.

To recall, Durant had an incredibly clutch moment in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2021 playoffs. In Game 7 of the series, KD delivered a long-range dagger that tied the game. However, it could have won the contest for the Brooklyn Nets had he not stepped on the 3-point line.

Now, after Russell Westbrook's clutch shot against the Raptors, Frank Vogel apparently told him had he taught Kevin Durant to pull back his foot behind the 3-point line, the course of NBA history might have changed, per Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation. The Bucks wouldn't win the NBA championship, and it's either the Nets would have won the Larry O'Brien trophy (and give James Harden his first ring) or Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns might have taken it.

A lot could have been different, indeed. Who knows, Harden might not have even opted to leave Brooklyn at the trade deadline. There is also the question on whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo would have stayed in Milwaukee.

Of course that will remain as one of the biggest “What ifs” in NBA history. For the Lakers, though, they can only be happy that Russell Westbrook didn't have a Kevin Durant moment and knew he needed a 3-pointer in that instance to pave the way to their OT victory.