I’m not a fan of either team in the NBA Finals, as I’m sure is the case for most people in Denver. But I am a fan of the NBA. I realize that’s not a popular statement these days, as most people are down on the NBA, but it’s true. I love professional basketball (and don’t try to tell me that the college game is better because it isn’t; college basketball is terrible right now). When the series between the Cavaliers and the Warriors started, as a fan I just wanted a good series and it’s living up to the hype.
Now that I’m completely sucked into Cavs-Warriors I find myself cheering for each team at different times, for different reasons. And, at times that cheering has made me feel dirty. Do I want to watch the Warriors raise the Larry O’Brien Trophy? Not really; I don’t want to see any other team in the West win a title. How about the LeBron James-led Cavaliers? No; but that’s because of Cleveland – not so much the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the city itself.
If you’re like me, feeling perplexed about which team to cheer for in the NBA Finals, I’ve solved your problems. Here is the Denver sports fan’s guide to picking a team in the NBA Finals.
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We must first discuss James (because everything in the NBA starts and stops with him), even though I don’t want to for one main reason. Over the last couple of years it’s become impossible to talk about King James without getting dragged into the Michael Jordan vs. James argument. I don’t want to get into that here. Let’s have the debate when LeBron wins six titles (which I think he will).
The other problem with LeBron is either you love him or you hate him; there’s no in-between. If you like him you’re rooting for the Cavs, if you hate him you’re rooting for the Warriors plain and simple.
EDGE: Toss up
Outside of James there are two criteria Nuggets fans should use when deciding to cheer for: former Nuggets and great storylines.
Let start with the former Nuggets. Would you rather see Andre Iguodala, aka Benedict Arnold, or JR “I partied too much in Denver to be consistent” Smith win a title? There’s only one clear winner for the city of Denver… and that’s Timofey Mozgov.
Iguodala and Smith are a wash. Iggy turned his back on this town and Smith continues to waste away his potential. Nobody in Denver wants to see either one celebrate a championship, but Mozgov is a different story. During his time in Denver no one accused the big Russian center of not playing hard or giving it his all. Mozgov deserved better than a team of quitters and all of Denver should be happy for Mozy that he found a winner in Cleveland.
EDGE: Cavs
As for great storylines…
As a 5’8” mediocre former high school basketball I appreciate short (relative to the guys around them) NBA players who excel. What Stephen Curry has done this year is amazing. He isn’t just turning into the best shooter in the league he’s turning into the best shooter that’s ever played the game. That’s happening right before our eyes and we should all sit back and marvel.
Then, there’s Matthew Dellavedova. The scrappy undrafted Australian from Saint Mary’s has completely altered the course of the NBA Finals since filling in for Kyrie Irving. In what might be the most unlikely of scenarios, Dellavedova has shut down the league’s MVP. The man affectionately known as Delly has also reenergized the Cavaliers. How can you not stand up and applaud what Dellavedova is doing? Up to this point he has been the second most important player in this series.
EDGE: Cavs
There it is; by a scientific 2 to 1 vote it’s clear that Nuggets fans should adopt the Cleveland Cavaliers. Watching Mozy and Delly win a title would be much better than watching Iggy win a title (even if that means aligning your interests with those of the city of Cleveland).
The first three games of the NBA Finals have been great. The series that everyone wanted hasn’t disappointed one bit. Now that you know which team to root for, ride the Cavs bandwagon to your favorite bar for game four.
Go Cleveland.