For twenty consecutive years, Spurs followers didn’t have to determine which staff to root for within the NBA playoffs. We are able to name these years “The Duncan Years” although a number of of the playoff years occurred after the Nice Tim Duncan retired. Throughout these years, Pounding the Rock writers didn’t want to jot down a column like this one. However for the put up Duncan Years, I’ve been scripting this column.
I hope that is the final time I want to jot down about which staff to cheer for within the playoffs as a result of the Spurs should not collaborating. No, let’s say that barely in a different way. I count on this to be the final season I might want to write about rooting for groups apart from the Spurs within the playoffs.
Usually, I write this column previous to the beginning of the playoffs. This yr, I’m scripting this after all of the groups have performed their first sport. Why? As a result of for a number of of the sequence, I didn’t know which staff I wished to win. As a result of I’m bodily and spiritually incapable of watching basketball video games with out rooting for one staff or the opposite, I might make my coin-flip decisions by merely watching a couple of minutes of a sport, and letting my coronary heart determine.
This “game-time choice” was not vital for some sequence. As an illustration, I do know that I would like the Nuggets to beat the Clippers — certainly one of my favourite non-Spurs groups enjoying in opposition to certainly one of my least favourite groups. And for different sequence, I merely don’t have to determine as a result of the end result is just not in any actual doubt. As an illustration, see OKC vs. Memphis. Halftime rating of Recreation 1: OKC was up by 68-36. At one level, the Thunder had doubled the Grizzlies at 85-42 and wound up profitable by 50. That sport seemed extra like a 1 vs. 16 sport in March Insanity than a sport between two skilled groups in the identical league.
With this framework in thoughts, let’s take a fast run by means of the eight first spherical sequence. Just like the solar, we are going to begin within the East and transfer West.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 8. Miami Warmth
I’ve preferred the Warmth ever since they stopped being the Heatles, which ended with the Spurs dismantling the LeBron Large Three within the 2014 Finals. The Warmth have been capable of convert unheralded gamers into key parts just like the Spurs of previous, have been very well-coached and persistently out-performed expectations within the playoffs. Most prominently, Playoff Jimmy Butler led the 2020 Warmth into the Finals by which the Warmth gave the Lakers all they may deal with. However, this yr’s Cavs are a terrific story, stunning the NBA world by ending because the Jap Convention prime seed over the defending champion Celtics. It could be good for the Cavs to win a crown and for town to win a championship with out LeBron on the staff. Alas, my residual emotions for the Warmth, even with out Playoff Jimmy, have me rooting for them — however it seemingly received’t matter. Within the second spherical, I assume I might be selecting between the Cavs and both the Bucks or Pacers.
4. Indiana Pacers vs. 5. Milwaukee Bucks
As with the Warmth, I’ve residual good emotions for the Bucks due to the Giannis-led 2021 championship staff. That staff was coached by former Pomona Faculty participant and Spurs’ assistant Mike Budenholzer and featured all-time nice teammate Jrue Vacation. Whereas the latter two have departed, the Bucks nonetheless have Giannis, which is sufficient for me, particularly if Damian Lillard comes again from his Wembanyama-like damage. That will even be encouraging for Victor’s personal prognosis.
2. Boston Celtics vs. 7. Orlando Magic
Whereas the Celtics have each Vacation and my favourite ex-Spur Derrick White, they’re nonetheless the Celtics. Despite the fact that I’m a reformed former Laker fan, it stays troublesome to root for the Inexperienced. Nonetheless, this sequence appears like it’s going to go the identical manner as OKC-Memphis. The Celtics will most likely win in 4 or 5 video games, so no have to waste any of my valuable rooting capital on this sequence.
3. New York Knicks vs. 6. Detroit Pistons
Possibly it’s only a man factor, however once I grew up we might root in opposition to our pal’s favourite groups so we might rag on that pal when his staff misplaced — and to keep away from the reverse when our associates’ staff received. As time has passed by, I began rooting for my associates’ groups so my associates can be blissful. Odd idea, I do know I’ve a number of good associates who’re large Knick followers, so I’ll root for his or her happiness over the good story that’s this yr’s Pistons. It additionally helps that the Knicks have all these Villanova guys. Additionally, Pistons followers are already pleased with their season. But it surely nonetheless feels odd to root for a New York staff — and I’ll nonetheless by no means root for the Yankees or Mets.
1. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder vs. 8. Memphis Grizzlies
Like a automotive accident on the street, nothing to see right here. Simply transfer alongside.
2. Houston Rockets vs. 7. Golden State Warriors
One of many best decisions for me. I’ve mildly destructive emotions for the Rockets, maybe a residual of the Harden years, maybe as a result of they may very well be a roadblock within the Spurs’ future. And I’ve been a Warriors fan ever since I wanted a second staff — behind the Spurs — when the Lakers turned not possible for me to love. Whereas I rooted in opposition to the Loss of life Star KD Warriors in opposition to the Raptors, as soon as the W’s went again to being the gritty little Curry-led Warriors of previous, they regained their standing as my second favourite staff.
3. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 6. Minnesota Timberwolves
This sequence was the game-time choice that led to my introduction to this column. I don’t have robust emotions somehow concerning the T’Wolves, For many years I used to be an enormous Laker fan. I shared season tickets on the Discussion board for the Magic, Kareem, Worthy 1980’s Lakers and joyfully lived by means of the Kobe-Shaq and Kobe-Gasol runs. However the Lakers turned unwatchable within the late Kobe years, and I’ve by no means rooted for a LeBron James staff or Luka Doncic staff (facet observe — Luka had 37 factors and just one help on Saturday). I turned on Recreation 1 on Saturday in the course of the second quarter — and my coronary heart selected the T’Wolves. Particularly when Donte DiVecinzo (one other ‘Nova man) drilled that three-pointer at halftime. Apologies to my Laker associates.
4. Denver Nuggets vs. 5. Los Angeles Clippers
One other straightforward selection. My brother lives in Colorado and super-daughter went to College of Colorado and lived in Denver after faculty. The Nuggets even have Nikola Jokic, who (like Curry) all basketball followers should recognize. (Anybody else discover how tan Joker has gotten for the reason that solar got here out in Denver?) It feels odd to be cheering for Russell Westbrook — as Spurs followers felt this yr when Chris Paul was carrying Silver and Black. I’ve by no means preferred the Nuggets’ opponent, the Clippers. In my April Fools’ put up a number of years again, Adam Silver re-named them the El Segundos as a result of they may all the time be LA’s second staff. Including James Harden moved the needle even additional away. Good to see “my” Nuggets beat the El Segundos in Saturday’s greatest sport.
These are my picks. I might be to see how my fellow Spurs followers really feel about all of this.
