With the Raptors season now a distant memory, the basketball fan in me has to find a team to cheer for, a team to really get behind. A team that will let me feel the ups and downs of a true fan with some sort of authenticity. I love watching basketball but it is way more fun when you have someone to cheer for.
Last year I chose Atlanta and Phoenix and it was a fun playoff to watch. I a little heartbroken when Nash and company were eliminated after a surprise filled run. Was it worth the feeling the morning after, watching a game go into the early morning on a Wednesday? Yup.
So this year, who do I cheer for?
There are lots and lots of talent to cheer for in the Eastern Conference. Could I get behind a guy like Derek Rose and his jaw dropping play? For sure. Or do I want to support the original Big Three in Boston? or the Evil Empire that calls Miami home? or do I take a relative underdog that might surprise a few people?
I still Like Atlanta and their young team. Kirk Hinrich has given the young scorers on that team a level headed leader. Definitely a possible upset or two in the Dirty South this year.
In the West my usual choice would be Steve Nash and the Suns, but alas they weren’t good enough to get the job done this year.
So who now?
Dallas? They’ve got some great talent and a veteran cheif calling the shots in Jason Kidd; a guy you just can’t hate.
San Antonio? Old reliable. A team that quietly goes about their business and one that has Matt Bonner a definite favourite of mine and Raptor fans alike.
Then there are the defending champs from LA. My hatred of the Celtics led me to cheer for them last year, but this is not my favourite team. Kobe this past week irked me quite a bit with his homophobic slur and half hearted apology. They’re not looking like defending champs and they might not be around very long. Not that I would be greatly disappointed.
Then there are your long shots. The Thunder are exciting and the acquisition of Kendrick Perkins was designed for this time of year. Kevin Durant is a great player to wach and provides a lot of excitement. As does Chris Paul in New Orleans or LaMarcus Aldridge in Portland.
So who’s it gonna be.
In the West, I’m going with the Thunder. They’re young, exciting and humble. Kendrick Perkins is a game changer for them. I think they will surprise the Spurs and Mavs in the West. Watch out for this team because they have a chance to go all the way and do it while playing very exciting basketball.
Kevin Durant is one of the most exciting players out there and Russell Westbrook looks ready to bust out this year. They might not make it all the way but they’re a team I can get behind. They remind me of what I dream the Raptors to one day be. And in Oklahoma you get an absolutely basketball-mad environment as your backdrop. It writes itself. GO Thunder!
Is there a team more hated in the NBA than the Miami Heat? This spring Im cheering for Anyone but Maimi.
In the East I’m taking an “ABM” mentality. That would be “Anyone But Miami”.
There is nothing like an NBA playoff series with a clear villain. Miami is that villain. Everyone outside of South Beach, where Lebron took his talents, will be cheering against the Big 2.5. Add me to that list.
I hate these guys. I hate their attitude, their over confidence, their cocky swaggar, the referees love of blowing the whistle for everything that comes within a foot of them. It’s everything I hate about the league wrapped up into one team.
So therefore: Go 76ers! Go Celtics! Go Bulls! ABM! Anyone but Miami!
If I’m calling a specific team to beat them I’d have to go with Boston or Chicago. Chicago is the team I think will do it. They have the same amount of scoring power, but Chi-town also has a strong inside game that Miami cannot contend with.
Carlos Boozer + Joakim Noah > Chris Bosh and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
The greatest call of the playoffs will hopefully be when Chuck Swirsky gets out the Salami and Cheese for Lebron and his buddies.
So, for the next month and a half I’ll be sitting in front of my TV watching and cheering for the Thunder and Anyone but Miami!
Who are you cheering for?
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Kristoffer Pedlar
The Zan Tabak Herald *** Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @Zantabakherald
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