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The NBA championship field is open to other competitors with LeBron James and Stephen Curry at home. So which teams present the best possible match to watch? Crossover makes his choice.
Howard Beck: Nuggetit vs. Bucks
Give me Nuggets vs. Bucks. I’m dead seriously. I know, I know, basketball fans – and the NBA and its broadcast partners – probably all want the Nets-Clippers, with all the striking star power, and all those eyeballs from the country’s two largest media markets. And it would certainly be a riveting series. But I want to see smaller markets break in.
I want to believe – and certainly the teams their fans want to believe in – that you can build a competitor into today’s NBA without signing superstars in a vacant office. Milwaukee, Utah and Denver can’t dismantle the KD-Kyrie pair or pull off the Kawhi-Paul George coup (not to mention LeBron and Anthony Davis). This option is not available outside of New York, LA, and perhaps a few other locations.
But the Bucks, Jazz, and Nuggets have built deep, talented teams with smart drafting, development, trade, and (less blatant) signature. For the league and about two dozen bases, it would be good to see non-glamor teams break into.
Michael Pina: Clippers vs. Nets
Clippers vs. Nets is the most attractive match because it might really put Nets in the heel. Not only do the Clippers have enough individual defenders to turn the perimeter on and keep themselves apart from the Brooklyn three-headed monster (assuming James Harden is healthy then), but they can also place those units without sacrificing anything at the other end. Their offense is constructed to go from toe to second-stage system. The Clippers don’t have a third attacking star, but they have enough outside shooting to drive and kick Brooklyn’s defense into ruins. Kevin Durant vs. Paul George vs. Kyrie Irving vs. Kawhi Leonard vs. James Harden vs.… Reggie Jackson? Register me.
Ben Pickman: Nets vs. Sun.
Before the forecasts for the season, it is difficult not to choose a network to represent the East by answering this question. Their incredible talent is on display every time they step on the floor, even as the team continues to address health issues. In addition, there is a reason why seemingly all the corners surrounding the franchise have been cut throughout the season; the intrigue surrounding them is endless. In many ways, Phoenix was able to present its toughest opponent in the finals. The Suns have had the best NBA record since Jan. 28, and their depth, especially in the guard and wing positions, can cause problems for Brooklyn, just like the Lakers. Moreover, after Phoenix made its first post-NBA appearance since 2009-10, the city’s home crowd seems to have gone hungry, as evidenced by the constant energy radiating on television.
Elizabeth Swinton: Nets vs. Jazz
It may not be a flash match left, but Nets vs. Jazz may be one of the most competitive. Utah is the only remaining Western Conference team to defeat Brooklyn in the regular season, and now that the Nets are almost in good shape and have demonstrated their dominance in the playoffs, the two teams could be very opposed to each other in the final. Donovan Mitchell has been in tears, as has Kevin Durant in the absence of James Harden. Each team’s defense is tested against the best offenses, giving them a good chance of a long and entertaining series between the two if they face in the final.
Michael Shapiro: Nets vs. Sun.
Maybe the Nets-Suns final wouldn’t be a seven-game classic, but as Brooklyn continues its cruise, there may not be a titanic match in early July. In that sense, I’m on the Phoenix side as the team I want to see the most fighting in the Nets ’big three. Chris Paul deserves his time in the spotlight of the finals, and Devin Booker’s profile around the country can see a serious boost if he can hang on to the most frightening attack in league history. If Deandre Ayton can control the goal, maybe this series will go over five games.
I’m starting to think that the Nets Championship is actually an event, especially if Harden can spend time and rest in the semifinals of the Eastern Conference. If we were going to crown Brooklyn nonetheless, paying Paul for him would be a worthy consolation.
Robin Lundberg: Nets vs. Sun.
With the elimination of LeBron and Curry, Nets ’star power would add some of the necessary tent names to the finals and offered plenty of fans of entrenched interest, assuming most would hope to disappear. Meanwhile, the Suns would be a sporty and fun match in a match with them and bring the added story of CP3 to his first NBA championship against the Juggernaut super team. I think Nets-Suns shines the brightest of all the remaining possible combinations, both in terms of basketball and narrative, on the biggest stage of the league.
More coverage of the NBA playoffs:
• Could this finally be the year of the Clippers?
• Simmons and Young cannot be different
• Would there be anything surprising at this point in the NBA playoffs?
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