Cavs-Warriors III starts Friday with Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
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It's the third installment of a trilogy that has featured a memorable split the last two seasons. Stephen Curry won in six games in 2015, but LeBron James rallied the Cavaliers from a 3-1 deficit in 2016. Golden State added Kevin Durant in the offseason, and everybody knew this is where we'd be in June. Surprise. Now it's time to pick a side.
Here is a handy viewer's (hater's) guide for who to root for (or against) ...
Do you hate on LeBron? You must dethrone The King. You still hate "The Decision." It's set in stone that Michael Jordan is the greatest. You can't stand every facial expression. Every flop. Every LeMove he LeMakes. If you fit this description, then you must root for Golden State.
Unless, of course, you don't like stacked teams. The Warriors won 73 games in the regular season in 2015-16. Did they really need Kevin Durant on top of that this year? They haven't lost in the postseason, and if they sweep the Cavs, it will be bad for the NBA. Better root for Cleveland.
This is the best trilogy since Lakers vs. Celtics. Can that be used as a guideline?
Those who rooted for the Celtics back then might like the Cavs. Larry Bird made everyone around him better and was clutch when it mattered most. Sounds like LeBron now. Then again, the Cavs just knocked the Celtics out of the Eastern Conference finals.
Those who rooted for the Lakers back then might like the Warriors. They get up and down the floor, put up big numbers and smile the whole time they're doing it. Then again, the Warriors have taken the spotlight away from the Lakers.
Speaking of that, should you get behind a city? The Warriors are Oakland's best bet now, especially with the Raiders getting ready to leave town. How did they let that happen twice? Better root for Cleveland.
Well, been there, done that with the Browns, huh? The best thing about the Cavaliers winning the championship last season was we don't have to hear about a 52-year championship drought anymore. Minneapolis is the three-franchise city with the longest drought now, one that stretches back to 1991 . That one doesn't get publicized quite as much. Like at all.
Speaking of Minnesota, let's talk about the players.
Didn't Kevin Love do the same thing as Durant to the Timberwolves? At least Durant got the Thunder in the playoffs. What did Love ever do there beyond big numbers? Root for the Warriors.
Durant did put the screws to OKC no matter how you try to justify it. Now he's working overtime to rub it in everybody's face. Not, it's not his fault other teams are terrible or the NBA playoffs have seen a lack of competitive games. We don't like Durant in the role of a heel. LeBron did that once , and you know, still hears about it after seven straight NBA Finals appearances. Root for the Cavs.
Unless, of course, you disagree with Kyrie Irving and believe that the Earth is round . You also hate Duke. Or you can't stand that Knicks castoffs J.R. Smith, Channing Frye, Derrick Williams and Iman Shumpert are now an ensemble supporting cast. Who wants to see Smith with his shirt off again? This will be so much worse when the Cavs inevitably get Carmelo Anthony. Root for the Warriors.
Well, unless Draymond Green kicks somebody in the nuts again. Or Curry has a rough night and throws his mouthpiece again. Or Zaza Pachulia knocks another star player out of a series again. Or Klay Thompson tells James it's a "man's game" again. Better root for the Cavs.
Coaches? Does Tyronn Lue really believe the Celtics are harder to prepare for than the Warriors ? We're ready to tweet all about it when Golden State takes that first big lead. Root for the Warriors.
Mike Brown? Steve Kerr? Who is going to be? If it's Brown, then get ready to hear that he coached LeBron in Cleveland about a billion times. Root for the Cavs.
Still can't decide? What are your thoughts on Riley Curry? Dan Gilbert? Andre Iguodala? Tristan Thompson? Would that really influence your decision? Are you a "get off my lawn" or "get with the times" type person? Not sure which that helps — or hurts.
There are probably a few other flimsy reasons to root for (or against) either team, but the truth is simple. There's every reason to root for a great series between two loaded teams with fantastic players on both sides. This is the best thing we've had since Lakers vs. Celtics, and instead of hating on every single thing about it, it's best to sit back and enjoy. We might not ever have it this good again. Well, at least until Cavs-Warriors IV.
Stop hating. Start appreciating.
The choice is yours. Who are you rooting for?
