Bandwagon Preview: Conference Finals Edition

May has come and it’s about time for bandwagon hoops fans to start turning on their TVs, buying expensive tickets and breaking out their fan gear. For those still on the fence, I’m here to get you up to date on the compelling reasons to root for the four remaining teams and the players and storylines that make them interesting.

Orlando Magics (2) vs Boston Celtics (4)

Despite having an elite team, Orlando fans (and media) have played the disrespect card all season. They made the Finals last season and were a missed layup away (Game 2) from making it competitive. They reloaded in the offseason, essentially trading Hedo Turkoglu for Vince Carter and adding more scrappers (Matt Barnes, Brandon Bass) to the rotation. They’re ridiculously hot, they haven’t been seriously challenged in any of their playoff games and the last game they lost was April 2. Dwight Howard is defensive force, Wince Carter has shown flashes of Vinsanity but the real treat has been the return of Jameer Nelson. Nelson tortured the callow Bobcats and the ready-to-vacation Atlanta Hawks. The Magic’s inside-out attack looks unbeatable right now. However, they will find a much tougher foe in the Boston Celtics.

Fresh off dispatching LeBron’s suddenly awful Cavaliers, the Celtics have a score to settle with the upstart Magic. Last season the C’s took the Magic to 7 games in the conference semis without Kevin Garnett but folded on their home floor. While both teams have been in the Cavs’ hype shadow the last two seasons, the fact remains Boston’s core has championship rings from 2008 and Rasheed Wallace has come back from the grave to be the sixth man they hoped for. Their team defense looks fierce again and the offensive balance of their Big Three has returned. Nelson won’t get a break facing Rajon Rondo, the breakout star of these playoffs so far.

Magic storylines:

1. This is their chance to prove they are the best team in the league. They’ll have homecourt for the remainder of the postseason and will be favored in every matchup.

2. The return of Jameer. The Magic made the Finals with Rafer Alston. Rafer Alston! Jameer is back and looks fantastic.

3. Will Dwight Howard begin to establish his legacy as this era’s true dominant big man? All the greats have rings and this is his first legit shot.

Bench player to rally behind: Mickael Pietrus

Player you love but everyone else hates: Matt Barnes

Elite Strength: Discipline

Celtics Storylines:

1. Rondooooooooo!

2. Return of star killing defense. We traditionally associate the Celtics with dismantling one-man teams from Wilt to Kobe. So far they’ve started two free agents summers early (Wade, LeBron) and have Dwight on their current agenda and a possible rematch with Kobe looming.

3. Banner #18

Bench player to rally behind: Tony Allen

Guy you love but everyone else hates: Kendrick Perkins

Elite Strength: Team Defense

Los Angeles Lakers (1) vs Phoenix Suns (3)

My rooting here is a little tilted as I am a Phoenix Suns fan but you know that if you’ve been reading. Overall though this is a great matchup for basketball fans. The teams are long-time rivals with several previous playoff battles. They are probably the most popular teams with casual basketball fans. The Lakers are the league’s big draw and defending champion while the Suns are an high-scoring underdog which has blown away even the loftiest expectations for this season. There’s so much to like on both sides but essentially this is David vs Goliath.

Lakers storylines:

1. Rings. The Lakers are looking for their 16th title, 11th for Phil Jackson (strangely under pressure to win), 5th for Bryant and 2nd for Adam Morrison.

2. Revenge. A couple of embarrassing losses to the D’Antoni Suns caused Kobe to bubble up and publicly demand a trade in 2007. That lead to Fisher re-signing, the Gasol trade donation, Kobe’s MVP and two straight trips to the Finals. But he wants revenge…

3. I don’t think you need any other reason to jump on this bandwagon. It’s the biggest in the NBA.

Bench player to rally behind: Shannon Brown

Player you love but everyone else hates: Tie: Sasha Vujacic and Ron Artest

Elite Strength: Frontline

Suns Storylines:

1. He’s a cowboy. Grant Hill is on the longest playoff run of his career and has reinvented himself as defensive-minded role player. He’s turned two series with his defense and will get a large dose of Kobe Bryant in this series. A pretty remarkable story period.

2. Two Time. Steve Nash has another shot at the Finals but it will likely require an MVP type effort to pull off a massive upset. The one-eyed performance in closing out the Spurs shows how determined he is.

3. Chemistry vs Talent. I stole this from Simmons but this series is in many ways a case study in chemistry vs talent. Even die hard Lakers fans have commented on their teams erratic play at times this year as they’ve worked to fit in Artest and had role players disappear at times. But they have Kobe, Gasol and the most talent from 1-12. Meanwhile Suns coach Alvin Gentry has developed depth to maintain their high-scoring style and veterans Nash and Hill leading a young group of scrappy shooters and defenders in addition to Amar’e becoming a more complete player. The Lakers clearly have more talent but the Suns are a real team with great chemistry.

Bench player to rally behind: Jared Dudley

Player you love but everyone else hates: Louis Amundson

Elite Strength: 3-point Shooting

1. wealwayswin posted this