Ranking the Four Potential NBA Finals Matchups
These NBA Playoffs have delivered. On Sunday, we had two thrilling Game 7s, punctuated by Kawhi Leonard‘s game-winning fallaway to send Toronto to their second conference finals in franchise history. It was a perfect capper to two fantastic rounds of hoop.
Now, just four teams remain and it’s a very diverse group. There’s the king of the bunch (Golden State), a rejuvenated team that’s never made an NBA Finals (Toronto), and two teams with homegrown superstars looking to serve longing fanbases (Milwaukee and Portland). Finally, it’s not a predictable Cleveland-Golden State NBA Finals and I’m so excited.
So excited, in fact, that I’m already looking ahead to the NBA Finals. I’m going to rank the four potential NBA Finals matchups…but first, let this be a disclaimer, I’m 100-percent down for any matchup, even the worst of the four. Here we go:
Ranking the Four Potential NBA Finals Matchups
1: Golden State vs. Milwaukee
These are the two teams we’ll most likely see in the NBA Finals and per Vegas, they’re the two teams with an actual chance to capture the NBA Championship. Golden State is -165 to win the title, Milwaukee is close at +230, then Toronto is a true longshot at +750 and Portland is a major longshot at +1700.
So obviously, this is the best possible series, from both a basketball and TV rating perspective. They’re both major TV markets with pro teams in the Big 4 and they both bring legit star-power to the table. Plus, this series serves the two biggest storylines going: Can Golden State win another title? Can Giannis prove he’s the best player in the NBA?
2. Portland vs. Milwaukee
The two storylines (above) are so close, I kept flip-flopping between this matchup and the one sitting at No. 3. Eventually, I decided Giannis is the biggest storyline, therefore trumping any series without him in it.
Look, casual sports fans need to see Giannis play and putting him in the NBA Finals will expose him to them. That, in my opinion, is the most important thing right now; He’s the future of the league.
Also, Portland is my favorite team remaining. They’re so fun to watch and the Portland fanbase deserves a trip to the NBA Finals. That said, Milwaukee would win in 5 or 6 — the Blazers have no answer for The Greek Freak.
3. Golden State vs. Toronto
From a TV perspective, having Golden State in the NBA Finals is pure gold. It doesn’t really matter who they play. With Toronto, you get Kawhi, so there is some star-power there, but not like Milwaukee.
Basketball-wise, it will be amazing to see Kawhi and Durant go back and forth. At the same time, if this happens, Steph is going to roast Kyle Lowry; I feel bad for him already. Golden State would win in 5.
4. Portland vs. Toronto
So…this is hard for me. I’m sort of rooting for this series because I think it could go the distance. BUT…it would be a ratings nightmare for the league. Both teams are from medium-to-small media markets and that doesn’t translate to fringe fans. Like, my girlfriend probably wouldn’t be pumped to watch this specific series. If it was one of the other three, though, she’d be down.
For the record, again, I find something interesting and unique about all four of these squads. However it shakes out…bring it on!
Happy hooping, y’all.