The Spurs will not be participating in the NBA Playoffs this year and that’s a real bummer. But since the playoffs are going to happen anyway, let’s figure out our rooting interests!
I see a few paths to follow for postseason enjoyment: Cheering for former Spurs, cheering for the Popovich coaching tree, and being a hater.
The Former Spur Supporter
Should you choose this road you’ve got Patty Mills, LaMarcus Aldridge, AND Tiago Splitter playing or coaching for the Brooklyn Nets. As a bonus, they also wear black and white jerseys. As a further bonus, cheering for Brooklyn doesn’t mean cheering for James Harden anymore!
The Bulls are fair game if you want to support our old pal DeMar DeRozan. Personally, I kind of want them to crash and leave a bad taste in Zach Lavine’s mouth so that he’ll be more inclined to jump ship and come play with his boy Dejounte Murray but that’s kind of a pipe dream at best so idk, I won’t HATE it if the Bulls do well.
And of course, the Celtics are there for those of us who wish Derrick White well. A fun wrinkle to this one is that if Boston wins it, Josh Richardson and Romeo Langford (who could both possibly still be Spurs next season) get a ring. So, there’s that. But it also means cheering for Boston… tough!
The Raptors don’t count because Thad Young only played like seven minutes for San Antonio, sorry.
In the West, the Bryn Forbes apologists can jump on the Nuggets bandwagon (unless you’re still angry about the Spurs failing to upset Denver the last time San Antonio made the playoffs). Bonus: You also get to cheer for Nikola Jokić, and that’s pretty joyful.
If you’re not allergic to cheering for a team in the Southwest division, you can support Kyle Anderson in Memphis. Honestly, I think the Grizz are pretty fun and since they employ my man-crush Steven Adams I have absolutely zero qualms with Memphis winning the Finals as a dark horse candidate.1
And, bleh, look I love Boban Marjanović as much as the next guy but there is no way in hell I’m pulling for the Mavericks. I did it in 2012 vs. Miami but that was only because the Heat were soooooo obnoxious and I respect the hell out of Dirk Nowitzki.
If the 2012 Finals were an overturned train, the Mavericks were the little emergency glass-breaking hammer.
The Popovich Coaching Tree
As much as I love Monty Williams, who not only coached but also played in San Antonio, I think I more love the idea of Chris Paul never winning a ring. Still, I wouldn’t hate seeing the Suns win it all. Plus, I would like it if my Suns fan friends could fucking get over the Robert Horry-Steve Nash hipcheck incident.
You could also talk yourself into pulling for coach Mike Budenholzer’s Bucks to repeat as champs, which means you get to cheer for Giannis Antetekoumpo (fun!) and former Spur George Hill.2
I suppose I should mention that Ime Udoka coaches the Celtics. I forgot about that when I was writing about Derrick White earlier. Again though, cheering for Boston :/
Being a Hater
This route takes the least amount of courage, but it can be satisfying as hell if it works out in your favor.
Sorry, Sixers, (and Brad, if you’re reading this) but I cannot in good faith support James Harden. Joel Embiid seems lovely and I hope one day he gets a real point guard to win with.
The Clippers can also go to hell (with or without Kawhi on the roster).
As mentioned above, it’s pretty much compulsory to cheer against Dallas. It’s kind of a shame the Rockets and Lakers aren’t in the postseason because I love watching them flame out on a big stage.3
Lastly, Golden State. Now that it’s been four years since they won the Finals, I don’t haaaaaate the Warriors, but I prefer the idea of any team with a longer championship drought going all the way.
So there ya have it, the Fiesta Shorts guide to navigating a Spurs-less postseason. Thanks for reading, please be kind to each other out there.
Feels weird to say that about a 2 seed but I think Memphis is being slept on
If you are wondering why I didn’t put the Bucks in the former Spur section it is because I totally forgot George Hill is still in the league
But obviously I’m super glad neither of them are playing playoff basketball
I am indeed reading and am hurt 😥Embiid deserves some playoff success and I hope Harden helps him get that! With that said, not looking like the Sixers bench and coach are going to get them anywhere this year…