Who are you rooting for in these Finals?

Chuck Everett · Post #21 » by **Chuck Everett** » Tue Jun 17, 2025 5:13 pm

I preferred Indiana to win because I felt OKC had a better chance to repeat what we saw this year. Pacers had a puncher's chance at the chip which I felt since the second round, but OKC was the best team all year. If Chet gets just a little bit better/more consistent (and definitely stronger), they're going to win again too.

Effigy · Post #22 » by **Effigy** » Tue Jun 17, 2025 6:03 pm

Statlanta wrote:OKC so Silver can do something about the talent imbalance in the NBA, something that's an actual problem over something minor like the All-star game

His solution will just be to send more help to the Lakers.

SonicMcMahon · Post #23 » by **SonicMcMahon** » Tue Jun 17, 2025 6:07 pm

My head told me to cheer for OKC just to remind the few haters left that Jokic is a beast and took the champs to 7.

...But my heart can't help rooting for these Indy underdogs. So I guess it's Indy for me.

morosis · Post #24 » by **morosis** » Tue Jun 17, 2025 6:10 pm

OKC - all time great team by most metrics, that deserves to be discussed in conversations with other ATG teams. they won't get that mention if they don't win, which would be a shame. also I don't trust the new cap/apron stuff so although at current point in time its easy to think we'll see them alot for the next decade, its not a guarantee. I want them to win now, get the respect they deserve, and secure their spot in future discussions about the best teams we've seen.

no disrespect to IND as they are proving they deserve to be there.

C3H6N6O6 · Post #25 » by **C3H6N6O6** » Tue Jun 17, 2025 6:16 pm

I lived a few years in Seattle when I was a kid so I am rooting for Pacers to make a comeback even though it is looking unlikely. I don't have a problem with OKC players, I just have a problem with how that team was moved to OKC.

Peak Brunson · Post #26 » by **Peak Brunson** » Tue Jun 17, 2025 6:19 pm

SonicMcMahon wrote:My head told me to cheer for OKC just to remind the few haters left that Jokic is a beast and took the champs to 7.

...But my heart can't help rooting for these Indy underdogs. So I guess it's Indy for me.

Every top player in history has had a decent number of haters. I'm curious why Jokic has to be this untouchable player where there cannot be a single hater out there? Lebron, KD, Jordan, etc, you see a lot more hate towards these guys on this board than towards Jokic.

itrsteve · Post #27 » by **itrsteve** » Tue Jun 17, 2025 7:41 pm

I'm mostly indifferent as I like and respect both franchises with how they went about building what they have today.

I lean Indiana because:
1. They're always underrated/counted out by the media and analysts (even though they made the ECF last year)
2. Lacking a "superstar", it's an annoying narrative that is nice to be disproven from time to time. Just an assembly of guys playing well together
3. Indiana is a basketball state, go to a game at the Fieldhouse and you'll understand
4. They performed gods work by ripping the hearts out of the most insufferable fanbase in the NBA

But that's not to say OKC as a franchise or city isn't deserving either, it would be a well-deserved win for the #1 seeded team who had an awesome regular season.

I just want to see this go to Game 7, it has been such a great series thus far.

Mrakar · Post #28 » by **Mrakar** » Tue Jun 17, 2025 7:47 pm

I was scrolling trough twitter couple mins ago and these were all in first 10 posts i saw.:

Read on Twitter

that basicly answers thread question for me...

Stan · Post #29 » by **Stan** » Tue Jun 17, 2025 7:56 pm

Kind of a weird question to ask 5 games into the series

SonicMcMahon · Post #30 » by **SonicMcMahon** » Wed Jun 18, 2025 12:51 pm

Peak Brunson wrote:
SonicMcMahon wrote:My head told me to cheer for OKC just to remind the few haters left that Jokic is a beast and took the champs to 7.

...But my heart can't help rooting for these Indy underdogs. So I guess it's Indy for me.

Every top player in history has had a decent number of haters. I'm curious why Jokic has to be this untouchable player where there cannot be a single hater out there? Lebron, KD, Jordan, etc, you see a lot more hate towards these guys on this board than towards Jokic.

Not untouchable. I'm just a bigger fan of Jokic than the 3 players you named, and am thus more compelled to defend his honour. 'Haters'* of any of the players you mentioned are foolish as well.

*And by 'hater', what I really mean is someone who just doesn't see their level of greatness. I don't think many people 'hate' other players.

Frankie · Post #31 » by **Frankie** » Wed Jun 18, 2025 1:28 pm

Indiana but I've always rooted for eastern conference teams in the finals, so nothing specific about the Pacers.

Bankai · Post #32 » by **Bankai** » Wed Jun 18, 2025 1:53 pm

Im not "rooting" for them, but I would like Indiana to win. I think they deserve a Title before a young Franchise like the Thunder do. Whatever.

chilluminati · Post #33 » by **chilluminati** » Wed Jun 18, 2025 3:13 pm

Just like it's been since 2005, if my team isn't in the finals I no longer have a horse in that race. I'm just there for the highest level of competition in basketball.

Jailblazers7 · Post #34 » by **Jailblazers7** » Wed Jun 18, 2025 5:24 pm

I’ve been most just rooting for good basketball - which we’ve absolutely got through 5 games. I’d prefer to see OKC win because I generally like the players on their team. Totally get the anti-OKC feelings regarding the relocation tho because this team should be in Seattle.

ImmortalD24 · Post #35 » by **ImmortalD24** » Wed Jun 18, 2025 7:01 pm

Unless its LeBron's superteam.. this board will always vote for the underdog (with the exception of Jokic).

Himothy Duncan · Post #36 » by **Himothy Duncan** » Sat Jun 21, 2025 6:25 pm

A foul-merchant winning the title could influence more kids to try and do the same, negatively impacting the game going forward. Similar to how they jack up threes from everywhere thinking they’re Steph. The Pacers brand of team-oriented basketball would mean more and be more beneficial.

The Servant · Post #37 » by **The Servant** » Sat Jun 21, 2025 6:32 pm

I would say its worse for the game.

KayDee35 · Post #38 » by **KayDee35** » Sat Jun 21, 2025 9:19 pm

Anyone who loves basketball should automatically vote Indiana. OKC, with the help of the refs, has been ruining basketball these playoffs

Harden was often unwatchable with his flopping and Shai is giving him a run for his money with his antics that the refs keep rewarding. But now that the entire Thunder team is getting in on the act, it's insufferable.

KGDirkTD_Fan · Post #39 » by **KGDirkTD_Fan** » Sat Jun 21, 2025 9:58 pm

Pacers, I love underdog stories in the NBA, it's so damn rare with 7 game series. 2004 Pistons is the last one I can remember to this magnitude. Also love to see Rick Carlisle get another chip coaching a different team.

Id be happy if the Thunder win it, really passionate fan base, great rebuild story/FO decision making to build this team. Always ends up being a great model of how other small market teams need to rebuild. I'm not the biggest fan of some of the play styles on the team but that's not their fault, they play to win and the NBA allows it.

Beethoven · Post #40 » by **Beethoven** » Sat Jun 21, 2025 10:56 pm

It'll be so good for nba if pacers win tomorrow. It'll be amazing historical year.

Who you root for?