
Between the end of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night and the start of tonight’s Game 1 of the NBA Finals, sports writers are going bonkers trying to establish the best storylines that they can hammer into the ground over the next one or two weeks (hopefully two). The easiest storyline, of course, is “You’re not allowed to like this team because ______” and depending on the writer, the reason is either “LeBron’s Decision” or “Clay Bennett’s theft”.
That’s the common denominator narrative for the 2012 NBA Finals – you’re either pulling for the villains in Miami, or you’re pulling for the villain in Oklahoma City. After all, there’s nothing worse than a guy who hosted his own 1-hour special to tell his hometown that he was leaving than a guy who purchased a team and moved it to another city, or vice versa. Whichever person you choose to cheer for makes you wrong, according to some sports writer.
And that’s obviously not fair. As sports fans, we should be able to cheer for whomever we want, without having to explain ourselves. But if these media bullies are causing you to second-guess your bandwagon loyalty for the NBA championship series, then I’ve created a handy flowchart to help you decide which team you’re actually allowed to cheer for.

(For a larger version for your rodent eyeballs, click here.)


Yay Thunder, hooray basketballs!
I’m standing next to my monitor, WEARING MY SONICS JERSEY, with my arms crossed and a very displeased look on my face.
how about Boo Heat, hooray basketballs?
I can’t wait for the inevitable headlines.
“Thunder Quenches Heat”
“Thunder Brings Storm to the Heat”
“Raped Child Forgives Sandusky”
“Heat Evaporates Thunder”
My money is one the Seattle Post-Intelligencer going with “Sonic Boom” if the Heat win.
But tonight’s the episode where Chandler says, “Could I be anymore…?” I can’t miss that.
The important thing to remember (besides the fact that Miami fans are horrible and the majority may not fully comprehend basketball) is that when the Thunder win, it won’t be a championship that should have been in Seattle. If Clay Bennett doesn’t buy the team, Sam Presti doesn’t get hired and the Sonics continue to suck, although you’d get to watch Durant put up 50 a night in losing efforts. So be pissed off you lost the team all you want, that sucks and it’s a valid complaint, but don’t feel like you had the championship taken away, too.
The Wire & The 2012 NBA Finals [www.insideravensmind.net]