I’ll start by saying that I’m a CATS fan first and foremost. I do enjoy the NBA (the playoffs at least) and with all the CATS that are heading to “The League”, I figured it was time I reevaluated my favorite team selection. Who will win my allegiance for the upcoming season? It could be anyone, but they will have to meet the following criteria:[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
[LIST=1]
[*]Must have a former UK player in a starting role
[*]Needs to be competitive throughout the season and should be the underdog come playoff time
[*]Must play in a major sports market
[/LIST]
Growing up, my favorite team in the NBA was the Los Angeles Lakers. Even when most of my friends were rooting for the Celtics, I chose to cheer for Magic Johnson and my favorite player at the time, Byron Scott. Thanks to Kobe Bryant (that’s another discussion), I’m more like a fan nomad in today’s NBA. I tend to pick a team, stick with them a few years and then move on to the next one. First it was Tayshaun Prince and the hustle of the Detroit Pistons. Next was Rondo and the Celtics. I would still consider myself a Celtics fan today, but I think it’s time I move on.
[B]Wizards or Kings? [/B]I’ve really enjoyed watching Wall and Cousins in the NBA Summer League, but I don’t think I can bring myself to make either of those teams my favorite. I just don’t consider Washington D.C. or Sacramento a “Major Sports Market”. I may think differently about D.C. if we were talking about the the NFL but in the NBA, these teams just get lost in the shuffle.
[B]Houston Rockets?[/B] Now here’s a team that has more than one reason to jump on the Rocket bandwagon. Not only did they draft Patrick Patterson, but they also have the shortest starting center in the NBA, Chuck Hayes.
With all of this going for them, I don’t think I can be a Rocket fan. Yao will be back next season, so we may not see much out of Hayes and there’s something creepy about Yao Ming that makes me want to keep my distance. I know that sounds silly, but it’s the truth. I wish Patterson the best, but I just can’t like the Rockets
[B]Orlando Magic?[/B] Let’s put it this way… It would take Adolph Rupp coaching to make me root for a team with Daniel Orton on it. Just Saying…
[B]Los Angeles Clippers?[/B] WOW! This is scary.. They’re in a major sports market, but how can the Clippers ever be competitive? However, not being competitive guarantees that they’ll always be the underdog.
However, I’m also a New York Yankees fan. This would be the [URL=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV7vwAkwXFI&feature=related”]Bizarro[/URL] of my favorite team choices in the past.
So who’s it going to be? (insert drum roll)……. My favorite team for the 2010 NBA Season will be the [B]LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS,[/B] and here’s why…..
[B]They’re Underdogs[/B] – They might be a bunch of losers, but that’s why I’m going with them. It’s the same reason people choose to root for the Chicago Cubs. I figure if I can make it through the first couple of seasons and still be a fan, I’ll have something special. I know Lebron James doesn’t understand it, but winning a championship is about the journey.
([I]At least I’ll have UK to bring home championships, because my new NBA team might not make it to the playoffs in the next 10 years[/I]).
[B]Eric Bledsoe[/B] – After watching Bledsoe in Las Vegas this past week, I felt like I needed to be cheering for him more than anyone. This is a guy that has defeated the odds to made it to the NBA. He’s been on winning teams through high school and college and now he’s with the Clippers ([I]Lord help him[/I]).
The UK Bledsoe was aggressive and confident at any point of the game. The Summer League Bledsoe seemed unsure at times. I just felt like he needed the gym packed full of UK fans to tell him that we were behind him and he would’ve taken over the game.
[B]Clipper Darrell[/B] – The number one Clippers fan is definitely a role model to all Clipper fans. When the year looks like it’s over and you’ve been eliminated from the playoffs and the season only half way over, Clipper Darrell is there to provide leadership.
[B]Here’s an interview with Clipper Darrell….[/B]
[youtube_sc width=430 url=Zl3XxKtsHTo]
[B]And here’s Clipper Darrell in action at the NBA Summer League…[/B]
[youtube_sc width=430 url=v77nw2YPhsc]
[B]Their Uniform Colors[/B] – Their colors are Red, Blue and White. It’s America’s team and we didn’t even know it.
OK, I know I’m reaching when the only thing I can come up with is the uniform colors, but I’m talking about the Clippers. That means I better get used to looking at the glass half full. If they only win 29 games next season, at least they’ll look good doing it!
[B]Now I ask you… Will you become a Clippers fan? Will you offer up your support to Bledsoe and his new team? If not, who will it be? [/B]
