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Memphis Grizzlies’ Fans to Root for Cavaliers or Warriors?

By Christian Dudley

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Jun 7, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Marreese Speights (5) tries to steal the ball from Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) during the third quarter in game two of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

As fans of the Memphis Grizzlies watch the 2015 NBA Finals from their homes, which team should they  cheer–the Cavaliers or Warriors?

The NBA Finals are now tied at 2-2 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors following a Game 4 victory by the team from the West.

The Memphis Grizzlies were put out of the postseason by losing the 2015 Western Conference Semifinals two games to four versus the Golden State Warriors.

Which team should Grizz fans be cheering for in this NBA Finals series?

On the Eastern Conference side, you have LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. James is perhaps the greatest basketball player in the world. It seems as if basketball fanatics love LeBron or they loathe him. There is pretty much no in-between. However, the national media seems to love everything regarding #23 and all things surrounding him.

Feb 24, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) gets greeted by guard Mike Miller (18) and center Kendrick Perkins (3) as he goes to the bench during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The Cavs also have a former Memphis Grizzly on their squad–Mike Miller. He is a franchise staple for the Grizz. Double-M has been with the Grizzlies through the ups and the downs–multiple times.

On the other hand, representing the Western Conference (cough, cough…should have been the Grizz!!), are the Golden State Warriors. They won 67 of 82 games in 2014-15–nothing short of amazing.

They, too, have a former member of the Memphis Grizzlies on their roster. That player is none other than forward/center Marreese Speights–a solid big man for the Grizz during his time (two seasons) in a Memphis uniform.

In case you missed it and are wondering why Speights has recently slipped in the rotation behind David Lee, take a look at this blunder from Game 2 of The Finals.

Personally, I am not at all a fan of LeBron James. I cannot find it in myself to praise him like the rest of the national media. I believe he is the best basketball player in the world, but I would much rather watch and support other players–Paul George, Anthony Tolliver, Zach Randolph, Tony Allen, Mike Conley, etc–than the egotistical James.

May 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors center Marreese Speights (5) during the second quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

While I am still against the Golden State Warriors because they knocked my favorite team–the Memphis Grizzlies–out of the NBA Playoffs, I want them to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers and beat them to the championship trophy. The Warriors are the lesser of two evils from my perspective.

Golden State has some humble guys on the team–besides Draymond Green–much different, in my mind, from the Cavs. That makes it easier for me to favor the Warriors over the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

Maybe, as Grizz fans, love the nostalgia of Mike Miller, so you want the Cavaliers–and LeBron James, of course–to win a championship and end their city’s winning drought. Perhaps you want to see Marreese Speights and the MVP-led Warriors prevail to victory as they put on for the Western Conference.

We all have our own reasons. Some of us in Grizz Nation may not even care at this point. At the very least, exciting and entertaining basketball is being played in the month of June, which we all enjoy.

Next season, the time is ours, Memphis.

Who do you want to win the NBA World Championship? Let us know, Grizz Nation!

Go Grizz!

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