The RP’s Weekly Web Gems: The Politics of the NBA Finals

I started watching the NBA in earnest back in 2004, when the Detroit Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in one of the most classic NBA Finals in history.  That year, Shaq and Kobe were joined by Karl Malone and Gary Peyton in hopes that the two aging stars could vault them back to finals glory.  It almost worked, but they ran into the tough defense of the Larry Brown coached Pistons.  In stark contrast to the hodgepodge Lakers, the Pistons had a solid core of a team–Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Price, Ben Wallace, and Rasheed Wallace.  That Pistons team was fun.  They were hard working, defensive minded, and represented all that was good about basketball.  I remember many people reveling in the failure of the hot shot Lakers and enjoying the success of the plucky Pistons.

This year’s NBA Finals feature the Miami Heat, who remind me quite a bit of both teams from the 2004 NBA Finals.  As any hoop-head will tell you, this Miami team features LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh; three men who came together in the offseason and acted quite foolishly, claiming they would win multiple titles with the three of them at the helm.  Like the 04 Lakers, the Heat stumbled a bit in the regular season, and many wondered if these players coming together was a mistake.  When the playoffs started in both 2004 and this year, the teams really kicked in.  In the run up to the Finals, the Heat lost all of three games–one in each playoff series.  The 04 Lakers, likewise, only lost five games before the Finals.  Both the 2004 Lakers and the 2011 Heat have a lot in common–superstars, playoff mastery, and most importantly, general disdain from the populace.

Indeed, many people hate the Heat.  Maybe for the way in which LeBron James left the Cavaliers, perhaps because of

“The Decision” or the introductory press conference, or maybe just because fans do not approve of a consolidation of talent.  For whatever reason, people don’t like this Heat team.  However, all the reasons I fell in love with the 2004 Pistons are present with this Miami Heat team.  The Pistons had great defense and great chemistry.  The Heat have both of those–LeBron James and Udonis Haslem have really stepped their defense up in the Finals, and this team really seems to enjoy playing together.

The Other Guys.

While it may be in vogue for people to root against the Heat, for whatever reason, I don’t.  I think too often our culture builds stars up, just to tear them back down.  I reject that.  This Heat team is full of great players, and I wish them success.  However, the other side has their share of great stories also–Dirk Nowitzki playing for a title, Jason Kidd being in contention for a ring again, after so many near misses.  Whoever you choose to support, the Finals have been great entertainment.  I can’t wait for Game 5.  You really should tune in.