Who Spurs fans will root for in the NBA Finals

The NBA Finals are set. The Milwaukee Bucks will face the Phoenix Suns.

For the first time in a long time, there is no LeBron, no Steph Curry, no Lakers, no Celtics. It’s almost like a clean slate for the league. And considering all the pandemic has done to the sport and its fanbase, it is a welcomed change.

Who will you be rooting for in this closeout to the 2020-2021 NBA season?

If you are looking for ties to the Spurs, look no further than each team’s head coach. Mike Budenholzer was Pop’s right hand man for seventeen seasons. On the other side, Monty Williams played with the Spurs for two season. Comparatively, Coach Bud has more time and more San Antonio ties.

Also, the Milwaukee Bucks have former Spurs sharpshooter Bryn Forbes.

Add it the likability of Giannis Antetokonmpo as the reigning (and two-time) MVP and it’s easy to see Spurs fans rooting for the Bucks.

But let’s talk foes vanquished- the Phoenix Suns did ensure there would be no Kawhi Leonard in the Finals this year. And no Marcus Morris Sr., for that matter. If you are of the grudge-holding faction of Spurs fans (and based on Twitter, you’re out there), the Suns could be your team.

Then again, the Bucks made sure the East Coast equivalent of the Clippers (the Brooklyn Nets) also didn’t make it to the Finals. Without both the Bucks and the Suns, NBA fans may be watching a battle of two cobbled super teams fighting it out only to crown a former two-time Finals MVP a third Bill Russell trophy.

How about Chris Paul? He’s been a thorn in the Spurs side on many occasions, but for us older fans who have watched his entire career, you kind of want to see him win. He deserves the validation after all of his years of greatness. Adding him to the club of eventual Hall of Famers who won a title makes sense.

And don’t forget Devin Booker. One of the leagues most exciting players getting his chance early in his career may mean Phoenix sees a cornerstone to its franchise instead of another disgruntled great surfing through the league in search of a super team. Nothing quite like a lifer, am I right?

But then again, the Suns are Spurs rivals. There’s never been any major complaints about Milwaukee other than Sean Elliott complaining about the weather when covering the Spurs on a road trip.

So who’s it going to be, Pounders? Who will you be rooting for this week?

The NBA Finals kick off Tuesday at 8:00 PM.

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