Help me choose an NBA team

[ILChief]

NBA is popular. I don't start watching until the conference finals because I don't have a team to follow. I want to choose a team. I don't want to be a front runner, so no Golden State or Lakers. Don't really want a west coast team because their games don't get over until midnight here. Doesnt feel right rooting for a northeastern team, so no Knicks, Nets, Celtics, 76ers.

I'd like to be able to go to a home game of the team without flying. I am in Southern Illinois. The cities I go to most (Nashville, St. Louis, KC) don't have teams.

I've narrowed it down to a few teams, so what do you think

[Naptown Chief]

I've never been a hardcore NBA fan, but I too watch the playoffs. Hakeem Olajuwon was my favorite player as a kid so I tend to cheer for the Rockets.

[Kiimo]

Originally Posted by lewdog

No idea why the Phoenix Suns aren't on your list.

Building a dynasty here shortly.

pppppfffbbbbhhahahahahahahaha

Sure man.

[KC_Connection]

Just cheer for LeBron. You'll have the satisfaction of knowing you are cheering on the greatest of all time and his Lakers are going to have a shot at the title with AD there.

[ChiTown]

When I moved to Chicago in 1990, I automatically became a Bulls fan. It was easy to do when you get to watch The GOAT do his thing every night and to witness 6 championships in the 90’s. Great times, great memories, still a Bulls and Blackhawks fan, but **** the Bears with a rusty anvil.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

When I moved to Chicago in 1990, I automatically became a Bulls fan. It was easy to do when you get to watch The GOAT do his thing every night and to witness 6 championships in the 90’s. Great times, great memories, still a Bulls and Blackhawks fan, but **** the Bears with a rusty anvil.

I used to hate the Bears, but it was mainly because when I first moved up here they were only a couple of years removed from the '85 Super Bowl and their fans were annoying as ****, and of course I was surrounded by them. Later, I hated them because if the Chiefs were playing Denver for the division and a bye, and the Bears were playing Detroit for the best top ten draft pick, I was stuck watching the Bears live and watching Chiefs highlights later on ESPN. Or I could go to a sports bar and watch the Chiefs game on the 19" TV in the corner with no sound. But after I got Sunday Ticket, that didn't factor in anymore. It also helped that they were largely irrelevant by then.

I've also been to a lot of Bears games over the years, including the 2006 NFC Championship Game. That was pretty cool. If I go to a game at Soldier Field, unless they're playing the Chiefs I'll root for them, and I'll watch them if they're not on opposite the Chiefs.

[FAX]

I would choose the team with the most really tall black dudes.

FAX

[mr. tegu]

I still remember the David Robinson and Tim Duncan shaving gel commercial when Duncan first started. It comes to mind often when I shave. “The roses are out, Tim! Not the daisies!”

[RollChiefsRoll]

I became a Grizzlies fan when I lived in Memphis for a couple years, at the height of the Tony Allen grit-and-grind era. That city was on fire the year they took a 2-1 lead on the Warriors (although the team promptly blew it).

If that team can ever win a championship, with the FedEx Forum being so close to Beale Street--ho-lee shit will that be a party.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Just cheer for LeBron. You'll have the satisfaction of knowing you are cheering on the greatest of all time and his Lakers are going to have a shot at the title with AD there.

This is the douchiest thing I've ever seen anyone say.

[MahiMike]

Chiefs.

[Chief Pagan]

Originally Posted by Mama Hip Rockets

I lived in Sacramento for a few years when I was a kid, and got attached to Kings. That was unfortunate for me, because I moved to Chicago right after that, and lived in Chicago through the Jordan years and all the titles as a non-Bulls fan. I got really into the Kings in the Webber/Stojakovic/Bibby years (early 2000s). They were always competitive, but could never win it all. I honestly got so frustrated by the lack of consistency in calling fouls that I stopped watching for the last 15 years. However, I have watched the Finals the last couple of years. Really enjoyed them this year, and it made me want to get into basketball again. I think if KC had a team, I'd be a pretty big fan. But it's hard to get really into it if you don't have a team.

I moved from KC to Sacramento a little while after the Kings did. Watching the refs give the conference finals to Kobe made me swear off being invested in a small, market team.

This year I was rooting for Embiid and Leonard.

[Hydrae]

Memphis is the closest and a decent team. Whether they ever actually make some post season noise I don't know. But then again, I am a Blazer fan (grew up in Portland) so what would I know about that?

[Kyle DeLexus]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

Prolly find a player you like then root for that team.

I’ll admit it. I was straight rooting for Van Vleet. I understand it was a hot streak and probably not going to happen again, but I was rooting for the dude.

Philly is interesting because I loved watching Embiid work at KU. And he’s pretty damned hilarious whenever he talks.

I just started watching the NBA the past two seasons, and I went with Philly as my team for Embiid. I've been following passively them since they drafted him. They should have an interesting offseason again this year.

[jerryaldini]

Still haven't gotten over the KC Kings not being able to draw because idiot KC fans (driven mostly by suburban women) decided indoor soccer was more appealing. So embarrassing for the sports legacy of the city

[007]

First... WHY?

Second.... WHY?

Third... NONE