Im rooting for the Cavs. They deserve to be champs. They were the only team that deserved to be champs other than Boston last year if you look at how they played in the playoffs. They came 5 points from defeating us in a game 7 in Boston. It took a ridiculous performance from Pierce to knock them off. LeBron is easily the greatest player on the planet. I know that for some reason every Celtic fan apparently decided we are supposed to hate LeBron, but I have nothing but total respect for him and his team. I hate the Lakers and Kobeso I clearly don't want them to win. I don't think Orlando has the makeup of a champion. And Denver... bleh.
The only team worthy of being a champion and being remembered as a champion is Cleveland. Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I happen to like that the NBA isn't about parity. It's not like the NFL where a different team can win the superbowl every year. I happen to like that the elite always rise to the top. I like that Magic and Larry won their titles. I like that Jordan won his titles. I like that Shaq and Duncan won their 4 titles each. Don't get me wrong... I was rooting for Detroit when they played the Lakers and I'd root for Orlando if they played the Lakers, but from a historical perspective it was a little lame having Detroit as the champion.
Here's my thing... If LeBron rightfully claims his title that continues the prestige of the title and next year we technically have two legitimate champions. In my mind, KG is the CEltics and since KG never defended his title, he can easily head into next season leading the Celtics with the mindset, "I am still the champ until someone proves they can beat me in the playoffs". Then you have a giant like the Cavs with the title... that makes next season all the more epic. If some "bleh" team like Orlando or Denver wins it... it's kinda lame. Think of it like the WWE. I'll pick a popular era. Whether you are rooting for The Rock or Stone Cold... as long as the belt is in their hands that belt is still important. If they give the belt to some lucky scrub it no longer seems as important. Having Denver or Orlando be the champs would be like watching Chris Jerico or Bradshaw win the title. Who gives a crap.
Go King James. Lets head into 2009-10 with two powerhouse champions each with a claim to the title.
Going back to my WWE analogy. Say Stone Cold holds the belt, but has to vacate the title because of a neck injury. The WWE holds a tourney to determine the new champ. The Rock ends up winning the tourney. Stone Cold comes back healthy and now you have two guys with a rightful claim to that belt... that sets up an epic clash at Wrestlemania where Stone Cold tries to win back his vacated belt from The Rock. In my mind, Kevin Garnett and his team vacated their title the second he was unable to participate in the playoffs. Sure, his teammates still participated, but in a league of supermen where only 7 guys are considered "the elite" (Kobe, Bron, Duncan, KG, and maybe Wade, CP and Howard)... KG sitting out meant everything.