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Poll: Trail Blazers eliminated, who gets fandom by default?

By David MacKay

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Now that the Portland Trail Blazers’ elimination from the 2015 NBA Playoffs is not as fresh as it was last week, I have some questions for you, Rip City. These queries are of little consequence, but I have grown curious to know what you think about the rest of the post season. Now is your opportunity to express the loyalties you hold beyond PDX. Which teams are you rooting for from here on out?

Golden State Warriors: The Warriors have not made the Conference Finals since 1976, but the exciting play of league MVP Stephen Curry has brought them to the forefront of the West. Their roster is rich with defensive stalwarts and offensive juggernauts, hungry for success, winning their first five games in the 2015 NBA Playoffs.

Atlanta Hawks: Finishing the regular season with a franchise best 60-22 record, the Hawks have struggled as the top seed in the East. The controversial absence of defensive talent Thabo Sefolosha cannot account for every snag they have hit. Coach of the Year Mike Budenholzer’s team basketball has gotten them this far; can it get them to the finals?

Houston Rockets: The James Harden led Rockets handily dispatched the Dallas Mavericks in the round one, but without the injured Patrick Beverley or Donatas Motiejunas they have their work cut out for them in round two. They dropped Game 1 at home against the Los Angeles Clippers and have lost the favorable split.

Cleveland Cavaliers: The homecoming of LeBron James has created a season-long buzz with championship expectations. However; the season-ending injury to Big 3 cornerstone Kevin Love stands to foil their plans for immediate success. They, too, lost the first game of round two, facing a motivated Chicago Bulls team.

Los Angeles Clippers: Will this be the year that 8x All-Star Chris Paul makes it past the semifinals? Despite rumors that he and his teammates don’t exactly get along, they have experienced a great deal of success. The franchise is free of cancerous former owner Donald Sterling, and has found its groove in Doc Rivers‘ second season as Head Coach.

Chicago Bulls: 2014-15 has been Derrick Rose‘s first (relatively) healthy season since he tore his ACL in the 2012 NBA Playoffs. His post season prowess has been a sight to behold. Surrounded by the most talent he has had the luxury of playing with, the Bulls are primed to make a deep run in the Eastern Conference.

Memphis Grizzlies: Presently playing without injured point guard Mike Conley, the Grizzlies could be in trouble. They were soundly defeated by the Warriors in the first game of their second round matchup, but have the opportunity to turn the tides if Conley is able to play sooner than later.

Washington Wizards: So is playoff Randy Wittman a real thing? It feels like a real thing. The Wizards Head Coach has been tactically sound in the post season thus far, and his team (led by All-Star point guard John Wall) became the first in history to sweep a 7-game series without home court advantage. How far can they extend their unexpected success?

If you are so inclined, feel free to start a discussion in the comment section below.

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