The NBA is defined by its dynasties, its great teams and legendary players, in a way more so than the other American sports. From the Russell Celtics, to the Lakers and Celtics in the 80s, to the Bulls to the Spurs and Lakers in the Duncan/Kobe/Shaq era, to the LeBrons and the Warriors. There's a big gap in that history though, if you picked it up. The whole decade of the 70s was wild, with random teams winning, random finals matchups. In fact, our two teams in these finals both made the finals in the 70s. The Bucks are remembered because of a gentleman named Lou Alcindor, but the Suns prior Finals appearance in teh 70s is fairly nameless. That whole decade is. There I guess is some fear this is a very 1970's esque finals, but again, I love that fact.
The last NBA Finals that was this devoid of history and weight was probably the 2006 Finals, though even there you had Shaq trying to win a 4th. Maybe you need to go back to the 1999 Finals, when the Spurs hadn't yet become a dynasty, or I guess then the 2000 one where the same could be said of the Lakers (though that still featured Phil Jackson going for a 7th). Not only are there not these guys trying to add to already huge ring collections, literally no player on these two teams have won a Finals.
But that doesn't mean they aren't interesting and can't be great. The hunger to win a ring is palpable. There is some legacy and weight, with Chris Paul a ring away from a whole different conversation aroudn him. And maybe underrated, Giannis a ring away from having a championship, along with two MVPs before he turns 27 for a franchise he re-upped with for four more years. Maybe this matchup will be the little odd mark amongst a sea of LeBrons and Durants and superteams, but it is so nice to not have that at all.
Both teams are also been built in such interesting ways. Not to say there isn't some big name free agent signings or, in this case trades, but Jrue Holliday is a one-time all star, and Chris Paul was all seen as something of a pitiable mercenary. No, these teams are built with homegrown stars, two each per side (Booker and Ayton, Giannis and Middleton). These teams are built to actually paly defense, they matchup well with each other in that they have different strengths - the Suns love of the mid-range, the Bucks love of just pushing to the paint.
The NBA should be able to market the hell out of this series, with a two time MVP, a legendary palyer in Paul, some great young stars, two markets itching for a first title or a first in about 50 years. There is so much to love here. We may yet return next year to Lakers vs. Nets, the series we all that was inevitable a few months back. These come up so rarely for the NBA, let's treasure the weirdness of Bucks vs Suns for everything its worth.
