Pick The Better NBA Team And We'll Guess Your Favorite Player
- by Clayton Leir
- – on
- in Sports
This is going to be a fun quiz. I mean, the season just started not even a month ago and we're already seeing some pretty interesting standings. For example, I did not expect to see the Cleveland Cavaliers sitting right last in their conference. Of course, I'm sure that's what happens when one loses a player like LeBron James, but still. I thought the team had more going for them than him. The Houston Rockets under James Harden aren't looking all that great right now either.
The two teams tied at first in either conference with ten wins and one loss? The Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors. We'll have to see how things shape up in the coming months though to see if that really means anything. Now, here is the goal of this quiz. I have selected two teams for each question and it is up to each quiz-taker to choose just which of those teams is better.
Ultimately, at the end of this quiz, based on which teams each person has selected, everyone will be presented with a prospective favorite player. Now, I must warn everyone that not all the players that they could find in the results still play for the NBA. So some might end up with a basketball legend in the making...or a basketball legend...period.
Cleveland Cavaliers VS Golden State Warriors
Well, these two teams just so happen to have two of the best players in the entire association right now. Stephen Curry and LeBron James are among the top b-ball players right now and LeBron James has pretty well been at the top for I can't recall how many straight seasons. Both the Warriors and the Cavs have long been pretty solid teams and it's never a surprise to see them on their way to the finals, that's for sure.
Atlanta Hawks VS Toronto Raptors
Some people might just like the Atlanta Hawks because it's fun to cheer for a team in a city where TWD was set in for so long, but it's not like they are high up in the standings right now. They are currently in 11th place in the east. And while the Raptors might be from the great white north, they are still first place in the eastern conference right now. Clear cut?
Boston Celtics VS Denver Nuggets
Well, I don't know if a lot of people here know this but Boston fans (no matter what sport) are pretty intense fans, so it would be no surprise to me if most people choose the Celtics here. And they are fourth in the eastern conference, so that's not bad. That being said, the Denver Nuggets are second in the western conference, and they've been making a pretty solid showing this season.
Detroit Pistons VS L.A. Clippers
Well, I won't say that neither of these teams are doing a very good job this season. I mean, fifth and ninth place are not too bad at this point, I guess. That being said, that's certainly enough to be out of the running pretty quickly for a big break to the championship. The Pistons are sitting at ninth and I'm not sure how they'd stack against the Clippers right about now.
Brooklyn Nets VS Miami Heat
Here are two teams that have a pretty intense fan base. Anyone from New York is always going to cheer for any New York team and when in Miami...well, it's not like they have a hockey team to cheer for unless they really want to cheer for the Panthers or for the Tampa Bay Lightning. These two teams are so close in the standings right now. It would be a tight game given that they are only one step ahead or behind the other!
Charlotte Hornets VS San Antonio Spurs
Sure, these two teams might be playing in different conferences, so it's not like they're directly vying for a playoff spot against each other but that doesn't mean they don't meet on the court to try and gain a stronghold in the standings. The Hornets are sitting at sixth in the eastern conference while the Spurs are taking in fourth in the west. Sure, that might be pretty close, but it doesn't take much to build that gap.
Chicago Bulls VS Washington Wizards
Some here might choose the Bulls simply because it was the team that Michael Jordan became so famous for playing with. And then some might choose the Bulls here because they are actually just two spots ahead of the Washington Wizards right now in the eastern conference. That being said, they are both pretty well out of the running given that they are each in 12th and 14th place respectively. That being said, this is about how they match up against each other, not the rest of the Association.
Cleveland Cavaliers VS L.A. Lakers
Well, I mean I'm sure people have seen some awesome clips of LeBron James squaring off against Kobe Bryant (obviously before he retired after 20 seasons of awesome). And the interesting thing about this is that James has definitely outdone Bryant on more than one occasion. That being said, James has yet to be able to show how well he'll do over 20 seasons. So...will people here choose the history of the Lakers? Or the current power of the Lakers?
Dallas Mavericks VS Indiana Pacers
Well, I personally don't think that there is much of a contest between these two teams. At least not when it comes to the standings this year. That being said, fans of either team are still going to cheer their favorite teams. Indiana Pacers are rocking hard in third place in the eastern conference. The same cannot be said of the Dallas Mavericks who are sitting near last place in the western conference at 14th. But I guess it depends who you love.
Denver Nuggets VS Minnesota Timberwolves
Well, in terms of standings here it really is not like there is much of a contest. I mean, when the Nuggets are sitting in third place in the easter conference, it really does not matter at all just how ridiculous their name is. Chances are, they are going to easily sweep the Minnesota Timberwolves who are sitting 13th in the east right now. Now, that's not a certainty...it's just a solid probability as far as I'm concerned. But it's all up to the quiz-taker.
Detroit Pistons VS Oklahoma City Thunder
Well, as far as I happen to be concerned here, I really think this one is left up in the air. I mean, there is really not much to say about these two teams right now. They both are sitting just out of reach of having a go in the finals and they are both not very far from each other in the standings, even if they are far enough apart in terms of the east and west conferences. I'd put my money on the Thunder, but that's my opinion.
Golden State Warriors VS Memphis Grizzlies
Well, before I really dig into why I would cheer for the Golden State Warriors over the Memphis Grizzlies, let's just point out the very clear fact that the Warriors have a much better standing and have had that better standing for a pretty long time. Sure, the Grizzlies are only in eighth place in the west, but the Warriors are first. And aside from that, Grizzlies used to be a Vancouver team, and hailing from the great white north, I wouldn't cheer for the city that stole the team.
Houston Rockets VS New York Knicks
Well, this is the very interesting thing isn't it? I mean, James Harden plays for the Houston Rockets and given that he's definitely one of the best players in the Association right now, one might expect that the Rockets would be doing far better than they actually are right now. Sure, the Knicks are not doing better than Houston right now, but the fact that's Harden's team is lagging might make one cheer for the underdog.
Indiana Pacers VS Orlando Magic
Long gone are the days when Orlando Magic was up there with one of the best rosters of the 90s. Now, they are coasting at an unfortunate 10th place in the eastern conference while the Pacers outrank them at third place in the same conference. It is a little surprising that the Magic would have gone under so much, but it's not like we haven't witnessed the fall over the past two decades. I guess it's time for other teams to shine.
L.A. Clippers VS Phoenix Suns
Well, when one team is beating out another by ten ranks in just the conference standings alone, I think it is pretty safe to say just which of the two teams is best to choose from. However, I'm sure that there are some pretty intense Phoenix Suns fans. I think that has to do with the desire to cheer for the underdog. I mean...they've been the underdog for only one year less than the Toronto Maple Leafs have been waiting to win the cup again.
L.A. Lakers VS Milwaukee Bucks
This is actually a surprise, I have to say. I would have expected LeBron James to really build up the Lakers after leaving the Cavs to deal without him. But it does not seem like things have been going that way. When the Bucks are sitting in second place in the east and the Lakers are in 11th in the west...it really feels like there must be something wrong. Of course, I'm sure that James just needs to get his stride back, that's all.
Memphis Grizzlies VS Toronto Raptors
Well, this is just no competition. I mean, I'm sure there are some people here who will still cheer for the red, white and blue as opposed to just the red and white, but in terms of the standings...well, they say it all, really. The Toronto Raptors are sitting pretty in first place in the eastern conference (and tied with the Golden State Warriors for first in the association). And well...the Grizzlies just are not really close to either of those teams.
L.A. Lakers VS Orlando Magic
I actually cannot even believe this. It is almost like these two titanic teams have both fallen away at about the same pace. I mean, the Orlando Magic are only just ahead of the Lakers in their own respective conference by one rank but that is still surprising given how much Kobe Bryant did for the Lakers until only the past couple of seasons...and now with LeBron James on there...what is happening to that team?
Miami Heat VS Utah Jazz
Well, here are two teams that are essentially sitting around the same spot in the standings. I mean sure, Utah is sitting at 10th in the west and the Heat are sitting at 8th in the east but that really is making not a whole lot of difference at this point in the game. Of course, given that it is only the very beginning of the regular season, these two teams could rocket past everyone (including Houston) and have a real battle for the championship.
L.A. Lakers VS Portland Trail Blazers
This is something I didn't really think I would ever see much of. And yeah, I know it's early days in the regular season but that doesn't change the fact that the Portland Trail Blazers are pretty well schooling the L.A. Lakers. I mean, Portland is sitting comfortably in third right now in their conference whereas the Lakers have nothing to brag about in 11th. Not something I expected from LeBron James at all, but I guess there's plenty of time to go.
Milwaukee Bucks VS Philadelphia 76ers
I am actually pretty surprised that these two teams are so close together right now. I really don't think it will stay this way through the duration of the season. And if it does, then let's all be honest in saying that they will be close together but out of the running for a playoff spot. Either way, the Bucks are sitting at second right now in the east while the 76ers are in fifth. That really is not a bad margin. Plenty of room to play yet.
Minnesota Timberwolves VS Houston Rockets
Sure, it can and should definitely be pointed out that James Harden and the Houston Rockets are not doing all that well right now, after not quite a month into the regular season but that hardly means anything, especially when compared to the Minnesota Timberwolves. I mean...the Rockets were always going to be doing better than the Timberwolves. I think everyone here can agree with that. Including Timberwolves fans. Otherwise...I don't know what to say.
New Orleans Pelicans VS Toronto Raptors
Well, I think the New Orleans Pelicans are only going to be chosen by two sorts of people. The sort of people who are actually just strictly fans of the New Orleans Pelicans...or the sort of people who would rather cheer for any other team but the one team up in the great white north (well...not like Toronto is all that snow-covered...even during winter). At any rate, the Raptors are clearly the better choice in this one. They sit tied with Golden State for first right now.
New York Knicks VS Sacramento Kings
Well, as the standings go right now, there is really not much competition between these two teams. The New York Knicks are poised at 13th place in the eastern conference and in case people didn't really know...that's not a good thing. As for the Sacramento Kings, they are up at 6th place in the western conference. I'm not sure if people realize but that is a decent span of ranking here. The Knicks have a bit of catching up to do.
New Orleans Pelicans VS Washington Wizards
Well, it is pretty hard to judge just how well a team will do against another when they are both pretty well sitting at the bottom of the barrel. The Wizards in 14th and the Pelicans in 12th in their respective conferences. I mean, there is not really much to go on but fan base here so far as I'm concerned. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, I think. I mean, I think the Wizards sound much cooler than the Pelicans, but that could just be me.
Toronto Raptors VS Golden State Warriors
Yeah, I know. Golden State has beaten the Toronto Raptors on more than one occasion, for sure. But that doesn't mean that it couldn't happen for the Raps this year that they bring the Golden State down. After all, as it stands right now, these two teams are tied at first place in their respective conferences with 10 wins and only one loss each. That is not a bad standing for them both to kick the season off with, that's for sure.
Utah Jazz VS Portland Trail Blazers
Well, this should probably be a no-contest, but for the fact that Utah has a really cool team logo and name. I mean...I'm sure there are plenty of people here who don't like jazz at all but that doesn't mean that it can't be pretty cool. And while the Portland does have a cool name, their logo is kind of nondescript. But that hardly matters since the Trail Blazers are definitely forging much farther ahead than the Utah Jazz are so far this season.
San Antonio Spurs VS Oklahoma City Thunder
Here are two teams that are maybe not all that far apart in terms of the standing in the western conference but that doesn't mean that one isn't better than the other. I have to be honest that I'm more used to hearing news about the Thunder, but it just so happens that the San Antonio Spurs are several spots ahead of the Thunder right now in this early point in the season. That might not mean anything in the long term, but right now, we know which team is doing better.
Sacramento Kings VS Chicago Bulls
A six spot difference!? I cannot even believe what I am seeing. To be fair, the last time I really bothered to pay much attention to just how well the Chicago Bulls were doing was when I was a kid and Michael Jordan was still wowing audiences all over the world with his skills and his starring role in Space Jam. Otherwise, I've always cheered for the Raptors. I'm still sort of surprised to see the Kings in sixth place...but that still put them sixth in line for the throne.
Portland Trail Blazers VS Brooklyn Nets
The western conference isn't being dominated by the Trail Blazers by any stretch of the imagination but I do have to say that they are sitting pretty in third right now while the Brooklyn Nets, on the other hand, are playing in seventh place in the eastern conference. That might not mean anything this early on in the regular season but I think it's likely to remain a consistent gap between the two teams, no matter where the ultimately place.
Phoenix Suns VS Atlanta Hawks
Alright, here's the thing. As much as people might like to think that this is really going to change much year to year and season to season, the Phoenix Suns will likely stay pretty close to the same place they are in right now in the standings. And that is pretty comfortable in last place. The Hawks at least have a bit of a chance to maybe make another couple of spots from their 11th place spot right now. Not much of one, but a chance.
Philadelphia 76ers VS Boston Celtics
This should actually be a pretty solid matchup right now. Why would I say something like that when Boston fans clearly think that there is ultimately no contest here? Well, the only difference between the two teams right now is that the 76ers have lost one more game than the Celtics. But, they have both won the same number of games. That could give the 76ers an advantage, but for the fact that they're the team that has played the extra game.
Washington Wizards VS Charlotte Hornets
This is ultimately a no contest matchup right here. Why would I say such a thing? Well, even though it is very early in the regular season, these two teams are separated by 8 ranks right now and while the Wizards could come back and get pretty close to where the Hornets are, I think that it is much more likely that the Hornets are going to end up sliding back closer to the Wizards. I guess they best make sure not to get stung.
Oklahoma City Thunder VS Cleveland Cavaliers
I actually cannot believe, still, that the Cavs are so far behind right now. They are sitting in the last place position in the eastern conference. It is amazing to see just what happens to a team when a star player like LeBron James goes over to another franchise (not like the Lakers are doing all that great so far this season either though). At any rate, the Thunder are sitting much more comfortably to send a storm towards the top tier teams.
New York Knicks VS Brooklyn Nets
Why not pit one New York team against another? I'm sure some people from Brooklyn are just taken aback by how I dared to compare Brooklyn to New York but...well one does sit inside the other. And Brooklyn should be happy anyway. They are certainly the favorites here when it comes to just who it is that places higher. Sure, it's early days still in the regular season but the Nets are in 7th and the Knicks are in 13th...
