Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
In a multimillion dollar industry, it’s hard to believe that those are the coolest shirt designs they could think up to give to conference champions. Oh yeah, caption this photo.
Welp, it’s here. The NBA finals are set. After a few weeks of grueling competition in arguably too-long series (7? really?), the Eastern and Western Conference finals have concluded. The Oklahoma City Thunder sit waiting in one corner, while the Miami Heat wake up this morning having escaped from a 7-game nailbiter series with Rajon Rondo and the Boston Celtics. While UK may be the NBDL of college teams, the Kentucky Wildcats share a connection to both the Heat and the Thunder. Let’s take a look, and then you can decide which team to cheer for in the finals (unless you’re one of those people who have already decided you hate LeBron and the Heat and wish them the worst).
The strongest UK connection in the NBA in recent memory has certainly been the Boston Celtics. With the ‘Big Three’ being fed easy buckets by former Cat, Rondo, the BBN embraced their alum and many adopted the Celtics. It was fun to cheer for a Cat, as we had gone too long without a UK guy as a top-notch NBA player. The last connection had been with Tayshaun Prince when the Detroit Pistons had a great run (still bummed that team fell apart). But the Heat took out the Celtics, and we’re left with a different player connection…
- Since John Calipari’s arrival, LeBron James has become an adopted Cat in many ways. Obviously, not all Kentucky fans love the guy, but he is a top-2 profile player and his relationship with Cal has brought him into Lexington, to UK games, and caused him to sport Kentucky gear on and off the court. It’s great to see, and very attractive to young superstars looking to find their college destination. The Heat have a UK-title-run-killer in Dwyane Wade, however, along with Dukie Shane Battier. The fact that Jamal Magloire (El Capitan Jones’ personal favorite) is no longer with the Heat takes the UK edge away partially, but the NBA has become a place where the audience becomes fans of players and not teams, unless they are from a geographic region. So with LeBron’s UK ties, there is a good reason to cheer for the Heat.
- The Oklahoma City Thunder don’t have the superstar connection to UK, but the Thunder do have UK alum Nazr Mohammed. Having a former Wildcat is an easy way to sway the BBN in your favor. To top it off, the Thunder came into Lexington to train (and play a little). Let’s just say they had a great time both on and off the court, and they’ve gained plenty of fans in kentucky because of their trip here. It’s great to see an entire team latch onto UK as Durant, Harden, Westbrook, and company all did. I can’t blame anyone for cheering for former Cat and a team who came into Lexington.
So what do you say? The finals start up soon, and you’ve got two UK connections to pick between.
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June 10th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
Cant some of us just already be thunder fans regardless of UK alumni? Im from Oklahoma and OU and UK are the only two teams that truly exist for me. So naturally im rooting for thunder..but having Nazr..does make it a little sweeter. Though he doesnt really play.
June 10th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Since 3x all-star Rondo was eliminated last night and Nazr doesn’t hardly play, there isn’t much of a UK connection. Go Thunder.
June 10th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
thunder
June 10th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
Heat, but only so the media will shut up about Lebron not winning
June 10th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
Yeah, Pat Riley basically built the entire Heat team. He’s not connected to UK at all or anything. DUH!
June 10th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
5^ hilarious and spot on
Go LEBRON
June 10th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
how are you going to not mention riley.. but makes the case for lebron?
June 10th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley. Pat Riley.
Come on, Chris. All you have to do is go into Rupp and look up. That’s a pretty embarrassing oversight to make on a post like this.
June 10th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Who is this Chris Thomas?
June 10th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
How can anyone cheer for the heat? And if you all think Lebron really likes UK you are delusional. Thunder all the way
June 10th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Lebrondoesntexist
June 10th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
I understand this is a UK-centric blog, but tethering either the Heat or the Thunder to Kentucky is reaching. Pat Riley and Nazr are the only true connections. The thunder practicing in Lexington during the lockout is a happy coincidence. LeBron visiting Kentucky has more to do with Brandon Weems/Cal and a PR stunt than respect for our program. I wish these lazy parallels would disappear. Can’t we watch a basketball game without linking it to Kentucky? Just Once.
Thunder Up!
June 10th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
12) you sound fun
June 10th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
Caption :
Hey LeBron, look at that beatch over there in the short dress, is that Tootie Green ?
Naw, I think it’s just the way the light is shining on it.
June 10th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
only read the pic caption & what’s hi-lighted.
hating on nba finals tshirts is like not knowing who pat riley is on a UK blog.
June 10th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
How many of you were alive when Riley played at UK? Recent ties only…
June 10th, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Yeah, who cares about history when you’re talking about UK basketball?
Looks like Chris got caught with his pants down and doesn’t want to simply own up to a clear mistake.
June 10th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
Heat President Pat Riley seems like he has a slight connection to UK…
June 10th, 2012 at 5:32 pm
The tard board is saying Buckles is next to get his walking papers. They think they are getting former 5 star Finney-Smith. There is also speculation they may add a player that graduated and is eligible right now (for one year). Sounds like ricky p may be gunning for one last run.
June 10th, 2012 at 5:34 pm
Lebron is a choke. He will continue to be a choke in the finals, just like last year. The heat barely beat a severely overmatched celtics team. Does anyone on here really think they’re going to beat the OKC?
June 10th, 2012 at 5:34 pm
That one guy named Nazr? Yea, he plays for the Thunder too. I’d say he has somewhat of a connection to UK, no?
June 10th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
20. I know they will beat the Thunder. I put 500 on the Heat to win the series, Lebron won’t let the Heat lose this one. Has he been a choke this year in the playoffs? Only averaging over 30 points a game dumbass.
June 10th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Did you seriously overlook PAT RILEY? COME ON!
June 10th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Wade sucks, Can’t stand LaBum, hope OKC crushes the heat.
June 10th, 2012 at 6:14 pm
Zombie Sonics FTFW!
June 10th, 2012 at 6:21 pm
Who did Dwyane Wade beat in his final W in college? Who was his coach? What program does that coach belong to now? Yeah Cayuts, go ahead and root for the Heat. If they lose, then Cal is their coach and you’re vac8ing.
June 10th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
i wonder if they are proud of back in lexington?
June 10th, 2012 at 6:41 pm
Caption:
LaBron: OK…who the hell set on my cap and flattened the brim? This makes me look like a ‘Tard, like that doofus over there.
Wade: Sheeeeit, no way you’ll ever be mistaken for a ‘Tard.
June 10th, 2012 at 6:41 pm
set=sat
June 10th, 2012 at 6:47 pm
LUCK FEBRON!
go thunder
June 10th, 2012 at 6:59 pm
Chris, you’re an idiot if you think Lebron or a Thunder practice has more ties to UK than Pat Riley.
June 10th, 2012 at 7:06 pm
Legitamley thinking UK basketball has a connection with any premiere basketball team, come on now. Connecting LBJ to UK because he did the Y, is ridiculous. When can we just enjoy a good NBA game without trying to find some UK connection, when there is none there.
June 10th, 2012 at 7:26 pm
No need to get touchy and snippy with your readers, Mr. Thomas simply because you overlooked Pat Riley. Was I alive when Riley played? Does that matter? Do we as fans only have the right to mention or appreciate all the wins, championships, players and coaches that we were alive to experience? I thought it was a rather weak article, but was giving you the benefit of the doubt until your pathetic response to those that correctly pointed out your oversight.
June 10th, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Man Hoo Hoo are IU boards not on the interwebz cause you love our board…and yeah Chris you could have just said “my bad I overlooked Riley”..I mean he did come to Lville to watch UK this year in the tourney and took pics with UK fans as well as autographs and got a heck of an applause from the crowd and I would bet the majority of the people there never saw him play in the blue and white…but apparently #patrileydoesntexist
June 10th, 2012 at 11:03 pm
Former Kentucky Mr. Basketball Randy Embry has been associated with the “Heat” as a scout for several years. He was also a captain of the UK basketball team his senior year. He could also shoot your lights out…
June 10th, 2012 at 11:28 pm
Celtics were our team. Pat Riley is THE UK connection to the Heat. I’ll still take OKC and Nazr.
June 11th, 2012 at 12:04 am
Celtics is my team I started watching them ( Russell, Sam and KC Jones, John H, Satch Sanders Tommy H and Bob C) and listening to UK on the radio. Cotton Nash was popular then. Watched Riley, Dampier, Conely, Mobley, and Thad Jarez (probably misspelled a couple of names sorry). You get the drift. This is my Boston/UK connection plus Rupp and Red were very good friends.
Go Thunder
June 11th, 2012 at 9:03 am
As long as Lebron gets beat, i’m happy. Bonus points if they make him cry on national TV.
June 11th, 2012 at 10:22 am
No contest. Rooting for the Thunder. Still carrying a grudge for “The Decision” (though I didn’t root for the Cavaliers at any point in time) and I think that Kevin Durant in his funky retro glasses is too cute.
June 11th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Yawn…do they still play the NBA? I don’t care.
June 11th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
you forgot a lot about THE HEAT…
Jamal Mashburn retired there… he would have been the star had Zo not been such a selfish player
Gerald Fitch spent the majority of a season there…
and yes – Pat Riley is a Legend … Nazr may have a ring w/Kentucky but should have had 2 and that would have dialed it up a bit more for OKC…but really just look at the Heat’s style of play and you see a LOT more Kentucky than you’d imagine.
June 11th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
Nazr or not, I still like the Thunder. D Wade or not, Lebron or not, I’d still be rooting against the Heat in this series. I don’t hate the Heat, I just want to see the Thunder win this one.