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NBA

The Universal Appeal of the Golden State Warriors



One of the amazing things about the Warriors playoff run is how it's been so uniting for sports fans. I don't know a single non-Mavericks fans that aren't pulling hard for the Warriors to triumph here ... everyone loves them. Everyone. It amazes me because there's so little about the NBA that's universally loved in the sports world.

So I'm trying to put my finger on why, exactly. As best I can tell, these are the reasons for the universal Warriors love, and feel free to add your own in the comments.

Underdog Status. For the purposes of right here and right now, this is the biggest one. They're the 8-seed, the team that hasn't been to the playoffs in forever, the little engine that could. It's an underdog story ... it's the NBA's own little slice of the NCAA tournament. The atmosphere in the building, and how much it means to the local fans finds a way to come through on television ... and that means something.

Don Nelson. I think your average fan out there can relate to Don Nelson ... because everyone has an alcoholic uncle that looks like just like him. He sits on the bench with that lovable "Finishing that entire bottle of gin was a bad idea, but I'm going to do it again tomorrow" look on his face. It's adorable. The other side of the Nellie appeal is, of course, the style of play he brings. People like to clap when the ball goes through the hoop ... the Warriors make that happen as often as possible. Win or lose, it's rarely boring.

Stephen Jackson. Stephen Jackson's crazy, but he's the good kind of crazy ... everyone has a relative like him, too. He's got a good heart, and he'll give his all for you, but damned if it wouldn't be better for everyone if he would just shut the hell up every now and then. The downside to Jack is the propensity for technical fouls and calling officials bitches, but ... he plays with joy and intensity at all times. He loves to be out there, and it's hard to not be affected by it.

Baron Davis And His Beard. Having the thus-far MVP of the playoffs doesn't hurt, either. Not only has he been nearly unstoppable on the court, but he's got an easy smile and a friendly beard, too ... sort of like Magic Johnson.

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