It’s early June, so you know what that means: It’s time for those two sports that started back in October to finally crown their champions. And, quite fittingly, the NBA Finals and the NHL’s Stanley Cup final will both get going later this week.
In the NHL, we have the Los Angeles Kings facing off against the New York Rangers on Wednesday night and in hoops, it’s the Miami Heat taking on the San Antonio Spurs.
So how do these two championship series measure up to each other? Let’s find out.
THE BREAKDOWN
Championship pedigree
The Kings won the Cup in 2012, which is nice and all, but the Spurs won four titles from 1999-2007 while the Heat is the two-time defending champion and were a finalist the year before. That leaves the New York Rangers as the weak link here, having won just four Cups in almost 90 years and just one (1994) since 1940 – not a great record.
Big edge: NBA
Rivalry
Being in opposite conferences, it’s hard to build a real rivalry in either sport just due to the fact that the teams rarely meet. But with the NBA final being a rematch from last year, there’s plenty of proverbial heat between these two combatants.
Edge: NBA
Star power
The NHL has done a better job at growing their stars recently, but it’s a well-known fact that NBA stars are among the most marketable in the world. Just look at “Global brand†LeBron James. The Rangers and Kings have their fair share of household names, but none the likes of Tim Duncan, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
Edge: NBA
The markets
This matchup couldn’t have been better for NBC, with a matchup between the two top TV markets in the U.S. And as nice as having a Canadian team in the Cup final would’ve been for CBC, ice hockey fans north of the border are going to watch the games regardless. As for the NBA, San Antonio is an established team, but one of the smallest TV markets in the league – not exactly a boon for ABC.
Big edge: NHL
Wild cards
While anything can happen in sports there are two big wild-card factors at play in these two finals. In the NBA, refereeing decisions play into the result of games far too often. While many will joke that the NBA can have certain teams win by using certain refs, it’s too much of a reality. In the NHL, enough can’t be said about the fact that the teams will have to fly coast-to-coast during with a single off day three times if this series goes seven. That could mean a lot of jetlag. Also, don’t forget that games in L.A. will be start at 5 p.m. local time on week days, which could lead to dead crowds for the start of games.
Slight edge: NHL
Best individual matchup
While the NBA does have some good matchups, like LeBron James staring down Kawhi Leonard and veterans Manu Ginobili and Dwyane Wade going at it, the best matchup in the finals is actually between two guys that are almost 200 feet apart. Henrik Lundqvist and Jonathan Quick are two the best goaltenders in the sport and will be the keys for their teams.
Edge: NHL
Atmosphere
Despite the usual poo-pooing of California ice hockey fans and particularly caring, the Kings fans have been great while the crowd at MSG for the Rangers is always top-notch. While I have nothing bad to say about Spurs fans, the crowds in Miami are among the worst in sports. Never has there been a fanbase less worthy of its team’s success. Who could forget seeing them stream for the exits during last year’s final in a game the Heat eventually came back to win.
Edge: NHL
Funnest to watch
If you like fore-checking, shot-blocking and low-scoring games, you’re in for a dandy with the Cup final. While nobody likes the grind of fouls and timeouts at the end of NBA games, it’s not as noticeable in the final thanks to the impact of the games. Of course, whenever a Cup game goes to OT, all bets are off.
Slight edge: NBA
The picks
Miami Heat in seven, Los Angeles Kings in six.
Spurs in 6