NBA: Eastern Conference
(57-15) Boston Celtics – Beatles
The Celtics currently have the best record in the NBA. With a strong first half of the season and impressive post Allstar break run, The Celtics became the first team to clinch the playoffs and look to finish the season with the best record in the NBA. The Beatles were once a dominant presence in the music scene, producing 20 #1 billboard top 500 hits and 32 songs in the top #5.
However, there are more similarities to these two than sheer numbers. The Beatles, like the Celtics, started with two young stars John Lennon and Paul McCartney. These two started the Beatles in 1960, Lennon was 20 while Paul was only 18. The Celtics two stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, were both drafted at 19 years old, still making them some of the youngest stars in the NBA today. John Lennon and Paul McCartney then brought in 19 year old George Harrison and in 1962 Ringo Star who was the eldest at 22 years old. The Celtics during this past offseason signed two Allstars slightly past their prime in, Kristaps Porziņģis (28) and Jrue Holiday (33).
The fab four (nickname for the Beatles) gained instant success, and like the Beatles the Celtics have jumped to a great start to the season and look to continue it in the postseason.
NBA (46-25) Milwaukee Bucks – Rolling Stones
The most recent Eastern Conference NBA champions, Milwaukee Bucks, continue to have an impressive season despite making a midseason coaching change and having been without one of their star players, Khris Middleton. It is easy to note the Rolling Stones remarkable dominance on the billboard top 500 and their many platinum records however, I want to compare their resilience to overcome adversity the same way the Milwaukee Bucks have seemed to do so this year.
Like the Milwaukee Bucks two stars, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Rolling Stones are known for their front man Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards. Formed in 1962, before Mick Jagger and Keith Richards became synonymous with everything music, Brian Jones lead guitar was considered the greatest talent on the Rolling Stones. Unfortunately, tragedy hit in 1969 when Brian Jones drowned in his pool. Such a tragedy isn’t easy to overcome. Despite band members abusing drugs, the Rolling Stones overcame these adversities and continue to tour 55 years later.
The Milwaukee Bucks also seem to overcome adversity well, remaining atop of the eastern conference without one of their star players and an unprecedented coaching change midseason. Can the Milwaukee Bucks continue their reign as the best team in the east?
(44-28) Cleveland Cavs – Jefferson Airplane
The Cleveland Cavaliers are an interesting team, whose roster has been molded through big acquisitions and highly anticipated rookie signings. The big three of Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley have been playing very well this season. Despite Donovan Mitchell’s injuries sidelining him periodically, the team is primed for a strong playoff run. What determined my comparison between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Jefferson Airplane is not based on success but how both groups are formed.
Jefferson Airplane featured amazing vocals from Grace Slick while being supported by guitarist, Jorma Kaukonen and bassist, Jack Casady. Each artist is brilliant in their own right but the combination of their musical abilities enhanced their overall product resulting in masterful melodies. Like Jefferson Airplane, when Donovan Mitchell, Jared Allen and Evan Mobley are on the court together their individual strengths support each other overcoming any individual weaknesses. Donovan Mitchell and Mobley can stretch the floor on offense while Jared Allen dominates the offensive glass and on defense while Donovan Mitchell is covering the perimeter both big men are locking down the paint.
This three-headed monster produces exciting basketball the same way Jefferson Airplane was able to create such thrilling music.
(43-28) New York Knicks – The Who
“Who are you, who who, who who?”, The biggest question coming into this season for the New York Knicks was what was going to be their identity? This was quickly answered once the season started. Under coach Tom Thibodeau, the New York Knicks attacked opponents with suffocating defense and ball dominant offense. With stars like Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, there is no question this team can thrive with such a strategy. Like the New York Knicks, the Who (formed in Shepards Bush, London) created a rebellious earth-shaking sound.
The Who started in 1964 by lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon. Their nonconventional anti-establishment rock turned heads and raised ears and so did the New York Knicks style of play. Featured in the less than impressive Allstar game, the NBA style of play has turned into a three-point contest of sorts, where teams try to outscore one another by attempting more “high-value shots” than their opponents (a strategy implemented during the mid-2010’s). The New York Knicks seem to rebel against this strategy, possibly due to the structure of the team.
Nevertheless, the New York Knicks continue to play ball hawking defense and aggressive post-up offensive, and with big trade deadline acquisitions in, OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa, The New York Knicks look to play their kind of basketball into the playoffs despite the strategy created by their Generation.
(42-29) Orlando Magic – The Doors
The Orlando Magic look to “Break on through” to post season this year after many failed attempts. After drafting Paolo Banchero with the first pick of the 2022 NBA draft, the Orlando Magic seemed to have hit on a future star of the league. Already named an All-star, Paolo Banchero looks towards willing his Orlando Magic into playoff contention. Like the Orlando Magic, the Doors (founded in 1965 in Los Angeles, California) were formed with a framework in mind to emphasize lead singer, Jim Morrison’s melodic and poetic lyrics.
Keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and John Densmore on drums were excellent musicians but were overshadowed by the attention Jim Morrison received from the public. Paolo Banchero has a similar draw with his style and grace. Like Jim Morrison, Paolo Banchero is everything to the Orlando Magic and with such grace has created the teams Mojo. Unfortunately, Jim Morrison succumbed to fame and ultimately became self-destructive (and nearly broke up the band many times). Jim Morrison overdosed in 1971 giving the band only 6 years of glorious stardom. The biggest fears in the eyes of the Orlando Magic is if Paolo Banchero can overcome the destructive impact that being the face of the franchise creates.
Fortunately, Paolo Banchero has time spent in the spotlight coming out of Duke as the number #1 NBA prospect, and he has handled stardom very well so far.
(41-32) Indiana Pacers – Red Hot Chili Peppers
While the Indiana Pacers are in a rebuilding year, they find themselves prominently in playoff contention. Tyrese Haliburton has made a name for himself as one of the top point guards in the NBA. While the team looked to add pieces to the team at the trade deadline, acquiring Pascal Siakam was a great step in the right direction. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, formed in Los Angeles in 1982, are a funk-rock band lead by vocalist Anthony Kiedis and bassist Flea.
The group spent years looking for the perfect guitarist rotating through supporting members Hillel Slovak, Dave Navarro, and Josh Klinghoffer. Luckily, after beating his drug addition, the band was able get lead guitarist John Frusciante sober and ready to join the group again. When issues arose with their drummer Cliff Martinez, Chad Smith was able to fill that position seamlessly. Like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Indiana Pacers are scouring the league for a permanent #2 star to support Tyrese Haliburton. They need a player who compliments Haliburton ‘s electric scoring and playmaking. This would seem to be an easy task. However, after trading away Buddy Hield at the deadline, Tyrese Halliburton’s assists and scoring has dropped considerably.
Assuming the Indiana Pacers are serious about making it past the first round of the playoffs, they need to find the right complimentary player and fast.
Thank you for reading and I will be coming out with a list of the Western Conference comparisons, so look out for that on the Wisconsin Sports Heroics.
