The 2 major viewing events right now are Game of Thrones and the NBA Playoffs. Both have been very good, but the parallels don’t end there: Although GoT dazzles its viewers with arcane magic, fiery dragons, and various other visual effects in the ultimate battle for the Iron Throne and power, the NBA counters with various defensive spider monkeys like Tony Allen or sharpshooting snipers like Mike Dunleavy/ Kyle Korver to Kings (Lebron) to kings-in-waiting (Kevin Durant), allowing the NBA playoffs to have just as much, if not more, intrigue than Game of Thrones.
1.)
A defending champion- amongst the chaos and
calamity that has been the NBA’s first round this season, the 2-time champion
Miami Heat stood apart from the masses with their 4-0 dismantling of the
fledgling Charlotte Bobcats, who went out with more of a purr than a roar. Like
the swift derisive orders of current King Joffrey Baratheon (as of 2 episodes
ago), LeBron and his court (Wade, Bosh) repelled the uprising, which really had
little chance and was equipped with short blades, not heavy weaponry needed to
seize the crown. The Champion Heat can now watch from their ivory tower as
others battle for what the Heat already have.
2.)
Surprise upstart young warriors: GoT every
season introduces a young gallant warrior with visions of grandeur and wild
ambitions who are ultimately misguided into oblivion: the Washington Wizards
are those guys this season. They’ve jumped out to a 3-1 lead on the older Bulls
with young guys John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Trevor Ariza (relatively young) and
seem on the verge of making serious noise with a legitimate claim in the East
much like Renly Baratheon’s brief run against his more seasoned brother, or
Prince Oberyn of Martell who has come to the Lannister party to avenge his
family members for past crimes, or in the Wizards’ case, avenge years of
suffering and mediocrity.
3.)
Behind-the-scenes chess players: Described by
some as “one of the most dangerous men in Westeros,” Littlefinger sure doesn’t
appear to be at first glance, and he doesn’t have the bloodlines (translation:
NBA Championship talent) to be king, but Greg Popovich somehow manipulates the
use of regular season rosters, defying old age, and crafty lineups to be a true
threat in the West even when using castoff free agents like Marco Belinelli,
Patty Mills, and Matt Bonner. Alternative comparison: Vyras, the Spider.
4.)
Distraction that overshadows the entire TV
series: Unfortunately amidst a great playoff season the overwhelming story that
hits home to every cross-section of America is the Donald Sterling racism outburst
that has forced the NBA as of today to ban Sterling from the NBA. A huge story
that anyone is talking about right now even in non-sports shows like talk
shows, news programs. Kinda like the outrage that GoT produces every season, it
seems, including this season when Jamie Lannister seemingly raped his sister
Queen Cersei in the same room as their dead son. Nudity and violence being the
other themes surrounding GoT previously.
5.)
The pitiful: Theon Greyjoy, once proud and
mighty warrior conquering Winterfell for the Greyjoys, is now relegated to the
duty of cleaning up after the guy who captured, tortured, and castrated him
(Yes, you read that correctly, castrated), not even looking like the same person.
The Indiana Pacers are the East’s No. 1 seed in name only and are in danger of
being eliminated. Certainly not the same team everyone saw early in the season.
6.)
The leader of men: Jon Snow is quickly turning
into a leader of men and building “sweat equity” with the fellas over on the
wall. Same as the Grizzlies, a solid group of grizzled veterans willing to
sacrifice for each other. Jon Snow does not lie, and neither do the Grizzlies: They
don’t bluff.
7.)
The Threat: A new power is emerging in a land
faraway from Westeros, as Daeneryus Targaryen is gathering troops, utilizing
advisors, and gaining momentum behind the backs of her 3 dragons. Portland, aka
Rip City, once enslaved by the contracts of Brandon Roy and Greg Oden, now
riding the young core of Damion Lillard, Nicholas Batum, and LaMarcus Aldridge
towards greater things.
8.)
The Rightful Heir: Stannis Baratheon still is
intent on pressing his claim to the Iron Throne, and led by some shaky but
up-til now shaky advice (Melisandre = Scott Brooks), the Oklahoma Thunder are
on the same path to inherit their place in basketball lore. Despite all the
adversity and going through a tough stretch with Memphis and the winner of
Clippers-Warriors, the Thunder are still the general consensus to come out of
the West and possibly dethrone Miami.
Should be a great rest of the playoffs, and matches almost
exactly with GoT . GoT season finale scheduled for June 15……..around when the
Finals should be happening.
Speaking of which, Game of Thrones is being released in
Japan, a testament of its expansive reach and popularity. 皇位 ゲーム, or kioi no gamu.
There’s even a Feudalistic Japan Version of Game of Thrones floating out on the
internet, which is a really cool concept.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
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