In case you missed it, the highly anticipated monster film Godzilla vs. King Kong was released earlier this week and has met positive reviews so far.
It is the fourth film in Legendary's MonsterVerse, featuring perhaps the two biggest titans in pop culture going at it to determine who really in on the top of the food chain.
Sure, it’s a completely fictional, CGI-heavy film, but a lot of people are extremely hyped up about it. Even Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant was excitedly tweeting about the movie when the first trailer dropped a few months back.
While the colossal clash between these two imaginary behemoths is just a work of a creative mind, the NBA could soon feature a Finals match-up that matches the Godzilla vs. King Kong rivalry. Well, sort off.
Several contenders from both conferences are stacked to the brim with premier talent right now. This year’s battle for the Larry O’Brien trophy may very well be the closest thing we’ll ever see to a real-life Godzilla versus King Kong showdown.
Here are five of the likely NBA Finals scenarios between two monstrous teams.
Nets vs. Lakers
Need we say more?
A possible showdown between the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving-led Nets against LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers have been teased even before James Harden completed that fearsome Brooklyn trio.
Both teams, of course, further strengthened their already overpowered rosters by being the biggest winners of the buy-out market (much to the dismay of the rest of the league, of course). The Nets somehow snagged both Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge while the Purple and Gold won the Andre Drummond sweepstakes.
The Nets have looked like world-beaters even with Durant sidelined, as Irving and Harden perfectly mesh with the team’s role players like DeAndre Jordan, Joe Harris, and Jeff Green, among others.
The Lakers, meanwhile, hasn’t looked as formidable as of late but re-tooled heavily as well at the beginning of the season.
Guys like Dennis Schroder, Montrezll Harrell, Kyle Kuzma, and Talen Horton-Tucker are doing their best to hold the fort in The King and The Brow’s absence.
Imagine how terrifying they’ll be once they are back to 100 percent. On paper, these two teams should be left standing to vie for that trophy come playoff time.
After all, both teams have a ridiculous number of combined titles and All-Star appearances between them.
However, nothing is guaranteed and they must still emerge as victors of their respective divisions.
Bucks vs. Clippers
In the event that an upset occurs and both the Lakers and the Nets get eliminated, these two teams are the likely culprits.
After all, a potential Clippers/Bucks tiff will be headlined by a battle between two literal titans in The Freak going up against the Klaw.
Sure, fans and pundits have every right to be skeptical about both squads considering their playoff meltdowns over the last few seasons. Still, no one can deny that both squads look as formidable as ever.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is still playing at an MVP level and is surrounded by much better talent this time around. The last time I checked, the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George connection is still one of the best two-way duos in the league.
As much as most people would love to neg on their chances, we could very well see either one of these teams hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy by season’s end. Godzilla or King Kong doing so… not so much.
Lakers vs. Sixers
These two storied franchises are no strangers to one another, having faced each other for all the marbles 2001 Finals. The Shaq and Kobe-led Lakers got the better of AI and the Sixers back then, but this year’s Philly crop does seem like they have a fighting chance.
Joel Embiid started the season in the MVP conversation and is nearing his return from a lengthy injury. Ben Simmons has walked the talk in terms of being the Best Defensive Player in the league today, while Tobias Harris should have indeed been an All-Star.
With that said, the reigning champs still hold the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. Once LeBron and AD return from their respective injuries, they will indeed give this Sixers team a run for their money.
Nets vs. Clippers
It may very well be Los Angeles against Brooklyn in the Finals, but don’t be shocked if the Clippers spoil that party. Can you imagine the amazing head-to-head match-ups if these two teams meet in a seven-game series?
Leonard against Durant, George versus Harden, Rondo against Irving. Heck, even Ibaka against Griffin or Aldridge sounds good, too. As amazing as this sounds, these two unproven teams still have to best the other contenders to make this happen.
Nuggets vs. Heat
Admittedly, this match-up doesn’t seem as star-studded as the ones suggested above. However, there’s actually a distinct possibility that this could happen come July.
After all, the Nuggets and Heat surprised a lot of people and were among the four teams left standing last season.
The two squads also emerged as the biggest winners of the trade deadline, acquiring top-notch talent without really giving much in return.
Denver added the springy Aaron Gordon to a talented young core of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. Pat Riley also somehow convinced the Rockets brass to give up Victor Oladipo for meager returns, as he made his own big 3 of Oladipo, Bam Adebayo, and Jimmy Butler.
Follow Us
Subscribe