I realized that I haven't really done a preview for a championship for a series or game. Today, it's time to change course.

(Siri, play the Cheers theme)

BOSTON CELTICS

This team has become a power not just in the Eastern Conference, but the entire NBA. The Celtics ran away with the best record in the league and didn't slow down in the playoffs. Head coach turned executive Brad Stevens has constructed a roster that can outmuscle, outshoot and at times, outrun opponents. Celtics management pray to God that Billy King is around. The two picks acquired from Brooklyn turned into Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum has become one of the best players in the NBA and Brown is one of the best two-way players around. Before this season, Stevens executed two trades to set the franchise up to this point. Getting Kristaps Porzingis and sacrificing Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon for Jrue Holiday, a championship-winning point guard who is an exceptional teammate. Unfortunately, Porzingis is injured. Derrick White has become a solid clutch entity in the lineup. The bench is led by ageless Al Horford, who outplayed Myles Turner in the ECF. Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser brings three-point prowess when needed. Head coach Joe Mazzula is steering this team back to where they were two years ago, with a chance at the Larry O'Brien Trophy. They were unsuccessful in that venture, but they're primed to equal the 2008 "Anything Is Possible" Celtics in raising another banner up to TD Garden.

The other team in this equation.....Siri, play the Dallas theme.

DALLAS MAVERICKS

So, a certain clown decided to write an article about Mark Cuban holding the team back. Well, this run showed me, I mean, that person. The Mavericks have been in the middle of the Western Conference for a while. This season, they showed up through the trade deadline. Acquiring Daniel Gafford from Washington and P.J. Washington from Charlotte gave the Mavs an excellent defender and a big man who can shoot from outside. Rookie center Dereck Lively II has been a revelation and the big man that Cuban has longed for. When it comes to role players, Dallas has a plethora of them. The comeback of Dante Exum, young players as Josh Green and Jaden Hardy, and veteran experience in Maxi Kleber, Derrick Jones Jr. and Dwight Powell help the Mavs in stretch runs. In last year's trade deadline, the team traded capital for Kyrie Irving. Irving was controversial and underwhelming with the Nets, but going to Dallas, he has stayed controversial free and healthy. This all leads to the man who keeps the train running, Luka Doncic. As a Suns and Kings fan, this one hurts. The Mavs found their generational European talent in the 2018 draft to replace another generational talent in Dirk Nowitzki. Doncic has put up video game like numbers this season, including a career-high 73 points in January. Also, #lukashouldhavewonmvp. Extending head coach Jason Kidd in the playoffs was a smart move. He could become one of the few to win an NBA championship as a player and head coach. In a case of a blessing of disguise, Cuban is technically still the owner of the franchise, but he isn't CEO and has no control of basketball operations.

As a basketball fan, this series could have the potential to be a classic. The Mavs are looking for their first championship since 2011. The Celtics are looking to raise up banner #18 and their first title since 2018.

Get your popcorn ready for this.

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