As the 2017-2018 NBA Playoff season gets further underway, it's important to remember that not every team is currently being represented. Utah, Cleveland, and New Orleans are some of the hottest teams thus far, drawing attention away from other Playoff teams, and other teams in the league in general.
What better way to make up this lack of representation than associating each team with a beloved vine?
1. Atlanta Hawks
"What does that say, Anaya?"
"Wh-aaah?"
No disrespect to Atlanta, but the few times the Hawks have come up in conversation with me, my immediate response is, "Wait, who?" I often forget that they're a team in the NBA (although in their defense, I live in Wisconsin and forget that the entire state of Georgia exists).
2. Boston Celtics
"Do you ever shut the f*ck up?"
My opinion on this may be slightly biased, due to the fact that my step father is a die-hard Lakers fan. Needless to say, we don't like the Celtics in my household.
Essentially, most Boston fans I've met in my 20 years of living are horrendously pompous - they're accustomed to their team winning, and therefore, expect it. Not to mention, their home court officiating is garbage.
"Do you ever shut the f*ck up?" is almost always coming out of the mouth of a Boston fan, or being directed towards them from nearly any other fan of any other team.
3. Brooklyn Nets
"Okay."
The Nets' record for the 2017-2018 regular season was 28-54. They're just as confused and nervous as the man and his "okay."
4. Charlotte Hornets
"WHAT the F*CK."
Pretend the baby doll is the NBA Championship. Now pretend the confused child is Charlotte. He's never seen a baby doll that moves, just like Charlotte hasn't ever seen a championship.
5. Chicago Bulls
"I'm friends with the mah-ah-ah-ah-"
This was purely based on the fact that the kid with the groovy moves is wearing a Michael Jordan jersey.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
"LeBron James."
This, again, was based purely on the basic content of the vine.
P.S. I'm desperately hoping LeBron stays in Cleveland after this season so that this can continue to be relevant.
7. Dallas Mavericks
"Oh girl let me give you a kiss!"
The Mavericks try really, really hard, but can't quite seem to stay on their feet long enough to maintain a decent record. They have some recognizable and notable players, but it didn't keep them from having one of the worst records in the West for the 2017-2018 regular season.
They've consistently dropped a significant number of seeds over the course of the last three regular seasons, falling from the 6th seed in the West to the 13th. It may have appeared that things were looking up for Dallas fans years ago, but for now, their hopes and dreams are taking a fall, just like the amazed individual above.
8. Denver Nuggets
'What the f*ck, Richard?"
This was nothing more than a desperate need to use this vine, leading me to search for a team with a Richard. Therefore, Richard Jefferson took the cake, and this vine is now the Denver Nuggets.
9. Detroit Pistons
"They ask you how you are, and you just have to say that you're fine..."
The Pistons almost got it together. They aren't a bad team; after all, they have Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, and Reggie Jackson on their roster. Detroit needs to be just a touch faster, or a touch more "on top of things," so to speak, in order to make it to the playoffs next season.
They've managed to climb a spot in the Eastern Conference standings from last year, after having dropped two spots from 2015-2016 to 2016-2017, potentially giving hope to Pistons' fans for greater seasons in the future.
10. Golden State Warriors
"If you ain't talkin' money I don't wanna talk."
Kevin Durant. Stephen Curry. Klay Thompson. Each of these players are already maxed out, or will be ready to be maxed out within the next two seasons. Golden State's roster is absolutely packed with big stars, even outside of their "big three" or starting five, which in turn costs them big bucks.
This could also be taken to mean, "If you aren't concerned with the biggest and the best, miss us with that." Golden State is so acclimated to being one of the most talked about and accomplished teams in the NBA, making it difficult to believe that they'd settle for anything less.
11. Houston Rockets
"I like pickles, and I can shoot threes - LET'S GO!"
James Harden is known for putting his defenders through the "spin cycle," exhibiting just as much enthusiasm as this kid then, and when he shoots his trademark threes.
Houston's strong offense has a plethora of players who can accurately shoot threes, which is definitely reason for the team and fans alike to be excited heading into the 2017-2018 Playoffs. They may not have had the highest 3-point percentage of the regular season this year, but they certainly make it look pretty, and are henceforth give some of the most memorable performances in the league.
12. Indiana Pacers
"Adam!"
The Pacers had a pretty solid 2017-2018 regular season, finishing as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. They've got a good lineup, and are capable of some pretty astounding victories - until your "Adams" (Houston, Golden State, Toronto) come along.
They're a hit or miss team, as their record fluctuates from year to year. The 2015-2016 season left them in the seventh seed, as did the 2016-2017 season, although they were able to snag a spot as the fifth seed during the 2017-2018 season. They're improving, and have the capability to continue to do so, as long as the "Adams" don't get in the way.
13. L.A. Clippers
"Whoever threw that paper..
This teacher is the scholarly embodiment of DeAndre Jordan.
This educator put into words what Jordan's stares mean, in that if another player really wants to mess with him, they're more than welcome to, but it's likely they'll be left embarrassed. I'd definitely side with the teacher in this case, just like I'll forever side with Jordan over any other player trying to "throw paper" at him.
14. Los Angeles Lakers
"Wah?"
This vine is devoted to every game the Lakers played where they had a solid lead over their opponents, only to blow it and lose in the fourth quarter.
That being said, the Lakers are full of opportunity and potential for growth within the next few seasons. They were only a handful of wins away from a playoff spot throughout the 2017-2018 season, improving from their 2016-2017 seasons seed.
They can get there, but as of now, there's a lot of "why?"
15. Memphis Grizzlies
"It's a f*ckin' bear!"
Yet another basic choice as Grizzlies are, in fact, "f*ckin' bears."
16. Miami Heat
"I could've dropped my croissant!"
Dwayne Wade is the metaphorical croissant of Miami: they get him, they lose him, they get him, etc. It's as though Miami is the scared croissant holder, any other team in the league is the person who yelled, and D. Wade is the croissant, so heavily valued but so easily compromised.
17. Milwaukee Bucks
"Yes, I can do it by myself..."
I love the Bucks, I really do, but sometimes, their game play is disappointing. They constantly have you believing that they've got everything under control, but then something goes amiss and things definitely don't go according to plan.
This isn't for lack of trying, of course. Giannis and Eric Bledsoe are a powerful duo, but they're a young team that's faced their fair share of adversaries recently. Jabari Parker returned just months ago after nearly a year out due to injury, barely preceding the firing of former head coach, Jason Kidd.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves
"I'll bust a move on you."
This young girl reminds me of Jimmy Butler, in that Butler may not seem like a threat at first, but he's TTG and always ready to start something (see: Jimmy Butler fights).
In fact, the entirety of the Timberwolves is comparable to this vine, as they're often overlooked when it comes to big contenders in the West. Although they finished as the eighth seed for the 2018-2018 regular season, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jimmy Butler, and Andrew Wiggins are incredibly talented and capable players.
19. New Orleans Pelicans
"If you wanna fight me, then fight me."
See: DeMarcus Cousins fight.
Realistically, I know that Boogie does more than just fight. However, that doesn't keep me from replaying his December 4, 2017 post-game stare down aimed at Kevin Durant a million times every chance I get.
20. New York Knicks
"Who? What lasagna?"
The Knicks are trying, really hard at that, but it seems as though most teams in the NBA throw them off balance, just like the island corner threw Lasagna Mom off her path.
21. Oklahoma City Thunder
"Gucci, Louis, 3 Box Logo..."
I haven't got any hate towards Russ, but sometimes, his outfits catch me off guard. His clothing choices often include a little bit of everything (good and bad), and have made for some very intriguing combinations (as seen below).
22. Orlando Magic
"I can't believe you've done this."
Orlando is the person being punched. Any other team in the NBA is the hand punching them.
23. Philadelphia 76ers
"Hey! I want to be famous."
The 76ers are a legitimate contender; after all, they finished the 2017-2018 regular season with only a few more losses than the Celtics. It hasn't always been this way though, as they finished as the 14th seed during the 2016-2017 regular season.
They've just begun a battle to be one of the most recognized teams in the East, begging to be talked about - and with players like Joel Embiid, trusting the process shouldn't be that difficult.
24. Phoenix Suns
*aggressive giving up*
Phoenix sat in the last seed in the Western Conference at the finish of the 2017-2018 regular season. The person jumping into the water is a physical embodiment of their record (21-61).
25. Portland Trail Blazers
"I'm 'bout to sing a song for you."
Portland snuck their way up the standings ladder in the West, just like the young man with the pillow snuck up and pummeled the singer.
Additionally, it can't possibly be forgotten that Dame D.O.L.L.A. (a.k.a. Damian Lillard), has a rap career outside of the NBA. Therefore, he's definitely comparable to the young man trying to sing us a song.
26. Sacramento Kings
"Stay with me..."
No hate towards the Kings, as they could definitely be worse. However, that doesn't mean they aren't as much of a mess as this little girl.
27. San Antonio Spurs
"I'm tired of all you fricken fricks!"
Watching this young child's anger and frustration reminded me of none other than Greg Popovich, whose sarcastic replies to reporters have been the source of many a chuckles in my household.
When will the reporters learn to avoid asking Pop silly questions?
28. Toronto Raptors
"Get f*cked!"
The team is based in Canada. The vine is based on Canadian animals. Therefore, it's the perfect comparison.
29. Utah Jazz
"Ya like jazz?"
As with Toronto and Memphis, this vine comparison was simply for the content and dialogue.
30. Washington Wizards
"Wait... what the f*ck is up dude?"
A few years ago, Washington stars Bradley Beal and John Wall weren't particularly getting along, referred to as "bickering, not beef." Although it may not have been quite as aggressive as, "Wait, what the f*ck is up?" it can only be assumed it didn't help team chemistry.
In addition, the vine scuffle perfectly illustrates the argument between Draymond Green and Bradley Beal early in the 2017-2018 regular season.
