7 reasons we want Cavaliers vs. Thunder in 2016 NBA Finals

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Feb 21, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

5. More proof that small markets can win big and it doesn’t matter.

Even though both Cleveland, Ohio and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma aren’t major market destination cities in the United States, their small market distinction will not factor in what would absolutely be a terrific 2016 NBA Finals should this be the matchup.

It’s a testament to how much the NBA has grown in the last several years. Many of the NBA’s biggest markets and historically great franchises aren’t doing much to move the needle in 2015-16. It has been the star players on smaller market teams like Cleveland, Oklahoma City, and the Portland Trail Blazers to name a few that have made the NBA so appealing domestically and ultimately internationally.

A 2016 NBA Finals between Cleveland and Oklahoma City will surely draw fantastic ratings despite being in smaller media markets. This is because the NBA is a star-driven league with fans naturally gravitating to the best players in the game today. Both Cleveland and Oklahoma City have the necessary players to entertain even the most casual of basketball fans.

While championships between smaller market teams in both Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League would cause terrible ratings, the NBA is fortunate to not have that problem. One could conceivably argue that two of the smaller markets in each conference actually benefits the NBA in 2016 Finals.

Next: 4. First NBA Championship for either city.

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