5 Conference Finals Matchups More Interesting Than OKC-Spurs, Miami-Boston

The Conference finals matchups between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in the West and the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics in the East are both interesting series, the former more so than the latter. 

However, we can do better, which is where these five dream scenarios come into play. 

One of them has actually already taken place during the 2012 postseason, but the others are all pure fiction. 

Read on to find out what they are. 

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies

The first-round series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies was just insanely entertaining. I would have no qualms about seeing it come up once more. 

We had a ridiculous comeback from the Clippers when they were down 95-71 in the fourth quarter of Game 1—a game that will be replayed on ESPN Classic for decades. Game 3 produced a smaller comeback, but a dramatic one nonetheless, as the Clippers were down six with just over four minutes left and no momentum. 

Every game in the seven-game series was hard-fought, especially Game 4, when the Clippers let the Grizzlies produce a comeback of their own, before winning the game in overtime. 

Any way you look at it, this was an unbelievable series, one that would have been remembered as an all-time great if it had taken place during the Conference finals. 

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Even though neither of these teams truly belongs in a series from which the winner advances to the NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers would have made for an intriguing Western Conference finals. 

In terms of star power, this series would have more than enough. After all, you've got Kobe Bryant (and, to a lesser extent, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol) for the Lakers, while Chris Paul and Blake Griffin line up for the Clippers. 

There's the revenge factor as well, as Gasol would be ultra-motivated after getting posterized by Griffin not once but twice in the same game. 

Finally, you have the battle for L.A. 

The Clippers have labored in the shadow of the Lakers as the ugly stepchild for what seems like forever. Matching up against the more experienced, more highly-thought-of team in the playoffs would be a chance to escape from that shadow. 

Healthy Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets

In terms of sheer enjoyment for spectators, assuming we're not necessarily concerned with putting the best team in the NBA Finals, this would be my choice for the Western Conference finals. 

During their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Denver Nuggets showed just how entertaining their breakneck-pace offense could be. Ty Lawson is the fastest point guard in the league and is one of the most entertaining to watch fly up and down the court. Kenneth Faried is a sensational rookie, and you never know when the Manimal is going to do something that will wind up on SportsCenter. 

As for the Timberwolves, well, they were one of the most enjoyable teams to watch in all of basketball before the unfortunate ACL injury suffered by Ricky Rubio. With the first-year Spanish floor general running the show and Kevin Love putting up historical numbers, they were a decent team, but they were a must-watch. 

There would be tons of points, lots of alley-oops and boatloads of highlights in this series. 

Healthy Miami Heat vs. Healthy Chicago Bulls

No disrespect meant to the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, but this matchup should have been the Eastern Conference finals. 

Unfortunately, Derrick Rose jump-stopped once too often and destroyed his knee at the end of Game 1. Then, Joakim Noah suffered his own injury, and the Sixers trounced the decidedly-less-than-full-strength Bulls. 

Despite the injuries that sidelined Rose during the regular season, the Bulls still earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. That was largely due to the fact that they were the best team in the conference and Tom Thibodeau was likewise the best coach. 

If Rose and Noah were at full-strength and Chris Bosh's abs were in working order, this would be the series du jour in the East. 

Atlanta Hawks vs. Anyone

This is the slide where you replace the "Atlanta Hawks" in the title with the name of your favorite team. Unless, of course, your team of choice happens to be the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs and you're lucky enough to already be watching them. 

As for me, well, I'm a Hawks fan, so the way to make the Conference finals most interesting for me would be to have Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Jeff Teague, Ivan Johnson and the rest of the squad still suiting up and stepping out onto the court.