For Suns’ Fans, This Is Already an Exit Poll

So, who is going to win the NBA championship?

“Indiana,” Nick Van Exel said.

He caught me off guard.

“To me, they’ve got the best team,” the little Laker said. “I know, I probably should be pulling for a team from our conference, but I’m going with Indiana.”

How come?

“They’ve got all the ingredients.”

*

So, who’s going to win the NBA championship?

“San Antonio,” Vlade Divac said.

Over Orlando? Or Indiana?

“I am not sure,” the Laker center said. “But I know that San Antonio will defeat Phoenix.”

How come?

“Because San Antonio has David Robinson. And Phoenix does not have a center.”

Tell you what else Phoenix doesn’t have. A team in the playoffs.

*

So, who’s going to win the NBA championship?

“Hmmm,” Kurt Rambis said.

Yeah, tough question.

“Phoenix,” the former Laker and Sun player said, after staring into space for the longest time.

Yeah, tough call.

“No kidding,” he said. “It’s not like I’m saying they’ll win the finals in four straight, you know.”

*

So, who’s going to win the NBA championship?

“Indiana,” Warren Moon said.

Magic Johnson shook his head. He turned to the Minnesota Viking quarterback and TNT basketball broadcaster when the Laker-Spur series ended at the Forum and said, “Don’t you bet on it.”

“No?” Moon asked.

“This team right here. San Antonio,” Johnson said.

How come?

“Two words,” Johnson said. “Dennis Rodman.”

Funny couple of words.

“If the Dennis Rodman who played tonight is the Dennis Rodman who shows up the rest of the way . . . trust me,” Magic said. “San Antonio.”

*

So, who’s going to win the NBA championship?

I couldn’t ask David Robinson.

Any answer other than “us” from the Spurs’ superstar would have been unacceptable.

(As well as interesting.)

However, what I could ask Robinson was:

Who’s going to play you for the NBA championship?

“Hmmm,” he said, quoting Kurt Rambis.

Tough question?

“Tough question,” Robinson said. “But I’ll answer it. Give me a minute here.”

Tick, tock. Tick, tock.

“I would sayyyyy. . . .” Admiral Dave said, dragging out the last syllable.

Yes?

“The winner of Indiana and New York.”

Oh?

“Yes, definitely. The winner of Indiana and New York.”

Because? . . .

“Just a hunch,” Robinson said. “In my opinion, they’re the teams playing the best ball in the East right now.”

*

Well, that’s my poll.

Vox populi, NBA version.

I didn’t poll all the people. I didn’t even poll many people. But I certainly did poll some knowledgeable people. Current players. Former players.

And did you notice anything missing?

Like. . . .

Orlando?

None of these people picked the team that made Scottie Pippen and his supporting cast disappear. None of these people picked Horace Grant and the Grantaires. None of these people picked a team that went 39-2 at home. Admiral Dave didn’t pick the Magic. Nick the Quick didn’t pick the Magic. Not even Magic picked the Magic.

OK, so I will. Orlando in five.

Over anybody.