Which NBA playoff series has been most captivating?

Writers from around the Tribune Co. will discuss which NBA playoff series has most captured their attention. Feel free to join the conversation by leaving a comment of your own.

K.C. Johnson, Chicago Tribune

If this answer isn’t unanimously the Warriors-Spurs series, then I’m not sure which games others are watching. First, the contrast between the young, unproven team and the veteran-laden Spurs is fascinating. Add in two rabid fan bases. (As an aside, it’s nice Bay Area fans are getting recognized for their passion and knowledge that anyone who has been around the league for awhile long has already seen.)

Throw in a young, confident coach in Mark Jackson going against the gold standard of the league in Gregg Popovich. And then add the astounding shooting of the Warriors’ young backcourt in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and it’s enough to make one’s head explode with excitement.

Oh, and already two overtime games have been played. Wish this series was a best-of-forever.

Josh Robbins, Orlando Sentinel

The young, injury-plagued Golden State Warriors shouldn’t be tied with the experienced, healthy San Antonio Spurs after four games of their Western Conference semifinal series.

Golden State’s star, Stephen Curry, barely weighs 185 pounds, and he’s been playing on a bum ankle. The Warriors give major minutes to rookies Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green and Festus Ezeli. And the Warriors’ double-double guy, power forward David Lee, has a torn hip flexor, rendering him all but useless in the series.

Oh, did I mention that the Spurs won Game 1 after they trailed by 16 points with four minutes remaining in regulation?

Or that two of the teams’ four playoff games have gone into overtime?

In boxing, the greatest fights occur when there’s a contrast in styles. As the Warriors and Spurs have faced off, there’s been a contrast in age.

The series has provided more than exciting basketball. It’s produced great theater.

[Updated at 12:38 p.m.:

Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times

It’s been impossible to beat the high drama of the San Antonio-Golden State series. There have been overtimes galore. A 29-point half by Klay Thompson. Loads of illegal picks by Andrew Bogut.

OK, so maybe the picks aren’t all that compelling. But the steady Spurs versus the streaky Warriors has made for riveting games and unexpected twists such as Golden State getting big performances from Jarrett Jack and Harrison Barnes in Game 4 with Stephen Curry clearly not at his best because of a sore ankle.

The Warriors looked like the better team on the Spurs’ home floor and the Spurs looked like the better team on the Warriors’ home floor until their late shooting slump in Game 4. So with the series tied going into Game 5 in San Antonio, we should expect the unexpected once again.

Shandel Richardson, South Florida Sun Sentinel

Just as he did during his college days at Davidson, Stephen Curry has once again captivated a national audience.

His ability to score in bursts has made the Golden State-San Antonio series the most interesting of the postseason. The Warriors are just two wins from advancing to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1976. You can bet folks will tune in to see if they are able to knock off the Spurs, possibly ending their long-running dynasty.

The best part about it is this time Curry has help. He and Klay Thompson are giving us reason to believe Coach Mark Jackson is right when he says this is the best shooting backcourt in NBA history.

Fans love scoring. And this is what they do. It’s even more fun to watch considering the Spurs are the exact opposite. The contrast in styles is also a reason this series has the most appeal.]

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