Warriors’ history in fact starts in Philadelphia. A maverick of a man, Mieuli – a flamboyant radio and television producer known for his full beard and preference for motorcycles – got together with some investors who together bought and brought the team west to San Francisco in 1962. Technically, the team’s home arena at the time was the “Cow Palace” in Daly City, a one-time venue for livestock expos built in 1941 just beyond the southern borders of San Francisco. 

The Heat, a team made up of three of the league’s stars (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh -- the latter players, however, have certainly shined brighter in past seasons), one of the better shooters in the league (Ray Allen), and interchangeable spare parts, are again odds-on favorites to win the NBA finals for a third year in a row. The prediction is appropriate. Love him or hate him, there’s no denying that James is the best player in the world.