Boston Celtics vs the Mavericks.

Americans may be divided over many issues. But everyone should be united in backing the Boston Celtics over the Mavericks in the upcoming NBA finals. Here's why:

1. The Celtics have done more than any other team to promote integration and end racial discrimination. They were the first NBA team to draft a black player, the first team to have an all-black starting five (and NOT because of any affirmative action or DEI initiative!), and the first major sports franchise in any league to have a black head coach.

2. Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been exemplary in integrating new teammates, including when doing so required cutting back their own roles. This year's Celtics integrated 2 major new starters (Jrue Holliday and Krystaps Porzingis) with zero friction or selfishness. The Celtics exemplify cooperation and team spirit and are great role models for kids.

3. Two Celtics players - Svi Mykhailiuk (Ukraine) and Porzingis (Latvia) - hail from countries that are on the frontline of resisting Russian aggression. A Celtics win would be a valuable morale boost for the people of those nations.

4. Mavericks star Kyrie Irving is notorious for promoting anti-vaxxerism and flat Earth theory, and at least flirting with anti-Semitism. If the Mavs win, it will given new attention and credibility to his awful ideas.

5. The Mavs other big star - Luka Doncic - is probably the NBA's biggest whiner. Yes, almost all star players whine about referee calls. But Doncic is the worst. He's also a big flopper. Do we want to reward whining and encourage more of it? Surely not. If the Mavs win, other players will imitate Doncic, and we will get even more whining and flopping, in a league that already has way too much. Plus, this kind of thing is bad role-modeling for the kids.

6. A Celtics win would be a fitting tribute for the late great Bill Walton (who won the 6th Man Award on the storied 1986 Celtics).

7. The Celtics are the NBA's most storied franchise, and the league has gone too long without a Celtics title (16 years!).

8. Do it for the children! For reasons already noted, the Celtics are great role models, while Kyrie and Doncic are terrible ones. We don't want our kids to imitate crackpots and whiners.

There are additional reasons. But the above is surely enough! Let's unite in supporting the Celtics in the quest for the long-overdue Banner No. 18.