Matthew Dellavedova and the Cleveland Cavaliers cemented their place in The Finals after completing a sweep over the Atlanta Hawks.
After taking a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals, most expected the Warriors would secure their passage in Game 4—before a head injury to Steph Curry and a slow start derailed those plans.
Golden State returned home in Game 5 and promptly dealt with the Rockets to book their place in their first Finals appearance since 1975.
After eight months of drama and excitement, Australian fans arrive at an impasse.
The 11-year pro, who has overcome two gruesome injuries and has shouldered the load as Australia's leading man?
Or, Cleveland's second-year guard who managed to persevere when no team was set to draft him into the NBA, and has strived to create a role as one of LeBron James' most loyal disciples?
Unless you follow the Warriors or Cavaliers—this is an incredibly tough decision to make.
Things were a little easier last season, when Patty Mills and Aron Baynes represented Australia on the NBA's biggest stage and worked in tandem to claim the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
How we got here
The Warriors have owned the tag of favourites since mid-November. After finishing the regular season with a 67-15 record and sweeping the Pelicans in the first round, then grinding their way past Memphis in six games and handsomely eliminating the Rockets in the conference finals, they did little to dispell the public perception.
Bogut has been the anchor for the Warriors, earning a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team and leading Golden State to the stingiest defensive rating in the league.
The path hasn't been as clear for the Cavs, who had to overcome a slow start—a number of mid-season transcactions, and an interrupted December and January for their All-Star point guard.
Enter Dellavedova, who started in eight games from Boxing Day to January 7.
That experience clearly assisted him for his next big job—starting in Game 2 and 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Both players will have significant roles to complete, and their homegrown fans will look on with bated breath.
Either way, Australian fans can be hopeful that 'Lucky Larry' will return to our shores again in the near future.