By Preston Derrick
Now that the college athletes have completed their playoff basketball tournaments, it is time for the professionals to take the stage. The NBA Playoffs have begun.
Tyler Maloney, a recent Texas Tech University psychology graduate, is rooting for his favorite team, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He is not alone. A Twitter interactive map shows Thunder has a substantial following in parts of West Texas. But in Lubbock County specifically, the map indicates the top three teams local fans are rooting for include the Dallas Mavericks, the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Maloney said despite his dreams of an OKC victory, he thinks Golden State and Cleveland are going to meet for the championship.

Tyler Maloney watches the Thunder take on the Mavericks in game two of the series. Preston Derrick/The Hub@TTU
“Basketball has always been my favorite sport,” Maloney said. “I played it throughout high school and always watch the playoffs whenever the long NBA regular season is finally over.”
Maloney is picking the Golden State Warriors to repeat as champs in this year’s playoffs. Can they do it? Only time will tell.