With the championship games now set for both the NBA and NHL, it's time to delver inside the teams music playlists to find out what is the key ingredient in the special sauce that propels them to greatness each and every night, and makes them appointment TV watching all the time. With teams like the Golden State Warriors looking to repeat as NBA champions, and the Pittsburgh Penguins looking to get back to the Cup finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, there is no shortage of fireworks and quick plays that makes this playoff season one to watch and what promises to be epic for sure. Here is a look at the playoff teams from both sports leagues and their overall music selections:
Golden State Warriors
The team by the Bay is having a record year, breaking the Chicago Bulls all time wins record by going 73-9 and record performances from the Splash brothers Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, with support players Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes, and Andrew Bogut starting to come into their own as players. After dispatching the Houston Rockets and Portland Trailblazers in 5 games, the Warriors face the Oklahoma City Thunder whom lost on their home court courtesy of Steph Curry's last minute shot that was one of the most spectacular I've ever seen and just adds to the Dubs mystique as a new age team to behold.
Playlist:
The XX - Sunset
Lloyd Banks- On Fire
Too Short - Game Time
Daft Punk - Too Long/ Steam Machine
Luniz - Out To Be the Boss
Avicii - Levels
San Jose Sharks
Another team from the Bay Area that plays on much colder terrain is trying to join the Championship club this year, and that is none other than the San Jose Sharks. The squad was able to exorcise the playoff demons from past with a hard fought series victory over their rival LA Kings, and were able to persevere against the mighty upstart Nashville Predators in a thrilling 7 game series. Now, their big test comes up against the St. Louis Blues in which is a real meat grinder challenge of their will and strength, which have been put through the mill time and again. Anchored by Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton who spent some time here in Boston, the Sharks will hope to join the exclusive and growing fraternity of championships that are starting to pile up greatly by the Bay.
Playlist:
Swedish House Mafia - Greyhound
Joe Satriani - Gnaahh
The Wanted - Glad You Came
John Williams - Jaws Theme Song
Metallica - Seek & Destroy
Linkin Park - Burn It Down
Wolfmother - Joker and The Thief
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs had another fine year that didn't surprise anyone who follows the team religiously. When you have Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and Matthew Dellavedova in your lineup, they're going to be a tough out regardless whomever is playing them. Cleveland has had a cakewalk in the playoffs so far, sweeping the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks en route to their pending Eastern Conference Finals matchup against the Toronto Raptors. The squad is locked and loaded, and hopes to make a return appearance to the NBA Finals for an inevitable rematch with the Golden State Warriors from last year where they're hoping for a better result this time around.
Playlist:
Interpol - The New
Beastie Boys - It Takes Time To Build
Rush - Chemistry
Tina Turner - The Best
112 - Player
Simple Plan - In
Tampa Bay Lightning
The fierce and competitive Tampa Bay Lightning are looking to make a return appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals after falling a little short last year against the Chicago Blackhawks. With their star player Steven Stamkos looking to return from injury earlier this year and goaltender Ben Bishop a little banged up itself, Tampa Bay can use all the firepower they can muster against the Pittsburgh Penguins if they want to punch their ticket to the Cup finals. Armed with a strong arsenal and deep lines, there's no denying the Lightning's resolve and camaraderie.
Playlist:
Calvin Harris - How Deep Is Your Love
Schoolboy Q - Man of the Year
Wiz Khalifa - We Dem Boyz
Arno Cost & Norman - Rising Love
Drake & Future - Jumpman
Lil Wayne f/ Drake - Right Above It