Warriors wanted to play Clippers instead of Jazz: 'There's no nightlife in Utah'

Matt Barnes wasn't the only Warriors player who wanted the Clippers instead of Jazz

The Golden State Warriors are the overwhelming favorites to win the NBA title for a second time in three seasons. After sweeping the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, their hopes are different than most other teams. You'd think most teams would want a matchup against an opponent they have a track record of beating consistently, or a team that features a specific matchup they can exploit.

Not the Warriors, though. They have a track record of beating, well, everyone.

So their reason for pulling for the Clippers in Game 7 on Sunday night had nothing to do with matchups or X's and O's. It had everything to do with the nightlife in L.A. compared to Salt Lake City.

"No comparison. There's no such thing, man," Matt Barnes told ESPN. "There's no nightlife in Utah. Obviously as players, you want to be able to have a little bit of a nightlife, but the main focus is winning games. Me personally, I want to get out there because I want to beat the Clippers. That's my former team and my kids are out there. But as far as nightlife, there's no comparison to nightlife in Utah and L.A."

The Warriors didn't get what they wanted. The Jazz held off the Clippers on Sunday night, setting up a second-round series against Utah that guarantees at least two games in Salt Lake City. Had Los Angeles won, Golden State would have been able to stay closer to home and enjoy the local beaches as well as the infinite dining options. For Andre Iguodala, it's got a lot to do about the energy and vibe, too.

"The problem with Utah is that you're just sitting there and your mind is like dead, because in L.A. you still got energy for the game," Iguodala said. "Because you're in L.A., you're like, 'Man, this is just the vibe in L.A.' but in Utah, it can kind of lull you to sleep. And then you've slept too long or I'm bored out of my mind and now you got to try to pump yourself up for the game. You know you're in the playoffs and you're supposed to be pumped anyway, but the vibe is just like, 'Man, let's just get out of here.'"

Yes, it's the NBA playoffs. It's the biggest event of the sport all season. But the Warriors are not only favored by a heavy margin to win the whole thing, they are especially favored against the Jazz in the second round. No one would be surprised to see the series end after Game 4. It's part of the luxury of being on such a good team -- you can worry about extracurricular activities as much as you can about your sport when a second round upset is all but unthinkable.

But hey, at least Salt Lake City has a steakhouse.

"I think there's an Olive Garden out there and then a Benihana," Barnes said. "So, you'll definitely be locked in [on the game] all the way. L.A., you have a few more dinner options. You've got the beach right there and the sun, and I got family. I think as players, we're pulling to go to L.A."

Added Barnes: "This is a team that's been there and done that and know what it takes to win. I don't think you have to worry about us getting in trouble. It's just a preference for us."