I know little about theravada and less about the other traditions.
What I like about buddhism is that it doesn't rely on miracles or on forces of gods or magical forces. What I like about theravada is that it doesn't rely on undefinable aspects of the universe. I see theravada more "down to earth" so to speak. And I like that it's more concerned with our experience and the mind (rather than objects of the world like in science). And I like it's about our existence (or non-existence one could say) and about an escape and concepts like those that are to me philosophically intriguing. Yet the whole point is not about entering into philosophical debates without making progress but to try and see for one self, to watch our own heart (mind) and practise and get free.