Your NBA Finals Preference

[Andrew]

I'm borrowing the poll from the main page here, but now that the Conference Finals matchups are set, who do you want to see in the NBA Finals, and why? Note that this does not have to be the same as the teams you've picked to make the NBA Finals.

I was hoping for a Celtics/Hornets Finals. I know that's going against a more historically significant matchup but with the Hornets being a surprise team this season and never having been to the NBA Finals before it would have been a refreshing change. On the other side, you'd have the team with the most titles in league history making their first Finals appearance in over twenty years. Historical trivia aside, I believe it would have been a great series to watch with the players involved.

However, now that that's gone down the tubes I'd have to say Celtics/Spurs is my preference at this juncture. The Spurs have yet to successfully defend a title and the angle for the Celtics remains the same, plus you've got a revitalised team that has been one of the favourites all season trying to take the crown from the defending champs, who happen to be one of the most successful teams over the past ten years. Then you've got Big Three vs Big Three and a classic clash of big men in Duncan and Garnett. I find those subplots the most interesting out of the potential matchups and figure it would be fun to watch, especially if it went seven games.

[Sauru]

like i said in the other thread i am torn between seeing the celtics and lakers go at it again in the finals or watching the spurs make it. i guess i will pick the spurs since really all i want is the celtics to win the ring and i think they will have a easier (not easy mind you) time vs the spurs

[Dan's Brain]

Since there was no Bulls/Sonics option...

I'd like to see some juice back in the Celtics/Lakers rivalry. I think it would revitalise both franchises, and rejuvenate the NBA. Non-stop highlights packages would be run throughout the Finals, dedicated to the Bird-Magic contests of the 80s, and it would remind the fans of a time when the NBA was a better product.

Good for the clubs, good for the league, good for me.

[Oznogrd]

After watching game 7 of NOH/SAS last night, i have to say I'm gonna pull for a boston/lakers final. Duncan is still the only player on the Spurs i'll respect, everyone else played some of the dirtiest basketball i've ever seen...people were literally being tackled and held for good portions of the game. After that, I hope the Spurs never win a championship or have a shot at it again. Now: as for me being the kobe hater that I am I'm certainly pulling for Boston out of the teams left due to the Boston Three Party being three of my favorite players of the past few years (even before boston got KG and Allen I'd use them in Live against friends and dominate with Pierce). However I'd also like to see Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom do well, just not well enough to beat Boston. Boston in 7 would go right down in history im sure with all the 80's Lakers vs. Celts series and I think each game would be decided in the final 3 minutes.

[Cartar]

Simple reasons for me: Lakers, because I just have never liked Spurs and Boston, because I want them to win it all, although it´s going to be very tough(they aren´t probably favorite in this series anymore)

[Lamrock]

Lakers/Pistons, simply because I want those two teams to win their series.

[GoHornets]

Lakers/Celtics, because the rivalry thing.

[cyanide]

Pistons/Spurs

Reasons for Pistons:
The Celtics have a great shot of making it to the Finals, but they're so mentally fragile on the road. The Pistons crumbled last year against the Cavs, but this year, even after a shaky start in the first round, they appear to be determined and more mentally ready to take it past the Celtics. Experience is a definite asset too.

Reasons for Spurs:
Experience, experience, experience. The Spurs have dismantled teams that are easily title contenders, and they don't look like a team that would lose to the Lakers. Well, maybe years ago with Shaq playing, but with Bynum out and Kobe possibly playing in the biggest series of his life, I really have to go with the Spurs core and coaching to cockblock Kobe and take it all the way to another championship.

Edit: (imo) (srsly.)

[GoHornets]

Lakers/Celtics, because of the rivalry thing.
Alltough, Spurs/Celtics would mean that the Hornets lost to the best team in the west.

[cyanide]

Lakers/Celtics, because of the rivalry thing.

Ahh yeah, I totally forgot that the NBA would conspire to create that matchup.

[BigKaboom2]

I'd like to see Celtics vs. Spurs. The Celtics finally notched their first win against the Duncan-led Spurs last season after losing 18 straight games to them dating back to the '97-'98 season. The Celtics had a 36% chance of winning the Draft Lottery in 1997 and taking Duncan, but instead the Spurs won it due to their massive dropoff when David Robinson went down with an injury.

To focus on the current teams, Duncan is probably my favorite NBA player and I imagine a matchup with Garnett will force KG to use more of his low-post game instead of settling for mid-range jumpers (I'm a big fan of low post players as opposed to high-scoring guards).

[Alejandrov011]

Celtics vs Lakers

Where the historic rivalry happens

[Jackal]

Lakers vs Celtics.

Lakers because...well I kind of like the color purple.

Celtics because I like KG, I don't really like anyone on the Pistons.

[Kbryant8]

Lakers Versus Celtics.

[benji]

I don't really care, but I'd take some mild pleasure in the NBA and media, and by extension the fans, to get Spurs/Pistons again.

[cyanide]

I don't really care, but I'd take some mild pleasure in the NBA and media, and by extension the fans, to get Spurs/Pistons again.

You're so cruel

[Matthew]

Lesson #1 in cocksucking will be provided by Cyanide.

[cyanide]

Lesson #1 in cocksucking will be provided by Cyanide.

Ah, I can't have fun in here.

Troll.

[Matthew]

Is that a flower in your signature? Hahaha!

[cyanide]

It is! It's a flower and a cute little cat smelling it

[Matthew]

lol...

[MANIPON]

Lakers/Pistons.

First, I'm a Lakers fan.

Second, so no kids will say things like "conspiracy..help from the refs..david stern made it..blah..blah..blah" if they face the Celtics if ever the lake show will advance..

[Andrew]

I don't think the Celtics failing to meet the Lakers in the Finals would silence those who believe there's a conspiracy, since as long as one of them advances there will be a group of people who will continue to believe they had help getting there. Conspiracy theories don't go away that easily, no matter what the subject or how outlandish or improbable they may be.

[Fitzy]

lakers vs celtics

and i want celtics to win so i win 65 bucks!

[Sauru]

I don't think the Celtics failing to meet the Lakers in the Finals would silence those who believe there's a conspiracy, since as long as one of them advances there will be a group of people who will continue to believe they had help getting there. Conspiracy theories don't go away that easily, no matter what the subject or how outlandish or improbable they may be.

i was convinced that lebron was being walked to the finals hand in hand with the refs after watching him in the celts series