Who does the rest of the country want to win this series?

[ma11l]

I haven't looked for anything polls before putting this up, but I'm wondering the national perception on this series.  Who does everyone want to win?  Obviously Minnesota and Seattle will be pulling for us but what about the rest?


I personally believe it should be us.  Of course I am completely biased here, as with everything else about the Celts.  However I really think there will be a lot of people cheering for KG and Ray to get a ring.  I also think for everyone who loves Kobe there is someone who hates him.  That's how it goes when you're the best.  Also I believe a lot of women dislike Kobe immensely. 


Will that overpower the national disdain for Boston fans and its teams?  Are the Lakers just as hated across the country for the same reasons?  Will the east and west coast rivals of these teams be pulling for them or cheering against them?  Now that we have a lot of Lakers fan and perhaps other basketball fans joining this site, I was wondering what everyone thinks.

[Celtic]

I live in Brooklyn, and it seems like lately I have been wearing a Celtics t-shirt or jersey every day, so my favorite team is obvious to those who see me, strangers frequently stop and tell me they are rooting for the C's. It's usually the same reason, Kobe has 3 rings, and people just want to see KG, Paul, and Ray win theirs. Just a small sampling of what I have experienced. Nationally I think the C's are preferred, but most people think LA is going to win.

[Jon]

Usually, I'd say the underdog, which would be the C's.  However, given Boston's recent success, the Celtics overall success as a franchise, and the fact that they have the best record, I'm not so sure. 

[Roy Hobbs]

I think it's pretty split.  In a recent poll asking who fans thought would win, the Celtics led in New England, plus Kentucky, Mississippi, Utah, Minnesota, Montana, Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska.  Louisiana was tied, and everywhere else voted for the Lakers.

Now, that's not necessarily who voters *want* to win, but I think a lot of times our bias comes out in polls like that.

[Redz]

Who cares?  They're all losers!

Oh, sorry, that's a bad attitude.  I don't know how much it's changed since the Celtics heyday, but their fanbase was much like the Yankees nationally (before the Red Sox Nation craze).  Lots of people latched on to the Celtics because of their dynasty.  Whether those people successfully passed it on to a generation who were trying to be sold  on a sucky team just because Dad said they used to be great is another question.

As for the people who currently fans of teams other than the Celts or Lakers.  I'd say the Celtics, just because they're more of an underdog story in recent memory. 

[BigAlTheFuture]

I look through the RealGM boards it seems to me like most of the posters there are rooting for the Lakers to win.

[crownsy]

LA no question, we get lumped in with the "Boston is to successful, we hate them!" crowd.

[BASSTHUMPER]

funny thing about laker fans, they seem to only come out of hiding when it's championship time.

  However I really think there will be a lot of people cheering for KG and Ray to get a ring. 

and lets not forget get about the original OG~~~

Capt Paul Pierce.

[ma11l]

funny thing about laker fans, they seem to only come out of hiding when it's championship time.

  However I really think there will be a lot of people cheering for KG and Ray to get a ring. 

and lets not forget get about the original OG~~~

Capt Paul Pierce.

I think that while Paul is who Boston wants to see win it the most because he has been here the longest, I think he is the least popular across the nation.  From what I hear people say he comes off as being brash and arrogant.  However that all falls on deaf ears with me, he's our captain, and it would be a dream come true seeing him win one in green.  He is the first true Celtic that I can say I have followed his career from day one when we drafted him. 

[nickagneta]

ESPN has a poll asking who people think will win and with some 20000+ votes in the breakdown was 53% Lakers 47% Celtics.

Again that doesn't tell who people will be hoping to win but my guess is if someone took time to respond to the poll they probably are a fan of one of the teams.

[NicaraguanFan]

Usually, I'd say the underdog, which would be the C's.  However, given Boston's recent success, the Celtics overall success as a franchise, and the fact that they have the best record, I'm not so sure. 

I am with you. Pats and Sox have done Boston a successful city.  The only thing in our favor is Kobe Bryant national hate.

NF.

[Chief]

I live in TN and most people I grew up with were either a Bird or Magic fan because there was not a local NBA team. Most of those Magic Johnson fans now hate the Lakers because they can't stand Kobe.

[nickagneta]

I live in TN and most people I grew up with were either a Bird or Magic fan because there was not a local NBA team. Most of those Magic Johnson fans now hate the Lakers because they can't stand Kobe.

I always knew people in Tennessee were a lot smarter than the average redneck.....errr.... person!


Edit: Just thought I should stipulate that this is a joke and that I have the utmost respect for all from the Volunteer State.

[Chief]

I live in TN and most people I grew up with were either a Bird or Magic fan because there was not a local NBA team. Most of those Magic Johnson fans now hate the Lakers because they can't stand Kobe.

I always knew people in Tennessee were a lot smarter than the average redneck.....errr.... person!


Edit: Just thought I should stipulate that this is a joke and that I have the utmost respect for all from the Volunteer State.

No offense. Now do you want to see a picture of my neighbor? He did not notice that I was taking the picture because he was on the phone.

[Discoflux]

Does ANYONE like the Lakers except Los Angeles? 
I have yet to hear/read/meet someone who does.

Celtics with 95% of the Vote most likely.