Fakers or PHX?

[Prof. Clutch]

Both scare me in different ways.  I want LA though.

[RebusRankin]

Nash can't guard Rondo. They don't have a counter for Sheed. Amare is a poor defender. BBD matches up well with them.

[Mike-Dub]

I really think everybody on this site is overestimating the Suns and underestimating the Lakers. 

I really think we would have a much easier time with the Suns because they're defense is not nearly as good as the Lakers and defense is what wins!

[Jon]

I don't know.  Phoenix worries me.  I really think that we can physically man-handle either team (Gasol may be tall, but he's still a pansy).  However, I worry Phoenix can outrun us.  L.A. can't. 

[Q_FBE]

I guess this is a good place to open up a case study. Right now, it is obvious that are issues will be to get out to the three point shooters. The Celtics were starting to have this problem against the Magic. I kinda wished that we had closed this deal last Monday because playing Games 5 and 6 were very damaging to our health. Our first loss was to Phoenix at the Garden. Got to go but I will back later.

[divo0oneh]

It depends will LA's level of intensity rise when they face the C's? thats a big Q however in terms of matchups Suns are a bad matchup for us.

I personally would like both of them to make their Suns/Lakers all-star team and fac us in the finals  little cocky we got The Truth 

[Vermont Green]

It is really funny that going into the Suns-Lakers series, the conventional wisdom was that the Lakers were much better and then there were debates (when the series was 2-0) about whether or not they would sweep.  In another thread, I made a very contrarian post at about that time that even though I thought the Lakers were better than the Suns, I felt the Suns were much better than people were giving them credit for.

Now people are saying they would rather play the Lakers because of match-ups and style of play.  I still think the Lakers are the better team and will be harder to knock out than the Suns would.  For that reason, I would rather play the Suns.  It would definitely be fun to beat the Lakers ourselves but it is also fun if they don't even make it to the finals.

[Neurotic Guy]

Not any doubt for me -- I want Phoenix.   Playing the Suns is as close to a no-lose situation as I can imagine -- my anxiety level drops precipitously if the Suns take the West.  Why no-lose?  Because the 2 most important things in an NBA season for me are: 1) The Celtics win a championship and 2) The Lakers do not win a championship.  With the Lakers out, 1 of my goals is alreayd met.  If the C's lose to the Suns, I'd be disappointed; if the C's lose to the Lakers, I'd be devastated.

Truthfully, the stress of Boston-LA actually makes the Finals tough for me to watch -- even though I'd enjoy the outcome more if Bosotn won.

[snively]

The Lakers-Celtics match-up seems like it would be a lot more fun, if a lot more stressful to watch.  The two biggest, most skilled frontcourts duking it out, great match-ups on the wing, the Rondo vs. Kobe dynamic, the mutual hatred of the fanbases; Celtics vs. Suns seems almost like an exhibition series in comparison.

As terrible as it would be to lose to the Lakers, how much sweeter would it be to beat them for the 2nd time in a row and put an asterisk on the 2009 title?

[celticinorlando]

celtics would have an easier time with the lakers IMO

[Roy Hobbs]

I want Phoenix:

1) Their defense is a lot worse, and I think we could do more against them;

2) I'm not scared of their offense, as our defense can shut down any team's offense;

3) Honestly, I'm sick of the Lakers; I'd like to see some new blood in there, and I revel in the thought of Kobe blowing a 2-0 lead;

4) On the off chance that something goes wrong (injuries, a repeat of Game 5 against Orlando), I'd rather see Nash and the Suns get gifted a title, rather than the Lakers.

[Donoghus]

I honestly don't care.

Celtics-Lakers is always an awesome rivalry but the Suns have a likable team that I wouldn't mind facing in the Finals.  Plus, it'd shut up all the Laker fans real well.

[Yugocelt]

Good luck to the Suns tonight, I hope they take this and extend to a game 7.

[RAcker]

With the way we have started playing and with a week to rest, I can't say I'm worried about either if we keep playing consistent.

Rest up boys.

[GreenFaith1819]

Lakers, Of course.

I cannot think of any other Team I'd want Boston to go for #18 against.