Heat vs. Lakers, who do you root for?

[misha]

Here's a related hypothetical.

Let's pretend that Miami and LA made a trade.  Kobe Bryant for Dwayne Wade.

So now...

LA is led by Dwayne Wade (who I like) and Pau Gasol (who I kinda like/at least have a lot more respect for).

Miami is led by BronBron, Kobe, and Chris "Lapdog" Bosh.

Gotta hold your nose, ignore history and root for LA, right?

I just don't get it with a bunch of you guys.  It's not about the players....it's the team.  I root for the Celtics no matter how they are put together; and I root against the Fakers no matter what.  Why is that so difficult to understand? It's the same for me with the Skankies and Sox.  It's the team not the players.

TP to Mr David.

[LakerPete]

Not even a debate, Lakers.  I grew up during the Magic Bird era and while it was competitive the rivalry was friendly... atleast it was in my 8 year old view.

In short I didn't grow up hating the Lakers, in fact Magic was one of my favorite players.

I am not a Kobe fan but I respect his dominance and I find him a far more deserving champion than LBJ... there was a time when he was arrogant and thought he ruled the world, I think the losing years after Shaq left/ran out of town Kobe grew up and learned a thing or two.

Oh I agree entirely. Also the Laker management is the best in many years thanks to West a great player in his own right.

Very good point he was behind the trade of Gasol to Lakers.  Another astute eye of talent that West.

I don't know why so many people say this. West retired in June of 2007, and Gasol was traded to the Lakers in February of 2008. This is especially ironic coming from a Celtic fan, considering who KG was acquired from.

[billysan]

Definitely the Heat.

Still hate Lebron and 'Rue Paul' Bosh (thanx Shaq) but I like D Wade. He will be the leader if they are smart, if he defers to Lebron they will be in trouble.

Should be interesting matchups when they meet. Wade/Kobe, Lebron/Artest will battle but Artest will get into oul troubles quickly.

Watching Gasol and Bosh will be like 'foxy boxing'.

Fisher/Chalmers will be interesting but I take Fisher because he will kill the Heat with his outside shot.

I think the Lakers definitely win the supporting cast after the 'top 3' matchups.

[Redz]

Not even a debate, Lakers.  I grew up during the Magic Bird era and while it was competitive the rivalry was friendly... atleast it was in my 8 year old view.

In short I didn't grow up hating the Lakers, in fact Magic was one of my favorite players.

I am not a Kobe fan but I respect his dominance and I find him a far more deserving champion than LBJ... there was a time when he was arrogant and thought he ruled the world, I think the losing years after Shaq left/ran out of town Kobe grew up and learned a thing or two.

Friendly?





It wasn't friendly until Bird & Magic got chummy after they retired.  I hate the Lakers.  Always have.  Always will.

I will gladly pull for the Heat should they be so fortunate to face the Lakers in the Finals (and no ones guaranteeing LA makes it either).

[ACF]

Heat.

[eatyourchildren]

I find it interesting that as much as the Lakers and Celtics hate each other, there is a begrudging respect there borne out of competition.

And the most unsatisfying thing about this Heat team is that it was built against some sense of relishing competition. They want to be like a bunch of high schoolers beating up on 3rd grade teams.

I'd root for the Celtics against the Heat, and I'm a Lakers fan. I view the Celtics as rivals and nemeses yes...but I also understand that you need great rivals to make greatness. Not sure why you C's fans don't see it that way.

[JSD]

Your CB account should be deleted automatically if you vote Lakers here.

[calicudder18]

In the case that those are the Finals, Heat.

[Celtic]

This one's pretty easy for me, I root for the Heat.

Once the three cowards got together in Miami, the first thing I thought of was well at least it's going to be a lot harder for LA to win another championship.

[Redz]

I find it interesting that as much as the Lakers and Celtics hate each other, there is a begrudging respect there borne out of competition.

And the most unsatisfying thing about this Heat team is that it was built against some sense of relishing competition. They want to be like a bunch of high schoolers beating up on 3rd grade teams.

I'd root for the Celtics against the Heat, and I'm a Lakers fan. I view the Celtics as rivals and nemeses yes...but I also understand that you need great rivals to make greatness. Not sure why you C's fans don't see it that way.

Well, I guess the more the Lakers beat the Celtics in the Finals (3 out of the last 4 time they've met) the more we'd have to come around to the concept that they are respectable rivals.  But it's a hard sell on something that's so ingrained in our fiber - that the Celtics are superior in head to head meetings, and therefore the Lakers are worthy of our respect.  I know that win or lose, this past series, I definitely had more respect for the Lakers than I did in 2008.  They simply played a harder and tougher.