NBA Roundtable: Lakers or Sixers, the MIP and the next disgruntled star

NBA Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
NBA Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 7: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles around Jerryd Bayless #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half at Wells Fargo Center on December 7, 2017 in Philadelphia,Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 7: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles around Jerryd Bayless #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half at Wells Fargo Center on December 7, 2017 in Philadelphia,Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

May ideal NBA Finals matchup is….

Cann: Lakers-Celtics. What better way to renew the biggest rivarly in NBA history than with former championship teammates going head to head? Let’s get this out of the way, the Lakers will not make the NBA finals this year. The Golden State Warriors, barring some injury or epic collapse, will once again come out of the west, with the Houston Rockets being their only real challenger.

Wouldn’t it be fun if they did, though? Could you imagine the GOAT conversations if Lebron drags this team to the finals, how about if he actually manages to win? Did you even think about the Rajon Rondo suiting up as a Laker against Boston sub plot? There would be so many layers to this match up.

Too bad it will never take place. Quick shout out to the darkest of dark house situations, Thunder-Pacers. How fun would it be to watch Oladipo go up against not only the guy who overshadowed him as a sidekick, but also the guy he was traded for? That would be too much fun.

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Kotsifis: Truth be told, fans love dynasties and ongoing rivalries. The television ratings of the past few years went through the roof with the Golden State Warriors – Cleveland Cavaliers matchup. Fans love to watch superstars buildtheir legacies and we have witnessed just that with the Warriors getting 3 titles in 4 years and Lebron getting a championship with an epic comeback. What more can we ask from this year’s Finals?

Well this is fantasy talking for sure but I think a Lakers – Celtics matchup would be the stuff dreams are made of.

The most prominent rivalry in the NBA and a great storyline to back it. Kyrie demanding a trade to leave James’ shadow and LeBron leading the Lakers’ rebirth with a young group of unproven players. The great rivalry of the 80’s coming back to life. Magic Johnson and Danny Ainge leading the charge from the stands while James and Irving go shot for shot…

Obviously, this is not going to happen as Golden will prove an insurmountable obstacle, but hey dreams are ten a penny.

Patel: Easy–Celtics vs. Lakers. The legendary rivalry rekindled. LeBron vs. Kyrie. Shall I say more? This oozes with all-time great hardwood classic potential. And most of all, it will be a toss-up. Boston is clearly the better team, but aside from the 73-9 KD Warriors, LeBron can beat any team on his own. Lakers in 7.

Allen: Boston and Golden State. The Celtics now have Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward back which is scary. They were such a good team last year led by young players like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Add in two All-Stars like Irving and Hayward and the Celtics are bound to be an unbelievable team this year.

Golden State is clearly on another level compared to the rest of the NBA, based on their versatility and ability to score in so many ways, especially the three-pointer. With the addition of DeMarcus Cousins, they also just got a lot better down low.

In my opinion, Boston is the only team that has what it takes to contend with the Warriors in the NBA Finals in 2019.