1984-87 ... that seems so long ago. and even though i was a barely-than-casual NBA observer back then - it didn't become a full blown interest until Jordan won his 1st championship in 1991 - it was like these two were the only teams that mattered (Bird vs Magic, always, all the time). in a small town in a Third World country (of course, the 1992 Dream Team would usher in a new age).
looking back at it now, that period was split with two titles each for Boston and L.A. Boston leads in overall titles between them, but the Lakers can close that gap to 1. and they sure can.
Kobe seems to be at the height of his powers, and he has a better supporting cast that does not include someone named "Shaq". the Celtics, hailed early this season as a great team with heavyweights, lost some of that allure in the Playoffs by not convincingly beating Atlanta, Cleveland and Detroit (playoff record 12-9). although the Lakers have not beaten the Celtics yet this season, that was before Pau Gasol's arrival via the Memphis fire sale.
being in New York City, i had misgivings; should i root for the Celtics because i am on the East Coast after all, or should i pull for the Lakers, because New Yorkers hate anything Boston sports-wise? (c'mon, the Patriots and the Red Sox are different circumstances) i'm happy for Kevin Garnett as his journey from the wilds of Minnesota have ended up here on the big stage, and even that alone puts me squarely behind Gang Green (and i never liked Kobe anyway - but i respect his talents). this is the Finals that i wanted, once the Playoff seeds were established.
one thing for sure, there's a lot of Pinoys who filed for absences from work for this one.
at the risk of being laughed at ... Boston, 4-3.
looking back at it now, that period was split with two titles each for Boston and L.A. Boston leads in overall titles between them, but the Lakers can close that gap to 1. and they sure can.
Kobe seems to be at the height of his powers, and he has a better supporting cast that does not include someone named "Shaq". the Celtics, hailed early this season as a great team with heavyweights, lost some of that allure in the Playoffs by not convincingly beating Atlanta, Cleveland and Detroit (playoff record 12-9). although the Lakers have not beaten the Celtics yet this season, that was before Pau Gasol's arrival via the Memphis fire sale.
being in New York City, i had misgivings; should i root for the Celtics because i am on the East Coast after all, or should i pull for the Lakers, because New Yorkers hate anything Boston sports-wise? (c'mon, the Patriots and the Red Sox are different circumstances) i'm happy for Kevin Garnett as his journey from the wilds of Minnesota have ended up here on the big stage, and even that alone puts me squarely behind Gang Green (and i never liked Kobe anyway - but i respect his talents). this is the Finals that i wanted, once the Playoff seeds were established.
one thing for sure, there's a lot of Pinoys who filed for absences from work for this one.
at the risk of being laughed at ... Boston, 4-3.
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