No Shame in Wanting Cavs-Lakers

Darn right I want to see the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. the L.A. Lakers in the NBA Finals. And, yes, some of it has to do with the significant subplot of LeBron James vs. Kobe Bryant.

For a few reasons, that's the series I want. And I'm not going to feel guilty about it or apologize for it or pay any attention to the backlash. I know Orlando's Dwight Howard feels disrespected because everyone seems to be pulling for Cavs-Lakers and LeBron-Kobe, but he shouldn't take it personally.

His time will come.
That's what most of this is about, actually. The single biggest reason I'd like to see a Cavs-Lakers NBA Finals comes down to a sense of propriety, really, and a desire to see teams fail first before getting a chance to play for a title.

Like that old Smith Barney ad featuring John Houseman, a title team must "earn it," and the only way to earn it is to first be humbled. Call me old-fashioned but I don't want a surprise champ or someone coming out of nowhere.

That's Reason No. 1. Two years ago, the Cavaliers played in the NBA Finals and lost to San Antonio; last year, the Lakers lost to the Celtics in the Finals. That's why both the Cavs and Lakers have earned the right to win a title, and the only way that is ensured is if they meet in the Finals.

And the loser? I'll be rooting for them to win it all next year. Or at least get there again.

LeBron James Photos

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, left, and Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard share a few words during a timeout in the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James reacts after not getting a call by the official in the third quarter against the Orlando Magic during Game 3 of their Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoff series in Orlando, Florida May 24, 2009. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Reuters

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard gets called for a foul as he blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James during Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic defeated the Cavaliers, 99-89. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)

MCT

Orlando Magic center Marcin Gortat, left, blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James during Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic defeated the Cavaliers, 99-89. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)

MCT

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) walks off the court after losing Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals to the Orlando Magic 99-89 in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 24: Rashard Lewis #9 of the Orlando Magic passes against LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the the Amway Arena on May 24, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rashard Lewis;LeBron James

Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 24: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers steals the ball from Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the the Amway Arena on May 24, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James;Dwight Howard;Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 24: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots against the Orlando Magic in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the the Amway Arena on May 24, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James;Zydrunas Ilgauskas;Anderson Varejao

Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 24: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives against against Mickael Pietrus #20 of the Orlando Magic with the help of teammate Zydrunas Ilgauskas #11 in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the the Amway Arena on May 24, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James;Mickael Pietrus;Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 24: Courtney Lee #11 of the Orlando Magic shoots against LeBron James #23 Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the the Amway Arena on May 24, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Courtney Lee;LeBron James

Getty Images

Who doesn't like the idea of playoff rivalries developing? It makes for the best postseason. Back in the 1980s, the Pistons had to get past the Celtics. And then the Bulls had to get past the Pistons.

In the early 1990s, the Knicks couldn't get past the Bulls. In the early 2000s, the Blazers and Kings took unsuccessful shots at the Lakers. Hopefully, Orlando and Cleveland will have a few more Eastern Conference finals, and eventually the Magic will break through.

Ditto for the Nuggets. If they want to try to stay intact and become a team that goes consistently deep into the playoffs, then by all means, that would be fine. But this year, here's to the Lakers and Bryant getting another crack at it.

We want the list of players who have participated in an NBA championship series to be short. And we want the list of players who have won a title to be exclusive.

Here's another reason I'd like to see Cleveland-L.A.: Yes, we want to see the two best players in the league going up against each other. But most important, we want to see them going up against each other on the biggest stage, when the games matter most.

That's what you want regardless of the sport. What's wrong with that?

James and Bryant are at different points in their careers, but there is still a chance for a two- or three-year overlap in terms of team and individual rivalry. Maybe it's the unrealistic hope that James-Bryant could turn into Part II of Bird-Magic. Heck, Magic Johnson did both players the honor on Monday of comparing them to Bird and himself.

But even if it's not Magic-Bird, it would likely still be something compelling. How will each player handle the Finals pressure, knowing everything will be measured against the other guy -- who also happens to be playing on the same court?

Love to watch that get answered.

Reason No. 3: A matchup between the Cavs and Lakers would be a matchup of chemistry vs. talent. No one out there believes the Cavaliers have more talent than the Lakers. But the Cavaliers do seem to have a genuine like for one another and a special camaraderie that goes from James to the 12th man.

The Lakers seem to be in a perpetual state of figuring things out, whether it's how to play alongside Bryant on the offensive end or how tough to be on the interior on the defensive end.

The more you see Cleveland, the more you realize they're getting by on James and their defensive system. In other words, he doesn't have a lot of help. Bryant, on the other hand, has some weapons and it's a matter of how best to use them.

He's got a talented inside-out power forward in Pau Gasol, an intriguing young back-to the-basket center in Andrew Bynum and a versatile talent in Lamar Odom. Yes, it would be fascinating to see how a team like Cleveland might possibly win a series against the Lakers.

So, bring it on. Give me Cavs vs. Lakers; Kobe vs. LeBron. I've got no problem saying it.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

5-26-2009 @ 9:47AM

countflock said...

After reading this steaming, stinking pile of monkey crap, nothing would make me feel better than an Orlando-Denver Final.

5-26-2009 @ 12:26PM

vandervoorts said...

Denver yes.
lakers yes,
cleveland yes.
orlando no. Orlando has no excitement about them. 3 point shooting ALL THE TIME is boring. Give me the guys who slash to the basket and get bloody after a hard foul and still make the shot, that my friends is exciting basketball.

5-26-2009 @ 9:56AM

After reading this steaming, stinking pile of monkey crap, I hope to have a Denver-Orlando Final. I got sick of the Bird-Magic rivalry and Jordan's dominance. I stopped watching the NBA after the Bulls beat the Jazz. I got tired of the NBA officials (not just the refs) allowing Jordan to do whatever he wanted to do on the court. It appears to me that the NBA also lets James and Bryant do whatever they want.

Bryant seems to feel entitled to an NBA championship. Too bad his team shows up whenever they feel like it. Maybe that is why they will struggle to win it this year. Eventually James will feel the same way. Too bad.

5-26-2009 @ 10:32AM

secombs said...

I'm hoping to see the best two TEAMS in the finals. Isn't that why we play best out of seven? It's a game of basketball, not a soap opera. If the best two teams are the Lakers and the Cavs, then so be it.. but I would never want those teams to be in the finals because of the name of a player on each team. I'm sure the rest of the players would agree.

5-26-2009 @ 10:48AM

Michael gifford said...

While I agree and would love to see a Cavs Lakers finals NO ONE deserves to play for the title unless they win their way there. Period and if it's Magic/Nuggets, then so be it..although I probably won't watch it. The fact that Cavs went to ECF last year and lakers the ring round doesn't entitle them to squat. It does however contribute to the reasons why people would rather see it, along with the clearly exciting contest between the top 2 players in the league. The one leaving as top and the one stepping in...oh well, it isn't because both of them haven't tried it will be because the teams around them either aren't stepping up or aren't good enough...too bad

5-26-2009 @ 11:00AM

daveenlakwood said...

Big mouth Magic Coach called the Cavs babies and not tough enough to go to the finals.... Hey fatman....anyone ever tell you that you never provide bulletin board material to a team before a big game....shows you aren't very bright.... Lebron will go ballistic tonight, and his teammates are gonna be on fire,,,, theyre gonna show u what babies dunking on your rejects look like on ur homecourt..... we will slam you by 15 pts
we have the best player in the NBA....

5-26-2009 @ 3:59PM

Glenn20 said...

I'd say that big-mouth Mo Williams proclamations are much bigger bulletin board material.

And the coach's comments about all the Cavalier flopping and about LeBron being favored by the refs are right on the money. Everyone has known these facts about the Cavaliers all season long. Not to mention the fact that LeBron gets away with about a half-dozen travels per game.

5-26-2009 @ 11:08AM

se134 said...

One reason the NFL is the most successful sport of all is that it does not play favorites.

I am fed up with the NBA and to MLB to constantly pander to big markets . It s big joke.

Promote the sport!

darktico said...

The writer of this is a sellout.

Yes, Go Superman go Bird Man. Nothing would please me more

5-26-2009 @ 11:22AM

thecla923 said...

Could this article be more contrived?

Seriously.

5-26-2009 @ 11:25AM

Unknown said...

Hey guys, let's watch Lebron and Kobe shoot free throws!

(You know what's funny? I clicked to this article from its headline on another site, and I already knew it was written by Steinmetz. Can't think of another writer on FanHouse who would write this kind of garbage.)

5-26-2009 @ 11:59AM

J said...

I feel dumber after reading this article. Forget all that bs about if you fail then you deserve to go to the finals the next season. So you telling me that everytime the jazz lost to the bulls the next season they deserved to win? The Magic will win the east sorry all you Cavs bandwagon fans maybe next year if you get a decent Center. Everybody knew that if the Cavs played the Magic the matchup problems would favor Orlando. Thats why the Cavs wanted to play against the Banged up Celtics, they would of had a better chance of winning that series. Honestly i think the Lakers would have the same matchup problems with the Magic that the Cavs are having now. Hopefully it will be Magic vs Nuggets just so we dont have to read these dumb articles anymore.

5-26-2009 @ 11:56AM

Chuck said...

Put a fork in the cav's & Lebron , come on this is just another cleveland losing team.......

5-26-2009 @ 12:00PM

Lisa G. said...

Everyone does not want 2 c a Cavs, Lakers matchup, personally I want 2 c the Lakers lose, because they act like their the team 2 beat. But n reality their just another team with a Stupid-star. They barely got by Houston, and Denver is letting them know that they came 2 play. If the Lakers manage 2 win the championship, that will b okay, but it's not like they ran over teams 2 do it.

5-26-2009 @ 12:05PM

Jimachd said...

Are you cmpletely stupid? Who cares what you want to see? It's all an]bout who honestly wins and anyone who thinks the NBA has nothing to do with who ends up in the finals is an idiot at this point. The officiating is so obviously onesided and as a Lebron fan I find it just embarassing. Do I care about Dwight Howard? No I dont. But what I care about is the 2 teams who earn their way to the finals get there and it already looks like that wont happen. I am not a big conspiracy nut, but this WWE style officiating is getting out of hand. I mean it is OBVIOUS!!!

5-26-2009 @ 12:34PM

francis said...

this is the most crap comment of all time.
the writer actually wants the NBA to crown lebron or kobe.this is conspiracy first class.
nonsense
i want the best team to win.whoever wins the 7 game series has earned the right to be in the finals.
surprise winner?What is that?a 7game series winner is no surprise!
A team that lost deserves a trip to the final?Even the winner does not get that free trip why a loser.
remember malone`s utah jazz
remember ewing`s knicks
if you are in first time and you win,you win
i want good basketball and no winner that is selected by the NBA conspiracy plotters.

5-26-2009 @ 12:40PM

connie said...

If the officials called the same fouls on Bryant and James I think it would be a better game. Basketball has become more like football than basketball. My hope is that we see a good series between Denver and Orlando. I am tired of the one man team. I like to see team basketball and Denver and Orlando provide that.

5-26-2009 @ 1:36PM

Golf History said...

Dahntay Jones is a dirty player - tripping, pushing in the back, etc. I hope that the league suspends him for a game. They would do so if it happened during a regular season game. Why not now?

5-26-2009 @ 1:56PM

Magic said...

who wants to see a bunch of thugs like denver in the finals, they are all wife beaters or drug abusers, screw all the tats they are just hells angels on the court, thugs and bad asses shoudlnt be in the finals

5-26-2009 @ 1:57PM

jzz3skys said...

Let's say that heaven forfend, the Cavs don't go all the way this year and LeBron opts out of Cleveland before next season. Then there would seem there to be a conflict between your proprietary interests in: a) having a team (Cleveland) "prove" itself incrementally before winning it all, and b) having one of the two greatest players (James) in the finals. So this kind of "propriety" seems anachronistic as it pre-dates free agency and seems more a collection of primary and secondary myth that are too numerous to go into.

Example: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, like Larry Bird, had an immediate impact in his first season (with the Milwaukee Bucks), and then was supplied with at least one "stellar" supporting player, making it "consistently deeper" into the playoffs each year until finally winning the title. Then Kareem opted out of Milwaukee, according to Wikipedia, by saying that "being in the Midwest did not fit his cultural needs and [so he] requested a trade to either New York or Los Angeles in October 1974."

It's the modern athlete's hard-earned right to control his own destiny by deciding where he plays. In Kareem's case, he's a brilliant cat (I've read two of his books) and he had grown up in NYC and attended college in LA, so for him, the choice was between those two cities. It just happened to overlap with the financial interests of the television networks and the League, but I doubt that his primary consideration.

It would seem that LA is still the glamour capital of basketball and I assume that that's why Shaquille chose to go there. NYC hasn't been the biggest basketball town for a long time but that could change because of its a huge television audience. Boston is big too, bigger than Cleveland I would think.

No one would say that there's some kind of inherent propriety in having either Boston or NY win the AL East title year after year, although the interest will always be there, and hence, the rivalry.