[TheBigB]

I don't hate the Lakers, really. Well, not the current ones anyway. Growing up in the 80s as a rabid Larry Bird fan, I naturally developed a keen hatred for both the Lakers and Sixers. And since Nowitzki reminds me a good bit of LB (I especially love the cheesy goatee--he looks like a DIE HARD villain), my allegiance is now with the Mavs. Paul Pierce has, however, rekindled my interest in the Celts, although the Vin Baker trade was a disaster of epic proportions. The Mavs are my favorite team now, although Duncan and Robinson are class acts; so I wouldn't be outraged if the Spurs took the series. Regardless, I think it'll be a fun series to watch, although it probably won't be as fast-paced as the Kings/Mavs series (that 141-137 Double OT game should be played on ESPN Classic constatntly.)

[Michael.SF.]

I don't hate the Lakers, really. Well, not the current ones anyway. Growing up in the 80s as a rabid Larry Bird fan, I naturally developed a keen hatred for both the Lakers and Sixers.

As long as the "hate" is proerly directed and contained I have no problem in general with opposition fans. What I have a problem with is being made to feel totally uncomfortable because I support my team.

Growing up in LA during the West-Balor-Chamberlin days I am a lifelong Laker fan. But I never "hated" the Celtics nor Larry Bird.

Now, Danny 'crybaby' Ainge and Kevin Mchale that is a different story.

[Norman Arbuthnot]

The Mavs are my favorite team now, although Duncan and Robinson are class acts; so I wouldn't be outraged if the Spurs took the series.

Ditto!!

I'm a former 80's Celt fan too and the Mav's remind me of that Celtic team in terms of their offensive firepower. With Bird, McHale, Parish, Ainge and Dennis Johnson that Celtic team had always had three or four guys who were capable of dropping 20 or 30 points on any given night. The Mav's, with Dirk, Nash, Finley, Van Exel, & Co. are similar, although the Celts played better team D. The Mav's are going to have play a little better defense in order to prevail because they can't count on making 98% of their free throws.

Both teams have good coaches and players that are good role models, at least in terms of the way they conduct themselves on the court. I wouldn't mind if the Spurs won the championship this year because that would be nice way for David Robinson to go out.