Miami or Boston: Who Would Lakers Fans Rather Face in the 2011 Finals?

The Los Angeles Lakers will begin their quest for a three-peat with what is arguably their most talented team in years, but standing in their way is a group of Eastern Conference teams who could make their task extremely difficult.

If the Lakers survive the West their next opponent will likely come from a group which includes the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and the Orlando Magic.

No disrespect to the Magic, but if Lakers fans were allowed to choose their finals opponent, it would probably be either the Celtics or the Heat.

Both the Heat and Celtics would be more attractive to viewers in general, and each team offers the Lakers a compelling matchup.

The Celtics represent a chance to once again renew a rivalry which may be the best in all of sports, while the Heat represent a threat to the natural balance of order in the NBA.

Lakers' fans who are basketball purists would probably prefer to see another tense series with the Celtics, but the newer generation of fans, and commissioner David Stern are probably salivating over a series featuring three of the game's top-five players.

The Heat have historical talent in players like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, but in truth Miami may be a better matchup for the defending champs.



Miami may have the most talented trio in the NBA, but the Lakers might have the most talented team, and the strength of their roster just happens to be the Heat's biggest question mark.

The Lakers front court combination of Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Andrew Bynum are arguably the best in the NBA, and without question they are superior to Miami's own post players.

Bosh and Udonis Haslem are decent front court players, and Joel Anthony is a nice athlete, but the Lakers are bigger and stronger in the post, and they have the ability to match the perimeter players in terms of production.

Bosh will get his p...

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