Why a Lakers-Celtics finals is bad for the NBA (and good for the NHL)

Though it is one of the most storied rivalries in all of sports, the showdown between the Lakers and Celtics in the 2010 NBA finals will do nothing, but harm to the league. The 12th meeting between the two teams in the Finals leaves much to be desired, as it is the least wanted outcome out of all the possibilities when entering the NBA playoffs.



Apart from the fanbases in Boston and Los Angeles, this finals series leaves the rest of the nation bored to tears. While it may have been appealing in 2008 when the Celtics were competing for a championship for the first time in 21 years, the matchup between these two franchises will leave the rest of the country flipping the channels. The result of these finals will either be Kobe Bryant winning another championship and being praised endlessly by the media, or the Celtics adding yet another championship to their belt, with the league's best actor, Paul Pierce, being given yet another championship ring.

When the rivalry was actually good

The biggest problem with these finals is that there is nothing at stake. When this matchup occurred 2 years ago, it was backed by the desire to see KG win a championship, as well as the sight of the revitalization of the league's most successful franchise. At the time Kobe was also still trying to prove himself by winning his first championship without Shaq (which he finally accomplished last year). However in 2010, both teams have won the past two championships, each proving their worth by doing so, leaving pride as something that does not need to be obtained this time around.

Instead of getting to see Dwight or Lebron fight for their first championship, we are treated to the same story that we have seen a dozen times before; two talented teams competing for their second championship (Lakers are not the same team as they were in the Shaq era). This would be easier to swallow if there was anyone particularly likable on either team however there truly isn't. The lakers consist of a guy who beats up fans, an annoying European manwolf, Kobe and a coach who is more focused on playing mind games with the opposing team than he is with calling plays. On the Bawston side of things, there is the actor (Paul Pierce), the angry man (Kevin Garnett), the douche-bag (Rondo) and the fat guy who doesn't do anything, but cry (Big Baby). Unless you are a fan of either of these teams it is hard to truly root for any of these players, making the series that much harder to watch.

So much for Hockey Bawston

However, while this situation is nothing, but bad news for the NBA it is great news for the NHL, who are currently holding their finals. Instead of having the same old predictable situation like the NBA is providing, hockey is granting one of the most exciting match ups in years. On one side there is the Chicago Blackhawks, a young team which has been on the radar for some time, as they made it to the western conference championship last year only to fall to the Redwings, but made their presence known by having the 2nd best record in the league (only behind the Capitals). Not only does it seem destined for Chicago to win the Stanley Cup this year, but doing so would provide the franchise with their first championship since 1961, and first championship to Chi-Town since 2005 when the White Sox won the world series. Their opponent, the Philadelphia Flyers, are the very definition of underdog, as nearly everyone granted the eastern conference position in the finals to either the Penguins or the Capitals. However, Philly defied the odds by coming back from a 3-0 deficit against the Bruins in the 2nd round and winning 4 games in a row to advance to the next round. The Flyers are also hungry for a championship as they have won a stanley cup since 1975.

Dustin Byfuglien may be the coolest man alive

The result of these NHL finals will either be one of the Original six officially revitalizing their franchise through victory, or one of the biggest upsets in sports in years with the Flyers coming out of nowhere to win it all. This certainly is much more appealing than yet another Lakers-Celtics series, and will surely help the NHL in ratings.