Christmas Game: Heat vs. Lakers... Why? (merged)

NoBonus

Starter
I am not certain I understand why the Lakers are going to play the world champion Heat on Christmas. Seems like the Heat should have a more worthy foe... I mean, the Shaq vs. Kobe rivalry never really went anywhere and the Lakers are not, what I would project, one of the top ten teams in the league. This is such blatant pandering for ratings that it is sad.
 
I am not certain I understand why the Lakers are going to play the world champion Heat on Christmas. Seems like the Heat should have a more worthy foe... I mean, the Shaq vs. Kobe rivalry never really went anywhere and the Lakers are not, what I would project, one of the top ten teams in the league. This is such blatant pandering for ratings that it is sad.

yeah......but it will a great xmas present to have the lakers loose!!
 
Despite Kobe/Shaq being cool again, there's still the allure of Wade/Kobe, the world champions going against Kobe, Shaq himself, Wade himself, Kobe himself, Phil Jackson/Pat Riley, Riley in LA, Miami/LA, Zo, Payton, Odom, etc.
 
Despite Kobe/Shaq being cool again, there's still the allure of Wade/Kobe, the world champions going against Kobe, Shaq himself, Wade himself, Kobe himself, Phil Jackson/Pat Riley, Riley in LA, Miami/LA, Zo, Payton, Odom, etc.
Sort of, but there are a lot more teams that would be a much better matchup/more interesting all the way around... like a NBA Finals rematch or Detroit vs. Heat.
 
Well, that's not the way it was scheduled on christmas for Mavs/Heat, Pistons/Heat. Also have to take into account dates and other things at those arenas.

I'd say Ben Wallace leaving the Pistons takes a siginificant amount of steam off the Heat/Pistons, as the Pistons drop a level or two without him on that team.

Heat/Bulls will be, and I think is, the big east match-up now. Why? The addition of Ben Wallace to the Bulls, the continuing development of Deng/Gordon/Hinrich/Nocioni/Duhon, along with the other guys they've added to only increase the level of Chicago from what they were before. Which, indeed, was a solid, scrappy two-way team.

Other than Mavs/Heat, Lakers/Heat is bigger. I'm definitely down for Lakers/Heat on christmas, that'll be a good game for sure. Heat are one of the teams I've liked for years, and absolutely love Wade alone, and I really like Kobe.
 
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Well, that's not the way it was scheduled on christmas for Mavs/Heat, Pistons/Heat. Also have to take into account dates and other things at those arenas.

I'd say Ben Wallace leaving the Pistons takes a siginificant amount of steam off the Heat/Pistons, as the Pistons drop a level or two without him on that team.

Heat/Bulls will be, and I think is, the big east match-up now. Why? The addition of Ben Wallace to the Bulls, the continuing development of Deng/Gordon/Hinrich/Nocioni/Duhon, along with the other guys they've added to only increase the level of Chicago from what they were before. Which, indeed, was a solid, scrappy two-way team.

Other than Mavs/Heat, Lakers/Heat is bigger. I'm definitely down for Lakers/Heat on christmas, that'll be a good game for sure. Heat are one of the teams I've liked for years, and absolutely love Wade alone, and I really like Kobe.
You may like it, but it will probably not be that great a game... the Heat are far, far better than the Lakers. It is sort of insulting. Further, why only one Christmas game this year?
 
You may like it, but it will probably not be that great a game... the Heat are far, far better than the Lakers. It is sort of insulting. Further, why only one Christmas game this year?

Well, I don't know if you remember, but Lakers/Heat on Christmas in 2004 was a damn good game that went OT and down to the last shot. I didn't go into eat dinner for 5 minutes or so, because it went to OT :). I remember Shaq fouled out, and Wade finished the game out for the Heat in style.

The one in Miami in 2005 of 04-05, was a blow-out. The one on christmas in 2005 was good, then the one in January 2006, was a great game.

Wade/Kobe had duels in just about all of them. Then you had Shaq/Bynum having a mini-duel in the Jan. 2006 game. Overall, 3 quality or better games.

With a bit of a better Laker team this season, and just Kobe being on the Lakers, vs. Wade - I definitely think it'll be at least a good game to watch. I think since Shaq/Kobe have made up, it's now much more about Kobe/Wade, then you add everything else that's there, it's still a hot and quality match-up.
 
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I wanted to see NJ/Miami and Kings/Lakers. NJ/Miami is gonna be the ECF IMO and us VS la is usually always good.

LA vs Miami is retarded, hopefully the other game is good. Anyone know what it's gonna be?
 
Oh, I don't know. Watching the Lakers lose on Christmas Day is kinda like opening an extra present.

;)
 
I actually think its going to be a pretty damn good game and would like to see the two of the best players (Kobe and Wade) play against each other.

I think the Lakers are going to win the game.
 
Damn guys... I'm all for Wade/Kobe battling it out once again in the wild Staples Center.
When you say "battling", do you mean Wade playing team basketball (and Wade's team completely dominating all aspects of the game) and Kobe taking around 40 to 50 low percentage shots?
 
Your thoughts on this....

3 years in a row the Lakers & the Heat on Christmas day. Do Think that little troll David Stern is playing favorites?
 
Of course the league is playing favorites. Take the 2 best players over the last ten years, their history together, the coaches, etc and it makes for great tv. Would you rather see the Hawks v Bobcats?
 
It is getting boring to see the Lakers versus the Heat. I am not sure why they would even have a christmas game...
 
Anything is better than lakers.

I hope your not serious...

The Lakers are actually fun to watch in the season and in the playoffs simply because of Kobe.

Kobe had some crazy and fun games to watch last season. The way he shoots and scores is really amazing to watch. Its like he does it with no effort. He breaks down any defense that teams put on him and shoots the light out.

Wade is also good for the same reason + Shaq. This team can really make some noise when all of their players are playing the right way. Jason Williams is not as spectacular as he used to be but can still put on a nice show. Shaq does what he does.
 
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