<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">For the third straight year, the NBA--in its infinite wisdom--has once again decided to have Shaq's Heat play Kobe's Lakers as the featured game on Christmas day. This is obviously the wrong decision. Bryant and O'neal are no longer enemies (or so they would have us believe); the outcome of this game will mean next to nothing in the grand scheme of things; no one cares about this story anymore (except, evidently, the suits at NBA HQ); and most importantly, the NBA is doing the fans a great disservice by not showcasing other matchups which would undoubtedly be more entertaining than Shaq vs. Kobe III. Below is a list of matchups we here at BR would prefer to see on Dec.25 : -Knicks vs. Whoever Larry Brown Will Be Coaching Next Year : If Isiah Thomas manages to last as Knicks coach all the way until X-mas, this would be a phenomenally enjoyable matchup : two of the most loathesome characters in our beloved Lig squaring off in an unforgettable matchup of unmatched ineptitude. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving. </div> <a href="http://benchrenaldo.blogspot.com/2006/07/all-i-want-for-x-mas.html" target="_blank"> http://benchrenaldo.blogspot.com/2006/07/a...-for-x-mas.html</a> This is just a blog link I got from Deadspin, but if it's true, the NBA is making a mistake. Cavs vs Heat, Bull vs Pistons and Dallas vs Phoenix should be the top choices.
Yer that's just stupid, the drama from kobe v shaq is pretty much dead. Cavs vs Heat is an awesome idea. Lebron vs Wade, last time they met didnt bron and wade go for 40 each or something? Bulls vs Pistons is just as good, having it at the Palace is even better. Big ben returns to the Palace. Not so sure bout Dallas vs Phoenix though, I don't see the excitement in that match up. A Finals grudge match is always good so Heat vs Mavs.
It's not necessarily the Shaq vs Kobe thing anymore....it's the fact that it's still a marketable matchup. They're two of the most popular players in the league....beyond that DWade is in there as well. So, while the matchup may prove irrelevant now, it's still highly marketable, with three of the NBAs biggest stars involved in it, not to mention a coaching matchup for the ages in Phil vs Riley.
I would like to see other matchups on Christmas like Bulls/Pistons or a Finals Rematch or Cavs/Heat but the NBA is trying to ride Lakers/Heat as long as they can.
While I wouldn't mind seeing something different, like I said in my earlier post, I'm not surprised at all with this. They're putting two of the most popular teams in the NBA on center stage Christmas. Beyond that, two of the NBAs best in DWade and Kobe will be going head to head, and throw in Shaq, that's a lot of big names in one game. Even though the rivalry is gone, it's still got a ton more marketablity than something like Bulls vs. Pistons. Sure...the Bulls have Big Ben and are a great young team....but there are many other people who'd rather watch Kobe vs. DWade/Shaq as opposed to a couple defensive minded teams go at it.
to be honest the kobe vs. shaq has never been anything special imo....if the Lakers were one of the top seeded teams, then yes it would be fun to watch but seeing the Lakers get beat every year on the same day is not a ritual I enjoy watching..........I'd rather see Heat vs.Cavs....Spurs vs. Mavs...etc.
I like it....The two most competitive players in the league are going up against each other. Kobe vs Wade, then you have Shaq playin against his former team. Phil and Pat don't like each other and Bynum's dunk on Shaq last year was prolly the best highlight of the season. Shaq came down threw down a nasty dunk on the kid. The kid gets himself back up after falling, runs back down court while Shaq is still celebrating. Runs down to the block, spins on Shaq and throws down a nasty dunk. Then goes back down court and shoves Shaq!!! Priceless Miami vs Lakers
Don’t mind the match-up. Although, Shaq Vs. Kobe has cooled down, the story line of Wade Vs. Kobe has built up some steam. Is it my ideal Christmas game? Not really, I would rather see Chicago Vs. Detroit, but I don’t got a problem with this game either.
You telling you don't like to watch Dwade vs Kobe? The 2 most competitively players on the court, the heir to MJ? You must be kiddin me.
Im tired of watching Lakers every year on Christmas man. I want it to be Rockets vs Mavs or Rockets vs. Spurs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Heat4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">It's not Shaq vs Kobe anymore, they're marketing it as Wade vs Kobe</div> Ah, that sucks.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AirJordan:</div><div class="quote_post">I'd rather see Wade vs Lebron than Wade/Lebron vs Kobe</div> Why? Lebron isn't nearly as competitive as Kobe or Wade. Wade vs Kobe is the best match up in the league being the fact these guys don't like each other, and Wade wants Kobe's spot as the best in the league.
The Shaq-Kobe story is over. Kobe-Wade? Well... Two of the best right now, but the team is not matched. I think a Heat-Mavs rematch is in order.
