In what could only be described as a “dream match up” by everyone from advertising executives to fans across the world. The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Boston Celtics for the NBA’s world championship beginning tonight in Boston.

The match up is drenched in history and screams nostalgia. In the sixties it was Bill Russell against Wilt Chamberlain and in the eighties it was Magic versus Bird. There has been nothing but classic footage on ESPN this whole week in anticipation of this year’s final. The names and faces have changed, but the rivalry and hatred remains the same. The Lakers are looking to win their 4th title of the decade, while the Celtics are playing in the finals for the 1st time since 1987, where guess who they played? You got it the Lakers.

The series is not just the names on the jerseys either. There is plenty of star power on both teams. The Lakers attack with one of the all-time greats in Kobe Bryant while the Celtics counter with Kevin Garnett. It seems like everybody is pulling for ‘nice guy” Garnett to win it this year as he has taken on the feel good story of the NBA. I guess people feel sorry for him for putting up with all of those losing seasons in Minnesota. Not me! If a player is willing to handcuff a team and sign a contract for crazy money, he should deal with the repercussions of not being able to afford a supporting cast.

As for Kobe Bryant, if the Lakers win the title he is looking to cement his legacy and be mentioned in the same breath as Michael Jordan as one of the greatest of all-time.

If the Lakers can split one of the first two games on the road, with the format set up by the league, the next three games will be at the very friendly Staples center where the Lakers have not lost since late March. With all the hype surrounding the series obliviously I’m picking the Lakers to win it & it will take them five games to do it.