Lakers vs. Heat: An NBA Finals Dream

Let’s assume Vegas odd makers are never wrong and they always correctly pick the favorites to be in the NBA Finals. That will mean the 2013 NBA Finals will pit Kobe Bryant and his Los Angeles Lakers against LeBron James and his Miami Heat.

If this happens, no NBA Finals will ever match such hype, excitement, and star power. You’d have to go back to the 1980s when Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers played Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics.

A 2013 NBA Finals will have a combined 60+ all-star appearances, four Finals MVPs, six season MVPs, and six future hall-of-famers if the Lakers meet the Heat.

Let’s go through the matchups position by position.

Steve Nash (LAL) vs. Mario Chalmers (MIA)

This may look like an easy choice, but remember that Nash is getting old and he is a liability on defense. Chalmers has the foot speed, but he doesn’t dictate the offense and doesn’t have the basketball IQ that Nash has. Nash is a better offensive player and I do not believe that Chalmers has the skills to push Nash to the limit. We give this matchup to Nash (10-8)

Kobe Bryant (LAL) vs. Dwyane Wade (MIA)

This is a tough one and this matchup could easily determine the outcome of the NBA Finals. Kobe is the better perimeter shooter and still a very good defender, but Wade does get to the rim at a much greater rate. Wade’s defense is still good. Both players are very clutch and look for them to see the ball in the 4^th quarter. The only reason why I’m giving this matchup to Kobe is because Wade gets hurt too much. Kobe (10-9)

Metta World Peace (LAL) vs. LeBron James (MIA)

This matchup looks incredibly lopsided because it is. Metta’s defense is still good, but I don’t think he can stop a beast like LeBron. Metta’s offense is very limited and he will not see that many shots as the fifth option. LeBron will be the first option on offense most times and I don’t see anyone stopping him. Also, I don’t see LeBron playing any defense this whole series if Metta doesn’t even get a shot. This is an easy LeBron victory. LeBron (10-6)

Pau Gasol (LAL) vs. Chris Bosh (MIA)

Another tough matchup similar to Kobe vs Wade. Both are perimeter big men and both are decent post defenders. Bosh will have more touches, but I think the basketball IQ of Gasol will do more for the Lakers then the offensive skills of Bosh will do for the Heat. I’m going to give this matchup to Gasol, but by a slim margin. Gasol (10-9)

Dwight Howard (LAL) vs. Joel Anthony (MIA)

Let me makes this real short, Anthony can block shots, but Dwight can do that and everything else. The best center in the league will have no trouble against the Heat’s center. This is an easy victory for Dwight. Dwight (10-6)

Lakers Bench vs. Heat Bench

The heart of the Lakers’ bench will be Antwan Jamison and the heart of the Heat Bench will be Ray Allen. Both players will not matchup against each other, but they will share a lot of floor time together. Overall, the Lakers bench is deeper then before and the Heat still do have great shooters. With the addition of Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, and the numerous shooters around them, I’m going to give Miami’s bench a small edge against the Lakers. Heat Bench (10-8)

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat

With a point total of 54 to 52, the Los Angeles Lakers are the better team and the favorites to win the 2013 NBA Finals. It will be very close and most experts will be expecting a seven game series. Hope this happens because it will bring the game of basketball to new heights.

by Kyle Colman