Hoops Buzz in the Locker Room

It may be time for offseason minicamps, but the biggest buzz around the locker room all week has revolved around the NBA Finals, which kick off Thursday night between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Having two classic teams vying for the championship again sparked many childhood memories for these basketball-loving football players.

Just bringing up the subject seems to split the locker room into two factions: those that think the Big 3 of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett are too much of a juggernaut to miss out on destiny; and those that would never bet against a determined Kobe Bryant, the reigning MVP.

Here’s what some players had to say about the big series…

LB Bart Scott - Lakers

“Hands down, Lakers in six. Paul Pierce is going to be neutralized. He’s going to be chasing Kobe around all day. They could put [James] Posey on him, but you can’t start Posey. I think Kobe’s going to wear him out because he causes different problems than LeBron James in that you could let LeBron go to the hoop with the weakside help. If you do that to Kobe, he’s going to raise up and shoot the ‘J.’

“On the flip side, Kobe probably won’t be checking Pierce, so he won’t get tired.

“Then, you have Garnett and [Pau] Gasol, which is a good matchup. Gasol is legitimately 7-foot, and you can’t just shoot over him. They both have high releases, but it’s going to be tough to shoot over both of them.

“Garnett is going to take him out on the perimeter, and it’s not like he’s going to cross Gasol over or anything. So, the keys are going to be [Boston’s Kendrick] Perkins and [Los Angeles’ Lamar] Odom. They’re going to have to be the X-factors for each team.”

CB Corey Ivy - Celtics

“It’s Celtics in six. Definitely too much firepower for Kobe and the Lakers. The Big 3, plus [Rajon] Rondo.

“I know Kobe smells blood and can go for 40 every night, but the Celtics are determined and can bring it from more weapons.”

WR Marcus Smith - Celtics

“I think it’s going to be the Celtics in six games. They’re going to be in L.A. to win it, but that’s what happens in the 2-3-2 format of the NBA Finals.

“I feel that Kobe has the drive, but he’s been there before. This is the first time getting to the Finals for two out of the Big 3, and I definitely feel that those guys are going to carry them to that pinnacle and get that win.”

LB Prescott Burgess - Lakers

“I’m from Ohio, so the Cavs are my team. It’s just not LeBron’s season this year. I’m typically an Eastern Conference fan, but I just know the Lakers are going to win.

“I think it’s going to be a great series. People say it’s just Kobe on that team, but it’s definitely not just one person. The Lakers have a good team that all can contribute. And, you have to look at the Celtics. They don’t have anyone that can stop Kobe, and once he gets going, he’s basically impossible to cool off.”

“With Gasol, that’s a great pickup. What a steal. He’s playing ball, and that’s one thing that the Lakers have. KG is going to have his hands full with Gasol, even if he was the Defensive Player of the Year.”

OT Jared Gaither - Celtics

“First of all, I’m going for the Celtics because I hate the Lakers. I can’t root for anyone that trades Shaq. That’s the end of it.”

FB LeRon McClain - Lakers

“The Lakers are playing as a team. There is no question they’ll win. We have the better bench, with [Sasha] Vujacic, [Luke] Walton, [Jordan] Farmar and [Ronny] Turiaf sitting there. That’s it. We have nine players, and they only have six.

“Game over for the Celtics.”

Sidenote from RB P.J. Daniels: “Why does he keep talking like he plays for the Lakers??”

LB Edgar Jones - Celtics

“I don’t like the Lakers, but that’s not why I’m picking the Celtics. It’s because Kobe can’t do it all by himself. The only question is who is going to guard Kobe. I don’t know that. Ray Allen is too old for Kobe.”