NBA Playoffs 2012: David Stern and Fans Should Hope for Lakers vs. Thunder

As much as a Denver Nuggets upset would warm the hearts of underdog believers everywhere, the postseason just wouldn't be the same without the Los Angeles Lakers sticking around for at least a little bit longer.

From the perspectives of media headlines and league pocketbooks, this isn't even a question.

For the average NBA fan, it shouldn't be much of one either.

The Los Angeles Lakers are on the back-end of a dynasty that's fueled Western Conference rivalries and NBA Finals classics alike.

Whereas a face off between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Mike Brown's veteran stars would be ripe with old guard/new guard subtext, a Semifinals including the Denver Nuggets just wouldn't evoke the same kind of gravitas.

The Lakers also come replete with their very own sordid thread of intrigue and entertainment.

Namely, young All-Star center Andrew Bynum hasn't lived up to expectations, failing to do the little things that elite big men must do to win championships. Despite all his talent and imposing size, the 24-year-old can disappear when the offense isn't run through him.

Worse yet, he's not hustling down the court on fast-breaks, playing dependable defense against JaVale McGee, or playing with anything resembling intensity off the ball.

Some may forgive Bynum's trespasses on account of his sometimes dominant play, but it's still far too soon to give this guy a free pass.

Meanwhile, the jury remains out on whether Bryant still plays like a legend or a ball-hog in denial.

The more things change in Los Angeles, the more they stay the same—a welcome if not repetitive reality for hoops fans.

As much as there is to like about the Denver Nuggets and their understated tenacity, they don't know drama like the Lakers do.

Of course, the Lakers are also quite good at making lots of people lots of money. No other NBA team comes even close to generating the same television viewership, and that's not by accident (nor even merely a product of Southern California's population).

Fans watch the Lakers for a reason. It's a franchise that feels historic regardless of whether it's actually making history.

The Lakers may not be especially well-positioned to bring another title back to Los Angeles, but that doesn't mean the rest of us won't thoroughly enjoy watching them try.