Lakers vs. Celtics... Again: Why the 2010 NBA Finals Will Be Boring

As we wind down on the end of the NBA season, the Lakers and Celtics will meet for a chance at a championship.

Something tells me that you have heard this before.

This is the 12th time in the over 60-year history of the NBA Finals that these teams will decide who is the champion. Of the previous 11 times, Boston has triumphed nine of those times, including the first eight chances. Essentially, Boston has had the Lakers' number.

Had it not been for Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1985 and 1987, the Lakers would have been to the Boston what the Buffalo Bills were to any team they played in the Super Bowl.

In 2008, both the Celtics and Lakers reached the NBA Finals for the first time since that 1987 series. The tag line for the series was "Rivalry Renewed", which single- handedly carried the momentum of this series.

The Celtics's win in six was expected. Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce got their championship. The Kobe Bryant critics got their refill in fueling the theory that Bryant cannot win without Shaquille O'Neal.

The media has tried to turn this match-up into something significant by reiterating the rivalry and history between these two franchises. Not even Kobe Bryant, however, who is the face of the Lakers and the NBA as a whole, wants to hear the talk of a rivalry.

As far as Bryant is concerned, the Celtics aren't one of his rivals; he's just upset that he lost to Boston two years ago.

Bryant is right, though. There isn't any major storyline to this, a rarity in most championship series in any of the four major sports. Two years ago, there was the battle between the Celtics and Bryant getting back to winning titles. The next season, Bryant got his championship sans Shaq.

Now, what are the storylines in 2010? The fact that the Celtics believe they would be going for a three-peat if not for injuries last season? Lame. Injuries happen. Get over it, Boston.

Well, what about all those NBA stars that haven't gotten a ring before? Other than Ron Artest and Nate Robinson, is there anyone else that is notable and hasn't won a championship before?

Then, there are the comparisons between Bryant and Michael Jordan. Last year, Kobe had to try and win a title on his own. All the while, he was compared to LeBron James. Can everyone leave him alone already? He isn't Jordan, James or any other uber-star. He is Kobe Bryant. Case closed.

All of the hype for this year's NBA Finals seems to be more excited about it than anyone truly is. It mirrors the condescending commercials for Avatar, which have to tell you how epic the movie is. As excited as one can be, even for basketball fans, this year's NBA Finals cannot live up to the unrealistic hype.

My prediction: the same as 2008. Celtics in 6. Yawn. Wake me up on July 1.