Small Forward
I think this match-up will be one of the most exciting to watch in the NBA next season. You have one of the best 1-on-1 perimeter defenders in the league and one of the most explosive and perhaps the SECOND best player in the league going at it head to head.
It just gives me chill thinking about it. Don’t be mistaken, Artest will harass and elbow LeBron every chance he gets. We all saw what he did to Paul Pierce in the Finals.
WINNER: Heat. Even though this could be the other way around, LeBron is too great of a player to be completely shut down by Ron-Ron. Ron will disrupt his game and not let him have his way every time he gets the ball, but shutting down LeBron is impossible.
Shooting Guard
This is like Magic versus Bird, heck this is like Reggie Miller and Spike Lee. You got arguably two of the top three players right now in the game going at it for 48 minutes. What more can you ask for?
WINNER: Lakers. While Wade may be overtaking Bryant because of age, 24 is still one of the best players in the league. In case you forgot, that single possession that every Laker fan will remember when Kobe stopped Wade in his tracks with his suffocating defense. The game-winner. Off the wrong leg, over heavy defense, off the backboard, falling away. ‘Nuf said.
Point Guard
In one corner, you have the experienced veteran; in the other corner you have the newly recruited cadet. Of course, Derek Fisher will have the experience and know when to deliver. However, Chalmers has the speed and quickness that Fisher doesn’t have.
Winner: Lakers. Even though Derek Fisher’s jersey will never be up in rafters, he is one of the most popular and clutch Lakers of all time. In the end, experience will outlast quickness.
Next: Bench
