Hollywood or Motown?

The Los Angeles Lakers are overwhelming favorites for this year’s World Championships. But will the Detroit Pistons pull off an upset and rekindle the magic that had the Bad Boys taking away L.A.’s glitter 15 years ago?

We asked around some die-hard basketball fans over the weekend to find out their take on the NBA Finals.

“I’m going for the purple and gold. Los Angeles is on a mission and Shaq and Kobe are just too good for the Pistons. Malone and Payton also will do everything to win the title after sacrificing so much to finally be part of a champion team.”

Christopher Lubi
Ernst and Young

“Los Angeles Lakers is a strong team and they will go all the way to the championship of the NBA. The Pistons are a good team but Detroit doesn’t have the offense to keep up with the Lakers.”

Koichi Tabei
Country House Restaurant manager

I’ve always been a Lakers fan and after losing to San Antonio last year, Los Angeles is itching to prove that they are still the top team in the NBA. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal are the best players in the league and I’m predicting LA to wrap up the championship in five games and Los Angeles will celebrate their fourth title in five years at Staples Center.”

Alex “Papaitan” Garcia
Dollar Days player

“Defense wins championships. That’s the reason why I’m picking the Pistons to win the NBA championship. The Lakers haven’t played a team that practices defense like Detroit does. Larry Brown is a great coach and the two Wallaces and Prince will make the shaded lane tough for Los Angeles. It will be a tough series and I see the Pistons winning the title in seven games.”

Richard Pambid
Laguna player

“I’m a bad boy so I am choosing the Detroit Pistons to win it all this season. Bad Boys II will reign supreme in the championship. The Lakers will fight among themselves after Detroit puts the pressure on defense. Kobe and Shaq will again feud and Payton will complain about his playing time. The Pistons will need just five to six games to take home the title to Detroit.”

Tony Gabriel
Chamorro House

“Sheesh man, It’s gotta be the Lakers. They’re good. I’m a fan of those guys and I’ve been following them for a long time.”

Ray Bermudes
Saipan Mayor’s Office

“Everybody wants the Lakers, so I’m going to stay quiet and root for the Pistons.”

Tony Iglnoef
Saipan Mayor’s Office

“I want the Pistons because the Lakers have already won like how many times now? I want to see someone new win the championship.”

Dennis Tianzon
Hard Rock Café

“I want Detroit. I’m tired of the Lakers winning it every year. Actually, in the semi finals, I was pulling for the Minnesota Timberwolves. It’s time for someone else to win.”

JoJo Molar
Tony Romas

It’s going to be a Lakers sweep just because they’re the Lakers. I didn’t even hear anything about the Pistons until they got to the Eastern Conference Finals.”

Chris Tomokane
U.S. Army Veteran

“It’s definitely going to be the Lakers. They just have all of the all-stars like Shaq and Kobe. There is a lot of teamwork and effort there.”

Sheldon Remoket
MHS Class of 2005

“There’s no question, the Lakers are going to win it all. They are full of all-stars, they have a solid defense, and they have Shaquille O’Neal. The Pistons can’t stop him. Once he gets the ball, the Lakers will just keep on scoring.”

Keone Chariton
Kagman

“I don’t know who’s going to win. It’s tough, both teams have a lot of talented players. I am cheering for the Pistons because they are the underdogs, plus I hate the Lakers because they are all full of themselves.”

Kevin Ada
The Athlete’s Foot

“The Lakers are going to win it. Detroit might win one game, but it will definitely be the Lakers. They have Shaq, and if they stop him they’ll goto Kobe. If they stop Kobe they can goto Malone. If they go after Malone they can give it to Payton, not to mention their three point shooters. It’ll definitely be the Lakers.”

Sonny Flores
TSA

(MARK RABAGO and BRAD E. RUSZALA)