REPORTING FROM ... THE LAKERS VS. CELTICS HYPE

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"I don't really care what Michael Strahan thinks, honestly."

The Lakers-Celtics matchup may seem a little too perfect all those NBA conspiracy theorists out there, but in Hollywood this dream showdown is picture perfect indeed. We caught up with some bright lights in the jock universe to find out how they felt about this movie script-in-the-making matchup.

"I've been a Lakers fan since day one," San Diego Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips says. "Lakers and Kobe."

"They're doing a real good job," San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis says. "I've always been a Lakers fan ever since I was a little kid."

The truth is in Los Angeles, fans love you when you're hot and dump you when you're not. As Heidi Klum would say, one day you're in and the next you're out. So how to separate the true fans from ones just along for the ride?

"I was raised in Los Angeles," Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha says. "I am probably the biggest Lakers fan in the NFL right now."

"I'm a California guy, die-hard Lakers fan, grew up in San Diego California," St. Louis Rams defensive tackle La'Roi Glover says. "The Lakers will do it."

"Oh I'm a Laker fan," New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce says. "Born and raised in L.A., grew up watching Magic and Kareem, got to watch Shaq and Kobe in the late 90's so it's time bring it back."

Perhaps you don't need to grow up in Cali to have Lakers love from birth.

"I was born a Lakers fan," insists Houston Texan offensive tackle Ephraim Salaam, who was born in Chicago. "I don't have a second team or a third team. It's all Lakers."

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis says he's a true fan too. "I've been a Lakers fan for a long time," Lewis says. "I'm also a Kobe Bryant fan."

Even cross-town rivals are jumping on the Mambalicious train.

"I think the Lakers will win," Los Angeles Clippers point guard Shaun Livingston says. "They're deep. I think they've got a chance to do it."

Some sporting greats agree.

"Two words: Kobe Bryant," Jerry Rice says. "We haven't had this matchup in a long time so there's a lot of attention, but my gut feeling is that the Lakers are going to pull it off."

"It reminds me of the glory days back with Magic Johnson and Kobe right now is playing pretty hot," former Oakland Raiders safety Ray Buchanan says. "I think he's the next closest thing to Michael Jordan."

However, not everyone has been blinded by the bright lights of red carpets and sunny skies.

"I'm leaning a little more to the Celtics," says former Utah Jazz player Mark Eaton. "I think they're just a little bit deeper than the Lakers might be."

Eaton's not completely alone.

"I'd have to say the Boston Celtics," L.A. Dodgers first baseman Mark Sweeney says. "I grew up in Massachusetts and I'm a big, huge Larry Bird fan. Growing up they were probably the best team to watch and to learn from."

Others have opted to take a more civil route and plead no contest.

"I'm just looking for a good series and I think it's good for the NBA," Charlotte Bobcats center Ryan Hollins says.

"I have favorites on both teams and being that I'm in New York I'm picking no one," New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan says. "I'm going with whoever plays the best deserves to win. I do love Kobe Bryant…But also I look at (Kevin) Garnett and Ray Allen, guys that have been in the league for awhile and I'd love for them to get a ring too."

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