How Great Would A Pacers-Grizzlies Final Be?

So, judging from the title of this post, I am sure that many of you are already upset.  Surely, the Heat will be in the NBA Finals.  You thought I really liked Tim Duncan (I do), so how could I pick against the Spurs?  The Pacers aren't even in the next round yet, and may not make it without George Hill.  I went to Syracuse, so how can I pick against Melo?

All valid points.  But I really want to see a Pacers-Grizzlies NBA Finals.

Let's assume for a moment that the Pacers are able to close out the Knicks and advance.  They are a tough young squad who may be able to beat the Heat once or twice.  Will they win the series?  Probably not.  But, if they did, and they got matched up with the Grizzlies, it would bring about one of my favorite things in the entire NBA- quality big men play.

Hibbert vs Gasol.  West vs. Randolph.

I am salivating at the idea of jump hooks and drop steps.

If you were born in the 1980s (like me) you have had a chance to watch some amazing NBA centers and power forwards for their entire careers: Shaq, Ewing, Kemp, Hakeem, Pau, Dwight, Duncan, The Admiral, KG, Zo, Rodman, Dikembe, Sir Charles, Malone.  It was a golden age for centers and power forwards.  However, recent NBA trends have gone with "smaller" lineups, though the players size is just the same.  LeBron James plays like a combo-guard, but has a body of a NBA center.  Dirk and Durant are both an eyelash under 7 feet, but they shoot 3's all night.  I miss the behemoths getting physical in the paint.  Wars on the blocks are always fun to watch for any real basketball fan.

The Pacers-Grizzlies brings a chance to see 4 all-star level giants going at it in the primes of their careers.  Does the NBA need the Heat Dynasty?  Yeah.  Would I love to see Tim get another ring?  Of course.  Would it be nice for Melo to have a NBA title to match his 2003 National Championship?  You bet.

But the fan in me wants to see Roy Hibbert post up the defensive player of the year in Marc Gasol.  I want to see Zeebo and West exchanging baskets, trash talk, and elbows.  It is what I love about the game.