Basketball On The Internet.

NO. Forget that. Making any kind of comparison between the NBA's great Lakers-Celtics rivalry to that of the NBL's Wildcats-Breakers is a nonsense.

It actually demeans tonight's Swisse Grand Final combatants to do that because Perth versus New Zealand IS the NBL's major rivalry of TODAY, no question.

But the Los Angeles Lakers-Boston Celtics rivalry is not only the NBA's greatest, it is one of the greatest in all sports.

It's not confined to a decade, as Perth-NZ is, but transcends eras.

THE #1 RIVALRY: Boston Celtic Don Nelson pursued by LA's Wilt Chamberlain.

It started long ago in the 60s when the two biggest names attached to it were those of Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.

THE #1 RIVALRY: Larry Bird fires for the Celtics in a different era.

That's well before the rivalry continued through the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird era, not to mention Kareem Abdul-Jabbar-Robert Parish and a holy host of others.

If the NBL has any rivalry which even approximates this - and to be clear, it doesn't - it might be Perth-Adelaide. Both clubs entered the NBL in the same year (1982) and after the 36ers won the championship in 1986, Perth player-coach Cal Bruton modelled the 1987 Wildcats on Adelaide's blueprint.

That year Perth beat Adelaide in the preseason tournament final and eliminated the Sixers in the semis of the real season.

They have been fierce rivals through the 90s, 00s, have an annual "Cattalini Cup" game and finally even met in a Grand Final two years ago.

THE #1 RIVALRY: Kobe Bryant attacks Kevin Garentt, in another different era.

But Kobe Bryant versus Paul Pierce and Co, it isn't.

All that said, what Perth versus New Zealand IS has to be the very definition of the NBL's catch-phrase of #hardball.

Mika Vukona and Matt Knight? These guys play hard. (Hard but fair, unless you want to ruffle feathers and go outside the rules. Then they will step up for certain.)

Cedric Jackson is the most successful import in NBL history, playing for his fourth championship in his fourth season. The one year he plays in Europe, the Breakers miss the playoffs!

His battle with Damian Martin? Come on now. You know that's going to be #hardball.

NO, SORRY ACADEMY AWARDS: That's the wrong Damian Martin.

Nate Jawai/Tom Jervis clashing with Alex Pledger/Charles Jackson? Jermaine Beal and Corey Webster?

How about Casey Prather and Thomas Abercrombie?

Seriously now, these are matchups to salivate over even if you're not from the west or across the ditch.

That's before we get to guys such as Jesse Wagstaff, Greg Hire and Shawn Redhage or Tai Wesley, Reuben Te Rangi and Everard Bartlett, who can come off a bench and change a game's complexion in seconds.

The Wildcats are within reach of a seventh Dr John Raschke Trophy. The Breakers can make it five from the last six.

Here's the aspect though few calculate into the result. The time differences. Playing in Perth for anyone from the east coast or, in this case, even further, means gearing your body to play at about 10pm, a time when most regular folks on a Wednesday are winding down.

Zap across the country to Auckland and it's like a lunchtime or an afternoon game. Which do you reckon is the easier to play? Late at night or middle of the day?

The ways these two teams will potentially criss-cross the country leads me to think it will be the Breakers in two, or the Wildcats in three.

One thing is for sure though. It will be #hardball. And even Lakers and Celtics fans can appreciate that.

Game 1: Tonight, The Jungle, Perth Arena

Game 2: Friday, The Breakhouse, North Shore Events Centre

Game 3: Sunday, The Jungle, Perth Arena (Only if required)