Members of Kansas University’s men’s basketball team had differing opinions on whom they wanted to win the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.

Cole Aldrich, a Bloomington, Minn., sophomore, will be rooting for Kevin Garnett, a former Minnesota Timberwolves player, when Game 6 starts at 8 tonight in Boston.

“It was a heartbreaker. K.G. (had) been in Minnesota for years, getting drafted by the ‘Wolves and whatnot,” Aldrich said of Garnett being traded to the Celtics before the season. “It was always fun watching him grow up, and he got traded, and we were like, ‘Ah, that doesn’t help our chances of getting to the playoffs this year.’ It was tough, but we all wish him the best, and we all want to see him win the ring. It’s nice to see, who I consider a Minnesota guy, have success.”

Incoming freshman and Elizabeth, N.J., native Quintrell Thomas, on the other hand, is hoping Kobe Bryant finally wins one without Shaquille O’Neal. Like Thomas, Bryant grew up in the northeast, having jumped to the NBA after graduating from Lower Merion High in Pennsylvania.

“Kevin Garnett’s my favorite player, but he’s been a total weirdo since he got to the Celtics. … He’s always hitting his head on something,” Thomas said. “But I can’t help but want to have Kobe get one on his own.”

The big name seldomly mentioned by current KU players was former Jayhawk Paul Pierce, but Thomas has been following Pierce closely.

“He’s a good player, but it’s just like he’s so nonchalant,” Thomas said of the Celtics’ forward. “I don’t even know how he gets by people (on offense). He just moves so slow, but he still makes things look easy. It never looks like he’s moving fast, but he’s actually playing good defense. He’s just a freak of nature, that’s all I can say. I guess he just has deceptive quickness. He doesn’t look like he’s moving fast, but he is.”

Fellow New Jersey native, Tyshawn Taylor, had a differing opinion regarding Bryant looking for his fourth NBA championship.

“I don’t really care who wins, but I’d like to see K.G. and Paul Pierce get a ring,” Taylor said. “Kobe already has three, so I think it’s K.G.’s time. He’s put in so much work, that I think he deserves one.”