Manning is different. Our guy Brady has gone head to head with him as "greatest quarterback" for 15 years. So there's an added variable there. Kobe played for the Lakers, the Celtics arch rival, so there's an added variable there as well.
The Cavs post no threat to the Celtics most legendary NBA team status, so I don't really care to root against them. LeBron in 2012 should have earned your respect. He has been a beast ever since. Yes, he has his DB moments, but he plays hard and on a level I haven't seen since Jordan. I would like to see him win one for Cleveland because to me that's the best story.