The best player in the world is set to take the NBA Finals stage for the third straight season in his quest for a whopping fifth NBA Championship. By the way, did I mention it is a Lakers-Celtics match up. Where have we seen this before?
The majority of the 2010 NBA Playoffs have been a bore. Non competitive basketball has been the theme for most of the series so far. Tomorrow night, however, may very well be the light at the end of the tunnel that many of us have waited for.
In a rivalry rich with great players and great moments, the 2010 NBA Finals will be yet another chapter to the astonishing history between the Lakers and Celtics. It was only two years ago that the "Big Three" came together and won a championship for Boston after the Celtics were coming off a year in which they were the NBA's worst team. It was only last year that Kobe Bryant finally shut up his critics when he won his first championship without Shaq. In year three it appears that everything has come full circle as young stars like Rajon Rondo take up the mantle in a series that will look very different than the one from only two seasons ago.
Everyone expected the Lakers to be here. They are clearly the NBA's most talented team with the games most talented player. The Celtics? Not so much. The number four seed from the East went through a season of ups and downs in route to an apparent decline. Come playoff time, the team turned it on and defeated the top seeded Cavaliers and Magic fairly easy in 6 games a piece. Everyone knew Garnett, Allen, and Pierce but with the emergence of Rondo, the Celtics appear ready to win their second championship in three years. Doc Rivers said it best when he stated that the Garnett, Pierce, Allen, Rondo and Perkins starting five has never lost a series together.
The Lakers have a bit of off the court drama going on. The Phil Jackon dilemma seems to be hanging over the team like a cloud as they prepare for the biggest games of their season. With all the distractions and uncertainties surrounding the team, Kobe Bryant remains the constant. When Rondo is eating up Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant will step in and shut him down. When the Lakers need a run to put away the Celtics at the end of the game, Kobe Bryant will take up the mantle. When the defining moments of the 2010 NBA Finals decide the champion, Kobe Bryant will make sure he turns those moments in the Lakers favor.
When going match up by match up, it appears the Celtics should be the favorite in the series. Sure Kobe will be the best player on the floor, yet four of the next five best players belong to the Celtics. If you are struggling like many others in picking this series, let Kobe be the defining factor. Will the "Assassin" really allow his team to lose another championship to the same opponent as in 2008? Surely not.
While everyone focuses on what Lebron James said to Larry King, Kobe Bryant will be winning his fifth NBA Championship. Look out Michael Jordan, Kobe is creeping up on you.
This one should go seven games and the Commish has got to love this series for the ratings alone....
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