I grew up as a Sixers fan witnessing the unbelievable talents of Dr. J.

He was my 'first' favorite player in the NBA.  During my childhood years I became to hate the Celtics and Lakers as they were the dominant teams while my hero could only go on to claim 1 title in his illustrious NBA career. 

Logically one would think that I would become a Jordan fan then, right?  Nothing further from the truth.  With all the Jordan hype and mayhem that ensued in his emergence, I was simply turned off.  I found myself searching for players/teams that would simply stand up to Jordan and his mighty Bulls.  Unfortunately, it was hard to find a player/team that I could truly endear myself to.  I hated Georgetown and Patrick Ewing, thus I could not like the Knicks and their brash team.  I disliked the Pistons, because...... well, they were the Pistons.  Unfortunately for the East, the days of the Pistons and Knicks of old, have brought about an 'ugly' brand of basketball that is not very fan friendly. 

That is when the league truly divided into the 'high-flying' West and the 'rough and tumble' East.  Since the early 90's the West has seen Run DMC in Golden State, Clyde Drexler and the potent Blazers, Karl Malone and John Stockton with the Jazz, Chris Webber (in his prime) and the Kings, Hakeem and the Rockets.  But in the East, there have been very few 'superstars'.  Guys who held the tag as 'the franchise'.  Sure we had Shaq in Orlando, but that was short-lived before his trade to LA, and the eventual crumble of the Magic after his departure.  Other than that, the East has had.............the Pistons?  Again? 

The very framework of the league is partial to the West right now.  It is fan appealing, and has the vast majority of elite-end superstars.  The East has the 'dreaded' Pistons and their multi-talented star-less crew, LeBron and the Cavs, and NOW the Celtics..........finally.......... again.  (I never thought I would ever type, much less say those words.)  I have always liked Ray Allen since his days at Connecticut.  I have always liked Paul Pierce since his days at Kansas.  And KG?  What is there not to like about the guy?  All three have usually been 'team' players and all about team basketball.  All-business, honest, and people that you would claim as trustworthy. 

I have openly pined for a Lakers/Celtics final this year.  I got my wish.  Unfortunately for us all, we are witnessing some of the worst basketball ever played in an NBA Finals series.  Is it the referees?  Doubtful, but many have proclaimed this Finals to be fixed by the Donaghy crapshoot and the 'horrific' referees in game 2.  Is it a dried out league due to overpaid and overhyped superstars?  Are players softer nowadays?  Can we all watch a game without a player vehemently complaining to a referee?  Is it the allowance of 'zone' defense?  

I don't know. 

But what I do know is the brand of basketball played by the Celtics and Lakers in the 80's was much more appetizing to watch.  And isn't that what the NBA is truly after? 

Now onto the Finals at hand.  I can't diss a Laker fan who felt the referees in game 2 were a bit 'easy' on the Celtics and 'hard' on the Lakers.  The 38-10 free throw discrepency is a bit alraming.  But it isn't like it hasn't happened before in the NBA playoffs this year.  In my eyes, I felt that the Lakers became relunctant throughout that game to blame the refs instead of hitching up their shorts and playing hard-nosed tough basketball.  Kobe in all his greateness nearly pulled off the 21 point deficit to claim victory in game 2.  WIthout any doubt, Kobe is one of the best 3 or 4 players in the league right now. 

The funniest thing to me is the switch and sway of fans, experts, and the like who proclaim each game as 'do or die'.  Every game in a 7 game series is crucial.  One does not trump the other.  And as it stands right now the Celtics enjoy a 3 - 1 advantage.

Will this series see a 7th and penultimate game?  Let me just say, I wouldn't bet against it.  Kobe is, and will be, a special palyer.  Just like LeBron is, and will be a special player.  Certain players have a 'knack' for the moment.  Kobe nearly brought the Lakers back from a 21 point 4th quarter deficit in game 2 against the Celtics in Boston.  Sure he needed help, but in the history of the NBA, who hasn't?

To call this series as being officially over is a bit misleading.  The Lakers were very competitive in Boston in both games.  As were the Celtics in the 1st two games in LA.  I called the series as a toss up from the start, and I fully expect it to get to a 6th game.......at the least. 

Are the Lakers done?  No. 

Are they close.  Sure. 

Will they roll over and die like many are predicting?  I very much doubt it.  They may lose game 5 in LA, but it won't be without a fight.  They may lose any of the remaining 3 potential games to Boston, but I fully expect a solid effort from Kobe and crew throughout. 

Question is:  Will they whine if the calls don't go their way, or will they hitch up their shorts and defend their Western Confernce Championship like many of us expected them to?  They have been hit in the mouth at home.  Giving up an NBA Finals record lead of 24 points should fuel anybody's fire.  

Step up, or chump out and whine.  It is time to see what Kobe, Phil and the Lakers really have.  And if I'm right, I think they have a lot of fight left in them. 

Like they say, it isn't over 'til its over.  

Celtics in 7.

First off, I'm considering the Celtics/Pistons series as being over.  Final. Over. Done. Fine

Welcome to the media hound that is the NBA Finals:

                                             VS.                 

 

Without a doubt, Kobe Bryant is playing the best basketball of his entire career.  His 39 point performance against the Spurs in game 5 was an exclamation point on the season he has had.    His 17 points in the 4th quarter, and clutch (yes clutch) play down the stretch carried the day for the Lakers in the 5th and final game against the Spurs. 

The men in green on the other hand, have been struggling a bit in these playoffs.  But........ there is always a but.  They did beat the team with the 2nd best record in the league (yes the Pistons) on the road in game 3 in Detroit.  Their ONLY road victory in this years NBA playoffs. 

The Lakers on the other hand closed out the defending champions in a short, sweet, and decisive 5 games.  That after rolling through a tough series with the Jazz.  The Celtics (or Pistons) will have home court advantage, but the wagering money will likely be on Kobe and the Lakers. 

Who would/will your money be on? 

Personally, I see it as an absolute toss up.  The Celtics have the home court advantage, but the Lakers are playing better basketball.  When it is a toss up we MUST go to the particulars of the match ups.  I'll try my best at presenting that for you.

First and foremost, you have to start with this years league MVP:  Kobe Bryant.  Love him or hate him, he has absolutely elevated his game this year to another level.  You can argue that Pau Gasol was a large part of that, but a simple look at history shows that ONE single player cannot do it alone in the NBA.  Jordan had Pippen.  Bird had McHale and Parrish, Magic and Kareem had each other........plus Worthy.  Odom had been there in Kobe's struggles, but they needed another guy to go with them.  Gasol proved to be that guy.  His stat lines may not be all that impressive, but........ as usual stat lines don't always relate to wins and losses.  Without a doubt, the addition of Gasol has put the Lakers over the hill as the elite in the West. 

Now for the East:  or should we say Boston?  The Celtics (or Pistons) will enter the NBA Finals with the better record and hold home court advantage over the Lakers.  The Celtics truly have a 3-headed monster in Pierce, Garnett, and Allen.  But throughout these playoffs one of these heads has been largely missing.  In particular..... Ray Allen.  He livened up a bit in game 5, but can he carry it through?  5 years ago if these 3 guys were together on the same team, it would have been a no-brainer for them to win the NBA Championship.  With what is likely their best years behind them, the big 3 still impose as a tremendous obstacle for the Lakers.  On any given night, each and every one of these guys can still go off for 40.  The Lakers truly only have 1 guy who can do that. 

The biggest problem for the Celtics is that they do not have a match up for Kobe.  Much less Odom.  The biggest problem for the Lakers is that they do not have a match up for Garnett.   Point guards are virtually a tie, but one would have to give the nod to Fischer due to his experience.  

Shooting guard:  Without a doubt it is going to Kobe and the Lakers.    Ray Allen may be pegged as his adversary, but I'd be fairly shocked if the C's don't do a 3 man rotation with Rondo/Pierce/Allen to guard him.  Personally, I'd stick Rondo on him to chase him all over the court, and then  throw Eddie House and James Posey at him as well.  And at the least the latter two to be VERY physical with Kobe. 

Point Guard:  Fisher is a big shot, big moment guy for the Lakers.  He is heady, experienced and plays some solid defense.  With that said, Rajon can take advantage of him.  Better, faster, younger, more physical guards have proven that they can get into the paint against the Lakers.  This is a very important match up for the Celtics to win if they want to be successful against the Lakers.

Small Forward:  The Lakers weakest point.  A huge stronghold for the Celtics.  Pierce should be a big factor in this series.  If he isn't, the Celtics chances drop dramatically.  As much as Kobe will dominate for the Lakers, Pierce has to dominate for the Celtics in somewhat an equal mode.  If Kobe scores 40, he has to score 30.  James Posey could show up here in a very HUGE mode as well for the Celtics.  They have a tendency of playing him in late game situations, and he usually pulls through.  Posey is a definite wild card factor for the C's.

Power Forward:  Lamar Odom is a nightmare match up for anyone at Power Forward.  Think Derrick Colemen........ when he was good.  Physical enough to play inside, soft enough to beat you outside.  Question is whether the C's use Garnett or Perkins?  If it is Perkins, Lamar will step outside.  If it is Garnett, then Odom is not a factor.  Period.  Problem in that is how much can the C's give up with Gasol vs. Perkins?  Maybe not much?

Center:  Does either team truly have a Center?  I think the 'Power' Forward argument has already brought this to light.  Garnett, Perkins, and Big Baby will likely be in the mix for the Celtics.  We may even have a Pollard sighting in the Finals.  On the Lakers end you have Gasol and Odom.  And then they will throw a high energy Ronny Turiaf at you.  The Celtics should hold an advantage here.  They must, if they want to win.

INTANGIBLES:  Garnett, Pierce, and Allen expected to be here.  Kobe and company..........midseason?  Phil Jackson is a proven coach.  Doc Rivers is a relative rookie in these parts.  The nod goes to the Lakers with Phil on the bench.

OVERALL:  I'm still calling it a toss up.  But my gut tells me it is Kobe and the Lakers, as I watch the Big 3 ALL get close again, but never kiss the trophy.

It will be painful, but..........there is always a but.................... GO CELTICS!!!

1 - 2 -3 CHAMPIONSHIP!

That has been the huddle talk all year for LeBron and company in Cleveland.  LeBron has raised the spirits of his team to believe.  Not in him.  But in themselves.

Kobe, on the other hand is in another off-season crying for better players and crying to be traded........not traded........... I love this team..........I need to go.  I don't know, I'm 5 years old mentally.   What do you expect of me?

The difference between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James is more than you can see in their individual play.  It is more about the love of the game, and most importantly the love for their teeammates. 

LeBron LOVES his teammates, regardless of their plusses or minuses.  He LOVES playing basketball at its highest level with 11 other players.  He has made it his passion to take Daniel Gibson under his wing and make him believe.  Make him believe that he is better than DANIEL thinks he is.  THAT is why Mr. Gibson scored 31 points in the decisive victory over Detroit.

Would a teammate of Kobe's ever step up in a game that mattered?  DOUBTFUL.  Kobe does not stand behind his teammates.  He doesn't go to war for them, he doesn't back them up.  Most likely they are scared of him and the repercussions of when they do something wrong.  They are simply on board to do whatever Kobe does.  Win or Lose.

And in those situations, it usually means lose unless 'Joe Superstar' can perform unbelievable unhuman events.  Kobe didn't do that this year.  Probably never will again.  The 81 points was nice.  During a regular season game against nobody that mattered.  Gee Kobe, that was great.

After Game 2 of the Detroit series, LeBron said, "No Excuses".  He made a statement to his team that they don't have excuses for losing, regardless of what hand they have been delivered.

LeBron made a statement that whoever makes the mistake, it is a TEAM effort that lost the game.  He made "No Excuses". 

What happened next?  Four straight, and a decisive game 6 victory in Cleveland before all the Witnesses.

So if you really want to know the difference between Kobe and LeBron.  Well, it is pretty simple.  One guy has a TRUE desire to win.  A TRUE love to win, regardless of who gets the hype.  The other guy just wants the headlines.  One guy loves his teammates with a true passion, the other guy still just wants headlines. 

One guy wants to win, period.  The other guy just wants to be better than Jordan. 

I've played a lot of sports in my lifetime.  Jr. High, High School, and College.  The guys, the leaders that made me play the hardest were the ones that believed in me.  When I became a senior I instilled that belief in my fellow players.  We were a unit.  We would play our guts out for each other regardless of who was the star that night.  It was about winning.  It was about the TEAM. 

LeBron is that guy.  He is about the TEAM.  Kobe.  He is about Kobe.  I've seen a lot of those guys in my lifetime as well.  All they do is complain.  All they do is lose to better TEAMS with better leaders.

LeBron is a leader.  Teams follow a TRUE leader.  Kobe and Wilt?  They just fade away.

Hmmmmm..... Kind of sounds like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, doesn't it?

Sorry I cut this one short all.  I could go on and on.  But there is a reason why people IDOLIZE Kobe, and there is a reason why people LOVE LeBron.  To me, it is that plain and simple.