The Los Angeles Lakers v. the Orlando Magic may lack the ratings-booster of a Lebron v. Kobe match up or the attention of two coasts because of a Boston v. L.A. – old school showdown - but it does feature two players who refuse to acknowledge the previously laid out rules, and instead choose to break them thereby defying NBA law.
It’s long been held that players are supposed to enjoy the moment when they reach their sport’s biggest stage. Whether it is the Super Bowl or the World Series or the NBA Finals, pundits and past heroes alike always say the same thing: “You never know when/if you’ll be back so enjoy while your there.”
Kobe Bryant Refuses to be Happy
But, what if you’re Kobe Bryant? He has three titles and is the best player in the game. He isn’t merely happy to just get to the Finals – he expects to win them. And then go back and win them again next year.
Kobe doesn’t subscribe to the typical Finals hoopla and he is playing like it. He has been an absolute monster on the court, night in and night out. He plays shut down defense on the other team’s best player and he dominates the opposing team’s best defender.
Unlike his Eastern Conference counterpart, LBJ, Kobe’s range is anywhere on the court. He can take a defender of the drive, shoot a J in their face, or just fadaway easily for two – or three.
Dwight Howard is too Happy
Dwight Howard for the Orlando Magic also has his own style. He is goofy, silly, fun, loving. He scores almost entirely off dunks and put-backs. Many deem this his downfall.
However, when you are a double-double machine, NBA Defensive Player of the Year (two years running), and you have your team in the NBA Finals, how can this be a downfall?
First it was his goofy personality, he wasn’t tough enough. The guy likes to have fun and is dominant, so why not make that his downfall? Against the Sixers he was suspended for an intentional elbow to the face. Against the Celtics he banged bodies all series with Big Baby and Kendrick Perkins. Against the Cavs he absolutely dominated and culminated that series by dropping 40 points in Game 6. Serious enough?
Then it was his free-throw shooting. Well, 70% against the Cavs, including several late game clinchers. Check.
Then it was his lack of offensive game. He can’t spot up and shoot; he can’t do anything, but dunk. Several hook shots, hard slams, and spins moves later, the Cavalier big men don’t doubt his offensive game anymore.
Both Players Play Their Own Way
Both players refuse to but into the traditional means of playing the game. Kobe, like Jordan, is never satisfied. Dwight refuses to become an NBA stereotype with tattoos and a bad attitude. Both know something the rest of the league doesn’t because while they are fighting it out on their game’s biggest stage, the res of the league are left wondering where they went wrong.
