Throughout the history of the National Basketball Associaton, the L.A. Lakers and the Boston Celtics have been the most storied and treasured teams in the league. Starting back in the 50s, The Boston Celtics were the premiere franchise for nearly forty years, but as of late, the luck of the Irish hasn't been so fortunate. Behind names like Bill Russell, Red Auerbach, Larry Bird, Bob McAdoo, and Kevin Mchale, the Celtics dominated the league and were possibly the longest running dynasty in the history of sports, winning countless championships. But it has been a long drought for the Celtics, who haven't reached the NBA Finals since the mid-80's.
This season, after years of fan and player frustration, the Celtics acquired two perennial all-stars in Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Most people were skeptical of this blockbuster deal, unsure of how three super-star personalities would mesh. But the one thing that brought Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett together is what is driving them: the hunger to be a champion. Neither Pierce, Allen, nor Garnett had ever reached the NBA Finals, until now.
Together, they have unselfishly developed a chemistry deemed impossible in such a short period of time. In addition, the Celtics appear to be peaking at the exact right time. After two sloppy, hard-fought, early-round series,' the Celtics, behind Ray Allen finding his stroke finally hit their stride, and now resemble the team that won 67 games during the regular season. Standing in the way of the Celtics history-changing victory is a talented, well-coached team with the best player in the league leading their surge. That team is the Los Angeles Lakers, that coach is Phil Jackson, and that player is Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers have steadily dismantled every team in their path during their playoff run , making the toughest conference in league history appear average. The Lakers have obviously been the most impressive team during the postseason, and aren't showing any signs of slowing down. Kobe Bryant and "The Zenmaster" have molded this young team into the most sound squad in the NBA. The addition of Pao Gasol didn't hurt either, which was an obvious gift from the Laker Heavens. Like Boston, the Lakers have an extremely storied franchise that was built by players such as: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, and James Worthy.
But also like the Celtics, they haven't had much success lately. Now the Shaqless Lakers lead by a determined Kobe Bryant are back. Everyone will be watching what is the most anticipated NBA Finals matchup of the 21st century. Pierce, Garnett, and Allen are trying to finally reach the mountain top, while Kobe is looking to get back, and cement his legacy as one of the best to ever play the game. Whose dreams will be crushed? Whose sacrifices and long days in the gym will pay off? Only time will tell.
