Not long ago the commish, David Stern, was asked what the best possible NBA Finals match-up would be. His answer? Lakers vs. Lakers. Turns out he got the next best thing. Stern was speaking tongue in cheek, but his comment was rooted in a somewhat desperate truth. Since Michael Jordan ended his playing days the NBA simply hasn’t been as compelling. Many would argue this kind of Finals is what the NBA needed. Certainly this is something the NBA wanted. Now they have their wish.

It remains to be seen if this Finals will reflect what Stern and the rest of the suits think, that this will draw the casual fan back and bolster ratings. No matter who watches or who doesn’t, one thing is certain. The Celtics and Lakers are the two of the most storied franchises in league history and one of these teams will add another championship to their already crowded trophy case.

So aside from history, what makes this series intriguing? Well for one, the Lakers were not expected to be here. After a blockbuster deal that sent KG to Boston, the Celtics were expected to be here, especially in a watered down Eastern Conference. Over in Los Angeles, the outlook was not as bright. It was one year ago that Kobe Bryant was demanding a trade and belittling Andrew Bynum on what became You Tube fodder. Kobe Bryant was even booed by you Angelinos on opening night. Oh how times have changed. Oh how Kobe Bryant has changed. He is now playing at a level the league really hasn’t seen since Mr. Jordan. There may not be a legitimate comparison between the two, but Kobe is the only player ever brought up during these kinds of debates. There is a reason for that. He is living up to his mamba moniker. Actually he is playing about 7 levels above his mamba moniker. That one never really caught on did it?

So, now Kobe is right where he wants to be, in an NBA Finals sans Shaq. Ultimately this series will have a profound effect on his legacy. This has to be the biggest story of the 2008 Finals, especially considering the state of Kobe and the Lakers just 12 short months ago. Can Kobe begin to approach a Michael Jordan type legacy by willing a young Lakers team to win without another superstar on the roster? The ramifications in terms of legacy are just as significant on the other side of the court. If the Celtics lose, Kevin Garnett will add to an already disappointing post season career and fair or not, his soft reputation. He is already a Hall of Famer, but if Pierce and Allen can’t help him win a title, he may join Sir Charles and a litany of other greats that never got their due.

The stakes are devastatingly high for the two most competitive players in the league. Now that makes for good television. Everyone knows the stars in this series. The argument here is that the real excitement (aside from the anticipation of an alien sighting, Sam Cassell) comes from the contest among the bit players. Many people may not be familiar with Kendrick Perkins, but perhaps Laker fans should study up. He had 18 points and 16 rebounds in game 5 of the series against the Pistons. He averaged a double double for the series and was the unsung hero. Likewise, Celtic fans may know nothing about Sasha Vujacic or Jordan Farmar, but these are the people who will decide the series if you believe these teams are evenly matched. The Lakers appear to be the better team top to bottom and have a distinct advantage in the coaching box, but the Celtics control home court.

Whatever the outcome, let’s hope this is a long entertaining series. The NBA is banking on it, so we probably should too. (wink wink)

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