Lebron James may win MVP, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers will win Rings

on 04 15, 2009


With the regular season coming to a close, the discussion about the favorite to win the NBA Championship is on the tip of everyone’s tongue. With a league leading record of 66-15 and the almost unanimous MVP in Lebron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers must be the favorite to win, right? WRONG!! The opinion held by this writer as well as many NBA experts point to the team from tinseltown, the Los Angeles Lakers.

Not taking anything away from the incredible year King James is having, but almost as often as Lebron is crowned MVP this year a fact is noted that Kobe Bryant is still the best player in the league. No one can match Kobe’s closing ability due to the fact that he has the complete offensive arsenal. To his detriment, the Lakers are just too well-rounded and complete of a team to contribute their success to one player like the Cavaliers have done this year. The simple fact is that Kobe Bryant has the reputation around the league to be capable of doing whatever he wants whenever he wants. If you doubt this ask Greg Popovich, one of the most highly respected basketball minds of this era, who is a constant advocate for the futility of trying to stop a determined Kobe Bryant. Despite the fact that he is so skilled on the court, Kobe’s edge is undoubtedly due to his intensity and mental fortitude, the characteristics that escalate him to a level shared only by Tiger Woods.

Despite the timeless match up of these individuals, a larger disparity exists between the rest of these two teams rosters. Delonte West, although more a true point guard and with a couple inches, gives up strength and most importantly experience to the veteran Derek Fisher. The frontcourt matchup also favors the Lakers with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol easily trumping the Ilgauskas Varejao tandem (don’t forget about Lamar Odom coming off the bench). With Kobe and Lebron starting at different positions, it creates matchup problems both ways but more importantly shows the lack of size the Cav’s possess. With the Lakers sporting arguably the best bench in the league and the Cavs best bench players being Danny Gibson and Joe Smith, the edge goes to the Lake Show once again.

Despite the match up situation Cleveland does boast an impressive 39-1 home record as well as home court advantage throughout the playoffs. This is a great argument for the prospective Championship going to Cleveland but then we remember that the loss was the only trip that LA made to Cleveland, beating them handily without recently injured Andrew Bynum. This coupled with the win at home against the Cavs, gives evidence that Lakers are not worried about playing at the Quicken Loans Arena. Yet another benefit the Lakers possess is a seemingly much easier road to the Finals with the Cavs most likely having to faceoff against the tough Orlando Magic or Boston Celtics. Good news Cavs fans, you will leave the finals with one trophy, and it will be in the hands to who we are all a “witness” of, Lebron James, but Kobe and the Lakers will be poppin the bubbly and kissin the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

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