The Kobe and Shaq Show

The NBA Finals are upon us. The storyline should be about the two teams and how they worked their way through a grueling NBA season and made it to the finals. Instead, the storylines are of Kobe Bryant brooding because everyone is asking him if he can win a championship with Shaq, and of the return to the finals by the Orlando Magic for the first time since Shaq left for Los Angeles. So with Dwight Howard, the center for the underdog Magic appearing at press conference s and telling anyone that would listen that they are prepared to continue to shock everyone who has picked against them in these playoffs.

Lest we forget last year that Shaq rapped about "Kobe couldn't do it without me" which caused a huge stir in the off-court feuding between those two. This year, Shaq has Tweeted that he hopes Kobe gets his fourth ring. Some, including Yahoo Sports writer Adrian Wojnarowski, believe Shaq is posturing because he doesn't want to see Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard win their first Championship. Shaq and Van Gundy have been going at it since a game in which Howard scored on Shaq after he fell down, prompting Van Gundy to say "Shaq had flopped".

The real story here is how the Lakers have returned to be a dominant force in the NBA and have been able to retain that dominance. The story continues with how a team like the Orlando Magic, which have no major household names, and have been the underdogs in every playoff series this year, have continued to work hard, play as a team and get the job done series after series. With all the pressure on Los Angeles to win another Championship, and beat a team that is perceived as the underdogs, Orlando should be able to come into this NBA Finals and work their game. They shouldn't have to press mentally, and if they just continue to play fundamental basketball, they should be able to give LA a run for their money and make this series exciting. I don't expect a sweep, but I do expect that the Lakers will be able to win Kobe Bryant get his fourth NBA title, and his first without Shaq.

I will say this; I'd sure like to see the fireworks from Kobe if he does get there!