L.A. Lakers vs. Boston Celtics 2008

Aaaah, 2008, and we have the first Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers matchup in the NBA Finals in twenty-one years. Why am I not excited?

How many fouls are going to be called in this series? There is a momentum, a rush, and an excitement built when an NBA playoff game gets going; and I mean truly going only to be shutdown, crushed by a modern day foul, which ususally is the equivalent to that of a love tap in the past. Maybe I'm old school, maybe I'm not willing to adjust to the new no-touch-no-tap rules of the modern day NBA.

Playing basketball means you will bust somebody in the chest if they try to drive through the paint; you will damn near headbutt somebody if they try to dunk or layup on you. The game of basketball is much more physical than the modern NBA would care to admit.

And I feel for Rasheed Wallace. The NBA does not need to fine Rasheed Wallace $25 g's for his verbal tirade the other night. The NBA needs more Rasheed Wallaces because ALL major league sports; the NBA, NFL, MLB, and soon MLS (mostly because of desperation to attract a North American audience) rely on entertainment. It's no longer about the sport itself, it's about entertainment. And they think people don't watch wrestling. North American wrestling has sports entertainment nailed down, which is why it is an abomination.

There is one other reason why I cannot get excited for this new age rivalry.

Kobe.

I wish he would just admit that this NBA championship run is all about him. He is a wonderful politician. When someone asks him a question about his contribution to the game he pulls out the "we" card, but in his eyes, and please, look into his eyes; it is all about Kobe.

I would have no problems with it if he would only admit it; it's all about Kobe. Who wanted the trade one year ago, Kobe? Who wanted out of Los Angeles one year ago? And who's boss went and got what a certain player wanted one year ago, Kobe?

I am, despite it all, picking the Lakers over the Celtics.

Oh, and I hope Emperor Stern allows them to actually play the fucking game. My largest concern is that there will be a foul called on every other damn play; let them play the fricking game the way it was meant to be played - - - - - - IF these new age, no-hit-taking, sad-face-making, every-time-an-elbow-waves-them "athletes" can handle it.