There Will Be Blood

"I never brag how real I keep it..."

Nas - Take It In Blood

The Boston Celtics stand one game away from their second championship in 3-years. They will have 2 chances this week to capture the crown, however there is one obstacle in their way...

Final Destination

The NBA Finals began in the City of Angeles with each team winning 1-game apiece and once the series shifted to Boston...things got tricky for the Lake Show. In Game 4 it was the second unit of the Celtics that proved to be too much, and for Game 5, I honestly believe the C's wanted to win that much more, with superb play down the stretch from Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo.

Game 6 and a potential 7th will be played in LA, and if Ron Artest, and Lamar Odom provide Kobe Bryant with a better effort on both ends of the floor, then it's game over for Boston.

Bryant proved what he can do, however the Celtics have played a much better team game as of late, so with the fate of the season on the line, I expect the Lakers to win.

Can Kobe Bean lead his team through sheer will and desire? Can the Celtics close it out and raise another championship banner...the answer to those mysteries are in the steady hands of number 24. The real question is, who will show up to play with Kobe Bryant...the reining champs, or the other squad that seemed to give up in two winnable games in the TD Bank North Garden...

At this point in the year the game is all about executing, and having the determination to accomplish the goal.

Actions speak louder than words, and I believe we will see a very good Lakers team in Game 6, poised to force a 7th and deciding game.

From there...anything can happen...winner takes all.

Like Mother, Like Son

"Up 3 nothing, in Salt Lake City..."

Ghostface Killah - Stroke of Death

The LA/Utah series had a change of venue, as the Energy Solutions Arena played host to the Lake Show last night...in a game to remember.

Strictly Business

With 35-points and a calm under pressure cool...Kobe Bryant gave the Jazz, the blues. The best part about it...the Lakers did it as a team with double digit scoring from Fisher, Artest, and Pau Gasol.

Yes it was a close game, and yes the Lake Show were a few nano seconds from losing on two missed Jazz attempts before the buzzer, however the better team won. Now that LA holds a commanding 3-0 lead, everything else about this matchup is irrelevant because the end is near for the Utah Jazz.

The best part of the game for me wasn't the late game heroics and drama, it was the sight of Kobe's parents cheering and supporting their son. It brings back memories of them at his games in high school, or their daughter's matches in college.

The Bryant family is a tight knit clan...much like the Cosby Show, or Run's House, and while Kobe gets his name Bean and basketball acumen from his father, it's his mother...Ms. Pam that encouraged his will power, and tenacity. In life there is always going to be someone better, more attractive, smarter, taller, bigger, etc...however what can separate or level the playing field is the hard work, or determination that you give or have.

In the curious case of Kobe Bryant, not only is he one of the best players in the sport, he just so happens to be mentally stronger, and tougher than everyone as well...so in honor of this Mother's Day, I'd like to note that he is living his dream of becoming a professional athlete, and it was his mom's example, and teaching that has made the NBA champion that you see today.

Photo: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

Poison Clan

Heart

Unsatisfied

Back to back

"If I were you, I'd take precaution..."

Bell Biv DeVoe - Poison

I wrote a story yesterday entitled Antidote...so today's entry is about something so potent that nothing can help the victim once the venom is introduced into their system.

Hunger

The Los Angeles Lakers enter Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight with the stigma and stain from an embarrassing championship loss a year ago in Boston. With that pain still fresh in their hearts and minds, you can expect the Lake Show to play with a heightened sense of urgency.

Kobe Bryant...also known as the Black Mamba is the most deadly professional basketball player on planet Earth. Recently he has been more focused than usual, as I'm sure he can all but taste the sweet nectar of victory. I do not want to take anything away from Blue Magic as they have some serious weapons, not too mention the current Defensive Player of the Year in Dwight Howard. 

Like I always say...I don't make predictions, I just watch the games and interview the athletes...nevertheles below are the keys to a Lakers win, and parade in the City of Angeles:

• Kobe Bryant would like nothing more than to win another championship. He has told me this numerous times this season and just like last year, I truly believe that he will continue to practice and play until he quenches his insatiable thirst.
• Luke Walton comes off the bench, however he does all the little things that are add up to the team's success. Between that, his veteran leadership, and his goal of winning his 1st title in 3 tries is enough to fuel the fire within him. You must remember that his Hall of Fame father Bill Walton has 2 rings (Portland '77, and Boston '86), and Luke would like to join him ASAP.
• Lamar Odom played extremely well during the last 2 games against the Nuggets, and if he can keep that up, then it could prove costly for the Magic.
• Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum individually will have their problems with Dwight Howard, but as a united front, they can be unstoppable. The offense is there...its the defense that the Lakers front court needs to focus on.

Photos:  Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE, Doug Pensigner/Getty Images

Deja Vu

The Closer

Mr. Defense

All eyes on me

"I got so much trouble on my mind...refuse to lose..."

Chuck D - Welcome to the Terrordome

The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 103-97, playing spoiler to the first home Western Conference Finals game in the mile high city, in the last 24 years.

Get Familiar

The Lake Show now have a 2-1 lead in this best of 7 series, and as the saying goes...the more things change the more they stay the same. Allow me to explain: so the venue changed, but Los Angeles won after trailing most of the game...Kobe scored at least 40 points in a victory...Pau Gasol led the team in rebounding...and what's more uncanny is that Trevor Ariza gets a key steal off the in-bounds play, late in the 4th quarter. Sounds like something you've heard before right? That's exactly what I was thinking...

Unlike the last Lakers win in which I felt they really lost...tonight with great defense, and some clutch shooting and desire from Kobe Bryant, the Lake Show actually deserved the comeback win. This is the type of game that could change things, as the purple and gold actually seemed to solve the mystery of the Denver Nuggets. This was a swing game, and Game 4 favors LA.

The keys from tonight's game are as follows:

Kobe Bryant...enough said, but if I must explain, he turned it on late, and never gave up on the script. He also in the midst of a scoring binge trusted his coaches, and teammates.

Luke Walton played pesky defense on Carmelo Anthony, which is no easy task, and then he made some great passes and plays on the offense end while Ariza was out of the game.

Pau Gasol made the baskets that kept the Lakers within striking distance, giving his team enough room to take over and win. LA's front court is the key to the team success.

Lamar Odom played superb defense on the in-bounds pass that led to the Trevor Ariza steal...just like in Game 1.

Carmelo Anthony had a great first half, played aggressive, gave his team the lead, and kept the City of Angels at bay. However he struggled in the 2nd half and fouled out the contest.

Chris Andersen grabbed 7 rebounds, and netted 15 points which could prove costly for the opposition in the upcoming games.

J.R. Smith has changed his game, and is now finding the open teammate, as he had 6 assists, but his technical foul after making a 3-pointer was unnecessary and costly.

The refs have been sub par to say it nicely.

The struggles from the foul line from both teams can determine the series because the games are so close.

Photos: Jed Jacobsohn/NBAE via Getty Images