The NBA Finals are now here and once again, its a showdown between the league's most storied rivalry, the Los Angeles Lakers versus the Boston Celtics. Both teams have put up remarkable performances during their run to get to this final round. Rajon Rondo, the stud point guard for the Boston Celtics, can easily be defended although he was the best player in the NBA playoffs this year. Kobe Bryant once again performed at the NBA hall of fame level, which he showed why he's the best player in the game. Not to take anything away from LeBron James but Kobe Bryant aka the Black Mamba exemplified what it means to  put together a clutch showdown. This is a rematch from two years ago when the Boston Celtics reigned as the 2008 champs and now the big three (Allen, Pierce, Garnett) as a matter of fact the big four as you have to include Rajon Rondo, are back for seconds. Many said the Boston Celtics were too old and their chances for another title were a long shot. The Los Angeles Lakers were criticized  by many who thought that they were vulnerable and yet here they are in the NBA Finals once again looking to repeat as champs. Will Kobe get his fifth NBA title adding on to his resume as a NBA great or will the Boston Celtics win another to add their 18th title to their rafter.

I have to admit, I'm really shocked that the Boston Celtics are playing in the NBA Finals. Over and over on this website, I said the Celtics are completely done and have no chance at a title. Why? Because their time is up and they were too old. I ranted so much with people on why the Celtics were done and how they struggle against teams with young legs, the whole nine yards. Now that the Celtics are playing in the NBA Finals, who feels like an idiot? Yeah, Q The Question indeed does. I didn't doubt the Celtics had talent, they have three future hall of famers with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. When you look at the 2009-2010 season alone, there were several times when the Celtics hit the wall. The team didn't play so well at home and injuries constantly hampered them. Well, like the old motto goes "Once the postseason begins the season doesn't mean nothing". The C's ran through the Miami Heat and veteran guard Paul Pierce put up stellar performances to take them out. Next thing you know in round two versus the Cleveland Cavaliers, they put a chain around LeBron James's neck and shut him down. Much of this definitely goes to the defensive genius of coach Doc Rivers. So yeah, I was surprised they eliminated the Cavs but then I argued its no way they'll beat Orlando. Well Boston's hunger put the Orlando Magic to rest and when it looked as if the Magic would make a series comeback, Boston put the young guns back to rest. Rajon Rondo as said earlier, deserves to be respected as an elite NBA point guard. With triple doubles, remarkable rebouding, great passing to find the open man, he's one of the reasons why the Boston Celtics is playing for another title. Kevin Garnett's veteran leadership once again proves his value and his motivation to the young frontcourt with Glen Davis and Kendrick Perkins. Ray Allen in the series versus the Magic, let them know why he is one of the greatest NBA sharpshooters ever. When you leave Jesus Shuttlesworth open for a three point shot your asking to lose. Doc Rivers' leadership is what makes champions and as long as that continues, the Boston Celtics just might earn that second ring.

 The Los Angeles Lakers with the way they've been playing, seem to be looking for that dynasty status right now. Phil Jackson, better known as the Zen Master has this team playing to perfection. From the beginning to end the Los Angeles Lakers once again played with the hearts of a champions. In each series when it looked as if the opposing team (Thunder, Jazz, Suns) had a shot, the Lakers every time made a great play. All that Lakers got lucky talk is a bunch of crap because at the end of the day, great teams make great plays. In the series versus Oklahoma when the youth of the Thunder look to pull through, the Lakers put them away with a big shot at the end. The second round series versus Utah, when the Jazz made a run to make it tight, the Lakers closed them out with a sweep. In the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns, all of a sudden Ron Artest hits a game winning shot. Great teams make great plays which is why the Los Angeles Lakers are playing for another title for the third year in a row. Kobe Bryant is a great player, being one of the few greats amongst the many that are good. This man is that diamond in the rough whose caliber playing style makes a team overall better. Kobe's positive attitude to make his teammates better, defines superstar leadership. Not to give Kobe all the credit but he has what we all call the "IT" factor, and I'll leave it at that. Gasol has been very dependable in the clutch when the show gets close but Kobe comes through to save the day. Gasol has been playing very well this postseason being Kobe's righthand man, that will score his 20-25 points a game. These Lakers have some food on their plate to chow down when facing the Boston Celtics and while revenge is a factor to beat Boston, its definitely not a cake walk.

Prediction: Lakers in 7.This 2008 NBA Finals rematch will be fun. Boston are a confident team that feels they once again are ready to pop the champagne. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen time will be coming to an end soon and they know it. With that being the case, why not make that extra push to work hard and earn one more title. Coach Doc Rivers has been very proud of this teams success putting the bug in their ear all year long, that they have the potential to reign as champs. There are some key matchups in this series, which will draw some great interest to who wins. I honestly can say Ron Artest versus Paul Pierce, is one for sure. You can expect Ron Artest to put that big body on Pierce which will limit his big shot ability and make things hard for "The Truth". The Celtics do have the advantage in the frontcourt with Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, and Glen Davis. Yeah the Lakers do have a solid scorer with Pao Gasol in the frontcourt, but the Celtics will get physical which will be a problem for the Lakers. Andrew Bynum carries a lot of size for the Lakers, but to be honest he's not very dependable, especially with that aching knee. The Celtics have another huge advantage at the point guard position with Rajon Rondo, which we all know Derek Fisher will struggle to keep up. So yeah it seems now you would think I would pick the Celtics, but I'm not. When you break it down pound for pound the Celtics should win, but they won't. The reason I'm going with Kobe and the Lakers is they have one thing over the Celtics and its called revenge. Payback is something the Lakers want and will get from two years ago as they are out for blood. For the fact that Kobe Bryant plays with a killer instinct mentality is why the Lakers will repeat as champs.