Over the last two decades or so, the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs have consistently dominated the competition in the Western Conference. Only the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets have won titles in the West outside of the Spurs and Lakers in the last 20 years.
Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan have been the faces of their franchise over the majority of the last two decades. After last season, both teams have five titles with Duncan and Kobe leading the way.
Bryant recently sat down with Sam Amick of USA Today and talked about how he’d love to get another shot at the Spurs:
I would love to get another crack at them in a playoff series,” Bryant, who leads the NBA in scoring at 26.7 points per game, told USA TODAY Sports this week. “I would love that. Some of my finest memories are against them.”
At this point in time, Bryant’s chances of making the postseason again seems bleak to say the least. The Lakers are struggling in his 19th season and the consensus is Los Angeles will be on the outside looking in on the playoffs come April.
Kobe currently has one more year left on his deal with the Lakers. The superstar has no intention to play beyond next season, but that could change once the time comes.
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As for the Spurs, Duncan and company are still considered to be one of the elite teams in the league. The core of Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili remains strong along with up-and-coming forward Kawhi Leonard, and head coach Gregg Popovich calling the shots.
Another playoff series between these storied franchises may be a stretch, but anything can happen if improvements are made in Los Angeles.
[divide]Lakers Carlos Boozer On Kobe Bryant’s Career
