#2 – Cleveland Cavaliers
The Lakers and the Cavaliers have never met in the playoffs. There’s no over-lying geographical rivalry. They’re not in the same conference. So how can they be this high on the list?
Two words: LeBron James.
LeBron James, in my mind, is the best player in the NBA. Kobe Bryant, while an insane talent and legendary worker, is still a 31 year old guard with 1,000+ NBA games on his odometer. There’s no shame in the decline—it’s biology. No matter how great Kobe Bryant is (and he’s one of the greatest), he’s not good enough to beat Father Time.
However, while LeBron James is a prodigy on the rise, Kobe Bryant is still the Sensei of the Dojo. It’s still his league and his crown until he is defeated in battle. Even though I have won as many Finals games as LeBron James (0, for the record), the media will continue his coronation when he is handed his second MVP award later this year. This shouldn’t upset Lakers fans in the slightest—because we know that legends are forged in June.
Many suspect that LeBron will get his chance to take Kobe’s crown this year. (Although, they said the same thing last year). A win by the Lakers would cement Kobe’s legacy even further and once again prove that, at 31, he is still the alpha dog. Add in the fact that Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant would both be vying for their 5th ring (and probably bragging rights for eternity), a Cavaliers-Lakers matchup could be biblical.
ASIDE: I grew up in Ohio, and let me just say—anybody who is under 30 and claims he was a Cavs fan before they drafted LeBron is a liar. They’re without a doubt, the biggest bandwagon fan base since the Suns. They also suffer from the same disease that afflicted Suns fans for a few years: despite not winning anything of note, they act as if they’re the defending World Champions.
Next: The #1 Team to Let Off Steam
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