This year's NBA finals are a classic matchup between two legendary teams -- the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers.

We all knew that Kobe Bryant and his crew would be back to defend their title. But Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett? That’s another story.

I was somewhat surprised to see these “old” guys back on the big stage. For a while, it looked like the Eastern Conference would be a two-horse race between the NBA’s leading players – LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic.

That match-up never materialized in the playoffs as the Celtics, led by point guard Rajon Rondo, a healthy Garnett and a resurgent Rasheed Wallace, coming off the bench to out shot, out rebounded and out toughed the Cavaliers and Magic to make it to the finals for the second time in three years.

Lakers vs. Celtics - The Match-Up

Well, the Lakers have Bryant, and that seems to be enough…just ask the Phoenix Suns. Add Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, Andrew Bynum and sixth man, Lamar Odom, to the mix and you’ve got a team that’s loaded and can be overwhelming to deal with when things are clicking.

Bryant is also driven to beat the Celtics, win his fifth ring and continue to carve out his legacy as one of the best in Lakers history, as well as in the NBA.

The Celtics, meanwhile, are proving everyone wrong this year with their play in the postseason. Without a doubt, experience matters, and this Celtics team has “been there and done that,” and there looks to be no fear in this team.

Rondo seems to be the Boston player with the chip on his shoulder, though. Despite all of the accolades and praise from Magic Johnson as being the “best all-around point guard in the NBA today” and other positive press, he still has something to prove.

Back in 2008, during the first title chase, he was just along for the ride, following the lead of the Big 3 -- Pierce, Allen and Garnett. This year the roles have changed and Rondo’s leading the charge.

So, who wins this series? It will be another classic, but I’ve got Boston clinching another championship against the Bryant-led Lakers in seven games.
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Damon Ford is a former journalist who is now a public relations professional working in the public and private sectors in Charlotte.
 

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