There Can Only Be One

At the end of the season, the champions may say that they have won the championship in a season in which 4 of the most legendary NBA teams competed in the Finals. Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers have won 37 NBA championships and have 57 conference titles. Besides, 8 out of the last 10 NBA rings have been shared out amongst Spurs (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007), Lakers (2000, 2001, 2002) and Pistons (2004). The last championship that Boston Celtics won was in 1986 when they defeated in the finals Olajuwon’s Rockets.

In the East, Boston is favorite since they signed Allen and Garnett at the beginning of the season, but they have been the only team that needed to play 7 games in the previous rounds before the conference final. They’re taking on the always candidate Detroit Pistons, which stars have been playing together for several seasons. They beat the Celtics last Thursday in the Garden so they have recovered the court advantage.

In the West, San Antonio Spurs has been another candidate to win the championship for many seasons with the same stars that won it in 2005 and 2007. After they defeated Phoenix without many troubles, they suffered to defeat the most surprising team of the season, New Orleans Hornets. They won the decisive game in the New Orleans Arena resorting to their survival spirit and their experience. The rival is Los Angeles Lakers that has recovered the highest ambition since they acquired Pau Gasol in February. Gasol, Odom and, of course, Bryant are the keys. Kobe is extra-motivated since his team signed Pau and he has been performing his best basket. His prize: to be named MVP of the regular season.

This year, the finals will be really tough. Every play and every basket will be decisive.