Not So Fast Everyone...

What's going on?? This isn't supposed to happen, right?

At least Nike doesn't seem to think so...



And neither do the marketing experts at Vitamin Water...



That's right, since about mid-season NBA fans began to sense that "The Great Debate" would have a chance to be settled once and for all. Somewhere along the line, an uncertainty somehow became perceived as an inevitability...

Now there's a problem of sorts...in a span of two nights, the two favorites relinquished their driver's seat like responsible drinkers. Both the Lakers and the Cavs lost something they worked all season to earn, and the very reason their seismic clash seemed unavoidable--home court.

It's no secret that the Cavs had one of the best regular season home records of all time, losing just twice in 41 games. As if losing such an advantage were not enough, throw in the little detail that in their two games at Amway Arena, they lost both and by an average of 20 points per.

For the Lakers, a case could be made that tonight's loss was even worse. I mean, let's face it, they could have crushed Denver's soul by stealing a nearly identical game and putting them in a daunting 0-2 hole. This is a team that had its season ended in dominating fashion by the Lakers just a year ago, so you know that would mess with their head. Instead what they are faced with is a trip to one of the biggest bandwagon cities (where they lost 90-79 in their only matchup there with Billups running the show) to face a supremely confident team who is thinking we could easily be up 2-0.

In all of this, the one who is cringing more than anyone is David Stern. You talk about a ratings nightmare?! Nuggets-Magic, POOF! There go a few golden nuggets out of the NBA fund. Seriously though, even very casual basketball fans will tune into Lakers-Cavs, while only basketball lovers and bandwagon homers will watch Magic-Nuggets. Everyone knows it. Bet he wishes he still had Donaghy on payroll.

Anyway, while we're on the LeBron-Kobe topic, might I ask what the derivation of "The Great Debate" was? Sure, I can understand these guys are in a league of their own (along with D-Wade) but this rivalry seems to be a bit deluded by the rabid fanatics of each player/team.

They don't play the same position...they are different sizes...they have never played against each other in a series...there has never been any animosity between the two, and MOST of all, they are both at different phases of their career.

When A.I. crossed up MJ late in his career, did that convince us of anything? Not to say Kobe is past his prime, but to compare a kid to a vet of over a decade is asinine. They are different, they are great, enjoy them and shut up. As much as I want it to happen, I almost don't...because the endless useless banter that will ensue will be unbearable.

BUT, there's still lots of basketball yet to be played. I am by no means saying these series are over. What I AM saying, however, is that if Lebron-Kobe (or Kobe-Lebron [yes, fans are that petty]) is to come to fruition, they're both going to have to earn it. And that's why I love this game.