The Last Shot Podcast

You don’t have to be from Boston or L.A. to appreciate the Legend, the Magic or the history that intertwines it all. Growing up a sports fan, more especially the NBA, I truly have this rivalry to thank for the NBA being on the map while growing up. The Bird vs. Magic hysteria lent itself to the next torch carrier, Michael Jordan. There is then, great poetry in “The next Michael Jordan,” Kobe Bryant being the marquee man in a marquee matchup.

After finally receiving the recognition deserved as the best player in the league by winning the MVP award this year, Kobe is at the footsteps of greatness. Greatness for all time, thereby, legendary.

The skill, passion and determination that Kobe Bryant plays with is once again on the biggest stage in basketball. This time however, he’s playing without a first ballot, arguably one of the greatest centers of all time and the most dominate big man the past decade, Shaquille O’Neal. It’s a different task at hand for Bryant this time around. He’s the focus, he’s the go to guy, he’s the one to find in the clutch and take the last shot.

Being Mr. Clutch, the go to guy when the game is on the line has always been the shortfall in a thus far sterling career of one Kevin Garnett. He’s posted great numbers, been on successful teams and made teams better that had no business succeeding, yet when games or series matter, he’s never been able to finish. Does the outcome change this time around??

All other factors aside, there’s our matchup of history, of destiny and the renewed rivalry that is the Lakers vs. Celtics. Can Garnett cement his status as an all-time great and surpass Charles Barkely, Karl Malone and many others by winning an NBA Championship? Or will it be Kobe Bryant, showing that his greatness exceeds that of O’Neal’s in that he didn’t need him to win an NBA Championship. With four rings on one of the league’s most successful franchises, Kobe will truly be in the same sentence as Michael.

History will decide the winner of this NBA Finals. Is it cemented greatness for Garnett, or legendary status for Kobe? Either way, it will be magical. A Lakers vs. Celtics matchup shouldn’t be anything less. Lucky for us, it won’t be. Enjoy the series and remember there’s greatness in every era of basketball…be happy you lived it.

Lakers 4, Celtics 3.

Legendary, amen!