The 2008 NBA Finals: Is 3 Better Than 1?

While most of the pundits and experts will focus on the nostalgic Celtics-Lakers match-up that consisted of short-shorts and Bird v. Magic, I can't help but to look at this series and think that this series is reminiscent of the 1997 NBA Finals.

I know, it's a stretch. But hear me out!

The Lakers remind me a lot of that 1997 Chicago Bulls championship team. The Lake Show is lead by Kobe Bryant, playing the role of Michael Jordan as the best player in the game. He has been dominant all season and it has continued into the playoffs. Like Mike, Kobe can light it up anytime, anywhere. Again, like Jordan, he's got that championship drive and something to prove to the critics. While MJ was trying to prove that his retirement was the only reason the city of Houston has any championship to talk about, KB24 is out to prove that he can win the big one without Shaq.

Like the '97 Bulls, Kobe's got a talented supporting cast. Pau Gasol is in the lead assistant role and is the difference-maker in the low-post and his value is through the roof since center Andrew Bynum has been out. Lamar Odom runs the point forward and usually provides a match-up problem for the opposition. Point guard Derek Fisher runs the show and is a lights-out 3-point shooter that makes big shots in big games. Remember?

The one constant between Da Bulls and Da Lakers (yeah, I can't believe I just typed that either) is Phil Jackson.

Standing in the Lakers' way are the Boston Celtics, who sported the best record in the NBA this season.

The Celts are looking for their first championship since sometime in the '80s and are lead by a triumvirate of stars. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen also have something to prove and finally are on the stage to do so. Each has been great individually, but have not been able to win the big games and get over the hump. Together, they hope to do just that.

The cloud that has surrounded the Green Squad all year has been the supporting cast that surrounds The Big Three. Rajon Rondo is a damn good contributor who will only get better as time goes on. But after that, the rest of the squad is underwhelming in my eyes.

Chicago native Glenn "Doc" Rivers is a hell of a coach, who got a raw deal in Orlando and was almost booted from Boston after a 24-win campaign in 2007. He isn't intimidated by the star power the Lakers have because he's got it on his side too. But will he crack under the pressure of keeping Coach Phil from passing Boston legend Red Auerbach in NBA Championships?

Here's hoping that this series will be an instant classic!

And for your viewing pleasure, a lil' bit of that 1997 championship magic.