The Ball Is Now In Kobe's Court

The 2010 NBA Finals is gradually becoming a classic. While there hasn't been any buzzer beaters or singular games that stick out, these Finals have been so compelling because of the different stories in each game. Whether it's been Boston's eclectic bench, which Ray Allen shows up, the Big 3 fighting Father Time, the Lakers role players, Phil Jackson going for history, or Andrew Bynum's health... these Finals have been one of the most compelling in years. But now, they all evolve around one man.

Kobe Bryant.

This is perhaps the series and the stretch of games that will define Kobe's legacy. Can he approach the Jordan level and carry his team to a 5th title (1 short of MJ), or will he lose his 2nd Finals series and hear the question marks yet again? (Why can't he beat the Celtics? Is he being outplayed by Paul Pierce? How does he feel about those "No Means No" chants?)

After the Celtics win in Game 5, it was painstakingly clear that Kobe was angry at his teammates for letting him down in the crucial swing game. In the 4th quarter, Bryant was seen demonstratively instructing his teammates, being upset at calls, and showing emotion that we usually don't see from such an icy competitor. There was a sense of desperation that I haven't seen before from Bryant.

The pivotal stretch of this series, and perhaps the crystalizing moment in Bryant's career came in the 3rd quarter last night. With the Lakers trailing by 8 entering the 2nd half - Bryant scored the Lakers' first 19 points of the quarter in a 10 minute time period. The stuff of legends, right? During that time though, the Boston lead went from 8 to 13. Even with Kobe going postal, the Lakers weren't succeeding. In scoring 23 straight points for LA from the 2nd quarter through that stretch in the third, the C's increased their lead from 1 to 13. +12 against teeth-clinching Kobe. Kobe was amazing, but his team fell further behind as the Big 3 got it done.

In truth, that's symbolic of the Kobe Bryant Era. He has always wanted to go it alone. To be the man. To be the next Jordan. To win the MVPs, titles, and accolades. LA wasn't big enough for him and Shaq - so now it's Kobe's town, Kobe's team, and Kobe's legacy on the line. In Game 5 he went at it alone - his teammates had only 3 FG attempts during his 3rd quarter run. Kobe has now taken twice as many shots in the series (120 - 24 per game) as his next highest teammate Gasol (60 - 12 per game).

In fairness, last year he had 135 FGA in the 5 game win against Orlando (Gasol again was next highest with 60 again). But, this has a different feel to it. Yes, Kobe got that title on its own - but it was against Orlando! Not the Boston Big 3, not the King, but Stan Van and the Magic! No, this is the series that will define Kobe Bryant. This is the rubber match between Boston and LA to tell us who is the team of the latter half of the decade.

Games 6 & 7 will tell us whether Kobe deserves a place in the basketball pantheon or not. Can he carry his team to a championship against a championship caliber team with his back up against the wall? With Rondo & the Big 3 only needing 1 win in LA to take their 2nd NBA Finals in 3 years, the pressure is on Kobe to deliver in Games 6 & 7. Kobe, the ball is in your court.