Something to Prove

Much has been made of Kobe Bryant's serious...even cold blooded attitude during the NBA Finals. "I've covered Kobe for years and I've never seen him this focused!!" "Kobe is fixated on winning a ring without Shaq." "Keep your hands away from those teeth."

But while he's no where near going Hanibal Lecter on us... Pau Gasol in his own quiet way has been seething since the meltdown against the Celtics. Always having to deal with the belief that he is one of those European finese players who can't handle the rigors of the NBA...it got full blown "He's a whimp" after the mugging by the Celtics. You can say a lot of things about a professional athlete. But that he doesn't have the heart when the championship is on the line is the ultimate slam in that macho world. Ironically, Gasol has a chance to get more redemption in this series than the other Lakers. No one is confusing this Magic team with last year's Celtics. But Gasol (admittedly with some help) is holding his own and then some with the player labeled the game's best big man...Dwight Howard.

So when Kobe hoists the trophy, he'll still have to share it with a big man. But this time he probably won't mind.