Happy Independence Day: Kobe Bryant Deserves his Fifth Championship Ring

The upcoming 2009-2010 NBA season will surely be a year of interesting storylines. Can Tim Duncan's knees hold up? Can the San Antonio Spurs win their fifth title? Will the Orlando Magic conjure up a second NBA Finals repeat? Can the Kevin Garnett-led Boston Celtics bounce back? What about Kobe Bryant? Can he bid his way for a fifth NBA title without Shaquille O'Neal? Also, how will Shaquille O'Neal factor in the Cleveland Cavaliers' success, now that he is on Lebron James' team? Will he revert back into the old Shaq Attack like he was in the past?

History shows that when Shaq is paired up with an All-Star sidekick, such as current Laker Kobe Bryant and Miami's Dwayne Wade, the records show that O'Neal has won an NBA title. Now? He's got King James on his team. There is no better time for Lebron James to win an NBA title before he bolts out of Cleveland in free agency in 2010. Time will tell if Shaq will get his fifth ring. There is no indication that Shaquille O'Neal can still be on top of his game, despite his declining game and age. During Shaq's tenure with the Phoenix Suns, Suns general manager Steve Kerr tried to install Shaq into his free-wheeling basketball system with Steve Nash. It was a failed experiment. For now, the Big Diesel has got legs left. He's got a chance to show the NBA basketball world that he is the most dominant center in the league now that Lebron James is his teammate. Don't count him out.

Tim Duncan is in the midst of entering the final years of his NBA career. He has also four championship rings and is on the verge of capturing his fifth. There is no doubt he is one of the NBA's elite stars and one still to dominate the basketball game even in his current age. What makes Duncan such a great teammate and an ultimate MVP is his willingness to defer to his teammates to win ball games, instead of letting the game flow to him first. He will let Tony Parker win the game if T.P. has the chance and Manu Ginobli to find holes in the defense. You've got role players in Mike Finley, Matt Bonner who is playing the Robert Horry role and youngsters such as George Hill and Roger Mason. You've also got newly acquired Richard Jefferson. Why not Tim Duncan and his Spurs? There's no doubt that Tim Duncan cannot be denied his fifth championship title. This could also secure his legacy as one of the NBA's best premier big men and fundamentally sound players of his time.

The Magic really need to get Hedo Turkoglu back. Yes, they'll go over the salary cap space. It's worth it. You have a chance to climb back into the NBA championship ranks next season. Pay Turkoglu his extra cash for what he's worth. You'll also go over the luxury tax. Don't worry. The Magic is in the best position to win an NBA title. Orlando needs him back to run that pick-and-roll to death against their opponents to be effective for success for Dwight Howard to get his post points and Rashard Lewis, his barrage of 3-pointers. There was no better ball-handler, passer, and rebounder than Turkoglu in the 2009 NBA Finals. At his size, Turkoglu provides all kinds of mismatches with his versatility and athleticism. The Magic have signed Vince Carter, a seven-time All-Star. This is incentive that the Magic are willing to win at any price. With V.C. on board, you have a perimeter scorer that Orlando has lacked. Now, you have all five positions covered with skilled basketball players. You've got Jameer Nelson who has fully recovered from his injury to run the point, Vince Carter at his 2-spot, Turkoglu at the small foward, Rashard Lewis at the power forward, and Dwight Howard at center. I'm sure Stan Van Gundy can find enough shots for Carter, Jameer Nelson, Lewis, and Howard on the floor. There is no better quality bench Magic coach Stan Van Gundy can turn to in backup point guard Anthony Johnson, defensive-stopper and perimeter threat Mickael Pietrus, three-point shooter in J.J. Redick and backup center Marcin Gortat.

The Kevin Garnett era in Boston is still going on. Celtics coach Doc Rivers, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Garnett have recruited Rasheed Wallace to join their bandwagon in their quest for an 18th championship title record. Boston came up short in repeating their trip to the NBA Finals for a back-to-back NBA titles victories. Garnett's injury probably was the case, but that's no excuse for the tough and battle-tested Boston Celtics. With a lineup of Rajon Rondo at point guard, Ray Allen at shooting guard, Paul Pierce at small forward, Kevin Garnett at power forward, and Kendrick Perkins at center, Boston is still unstoppable. Adding bench power is crucial. They've acquired Rasheed Wallace now. Adding to that bench is Stephon Marbury, Eddie House, Leon Powe, Glen Davis, and Mikki Moore. The C's are a threat to the the Lakers' throne next season.

Here's why Kobe Bryant deserves to win now: He's got the big man and sidekick he has desired in Pau Gasol. Phil Jackson is returning as Lakers head coach and probably make history with his 11th NBA title record. He's got perimeter shooting in fellow backcourt mate, Derek Fisher and newly acquired Ron Artest, who can defend like crazy and yet, stable a Lakers team with his sharp shooting. They also have young center Andrew Bynum to defend the paint and rebound and Lamar Odom to rescue a Lakers team that has lacked a big guy that is able to run, score, rebound, and handle the ball like a point guard. There's no better time for Bryant to start winning now. He is in his prime and he is getting better. He's 31 and the Black Mamba is moving in for the kill. He wants to claim what is rightfully his. Like Michael Jordan, he has proved that no one can take away what belongs most to him: the limelight of the basketball stage and winning what matters most in: the NBA Finals. Shaquille O'Neal is leaning on Lebron James to win an NBA title. Tim Duncan has Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli to win games. Magic center Dwight Howard has to develop some skilled low-post moves. The Orlando Magic isn't ready to win permanently on a regular basis if Howard can work on a couple of skilled moves. Boston is ready to win, if Garnett returns one hundred percent without any injuries at training camp. With the Lakers, they are primed to win more championships and no one can match Bryant's sheer determination and his will that he imposes on the game.

Boston still has to work out some cinches in their rotation, like incorporating Stephon Marbury and Mikki Moore into their mix and Celtics basketball brand. They also have to find out if Garnett's injury will affect the team chemistry or impact the team effort on and off the court. When all is said and done, I can see Kobe Bryant's Lakers standing at the top of the mountain and winning a fifth championship. Why? He has the Zen Master (Phil Jackson). He has Pau Gasol. He has role players from 2 through 15 in Lamar Odom, Jordan Farmar, Shannon Brown, Sasha Vujacic, and Luke Walton who can make plays, create shots, and play defense.