2010 NBA Playoffs: The Finals, a Retribution

I thought the Phoenix Suns had it, but soon fell short against the LA Lakers. And now, Kobe Bryant faces the one team that he probably wishes most to meet in the Finals - the Boston Celtics.

It has been two years, but the memory of the '08 NBA Finals is still clear. The Celtics won and Bryant was left wanting a championship without his chum, Shaquille O'Neal. Everybody was rooting for the Lakers but no one can deny that 2008 was a great year for Boston.

KB24's greatness couldn't be compared to the Big Three. The Celtics have Paul Pierce, with the addition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. The Lakers only got Bryant and a team seemingly unreliable for a playoff showdown. And then last year, the Lakers won but it appears that there was no sense of fulfillment and left everybody thinking what if it was the Celtics?

The Finals. It's all about winning now. And with the Celtics standing in the way, Bryant is sure to find retribution from the team who's beaten them two years ago.