I can't believe I'm rooting for the Lakers

As one of Bill Simmons' readers said, "Rooting for the Yankees is like rooting for the house in blackjack."

Well, this isn't quite on the same level as that, at least in my eyes, but for the next six games (since Game 1 is in the books), I'm rooting for the Los Angeles Lakers to defeat the Denver Nuggets. I know, it's gross.

It's not that I'm upset Denver bounced the Dallas "If I had a favorite team, they would probably be it" Mavericks from the postseason or anything. In fact, the Nuggets torching of New Orleans in Game 4 of their first-round series made me like them more. Except for Kenyon Martin. I hate Kenyon Martin.

But if anything is going to suck me away from the NHL playoffs and attract me to the NBA, and at this point, it may be the only thing that could do it, it would be a Kobe-LeBron finals.

The best thing about the NHL playoffs so far has been Ovechkin-Crosby and all six people who were watching it got to see that matchup seven times. I was one of those people, at least for a few games, and it was as enthralling a series as I've ever seen in hockey, save for the Chiefs-Americans playing five of seven games in OT a season ago, and that still wasn't top-level hockey.

But a Kobe-LeBron duel would top it for several reasons, and these are coming from somebody who doesn't even like the NBA.

First, Bryant and James would be on the court for just about all 48 minutes. Hockey plays in shifts, so when Crosby and Ovechkin are on the ice, it's electric, but only for 60 or 90 seconds at a time. Kobe and LeBron, meanwhile, spend nearly every second on the court. There are no breathers while the clock is in motion, unless one of the coaches wants to throw his team out on the hardwood at a disadvantage. For either team to win, their superstar has to outplay the other for an entire game. In hockey, it simply doesn't work that way.

Second, each player plays both ends of the court. Sure, you hear about the offensive talents of Alex and Sidney, but neither are a huge factor on the other end of the ice. But as good as #23 and #24 are with the ball, they're just as good without it. Both Bryant and James were All-Defensive First Team Selections this season and while it was James' first appearance on the list, Bryant has been a mainstay for the better part of the decade. Since the 1999-2000 season, Kobe has been a First- or Second-Team choice every year except in 2004-05. Amid the points and assists these players would rack up, you'd also see blocks and steals to add to the quality this finals matchup would produce.

Third, this meeting would be for the title. Crosby-Ovechkin was amazing and I don't want to take away from it, but they were only playing for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. After their dramatic Game 7 clash, the victor still had two win two series to hoist the trophy. Kobe and LeBron would be going head-to-head to be crowned champions. A series pitting these two against each other would end the NBA season, so there's zero doubt that absolutely everything would be left on the court and both players would exhaust every ounce of energy to top the other. Is there any doubt this series would go the distance? It would have to.

Fourth, each player is attempting to put their stamp on history. Kobe has a few rings, but it's often noted that he hasn't been able to win one without Shaq Diesel. He failed spectacularly a season ago as the Boston Celtics stomped LA in Game Six in the Garden by 39 and hasn't reached an NBA Finals in any other season without him, while Shaq won a title in Miami alongside Dwyane Wade.

LeBron might be the successor to MJ as "The Best Player Ever" but Air Jordan won six titles. James is still seeking his first. Of course, Michael had a great supporting cast with Scottie Pippen, BJ Armstrong, Toni Kukoc and the best NBA Head Coach ever in Phil Jackson, but critics aren't going to have much sympathy for King James, despite his second best player being Mo Williams and his head coach being the anti-Phil Jackson. Sports greatest players find ways of winning championships (unless their name is Dan Marino). This would be LeBron's second, and best, chance in his young career.

Finally, this would be the optimal setting to finalize the debate about who is currently the NBA's best player. Kobe Bryant won the 2008 MVP. LeBron James won the 2009 MVP. Each are compared to the other at all times during the season and every spors media member has pondered the question at one point or another. A great case can be made for either player, but if they face off in the 2009 NBA Finals, the analysts, writers, spectators will almost be forced to choose the player who leads his team to the title. And you know for an absolute fact that neither wants to be runner-up to the other when they know that everyone who follows sports will be eying this series if it happens.

But that's still a big "if" considering that Denver gave the Lake Show a run for their money in Game 1 and Orlando got the best of the Cavs during the regular season.

I think it's safe to say, however, that I'm not the only one swallowing their pride when I say "Go Lakers."

Oh, and uh...Go Cavs.