May 21, 2004 17:18
Tonight is the night! The Los Angeles Lakers play the Minnesota Timberwolves in what promises to be a good series (notice how I didn't say great). Will the Lakers win their fourth Western Conference championship in five years? Will Shaquille O' Neal, the most dominant center in the history of the National Basketball Association, reach the finals for the 5th time in his career? Will media darling, Kobe Bryant win his fourth championship at the young age of 25? Will Gary Payton and Karl Malone, both former All-Star seasoned veterans, finally win their first championship and complete the mission in which they took a drastic paycut for? And will Phil Jackson break the record of being the coach with the most NBA titles (He's tied with former Celtics coach, Red Auerbach, with 9 rings)? Only time will tell, and this game, Game 1, will definetely set the tone as to what is coming.
I think I echo everyone's feelings here in Los Angeles when I say: GO LAKERS!!!!