Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics: The Magnitude of 2010 NBA Finals

Kobe Bryant is determined to win his fifth NBA title with the Lakers, but to make that possibility a reality, he must defeat the Boston Celtics. The Celtics have been the underdog in the last two series, but continue to defy the odds.

The role of underdog is one that this Celtics team has used as a way to motivate themselves and prove to the world that they are finally healthy and in true championship form.

Kobe has been virtually unstoppable. He has scored 30 points in 10 out of his last 11 games and is shooting nearly 50 percent from the field. The Celtics have to be able to contain Kobe and not let him go off for 40 or 50 points, like Wade and Lebron did when they beat the Celtics.

If that happens, it is going to be hard for Boston to contend with the Lakers. Defending Kobe Bryant for the entire game and forcing him to take tough contested shots is crucial if the Celtics want to win.

The Celtics must remain poised on offense. They can't try and take defenders one on one every time they go down the floor. Garnett is going to have a tough matchup with Gasol.  Ron Artest is going to cause fits for Paul Pierce and is going to slow down his ability to score. 

With that being said, Kobe should guard Rondo or Allen, because he is going to be a strong defender and a hassle for one of the guards.

Since both players can't be guarded by Bryant, Boston needs to utilize whoever Fisher guards. Fisher is 35 years old and has played well for the Lakers thus far in the postseason. Yet again he is much more effective on the offensive end compared to defense.

Allen or Rondo must make Fisher look like his age when trying to score. Rondo must take him to the rim and score, while Allen will need to work off the ball to find and make open shots on the perimeter.

The Bigs for the Celtics need to battle with the Lakers. Bynum, Gasol, and Odom have had their bright spots in the playoffs, but the rebounding margin is going to play a key role in this season. Perkins, Garnett, Davis, and Rasheed have to, as a team, outplay the frontcourt that L.A. puts out on the floor.

The biggest and most essential indicator of Celtics success in this series will be the way the bench plays. Tony Allen has showed glimpses where he comes in and plays with enthusiasm and a different demeanor. We all know what kind of production Wallace can give Boston. Glen Davis has been a solid option off the bench contributing points and rebounds on both ends. Even Nate Robinson was a spark plug that vaulted the Celtics to a series clinching win against the Magic.

This is sure to be an exciting series filled with star moments and big shots. The Lakers have been dominant all year long and the Celtics, although they have struggled on occasion and have sometimes looked inconsistent, are currently healthy and are playing their best basketball of the season.

Los Angeles versus Boston has been one of the most-heated rivalries in all of basketball's history. It was renewed two years ago when the Celtics won their first NBA title since the 1986 season. 

Boston looks to deliver it's second NBA Title in the last three years.

Kobe Bryant is ready to shut up his critics and deliver another Championship to the city of L.A.

Something's got to give.