Lakers vs. Celtics in the NBA Finals. A dream match up for the league itself and for neutral fans all over the world. If your team didn't make it you're probably not going to watch. Why? Because you probably hate Kobe Bryant and what he stands for, and you couldn't care less about 3 veterans who were put together on a team to try and win it in one season.

 

When the Pau Gasol trade went down earlier this season, I really thought the Lakers were the team to beat. They cruised through the rest of the season and the playoffs, the Spurs didn't even put up a fight. Kobe is playing on a different level, and I really believe he will go to an even higher level in the Finals. The Celtics have absolutely no answer for him. And who is gonna guard Gasol? What else is scary? The Lakers next season with Andrew Bynum fully recovered will be really scary. You're looking at a potential dynasty with him at center.

 

I would love to see Garnett win a ring. He deserves one as an ambassador for the sport, his love of the sport and what he brings each night. The Celtics will win a few games on pure determination, and either Paul Pierce or Ray Allen will go crazy scoring in one game, at least. But I just can't see Kobe losing. Its like he was put on earth to win this championship. He'll remember the sting of losing in 2004 to the Pistons, and won't want that to happen again.

 

Lakers in six.

This Saturday in Switzerland and Austria, Euro 2008 kicks off. I had so much fun at World Cup 2006 in Germany, that I was determined to go to the European Championships even if I didn't have tickets to any matches. The atmosphere generated by visiting football fans from numerous countries is unparalleled.

 

Mini and I are arriving in Geneva on Friday night, taking an evening flight after work. We'll spend 2 nights in Geneva. Then on Sunday (which I have designated as a travel day) we're going take a panoramic train from Geneva to Zurich, going through the Swiss Alps. We have a 2 hour stop for lunch in Interlaken, and are doing the trip on the Golden Pass train (http://www.goldenpass.ch). We arrive in Zurich Sunday evening and fly back the next night. Hopefully we'll have time to meet up with Alex, who travelled with me in Germany during the World Cup. It promises to be a good trip, and hopefully everything will go smoothly for us!