Los Angeles has long been known as the city with the enticing bright lights of Hollywood and its star-studded population, so it’s only natural that we’d be famous for loving winners. This brings us to what’s going on in the City of Angels right now with the LA Lakers holding a commanding 2-0 series lead in this year’s NBA Finals – citywide euphoria and anticipation for another championship parade with streets full of happy Purple and Gold fans.

When it comes to winning traditions, few franchises in sports as a whole – let alone the NBA – have one as longstanding and proud as the Lakers. Their hated rival Boston Celtics are the only team with more titles (17 to LA’s current 14), but the Lakers have the most Finals appearances with 30 and most playoff wins. Given that reputation, there’s not only an expectation of championships, but an almost cocky belief that title 15 is a done deal. Get in your car and drive any part of LA County from the Valley to Long Beach and you’re guaranteed to find hundreds of car flags, jerseys, hats, crazed fans and more, all gearing up for a new banner at the Staples Center. Read the full story

Grab your drinks and raise them up to toast another memorable birthday for the most well-known “big kid” in the world: the NBA’s unstoppable Diesel, Shaquille O’Neal. The celebrated center turns 37 this week, (March 6) although it’s hard to tell with what he’s done this season.

As his career nears its end an impressive 16 years after it started, Shaq has been able to enjoy a public revival in both his game and his image, putting up numbers this year (18 points, 9 rebounds & nearly 2 blocks a game in only 30 minutes) that are higher than in recent memory and treating fans everywhere to his trademark antics along the way. Read the full story

Congratulations to the 2007-08 NBA Champion Boston Celtics for picking up their 17th league championship and embarrassing their hated rivals in the process. The Celtics’ 131-92 victory over the Lakers is the largest margin of victory in a championship finale. Paul Pierce was named the finals MVP, but the last and deciding game was a team effort… Right down to the post game press conferences. Read the full story

The Spurs rolled to their 4th championship in 9 years a little easier than I thought they would. I thought Cleveland had the chance to win at least one game in the series, I predicted two, but San Antonio was too much. The Spurs are a well oiled playoff machine. Even when they don’t win the title they’re in the mix. The Cavaliers are a franchise with a Superstar and a subpar supporting cast. They could be title contenders for years to come but they’re gonna have to shake up the roster.

The Spurs deserve their congratulations.. Tony Parker earned the Finals MVP award. Parker’s penetration, steady jumper, and clutch shots made him the hands down winner. Robert Horry picked up his 7th ring. That’s nuts. Guys are happy to play 7 seasons, Horry has 7 RINGS. Barkley, Stockton, Malone, KG, and Elgin Baylor 0 rings between ‘em. Robert Horry 7. Wow.

Props to the San Antonio Spurs, the NBA Champions.

Spurs/Cavs Game 4 recap. Courtesy of ESPN.com

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