Stubbornness. Pride. Competitiveness. Maybe even a little stupidity. In the past two days, Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant — two aging stars on teams that would be seventh seeds if the playoffs started today — have both conceded that championships remain the driving force.Championships. Is it possible for the Big Three to win a second? For Kobe to win a sixth? For the NBA gods to continue putting a title just out of the Lebron James’ reach? For Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose’s drive at their first ring to be stalled because the older dogs still have a little bite?It would seem a lot of events would have to unfold perfectly for either the Celtics or Lakers to win a championship. Yet the fact that Kobe and Pierce can discuss with sincerity the possibility, no matter how slim that possibility seems to the unbiased observer, reveals the plainest truth within this conversation: A level of defiance and indefatigable confidence exists in Boston and Los Angeles, making bo...
Original Story:
