The San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan could be three games away on taking away Kobe Bryant's thrown as their generation's best play.
And Bryant might be hoping it happens, according to Lakersnation.com.
The Spurs have a 1-0 series lead in this year's NBA Finals against the Miami Heat. If the Spurs win the series, it would be the fifth ring 37-year-old Tim Duncan has won. That would match the number of titles Bryant, 34, has with the Lakers.
The debate then would begin about who was the best player during the time the two were in their prime. LeBron James is recognized as the best player in the game today, but still needs four championship rings to match Bryant's longevity.
A San Antonio win also would open the debate as to the most dominant franchise so far this side of the millennium. Even though the Spurs won their first title in 1999, basketball fans might have a lengthy debate about which franchise is more successful.
Bryant told ESPN's Steven A. Smith on ESPNRadio New York on Friday that if Duncan ties Bryant by winning that fifth championship, he hopes that motivates the Lakers organization in wanting to break the tie.
"It doesn't really matter. My goal is to win more than five, so if he does win more than five it pushes our organization upstairs to be more determined and more driven to make the necessary expenses to make sure we continue the next year and the year after that."
The Lakers' immediate hopes seem tied to the decision soon-to-be free agent Dwight Howard will make about where he wants to play next year. Having played in Los Angeles this past season, he could earn more money from the Lakers than any other organization who is pursuing him.
Bryant told Smith he's reached out to Howard but doesn't think it makes sense to go into full recruitment mode of the star center just before he begins the free-agent process of talking to other interested teams.
The meticulous Bryant already might have his speech prepared for Howard because he probably doesn't like the fact that he has to root for Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs.
Ever.
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