Were you able to get your free pass to the Nike-sponsored tour of Lakers superstar, Kobe Bryant? After one sweltering and sleepless weekend in Boni High Street, my brother did. Thousands of fans who camped in there the day before stayed the following morning waiting in lines under the trees, beside commercial collection agency offices, restaurants, bars and whatnot. July 13 was the date set with Kobe in Araneta Coliseum.

As usual, he didn’t disappoint. It was like a pyrotechnics show – he was exploding!

For a die-hard Kobe fan, it was worth every drop of sweat.

Currently, the score is 2-0 in favor of L.A. Lakers. The year of Kobe has finally come.

Everyone around me has been betting that the L.A. Lakers are sure to steal the NBA crown from aging San Antonio Spurs superstars. With Kobe Bryant riding high on his first ever Most Valuable Player award, the young Lakers team are sure to keep the reigning NBA champs away from even touching this year’s title. The Spurs would need more than just bodybuilding supplements to make it through the Lakers siege. They need to pump in new blood to their franchise. Otherwise, their happy days as a team will soon be over.

I don’t think even Kevin Garnet and his team are able to survive an encounter with L.A. Lakers should they both advance to the Finals. Why? If it’s not motivation, it’s age that keeps Kobe’s team alive these days.