There’s no doubt that the Los Angeles Lakers have had a renaissance this season. Following the Pau Gasol trade, the LA Lakers became red hot, earning them a place in the Western Conference Finals. To reach the NBA Finals, the story will inevitably revolve around Kobe Bryant, the league’s MVP, and whether or not his entourage can knock down the reigning champions, the San Antonio Spurs.

Starting Wednesday, May 21, the battle for the “Best of the West” title opens up at STAPLES Center in Downtown. For LA visitors, there are few better ways to experience Los Angeles than catching the much-anticipated series. Don’t be surprised if you hear talk of Kobe and the Lakers in the coming weeks. Lunch counters, bars and clubs — wherever you are, the talk of the town will be the Lakers.

There’s a clear reason: it’s a classic battle between the Lakers and the Spurs. With intense matchups between Bryant and Bruce Bowen, Pau Gasol and Tim Duncan — as well as a talented supporting cast — the two teams have always brought the will to win.

But it’s the Lakers that have the decorated franchise history of Magic and Kareem — and Phil Jackson’s nine championship rings. The winning tradition runs deep with these perennial contenders for the NBA’s most coveted hardware, the Larry O’Brien championship trophy. Tune in at a popular LA restaurant or bar to see if they’ll add one more to the collection.

Check out the Western Conference Finals schedule at www.nba.com/lakers.

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-Keith Lin