Kobe Bryant and the Lakers...true competition or just another TV show?

Top Pictures from the Lakers-Jazz NBA Playoffs - Images by Colin Braley
It's Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs in Salt Lake City. I'm looking at two teams. One has the potential for greatness but for some reason lacks the fire within. The other is so good it appears they have to back off to make it look like a series. One wonders how much of this is true competition or just another entertainment show, compelled to the make the most out of the ratings. Either way I do love it so.