Is this the year for Kobe-LeBron Finals?

• James or Bryant has played in the last six NBA Finals, and this could be the year they meet in June
• Both teams have major title expectations, as the Heat are the defending champions and the Lakers are being chalked up as the next superstar team
• "I want to be the best of all time," James said told The Associated Press

LeBron James vs. Kobe Bryant.

NBA lovers have never seen that dream showdown in the NBA Finals.

The matchup that fans witnessed in the 1980s between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird might not ever be matched, if only because of the way it transcended the game. But Bryant, too often compared to Michael Jordan throughout his career, and James, pegged the Chosen One in the earlier stages of his career, facing each other for a championship would be an NBA Finals clash that would certainly skyrocket ratings.

"If we see that matchup, Kobe vs. LeBron, I think it would break all the records," Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson told the Associated Press. "I think the viewership would be off the charts."

Last week, we heard rumors that James might eventually end up joining the Los Angeles Lakers. All hogwash. There's a better story line now.

It doesn't seem like it's been talked about in years, but it's to basketball what the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao fight (that might not ever happen) is to boxing.

Now, after a 34-year old Bryant has been re-energized by the arrival of two-time MVP Steve Nash and Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard, and after James has won his first NBA championship (and third MVP) and the Heat added key pieces to the roster including sharpshooter Ray Allen, it's not just an NBA 2K fantasy.

James or Bryant has played in the last six NBA Finals.

This could be the year they meet in June.

Both teams have major title expectations, as the Heat are the defending champions and the Lakers, winless in the preseason, are being chalked up as the next superstar team. But it's all preseason hype.

They used to be the two best players in the game (thanks Kevin Durant and overrated ESPN player rankings for changing that).

Nike spawned the greatest puppet commercials since Lil Penny featuring Bryant and James trash talking when it seemed almost inevitable that James and Bryant would meet in the Finals in the late 2000s. Bryant was on his second championship tour with Phil Jackson and the Lakers. And James had reached the Finals with his hometown Cavaliers at the spry age of 22. (Even though the San Antonio Spurs pummeled the Cavs and it was quite possibly the most boring NBA Finals of all-time).

But it never worked out. Bryant's Lakers faded from their seat atop the league and James spurned Cleveland and staged The Decision, taking his talents to South Beach to team up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

As of now, a Heat-Lakers Finals is all preseason hype. The Durant-led Oklahoma City Thunder might still be best in the West and the Boston Celtics have rejiggered their roster (for better or worse) after losing to the Heat in seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals last year.

Even though James has gotten the monkey off his back by winning his first ring, he still is four back on Kobe. But that doesn't mean he's not planning on chasing that ring count.

"I want to be the best of all time," James said told the Associated Press. "It's that simple."

Contributing: The Associated Press