Sports: The Underdog

Ok, so I know what some of you guys are thinking, "What does SHE know about sports?"  Well...I know a little something, but I'm not here to act like I'm a sports fanatic because I'm definitely not.  I do however appreciate the sport of basketball, probably because my Dad used to play in college and I remember attending a few of his alumni games as a toddler. I remember asking my Mother why his shorts were so short, but that's another story.

Anyway, the last two teams standing in the 2010 playoffs, as I'm sure everyone is aware of, is the L.A. Lakers and the Boston Celtics.  Of course The Celtics are considered the underdogs but how can ANY team not be when playing a team that has won so many championships within our era. Although The Celtics have 17 opposed to the Lakers 15 championships, if any one of the two teams had to be considered underdogs it would be Boston.(Although the Celtics are not 'real' underdogs by any means being that the definition of the word is a person who is expected to lose in a contest or conflict) I think it's safe to say that the Celtics have an overwhelming amount to fans that have been down for them since day one but also a new fanbase just for the love of the underdog. 

My question is...Why is it so popular to root for the underdog? And also, Why does everyone hate Kobe so much?

*Sidenote-I am a true underdog rooter *Go Celtics*