Instead we sit here with the Lakers of Los Angeles hosting the Orlando Magic in what promises to be a very good series. The Magic proved it takes more than one player to beat them, as LeBron absolutely destroyed them and fell up short. The Magic have shot very well from downtown and must continue that if they have a chance against the Lakers. I don't see the Lakers matching up anyone on Dwight Howard with success. He has been great so far and needs to continue. Please Orlando, I beg you to beat L.A.!
Here's a look at the matchups:
Point Guard: Derek Fisher vs. Rafer Alston- Obviously neither of these guys are studs. Fisher is a veteran who has been here before, who also has the mental edge over Alston. The Magic cannot have Alston do anything stupid, whether its turnovers or tapping a ref on the head. A point guard is supposed to provide steadiness and right now neither of these guys are very steady. Yes, Fisher is experienced, but he is a shell of his former self and doesn't knock down shots like he used to. The wild card here could be the return of Jameer Nelson, which there have been rumors about, but I really doubt he would make a significant impact on this series. He cannot be 100 percent and a guy like Jameer Nelson needs to be 100 percent to be a difference maker. EDGE: Magic
Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant vs. Courtney Lee- This is Kobe Bryant's biggest series of his entire career. If he wins, he adds to his legacy quite a bit and will go down, at least for a while, as one of the top 10 players to ever step foot on a basketball court. On the contrary, if he loses he will still have that shadow of never winning a championship as the teams best player looming over him. Kobe will undoubtedly put up huge numbers this series and will probably be the most determined player on the court. Lee is definitely mismatched taking on Bryant in every capacity. Lee is might be one of those rookies who disappears once they get to the finals. Yes, he's been good throughout these playoffs, but he hasn't been matched up with a guy like Kobe yet and has not been on this big of a stage yet. I really think Lee will disappear in this series. EDGE: Lakers
Small Forward: Trevor Ariza vs. Hedo Turkoglu- Ariza had his best series facing the Nuggets in round three. He scored in double figures in four of six games and was hitting his threes. His strong play has been huge for them, especially since Odom has been hurting and Bynum hasn't exactly been stellar. Turkoglu quietly had a huge series against Cleveland. He was a miracle from LeBron away from getting a game winning shot to add to his 21 points in game 2. He averaged 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. The Magic need him to continue to play at that kind of level if they expect to win this series. May I remind you that Hedo was matched up with LeBron James last series; he should add to his offensive numbers against Ariza because he will not be as tired from guarding him. EDGE: Magic
Power Forward: Pau Gasol vs. Rashard Lewis- Gasol continues to be extremely reliable in these playoffs, scoring double figures in each game. I think most people forgot that this guy was the best player on some Grizzlies teams that made the playoffs. He is an all- star power forward and hasn't gotten the credit he deserves for getting the Lakers to the finals back to back seasons. Without him there's no way this Lakers team makes it. Gasol will also play some center in this series, maybe even more than he plays power forward, but he should still put up the same solid numbers he usually does. I would be shocked if Gasol doesn't play better than he did against the Celtics last year in the finals, especially since he's going against Rashard Lewis instead of Kevin Garnett. Lewis brings many unique things to the table that Gasol has not faced though. He can post up like foes Gasol has faced so far like a Scola or Martin, but Lewis is most dangerous when roaming around the 3 line. Lewis has been the key to the Magic's success, always stepping up with big shots and again, like Gasol, scoring in double figures every night. In fact Lewis's lowest point total was 14 way back in round 1 versus the Sixers. Both of these guys bring something very different to the table and we'll see how much they go head to head. I'm sure Lewis will see plenty of Odom as well. EDGE: Lakers
Center: Andrew Bynum vs. Dwight Howard- Bynum was supposed to be the missing link from last year's Lakers team that fell short. I just don't see it. He hasn't been very good in the playoffs and I'm sorry (not really) to say Laker's fans, that I don't think he will ever be that all-star center you'd hoped he would be. He's also going to have to play against the nightmare that is Dwight Howard. Howard has been everything the Magic had hoped in the playoffs. He had a masterpiece of a game in game 6 against the Cavs, posting a 40-14. The Lakers have to hope Howard gets in foul trouble or Bynum or Gasol, whoever is guarding Howard, is in for a long series.
Bench: Lamar Odom is the biggest name coming off the bench obviously. He can provide the Lakers with a lot of offensive pop. He is still injured with a nagging back injury though. The Lakers really need to hope he recovers after getting a week long break. If he is close to 100 percent that swings things in the Lakers favor for sure. If he can put up 15 or 20 like he did in games 5 and 6 of the Nuggets series the Lakers should win this series. Nobody else on the Lakers bench has been consistently good. If they can get one or two good games out of Farmar and Vujacic, they will be happy. The Magic don't have anybody that will matter as much as Odom coming off the bench, but Mickael Pietrus has been a pleasant surprise the past series, putting up double digits in every game. However, he will be matched up against against Kobe Bryant, not Delonte West this series. That will make a big difference. It would be a big plus for Orlando if they can get anything out of Johnson or Gortat, or if somehow Jameer Nelson returns but none of those scenarios seem likely. EDGE: Lakers
Prediction: I've doubted the Magic the whole course of the playoffs, and have desperately rooted against the Lakers the whole playoffs. Kobe needs this championship on his resume if he wants to be in that elite class of players when his career is over. On the other hand, Dwight Howard can put himself in an extremely good position with a championship so early in his career, joining big men such as Kareem Abdul- Jabbar to win a title as the best player on their team at such a young age (Kareem also had Oscar Robertson). A win would be huge for both of these superstars. The real question is if the Howard's supporting cast can match that of Kobe's. The Magic took the season series 2-0 so that tells you that they match up well against them. Remember, the Magic also took the season series from the Cavs.I really want to pick the Magic but I have to pick the Lakers in 5. Kobe is better than Dwight and Gasol and the Magic really have no answer for him. They got away with it against LeBron, but the Cavs didn't have secondary scorers like Gasol and Odom. The games will be close but the Magic will be laid to rest fairly quickly.
Game 1: Lakers by 4
Game 2: Lakers by 9
Game 3: Magic by 6
Game 4: Lakers by 3
Game 5: Lakers by 13
There's what I think of the NBA Finals. Sad to say it, but it looks like the Lakers and Kobe will capture their fourth title of the decade. I'd really like to see Howard and Magic win and Kobe walk off the court like LeBron. Wouldn't that be awesome? Please Orlando, let me be wrong (like I have been so many times before). Please beat the HATED Lakers. Sweep them! I just don't see it happening. Yet another anticlimactic finals.
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