I feel like I’m coming out of some deep sleep into the real world. The Orlando Magic? Really? Where the hell did they come from? It’s amazing that the first time I actually realized they were that good of a team was when they handled the Cleveland Cavaliers in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals.
I’ve been force fed Kobe and LeBron while watching the NBA playoffs during the past month that I just assumed it was a forgone conclusion that the two would meet for the championship. But the NBA’s dream of having the two face off fizzled much like a balloon does when it loses air. And Dwight Howard was the one who did it.
It’s so refreshing to see the Magic make it out of the Eastern Conference. All year long the pundits referred to the Cavs and the Celtics as the teams to beat, even though the Magic put up 59 wins this season. The more I watch this team, the more I like it. They are centered around a big man who has unreal talent and makes dunking seem as easy as putting on your shoes. Add in four three-point shooters and you have a combination that is tough for teams to defend. Should they double Howard and let the shooters beat them or should they play everyone straight up and let Howard dominate in the post?
It’s a conundrum for sure, and one that the Lakers have the task of trying to figure out. Los Angeles’ prescription is a heavy dose of finesse with a lot of Kobe Bryant mixed in. Add in Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom and you have three very good players. Note that I intentionally left out Andrew Bynum. Yes, he starts over Odom, but I have been about as impressed with him this postseason as I have with Greg Oden; that’s to say, not very much. This finals matchup is an interesting one for sure. Although Orlando won both regular season matchups, the Lakers have the advantage. This exact team was here last June. They are less likely to falter in the added pressure of a seven-game series for the NBA championship.
Orlando’s best player is a 23-year-old center. Howard has played in some big games in his short career, including summer 2008’s Olympic gold medal game, however, Kobe Bryant not only played in that game, but he has played in six NBA Finals now.
The other thing Orlando relies upon is the three-point field goal. Right now it is shooting at an unbelievable rate and making teams pay when they double-team Howard. But good things come to an end, and teams that rely on outside shooting that much always get burned in the end. Mark my words: The Magic will hit a slump and miss shots and the Lakers will win at least one game by 20 points because of it. And I wouldn’t be surprised if that game is the very first game of the series.
As you can tell, I’m leaning toward the Lakers right now. As a Blazer fan it kind of pains me to say it, but I’m a realist and the Lakers are just a better team. Kobe Bryant is at the top of his game because he’s finally been able to balance lethal scorer with benevolent passer. The addition of Gasol to the mix last year really helped with that.
And plus, I would like to see the guy get another ring. I love Dwight Howard, but I respect Kobe’s work ethic and determination and him getting his fourth title would be a pretty cool story. I’ve always been drawn to the way the man plays. He’s such a phenomenal talent that any time he’s on TV I will watch the game because I’m guaranteed at least two “are you serious?!” moments.
Then the Blazers could dethrone the champs next year and that would be the end of purple and gold fans from LA. What a sweet story line. The old guard getting hammered by the up-and-comers and Kobe slowly fades into oblivion. Roll credits.
So my prediction for this year’s finals is that the Lakers will win in six games. They will get both games in Los Angeles and lose on the road in Orlando. Then they will storm back after talk about the series taking a turn for the Magic and win by 10 points in Orlando to clinch it.
Again, take this with a grain of salt because I am also the person who picked the Chicago Cubs to win the World Series, only to see them lose in the first round to the Dodgers.
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