The NBA Finals are once again upon us. Both conference finals were quite entertaining. Who'd have thought the Orlando Magic were capable of beating the league's MVP in Lebron James and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who had the best record in the NBA? They also swept both Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks. Heck, who even picked them to beat the Kevin Garnett-less Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semi finals? Ahem, I did actually. As expected, the L.A. Lakers stumbled and bumbled their way in the finals. They did not dominate their opponents in the same manner Cleveland did in the first and conference semi- finals of the playoffs. Kobe Bryant and his Lakers teammates had a devil of a time ousting the Houston Rockets, a much smaller team after Dikembe Mutombo's broken leg and Yao Ming's injury.
The NBA probably is happy at least Kobe lead the Lakers to the Western Conference championship so television ratings will be comparable to last years. I admit I would have really enjoyed seeing Kobe and Lebron go at each other for seven games. Yes, if the NBA "gods" had their way a Cleveland vs Los Angeles Finals would have gone seven games. On the other hand, I am thankful we might not have to watch those idiotic Kobe and Lebron puppet commercials much. The Orlando Magic most likely are approaching the Finals as the cliched "us against the world" mentality to spur them on. That mantra has been played to death for the past 3 years or so by various underdog teams. The Orlando Magic do have something to prove and that their victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers was not a fluke. Orlando has emerge as a contender during this year's playoffs for years to come with Dwight Howard leading the way.
Orlando won both meetings earlier this season although the final score was 106-103 and 109-103. I am looking forward to an exciting series with the Magic prevailing 4 games to 1. Here is my breakdown of the individual match ups.
Center Match up :
Andrew Bynum is still very raw and very green but has a good upside. He lacks the drive and intensity Howard has. Bynum still not very adept at guarding big men and has a penchant for committing dumb fouls. Howard in one word- beast. He can guard big men while owning the boards and is good offensively too. He is capable of scoring 25 points and grabbing 20 rebounds. He just might be named 2009 Finals MVP. The one thing that Howard needs to worry about keeping his temper in check he has already accrued 5 technical fouls and if he gets seven, he gets suspended for one game. To his credit he has improved his foul shooting lately.
Edge : Orlando
Point Guard Match up:
Laker's guard Derek Fisher has all the finals experience a head coach would want in a point guard. Troubling though Fisher's strongest asset is also his weakest. Simply put Derek Fisher is old, perhaps this should be his last season in the NBA. He doesn't have the quickness to stay with Rafer Alston, much less Jameer Nelson (rumor has it Orlando testing him to see if he is fit enough to play). If Jameer Nelson plays, either Kobe or Trevor Ariza will have to guard Nelson. Rafer runs the Magic's offense well, and while he might not be a real general on the floor, he shoots the 3 ball very well.
Edge : Orlando
Shooting guard match up :
The disparity in the size of the pictures says it all. Courtney Lee will continue to get better this is his rookie year. Kobe - been there done that.
Edge : Los Angeles
Power Forward match up :
Neither players are true power forwards. Both like to shoot jump shots with Turkoglu being the more efficient 3 point shooter. Gasol has the edge in the post up game. Neither is very athletic or defensive minded as well. Both are decent rebounders and help defenders. This could be a stalemate.
Edge : Tie
Small Forward match up :
This is a similar match up as Fisher vs. Alston. Ariza is just in his 4th season while Lewis has been in the league for 10 years. Both are athletic slashing scorers but Lewis has the edge being a veteran and being a better 3 point shooter. Lewis can post up ariza all day long.
Edge : Orlando
Head coach match up :
We all know what Phil Jackson is about. When the Lakers lose for the 2nd consecutive NBA Finals will Phil ask Michael Jordan to come out of retirement and lead the Lakers next year? Ha ha. I think he might retire again. I believe Stan Van Gundy has the hunger to coach his team to victory. Say what you will about his physical appearance but the man can coach. Ultimately, his brother Jeff Van Gundy is the better coach between the two.
Edge : Orlando
Lakers bench vs. Magic Bench
Orlando's Mikael Pietrus outscored Cleveland's bench on occasion by himself. He is an excellent sixth man. He shoots the 3 well, can slash to the hoop, and is a very good defender. He does it on both ends of the court. Lakers' Lamar Odom can do some damage as the Laker's sixth man but does not play consistently enough. He's a big man who prefers to play outside and doesn't post up much. Orlando's bench clearly proved they can hold a lead as they repeatedly outscored their opponent's bench in the playoffs.
Edge : Orlando
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