They Magic have a chance under these three conditions. -Howard can't get in foul trouble. -The Magic need to rain 3s for at least 4 games this series. -Rafer has to go on a tear like I remember him doing against the Lakers. I wish I could find a stat on him when he plays the Lakers but I remember him playing against them very well. It could just be because I remember how he toyed with Sasha on our 22nd win streak at the end of the game.
Even though i don't particularly like the Lakers but i'm taking them in 6. I say this because this current LA squad is stronger then last year (Ariza, Bynum and Shannon Brown compared to Radman and Turiaf). Lakers especially Kobe are a team on a mission... if Kobe continues his hot shooting, its hard to see Magic winning the Chip, and previous posters have already mentioned that LA has better defenders to cover Dwight (Bynum, Gasol and another big body on the bench with 6 hard fouls to give DJ Mbenga) Odom is LA's X factor and if he turns up to play, its hard to see Magic keeping up. And Gasol would want to shut his critics up about being soft in last year's finals so he might take it to dwight and could get him in early foul trouble.. i say this because if dwight guards bynum, Gasol would have a field day if guarded by Turkoglu or Lewis However to reach the NBA is not easy and the Magic has a legitimate shot at beating LA and if they can steal 1 of the first 2 game, they got a real chance. For the Magic, its key for them to rebound and looking at their team...Howard must control the defensive glass as Gasol is one of the best off. rebounders in the L and Odom is always hustling around as well. If Rafer somehow has his 1 in 20 game hot shooting streak in this series, it will be a close series... Another thing for the Magic is hitting 3's, like JVG its a hit or miss league, it they hit 30-33% they will lose, so they got to hit at least 38-40%... and if Dwight gets in foul trouble early they will have no post presence and this allows defenders to stay home on the shooters and they will have no chance... All in all, Lakers have a good chance of winning this series but this is the NBA.. Magic has a shot if they bring their A game every night.
Come on Magic win it all! It would be a great story. Yes i don't want kobe to win another one, maybe in 3 years time or some with him being the old backup yes im hating and i dont care
Magic in 5. nobody but yao can stop dwight. and yeah kobe will get his but orlando has too many 3 pt shooters.
I've said this before, if the Lakers win it all this year, then Kobe should be lifted up to the next pedestal. He has single handedly carried the Lakers thus far. As of now he is considered a sure fire HOFer and also one of the greatest to ever play. But if he wins his fourth ring this year, he'll become a legendary top 10 of all time.
I hope the Lakers can win it all in less than 6 games. Then I'll be able to go out and party in L.A. the night they win. If it goes to 7 games I would be out of town and I'll miss out. It is well known (IMO) that you can get more action from the ladies during a championship celebration.
Other than Yao, Kendrick Perkins did an admirable job in defending Howard in the Magic/Celtics series. Howard's offensive game is within 6 feet around the basket. If the defender can push Howard away from the basket, then Howard's game greatly diminished. However, there are not many low block defenders that can deal with Howard. Another half decent name that I can think of is Przybilla. Nene or Bynum's defense will depend on the day of the week.
I wouldn't trade the 2 championships, but it ticks me off the Knicks and Magic have gotten to the finals since our last appearance.
Sad to say but it will be the Lakers in 6. Lakers get the first two and one on the road before finishing it in game 6. The Magic is peaking now but the Lakers have way too much talent.
lol AS USUAL its the magic AGAINST THE WORLD.... im shocked no one respect for the magic and since the lakers will win in 5 or a sweep.....its ok, the MAGIC PROVED the doubters wrong especially all the espn analysts who ALL PICKED THE CAVS!!! we'lll just have to prove you all wrong again!!! ORLANDOOO MAGIC 09 NBA CHAMPSS
So you think PJ will start Bynum and continue bringing Odom off the bench even despite the Magic starting two SF's at the forward spots? It seems kind of "pick your poison" in my eyes: 1) Start Gasol/Bynum and let Bynum be the one getting chewed up/stuck in foul trouble, while Gasol is the one relegated to closing out on Lewis and hoping Lewis doesn't put the ball in the floor , or 2) Start Gasol/Odom and let Odom worry about covering Lewis with the tradeoff being you're asking Gasol to defend Howard one-on-one. I suppose you simply cannot risk the latter so Gasol/Bynum is more sensible. I still don't like it, though. Don't get me wrong, I still think the Lakers are going to win (BARF) but from a match up standpoint I definitely think the Lakers have a major disadvantage in the frontcourt due to these match up issues.
Yes, I think PJ's starting lineup in game one will have Bynum instead of LO. Everything depends on Bynum. If he does his Greg Oden imitation and commits 1 foul every 90 seconds, the Lakers may struggle. If not, then the Lakers will try to play patty-cake on the offensive glass like against the Rockets. On the other end, either Rashard Lewis or Turkey-Glue must take advantage of being guarded by a big man. I promise you Howard will not dominate either Pau or Bynum like he did the old fossil Big Z.
