Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic

2008-09 NBA Finals Preview

We won’t be seeing the real-life version of the MVPuppets duking it out in the finals this year. The great debate by Vitamin Water will also go unanswered. Even one of our favorite Slam covers with Kobe and Bron face to face will be null and void. By now everyone and their moms already know the Orlando Magic have stepped up and dethroned King James and his courtyard. So for any of you Cavs fans, who were expecting to witness a potential stop to the unstoppable, it ain’t happening. At least not this year. But the good news is, like any show, the finals must go on. The Lakers are favored because if talent were steroids, this team is loaded on it. Nevertheless, the Magic are where they are because they’re entirely capable of an upset. This could be O-town’s chance to add that title to their books – and tally 1 championship to their track record, as opposed to the Lakers who’ve already got 14 thus far. Can the Lakers redeem themselves from the harrowing boot they received from the Celts in last year’s finals? The question is no longer about “can” or “can’t”, we’ve come to that apex – so who “will” be the 2008-09 champs? Lakers or Magic? Game 1 begins today, 9PM ET on ABC.

Regular Season: Orlando Won 2-0.

Dec 20: at Orlando 106, Los Angeles 103
Jan 16: at Los Angeles 103, Orlando 109

Starting 5

Point Guard (Derek Fisher v Rafer Alston)

Derek’s got experience over Rafer. And Fisher can drain some critical three’s during crunch time. But we’ve seen Rafer filling Jameer’s shoes averaging a healthy 12.7 points per game, and 4.4 assists per game this playoffs. And just like the ball, numbers don’t lie. Rafer’s contributions outweigh Fisher’s 7.1 PPG, and 2.4 APG playoff average. Rumor has it, Jameer Nelson, who has been out with a shoulder injury since February, may make an appearance in finals, adding more ammo to the Magic’s PG arsenal.
Edge: Magic

Shooting Guard (Kobe Bryant v Courtney Lee)

This almost isn’t a fair comparison, you know, like apples to oranges? Or Mercedes to Volkswagen? Sure, Lee’s improved his game to give a nice 8.8 PPG, and .451 FG%, and even Pietrus, who will tag in for Lee, is a likeable addition to the Magic team with 10.5 PPG, and a .485 FG% during playoffs. But how do you justify these numbers against the leading Laker’s 29.6 PPG? That’s just Kobe doin’ work, and we can’t imagine anything less than stellar from this guy. This year’s Kobe has been spectacular at leading the team, taking it in and drawing contact when necessary but balancing it out with valuable assists to the rest of the squad. Expect to see plenty of teeth-gritting during finals.
Edge: Lakers

Small Forward (Trevor Ariza v Hedo Turkoglu)

Excuse me while I put on my Laker goggles for just a moment. If you haven’t heard of Trevor Ariza yet, let’s dig you out from under that rock, shall we? Ariza brings that unexpected burst of energy when opponents least expect it, capitalizing on hustle plays from forced turnovers and attacks to the basket, and hitting the occasional three, he’s a whopping .500 in 3-point territory this playoffs. Compared to Hedo, who’s averaging 15.2 points, 5.1 assists, .410 FG% Ariza’s 11.4 points, 1.5 steals, and .558 FG% isn’t too shabby. Goggles off, and we all know Turkoglu’s still a major offensive threat. It’s difficult to turn someone off who is innately a shooter. Majority will go with the Magic on this one, I’m thinking both players are critical at this stage.
Edge: Even

Power Forward (Pau Gasol v Rashard Lewis)

Maybe Marc Jackson said it best when he summed his performance up as Boom-Boom Pau. Pau’s cranked up his intensity level to that umpteenth degree averaging a double-double during these playoffs. On the opposite coast, Rashard Lewis is dangerous. Rashard and Hedo will be taking turns drilling the Lakers from long distance. The lack of defense from Pau can be used to Rashard’s advantage. But the Lakers have a back-up answer to that. Lamar Odom is perfectly capable of matching up against Lewis’ style of play.
Edge: Lakers

Center (Andrew Bynum v Dwight Howard)

6’11 Dwight Howard, defensive player of the year versus 7’0 Andrew Bynum – one’s got all-star monster written all over him, the other, diminished potential. Howard clearly has the upper hand in this matchup based on reality, points, blocks, rebounding, and lesser likeliness to be in early foul trouble. But good news for the Lakers, is that they’ve got a 7’0 center who’s now healthy, and ready to support fellow big men like Gasol or Odom on the inside. And though his playoff numbers may not show it, Bynum does have the potential for greatness. Think back to when Bynum scored 42 points with 15 rebounds, well, nevermind that it was against the Clippers. The point is, Lakers do have a center who at least can match up to Dwight defensively, though we will put our money on Dwight to dominate this series.
Edge: Magic

The Bench

Mickael Pietrus, tres bien. We don’t speak French, but Pietrus is becoming synonymous with impressive on the floor. He was a key-factor in helping put a defensive stop to Bron, and we expect he’ll step up his game to help boost the Magic, regardless of whether he’s wearing a pair of Jordans or Kobe’s shoes. Au contraire, the Lakers make a call, and they’ve got instant back-up. Odom, 6’9, we mentioned will be a critical big man, depending on his contributions, he can help make and break the game. If he can weather his back issues, and still play with the same gumption as he did in the Denver series, the Magic have just one more thing to worry about. The rest of the Laker bench mob, individually might not be a lot to handle but collectively, if they all bring something to the table – Farmar’s quickness, Vujacic’s threes, Brown’s athleticism, Walton’s uh, tenacity, yes, if the Lakers bench mob is up to speed, Magic have nothing on them.

Edge: Lakers

Intangibles

Dwight’s hearty, jolly-go-lucky, good spirited attitude deserves an award for great sportsmanship. We really admire Dwight as a player and overall person. But does this care-free attitude he possesses sit almost as a disadvantage for the Magic, in terms of lacking the serious mindset and focus for someone who truly wants to fight for the ring? The Magic are new to this finals business, but Lakers have been here before. No pressure? Barack Obama picked the Lakers to win in 6. He also correctly predicted UNC as NCAA champs. The Lakers have the manpower, but do they have the passion? Is this team starving from last year after missing their so-close-but-no-cigar shot at champions then? Edge: Even

3 Questions

1) Will the current Superman use his super-powers to win Orlando’s first championship ever?
2) Will Lakers win their first championship without Shaq?
3) Doesn’t Shaq lose either way?

Prediction

To quell the criticism the Lakers receive day in and out about being able to win a championship without Shaq appears the least of Kobe’s worries. His sense of urgency rides on a number of factors, but mostly because he just wants to win again. Every series for the Lakers has been a challenge, we’ve seen them struggle against the Rockets and the Nuggets, but at the same time, we’ve seen them blow both teams out when they took care of business. Lakers have too much expectation and talent this year to not win it this time around. They’ve come knocking on the finals door again, and won’t leave until they’ve found the answer.

The Lakers and Magic matchup is actually much more challenging than it would’ve been if it were Lakers and Cavs in the finals. No one can underestimate the Magic and their raw talent. The Magic are on a crazy adrenaline rush from fighting off the Cavaliers and are already paving history. Dwight Howard has garnered attention as one of the beasts to play the game and this series will be no exception. Lakers will run into major trouble on the defensive end, as that’s been one of their weaknesses throughout the year. The Magic will shoot like no tomorrow and chances are they’ll score well. The Lakers may follow up from being down early with a good run to get back in it, the latter half of their games. The Magic may try to take the game early on to wear the Lakers down, but the Lakers should come out on top, in no more than six games. It won’t be easy for the Lakers. But the difference between last year and this one, is that the Lakers have Kobe + Gasol + Bynum + fill-in-the-blank-here, and that will be enough for Lakers to add that ring to their collection.

Lakers win 4-2

What do you think?
a) “Yea?”
b) “Nay?”
c) “Get the finals started already, I need my basketball fix!”