Magic Lakers Game 1 Halftime Thoughts
After halftime, the Lakers are up 10. Here's what I think of the game so far: Kobe Bryant has been great. 18 points. He's carrying this team. He's impossible to guard. The big problem for the Lakers is going to be foul trouble for the big men trying to guard Howard. Gasol, Bynum have to try and stop Howard without using fouls. It's going to be hard.
For the Magic, why is Jameer Nelson still in there? I understand he's an explosive player, but he's so rusty. Rafer Alston has got them here. Nelson is okay for short bursts of energy. But not for the whole game. They're also missing threes left and right. You knew they couldn't keep up that pace. If they can hit threes at their normal pace, it's going to be trouble.
Lakers playing great defense. Lakers just look better, I think. Still, there's a lot of time left, and Howard has not been dominating. Rashard Lewis needs to drive more, mainly because Lamar Odom has been defensively sound. Kobe is going to get his points. You have to stop Fisher, Gasol etc. And the Magic have to try and get bigs in foul trouble. It should be a great second half. Enjoy it.
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Magic Lakers Finals Preview
Magic Lakers NBA Finals start tomorrow. I love the NBA Finals, especially when there are two great teams. In fact, last year's finals was really where I got my blogging start. Anyway, here I am to break down the two teams, and who I think is going to win.
MAGIC:
The Magic do two things really, really well: Pick and roll, and shoot the threes. Dwight Howard is Superman, and a huge beneficiary of those pick and rolls. And if he's down low, with no where to go, he can dish out and usually someone like Turkoglu or Lewis will be open. And when they hit like they did during the Cavs series, they are hard to beat. That said, I think it will be hard to replicate that kind of success from behind the arc again. If they can't hit, they can't win. Simple as that. Defensively, the guy with the biggest role is Mickael Pietrus. He has to guard Kobe. He did a (relatively) good job on LeBron. If he can do a similar job on Kobe, the Magic have a great chance. Again, a lot of things have to go right. But it's not like they are completely overmatched. A big potential x factor is the (possible) return of Jameer Nelson. He had been hurt for a long time, and wasn't expected back. But now that he declares himself ready, is he a viable option? He'll be rusty. Rafer Alston has played well. If Nelson does play, I feel he'll be more of an emotional lift than anything. Either way, the Magic have to hit threes to stay in this series.
LAKERS:
Two words. Kobe Bryant. He's their guy. Their offense runs through him. He can play lock down defense. I'm going to assume he can play lights out. If he does, that's a huge advantage. But, like we saw with LeBron and the Cavs, you can't rely on one guy. Pau Gasol will have a tough time physically against Howard, but if he can score he will be a big help. Where has Andrew Bynum been? If he can step up, that's a big lift for Gasol. Another problem I have is who can guard Turkoglu and Lewis on the perimeter? I think Trevor Ariza is up to the task, but is Luke Walton? Sasha Vujacic? I don't see how they can guard them. I'm also resigning myself to the fact that no one in the league can guard Howard. Kobe has to be brilliant. Plain and simple. Gasol needs to be brilliant. So does Bynum. Can they all do that? I know Kobe can. I think Gasol can. Don't know about Bynum.
PREDICTION:
A lot of variables. Can Magic hit threes? Guard Kobe? Can Gasol step up? Can the Lakers guard the perimeter? After debating, I'm going to go with the Lakers in 7. I think it's going to be a hotly contested series. In the end, Kobe and experience win out. Enjoy the Finals.
