Lakers Magic Game 5 Halftime Thoughts
The Lakers exploded towards the end of the half, leaving the Magic to wonder, "What the hell just happened?" They were up by 6 early on in the second. They're down by 10. They are 1-9 from beyond the arc. And where is the passion? They're playing like it's a meaningless game in October, not an elimination game in the NBA Finals. They have to step up.
The Lakers are doing there thing. Kobe's been Kobe. Trevor Ariza is continuing his great playoffs. And Andrew Bynum has started to wake up. I have a feeling this is going to be a long night for the Magic.
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Lakers Magic Game 2 Halftime Thoughts
So far, so boring. It's been a pretty non desrcript game so far. Hopefully that will change. Is it just me, or do the Magic look flat? They don't have the same explosion they did against the Cavs, they don't have the same fire. Howard has to get out of foul trouble. Rashard Lewis, Turkoglu, they have to step up, or else the Lakers are going to run away with it. Kobe has been (relatively) quiet. Like I said, it's been a boring game. If the Magic want to keep with it, stay in the series, they have to have Howard dominate down low, and hit the three. We said they couldn't hit the three at the same rate as they didd against the Cavs, but they need to hit the three so Howard can have some room to operate.
The Lakers have been doing their thing, steady. They should just keep it up, and they will be fine.
Lakers Win Game 1
The Lakers have won Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Magic. And it's amazing how much you can learn from one game. It's clear that Kobe Bryant will not be denied. He is so determined, you cannot guard him. You can't. Might as well stop trying now. As for the Magic, why in the world was Jameer Nelson playing starters minutes? He's an explosive player, but he hasn't played since February? He has to be rusty. You can't put him in for that long in the NBA Finals. You can put him in in spurts, but only as energy off the bench. Rafer Alston was playing well, steady. You don't mess with that. Orlando was also cold from behind the arc, after being red hot against Cleveland. I think, again, if they hit threes they win. Howard was non existent. Can't be in foul trouble.
For the Lakers, keep doing what you've been doing. Let Kobe score, get points down low from Gasol/Bynum, and outside with Ariza and Fisher, and you'll be fine. Lamar Odom has been playing great as well. If they keep doing this, they can win in 5.
I think Orlando will come out stronger in Game 2. Whether they can win is another question.
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.
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.
It’s Magic Lakers
Well, we didn't get the Finals matchup we all expected (and hoped for). But we got the next best thing. Kobe and the Lakers will take on Superman and the Magic. And if you think about it, it could be a great matchup. Two superstars. Howard should be able to feast on Pau Gasol. Howard is a tank physically, while Gasol is much skinner and carries less muscle. The Magic don't have an answer defensively to Kobe, unless Mickael Pietraus really steps up. We've said a lot that the Magic need to hit threes to win. If they do that, they'll be tough. But I don't think they can keep up the percentage of three pointers made against the Lakers. Ariza, Shannon Brown have been providing great defense on the perimeter.
It's not the matchup we wanted. But it's not bad. Can't wait for the Finals.
Don’t Panic Cleveland! It’s Not Over…Yet
So the Cavs are down 3-1. They haven't dominated a game at all, even their lone win. Every game, with the exception of Game 3, has been a nail biter. But is it over? No. Not in the slightest.
If the Cavs want to win this series, they have do a couple of things. One, distribute the basketball. You can't expect LeBron to do everything. Mo Williams, Ilgauskas, and company have to step up. If you're waiting for LeBron to take over, you're waiting too long. Basketball is five-on-five, not one-on-one. Two, force Orlando to not take threes. Sure, the Magic are not going to be as hot as they were last night, but the fact remains. If Orlando gets time and space to hit threes, the Cavs can't win. Make them play a half court, inside out game. And three, don't panic. While every game is must win, you have to take it one game at a time. And maybe, LeBron will make magic (no pun intended) happen.
