It's so hard for the team w/o home court advantage to win b/c of the 2-3-2 setup. I think Orlando steals one of the first two but they only win 2 at home and lose the series in 7. Orlando doesn't match up near as bad as some people think. It should be a competetive series. If Nelson plays I think they have an even better chance.

Lakers should win this and I want them to. I am really liking Howard on both ends and wouldn't get totally upset if Magic won.This may be his only chance but I think he will have others. I have been rooting for them every since the Shaq and Penny years but I want to see Kobe win one without Shaq so Lets Go Lakers!!!

 

If LBJ doesn't get help around him that is taller than 6'2" Orlando could win the next 2 or 3 Eastern titles. If Howard figures it out offensively they are only going to get better.

Lakers in 5 or 6...

 

I think their road to the finals has toughened this team up. That was the question...could they toughen up to a championship level or would they wilt?

 

Maybe Orlando will play out of it's mind and win the title.

 

But, I just don't see them presenting any significant problems for LA.

 

I think it takes a tough, physical, relentless defensive minded team to really get to LA. That isn't Orlando's style.

 

I see Howard as being a huge problem for the Magic. The Lakers are soft inside. If they thought Chuck Hayes, Scola and Landry were bad wait until they get ahold of Dwight Howard. Rashard Lewis will be a tough cover for Gasol, Odom will probably get more minutes to guard him. I think it wil come down to the bench play. I think the Big 3 for Orlando and Kobe/Gasol will pretty much cancel each other out when it's said and done. I expect Bynum to really be exposed. I think he has great potential, I just don't think he's there yet. I think that Kobe and DHoward will have great series.

 

If we are voting on who we are rooting for I have to go Magic. I would have been for the Lakers but a buddy of mine called me after the Cavs lost the other night and that changed my mind. I can take my team losing, but this was the same guy who last year would't pick up the phone for a week after the Celtics beat the Lakers.

In reality who really has the matchup advantage in regards to this series? I tend to lean towards the Magic...and there is no pressure greater than that on Kobe's shoulders.

The Magic will have the deer in the headlights look and the possible return of Jameer Nelson will make things worse, not better for the Magic. Kobe Bryant is arguably the best player on the planet and I do not see the Lakers losing this series after last year's embarassing Finals appearance. Just like the Denver series, experience wins this series as well.

The Magic will have the deer in the headlights look and the possible return of Jameer Nelson will make things worse, not better for the Magic. Kobe Bryant is arguably the best player on the planet and I do not see the Lakers losing this series after last year's embarassing Finals appearance. Just like the Denver series, experience wins this series as well.

 

I think Kobe will do everything he possibly can to win the title this year. Until the series starts, I don't know if it will be enough. Howard may abuse the Lakers bigs, just as the Celtics did last season. Lewis and Turkoglu are tough.

I don't see the Magic getting nervous. They took out the defending champions on the road in a game 7, and played well in the toughest Arena environment in the NBA at the Q. They may be a little nervous to start game 1, but they have started slow in these playoffs.

Nelson may play, but I don't see him making a difference.

The Lakers need to keep Howard in front of them and make him shoot over them. Certainly not an easy task, but I don't think they will have to double as much as the Cavs. LA is longer on the perimeter as well, I don't see the Magic getting the same looks as they did against Cleveland. Kobe will be Kobe. RP mentioned the pressure on his shoulders, but that seems to be when he is at his best. I think Nelson will be a non-factor.

The Lakers need to keep Howard in front of them and make him shoot over them. Certainly not an easy task, but I don't think they will have to double as much as the Cavs. LA is longer on the perimeter as well, I don't see the Magic getting the same looks as they did against Cleveland. Kobe will be Kobe. RP mentioned the pressure on his shoulders, but that seems to be when he is at his best. I think Nelson will be a non-factor.

 

I can see almost everything that you are saying. I think the Magic will have good enough ball movement to continue to get open looks. THe Lakers are longer than the Cavs but, at times, can be a little lazy overall on the defensive end. A play off and Howard will have a dunk or someone will have an open 3.

I think Kobe will play well. I don't know who on the Magic can really guard him other than Peitrus.

I'm going with the Magic in 6. If Orlando shoots the ball like did against Cleveland in Game 6, they will be tough. If I remember correctly, Dwight Howard only needs one more technical foul and he is suspended. The bench will play a key role and I like Orlando's bench with Clee who has been coming out of his shell to what so many of us are accustomed to at WKU. I am a Cavs fan, but I want the Magic to win.

I'm going with the Magic in 6. If Orlando shoots the ball like did against Cleveland in Game 6, they will be tough. If I remember correctly, Dwight Howard only needs one more technical foul and he is suspended. The bench will play a key role and I like Orlando's bench with Clee who has been coming out of his shell to what so many of us are accustomed to at WKU. I am a Cavs fan, but I want the Magic to win.

 

Howard needs 2 more. They took his last technical away I believe. I may be wrong. I too am a Cavs fan rooting for the Magic. I don't care really though either way.

Howard needs 2 more. They took his last technical away I believe. I may be wrong. I too am a Cavs fan rooting for the Magic. I don't care really though either way.

 

You are right. I just read it...I need to stay off the beach. :ohbrother: Here is the article.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4210088

You are right. I just read it...I need to stay off the beach. :ohbrother: Here is the article.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4210088

 

I will gladly trade place with you if you're at the beach. Sure beats work.

I think Nelson will be a non-factor.

Very well may happen....but as electric as he is, I just don't see it.

I'll take the Lakers in 6. But I wouldn't be surprised if the Magic won the whole thing. Guarding Howard will be a problem, but I don't think they necessarily need him to drop 30 to win the series. Whether Turkoglu, Lewis, Lee, Pietrus and Alston shoot well will determine how this series plays out.

I think Kobe will do everything he possibly can to win the title this year. Until the series starts, I don't know if it will be enough. Howard may abuse the Lakers bigs, just as the Celtics did last season. Lewis and Turkoglu are tough.

I don't see the Magic getting nervous. They took out the defending champions on the road in a game 7, and played well in the toughest Arena environment in the NBA at the Q. They may be a little nervous to start game 1, but they have started slow in these playoffs.

Nelson may play, but I don't see him making a difference.

 

Howard is not polished enough offensively to completely abuse the Laker bigs like Garnett did last year and he is so foul prone, he could become a non factor.

 

The Magic took out the defending champs who, btw, played without their best player.

 

Phil Jackson is 43-0 in playoff series when his team wins Game 1. The Magic are winning game 1 and they don't have the mettle to be the first team to reverse the Phil Jackson trend.

 

And yes, they will be very nervous. The NBA Finals is a whole different animal than even the Conference Finals. Even LeBron knows that as the Cavs got a lesson in Finals basketball two years ago courtesy of the Spurs. I see that same kind of situation.