NBA Finals Preview
Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Backcourt: Rafer Alston has been steady enough at point guard for the Magic and Courtney Lee provides youth and athleticism. Orlando should be careful about the possibility of Jameer Nelson returning. Veteran Derek Fisher has been up and down for the Lakers this postseason. Of course, Kobe Bryant makes this an easy call. Edge Lakers.
Frontcourt: Dwight Howard is the league's best center had a breakout 40-point game in the series clincher against Cleveland. Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu caused matchup problems at forward as anticipated against the Cavaliers, and Lewis leads Orlando's three-point brigade. Denver didn't have an answer for the Lakers' Pau Gasol, and Trevor Ariza will be assigned to shadow Turkoglu. Can Andrew Bynum give Los Angeles anything? Edge Magic.
Bench: The Magic don't go very deep. Mickael Pietrus has been Orlando's top sub with his hot shooting and decent defense. Anthony Johnson is OK in the backcourt, although the possible return of Nelson helps. The Magic lack effective size. Lamar Odom, as usual, is the key to the Lakers with his versatility. Luke Walton solid in the last two games against Denver, and both Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown have been effective spelling Fisher. Edge Lakers.
Coaching: Stan Van Gundy has been hammered most the season, but he is one of two head coaches left. Orlando showed grit in winning Game 7 at Boston, which speaks in part to preparation. Phil Jackson will never get enough credit for his coaching abilities, but he's been there time and time again. He adjusted his offense late in the Nuggets series to thwart Denver's double teams. Jackson won't admit it, but he knows this is the Lakers' championship to win. Edge Lakers.
Overall: The Los Angeles team which played Games 5 and 6 against Denver cannot be defeated. The Magic have been riding the no-respect wave since the Boston series. Howard must be dominant in the series as Orlando cannot afford significant time with him off the floor against Bynum, Gasol and Odom. The Magic live by their outside shooting and it must be on to give Howard room. The Lakers' diversified offense should find more room to operate against Orlando, a team not nearly as physical as the Nuggets. Bryant also knows this is his time. Lakers in 6.
Backcourt: Rafer Alston has been steady enough at point guard for the Magic and Courtney Lee provides youth and athleticism. Orlando should be careful about the possibility of Jameer Nelson returning. Veteran Derek Fisher has been up and down for the Lakers this postseason. Of course, Kobe Bryant makes this an easy call. Edge Lakers.
Frontcourt: Dwight Howard is the league's best center had a breakout 40-point game in the series clincher against Cleveland. Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu caused matchup problems at forward as anticipated against the Cavaliers, and Lewis leads Orlando's three-point brigade. Denver didn't have an answer for the Lakers' Pau Gasol, and Trevor Ariza will be assigned to shadow Turkoglu. Can Andrew Bynum give Los Angeles anything? Edge Magic.
Bench: The Magic don't go very deep. Mickael Pietrus has been Orlando's top sub with his hot shooting and decent defense. Anthony Johnson is OK in the backcourt, although the possible return of Nelson helps. The Magic lack effective size. Lamar Odom, as usual, is the key to the Lakers with his versatility. Luke Walton solid in the last two games against Denver, and both Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown have been effective spelling Fisher. Edge Lakers.
Coaching: Stan Van Gundy has been hammered most the season, but he is one of two head coaches left. Orlando showed grit in winning Game 7 at Boston, which speaks in part to preparation. Phil Jackson will never get enough credit for his coaching abilities, but he's been there time and time again. He adjusted his offense late in the Nuggets series to thwart Denver's double teams. Jackson won't admit it, but he knows this is the Lakers' championship to win. Edge Lakers.
Overall: The Los Angeles team which played Games 5 and 6 against Denver cannot be defeated. The Magic have been riding the no-respect wave since the Boston series. Howard must be dominant in the series as Orlando cannot afford significant time with him off the floor against Bynum, Gasol and Odom. The Magic live by their outside shooting and it must be on to give Howard room. The Lakers' diversified offense should find more room to operate against Orlando, a team not nearly as physical as the Nuggets. Bryant also knows this is his time. Lakers in 6.
posted by Nate Tidwell at 7:38 PM
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