This years edition of the NBA Playoffs came to please. Game after game, last second shots (and I mean "Last Second Shots") have decided and altered the outlook of many games. But that is all over now. We are now down to two. The NBA Finals have been set. From the West, we have Kobe Bryant and the re-surging L.A Lakers pitting of against The Beast from the East Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic.
The Lakers first series against Utah was as dominant as ever. What was expected of them was fulfilled in 5 games (4-1). But their second series was not as easy. The Houston Rockets, who were already without Tracy McGrady and with Yao Ming lost for about half the series, pushed the Lakers to the limit. But Kobe was determined to win and he carried the Lakers through to the Western Finals were they met Mr. Big Shot (Chauncey Billups) and the Denver Nuggets. But Kobe, motivated as ever, blew through them in 6 games.
Dwight Howard came into the playoffs hungry as ever for a title. But their first round series against last years surprise Sixers was a bit tougher than expected. After Evening the series out at 2 a piece, Dwight Howard was determined to take the next game, which they did but he also picked up a 1 game suspension. The game that followed saw real effort by the remaining cast of the Orlando Magic pick up the slack in the absence of Howard, securing a second round birth in the process. Their second round match up was more of a challenge as they were set to meet the defending champions, The Boston Celtics. The series was pretty even but the absence of All Star Kevin Garnett really hurt the Champs as they succumbed to the Magic in 7 games. As if the defending champs weren't enough of a test, the Magic now had to go up against the clear favourites to win the East and possibly the Finals. The Cleveland Cavaliers, sporting a spotless record in the playoffs this year, rolled into this series all but guaranteeing their spot in the Finals. But even LeBron James didn't see what would come next. Game one saw the Cavs take a demanding early lead that seemed improbable to tackle. But slowly and surely, the Magic found a way and secured a win in Cleveland. Game two was no different as the Magic found themselves once again battle from 20+ down to take the lead in the final second of the game. But LeBron, determined not to fall behind 2-0 in the series made a last second three to win the game. After losing both games in Orlando and being behind 3-1, it all was done for the Cavs. Even a game 5 win at home could not deter the Magic from winning this series as they did with emphasis at home in Game Six.
Now that the finals have been set, who do you think will take home the gold? Their are many factors that you must consider in choosing who most likely shall be victorious in this clash of the titans.
1. "Live by the shot, die by the shot."
Orlando's offence is based on a pick and roll system. Dwight Howard sets the high screen and either 1. Rolls to the basket or 2. Remains at the top of the key to spread the floor. If the defence allows him to roll to the basket, it is about 100% that he would score. But most of the time, the defence plays the pick and roll straight up and they switch the defenders whcih usually leaves a smaller man on Howard. In this case, most teams go and double team Howard in the post leaving someone on the floor wide open. If Orlando can continue their hot shooting from the floor, then the Lakers would have a lot to deal with.
2. Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard
If the Lakers or Magic have any hopes of winning this series, they need to find Kobe /Dwight early and often. Both Kobe and Dwight put the pressure on their defender and the whole other team in fact to guard them or else. Basically Kobe/Dwight + Ball = Win and Kobe/Dwight - Ball = Loss.
Hopefully, we can see some of this:
and this:
3. X Factors!?!
In this series, Kobe and Howard cannot duke it out alone. They need the help from all their players in order to win. So which players need to step up in order for them to take home the Championship?
Lakers - Pau Gasol needs to play big in this series. In the Houston series, he as matched up against Luis Scola. Just like Scola, Rashad Lewis is an undersized big that is forced to play the PF spot. Gasol needs to take Lewis into the post and work at his game 10ft and closer to the basket.
Orlando - Courtney Lee needs to focus more on his defensive game in this series. Going from guarding Delonte West to guarding Kobe is a whole lot of an adjustment. He cant rely on the help defence as he did in the previous series because just like the Magic, L.A could light it up from downtown.
My Prediction: In my opinion, I believe that the Kobe is ready to win one without Shaq. But don't count out the Magic as they have already surprised. I think that this will be a great series but i feel that the Lakers will come out on top in either 6 or 7 games.
Videos From NBA LIVE 09 Created by: Rico Lindo
The Lakers first series against Utah was as dominant as ever. What was expected of them was fulfilled in 5 games (4-1). But their second series was not as easy. The Houston Rockets, who were already without Tracy McGrady and with Yao Ming lost for about half the series, pushed the Lakers to the limit. But Kobe was determined to win and he carried the Lakers through to the Western Finals were they met Mr. Big Shot (Chauncey Billups) and the Denver Nuggets. But Kobe, motivated as ever, blew through them in 6 games.
Dwight Howard came into the playoffs hungry as ever for a title. But their first round series against last years surprise Sixers was a bit tougher than expected. After Evening the series out at 2 a piece, Dwight Howard was determined to take the next game, which they did but he also picked up a 1 game suspension. The game that followed saw real effort by the remaining cast of the Orlando Magic pick up the slack in the absence of Howard, securing a second round birth in the process. Their second round match up was more of a challenge as they were set to meet the defending champions, The Boston Celtics. The series was pretty even but the absence of All Star Kevin Garnett really hurt the Champs as they succumbed to the Magic in 7 games. As if the defending champs weren't enough of a test, the Magic now had to go up against the clear favourites to win the East and possibly the Finals. The Cleveland Cavaliers, sporting a spotless record in the playoffs this year, rolled into this series all but guaranteeing their spot in the Finals. But even LeBron James didn't see what would come next. Game one saw the Cavs take a demanding early lead that seemed improbable to tackle. But slowly and surely, the Magic found a way and secured a win in Cleveland. Game two was no different as the Magic found themselves once again battle from 20+ down to take the lead in the final second of the game. But LeBron, determined not to fall behind 2-0 in the series made a last second three to win the game. After losing both games in Orlando and being behind 3-1, it all was done for the Cavs. Even a game 5 win at home could not deter the Magic from winning this series as they did with emphasis at home in Game Six.
Now that the finals have been set, who do you think will take home the gold? Their are many factors that you must consider in choosing who most likely shall be victorious in this clash of the titans.
1. "Live by the shot, die by the shot."
Orlando's offence is based on a pick and roll system. Dwight Howard sets the high screen and either 1. Rolls to the basket or 2. Remains at the top of the key to spread the floor. If the defence allows him to roll to the basket, it is about 100% that he would score. But most of the time, the defence plays the pick and roll straight up and they switch the defenders whcih usually leaves a smaller man on Howard. In this case, most teams go and double team Howard in the post leaving someone on the floor wide open. If Orlando can continue their hot shooting from the floor, then the Lakers would have a lot to deal with.
2. Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard
If the Lakers or Magic have any hopes of winning this series, they need to find Kobe /Dwight early and often. Both Kobe and Dwight put the pressure on their defender and the whole other team in fact to guard them or else. Basically Kobe/Dwight + Ball = Win and Kobe/Dwight - Ball = Loss.
Hopefully, we can see some of this:
and this:
3. X Factors!?!
In this series, Kobe and Howard cannot duke it out alone. They need the help from all their players in order to win. So which players need to step up in order for them to take home the Championship?
Lakers - Pau Gasol needs to play big in this series. In the Houston series, he as matched up against Luis Scola. Just like Scola, Rashad Lewis is an undersized big that is forced to play the PF spot. Gasol needs to take Lewis into the post and work at his game 10ft and closer to the basket.
Orlando - Courtney Lee needs to focus more on his defensive game in this series. Going from guarding Delonte West to guarding Kobe is a whole lot of an adjustment. He cant rely on the help defence as he did in the previous series because just like the Magic, L.A could light it up from downtown.
My Prediction: In my opinion, I believe that the Kobe is ready to win one without Shaq. But don't count out the Magic as they have already surprised. I think that this will be a great series but i feel that the Lakers will come out on top in either 6 or 7 games.
Videos From NBA LIVE 09 Created by: Rico Lindo
