Can we put away the conspiracy theories for another season?
OK, LeBron didn’t make it. Referees just failed to do their job, I guess. They didn’t follow the script and it’s their fault. And yeah, Game 6 was such a rout, they couldn’t do anything about it — but it’s not as if they couldn’t have swung a couple of the other games if they wanted.
I’ll have more as we get close to the opening game of the series, but for right now, let me say that the Lakers are going to be just about everyone’s pick in the Finals this season. Experience and Kobe will have a lot of the money on their side.
I’m going to have to think about it a little more. I’m leaning the same way but there was something about the way the Magic played with such confidence against the Cavaliers, a group that was, hands down, the best team in the league during the regular season.
And while I don’t think regular-season matchups have a lot to do with playoff outcomes, it’s worth pointing out that the Magic swept the Lakers this season. I believe Los Angeles would have much preferred meeting Cleveland in the Finals.
Right now, it looks to me like a very intriguing Finals. And one more series of watching Stan Van Gundy is certainly a bonus.
Coaches, NBA | Dwight Jaynes | May 31, 2009
Dwight Jaynes, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Finals, Orlando Magic, Stan Van Gundy
Im happy for Stan. After they hosed him in Miami mid-year, then went on to win the finals, it never set right with me. Shaq walked away from the city that drafted him for money in LA, now Stan has a chance to win it all in that very city with the ‘next’ center instead. I’m for anything that makes Shaq eat his words and has Kobe playing 2nd fiddle.
I think regular season matches can actually be quite revealing. Orlando owned Cleveland during the regular season too. Houston owned Portland. A couple years ago, when the Warriors had that major upset against the Mavs, if you look at the regular season matches Golden State won against them too. It’s not the whole story, certainly, but it’s an interesting indicator. In this case though it might be less so, since the sample size in only 2 games versus the 4 they got to play against Cleveland.
The Lakers would have definitely rather faced Cleveland. Remember, LA was the team that went into Cleveland and ended their home winning streak.
I was also looking at these so-called “hockey assists” – the multiple passes before launching a three, and thinking where have we seen this before? Why does it seem so familiar in a good way?
It’s the same basic rhythm as a baseball double play. Instead of Dwight Howard throwing out from the double team to the corner, it starts with a hard grounder to the third baseman – the hot corner – who whips the ball to the second baseman, and onto the first baseman who shoots the 3.
I like the way both develop. You’re beating the other teams ability to get to the shot or the base in time.
I think Orlando is big trouble for the Lakers, but here’s a way to lessen the pain should LA win: Think of Bill Walton. His son Luke getting a ring would be the only positive in a horrible situation.
Orlando in 6.
My immediate reaction was to think that the Lakers have the edge going into the Finals, but after a night, I’m not so sure. How does LA stop Dwight Howard? I have my doubts about either Bynum or Gasol. The L*kers best hope is for foul trouble.
Does Derek Fisher show up or does he pull a Mo Williams?
And the Magic’s style of play sure makes forwards run a lot from the paint to the three-point line. How tired are the L*kers? Are they ready to run?
I don’t think any other teams swept LA in the regular season, and I think the Magic are a tough match-up for them just as they were for the Cavs. And one of the big things that the Cavs/Magic series exposed for me was how tough it is for a star player to simply impose his will on another team during a seven-game series.
Finally, as Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith said about these L*kers way back in the second round, they’re supremely talented but they don’t play like champions. They play like they expect the championship to be handed to them. I can’t stand that attitude, and hopefully that’s something the Magic can exploit.
Finally, how sweet would it be to see LA lose and go into the off-season wondering how they’re going to fix they’re quickly aging line-up with the ensuing bickering, backstabbing and assorted bs that goes along with it?
I thought the conspiracy theories were put away when Dwyane Wade and the Heat lost to star-less Atlanta.
Two words: Tim Donaghy.
Jack — Tim Donaghy was in business for himself, not the league. And really, are we just going to say all referees are crooked because of one guy? Come on, whether it’s attorneys, financial advisors, banks, whatever — be pretty hard to brand all of them because of the actions of one guy, wouldn’t it?
Dwight
Isn’t it possible the refs did exactly as they were told? Stern doesn’t care about Cleveland or their market. Continue to tease LeBron, build the story around him, and then he’s forced to leave for NY. It’s playing out exactly like the NBA is planning. They don’t care about one Final match up in 2009 when they can begin to have regular marketing and more intriguing match ups with HUGE market teams in the future. It is a long term plan, not just a one year deal. C’mon man, if your going wax poetically about black helicopters and faked lunar missions, you gotta thing big!!!
Especially, if the picture on your blog shows chemtrails.
I sure hope Odem one day can come close to Dwight Howard, and as you say he was not the only guy on team
I am making a shocking prediction: The Orlando Magic win the series 4-1.
Orlando reminds me of the Houston teams that won titles in the 90s in their style of play. They keep coming.
Orlando is clicking. They chewed up Boston and Cleveland. They have an awesome young center and unselfish three-point shooters.
Kobe is awesome, but who else on that squad scares anybody? Pau Gasol? Andrew Bynum? Derek Fisher, LaMar Odom?
Mark my words, L.A. is going down in a heap.
Marc,
From your lips to God’s ears.