1 LOS ANGELES LAKERS (12-6) vs. ORLANDO MAGIC (12-7) 4 All games on Game 1: Thu. 9PM @LAL Game 2: 6/7 8PM @LAL Game 3: 6/9 9PM @ORL Game 4: 6/11 9PM @ORL Game 5: 6/14 8PM @ORL * Game 6: 6/16 9PM @LAL * Game 7: 6/18 9PM @LAL *
Are the Magic better than the Nuggets? Well....apparently they were better than the Cavaliers. GO MAGIC
I'd just like to point out that I was the only one in the WCF thread to pick the Lakers over Denver, AND I got the number of games right too! Nevermind how wrong I was about Cleveland/Orlando.
Originally posted by It's FalseBill Simmons has it right. The Lakers display a disgusting amount of championship arrogance for a team that hasn't won a championship.
[...]
If the Lakers take [the Nuggets] seriously, they shouldn't have a problem sweeping in 4. But they won't. They never do. So they win in 7...but it'll be close. If Denver pulls it off, I won't be shocked in the least.
OK, I guess It's False had the Lakers too, but he sure spent more time bashing them than picking them
Am I the only Lakers fan left on the board? Whatever happened to JT Dutch? ShippeWreck? I guess it's me against "The W"orld.
Want to pick Orlando to protect the lead the Celtics extended on the Lakers last season. But, Lakers in 6, as the Lakers have players who have a pulse other than Kobe, which is slightly different than the Cleveland team.
Originally posted by redsoxnationBut, Lakers in 6, as the Lakers have players who have a pulse other than Kobe, which is slightly different than the Cleveland team.
What he said.
Lakers in 6, only 'cause LA seems to take a night off here and there.
"As you may have read in Robert Parker's Wine Newsletter, 'Donaghy Estates tastes like the urine of Satan, after a hefty portion of asparagus.'" Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock
Lakers in six, largely just so they can get it back to Staples so they can clinch at home. Doesn't mean I won't be cheering for the Magic just for variety's sake.
Kirk, crackers are a family food. Happy families. Maybe single people eat crackers, we don't know. Frankly, we don't want to know. It's a market we can do without.
I'm still here and with the Lakers, my team from youth. I say that they finish off the Magic in 5 games, as Odom should be able to handle or at least slow down Dwight Howard.
"Put on your helmets, we'll be reaching speeds of 3!" "It was nice of you to give that dead woman another chance." "All right, look alive everybody...oh sorry Susan."- MST3K: Space Mutiny Click Here (myspace.com)
I was ready to throw out that "Lakers are 0-2 against Orlando in the regular season" stat out there, but that stat actually gets fairly debunked when you realize that Jameer Nelson took over both those games. And it doesn't look like Jameer Nelson will be around in the Finals.
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando is evaluating All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson for a possible return to the Magic lineup for the NBA Finals that begin Thursday night in Los Angeles.
Magic spokesman Joel Glass said on Sunday that Nelson's rehabilitation from a shoulder injury is ahead of schedule but that his status remains uncertain.
Nelson has been out since early February with what had been called a season-ending shoulder tear.
If Nelson plays, that changes a lot. Even without him, the Magic are a different team than they were the last time they faced the Lakers. Hell, they're a different team than they were three weeks ago.
I still like the Lakers to win. That killer instinct they took to Denver for Game 6 put away any fears about this team displaying an unnecessary swagger. They'll know exactly what they're getting into here and I don't think they take the Magic lightly.
Lakers in 7, with every road team winning except the last game.
"So listen up boy, or pornography starring your mother will be the second worst thing that happens to you today."
I have not been this excited for an NBA final in years. After one of the greatest post-seasons I have ever seen, I am expecting one of the greatest finals of all time here. On paper, the Lakers seem like the favorite, with experience and depth on their side. On the other hand, Orlando has shown me too much this post-season to ignore. I am going to guess that this series goes to 6 or 7 games. The numbers say Lakers are the faves, but my gut is telling me Orlando will pull it out. I think the difference maker is that Orlando plays as a true cohesive unit, whereas LA always struck me as a bunch of guys trying to please Kobe. Its almost like Xerxes army from 300.
Lets not forget the big subplot of the Van Gundy family feud with Phil Jackson. Will Phil Jackson get the ultimate revenge against Jeff Van Gundy for the "Big Chief Triangle" tag by humiliating his brother Stan? Will Stan Van Gundy avenge his brothers finals defeat from exactly one decade ago? I cant wait to find out.
If Jameer Nelson does come back, it does change things for Orlando. But, he probably won't come back the same catalyst he was for Orlando before he was injured. Rafer Alston has done good in his place but Alston isn't as big of a catalyst compared to Nelson.
Orlando does have a tendency to do well against the best teams in the NBA but Kobe and the Lakers are more experienced in the playoffs which gives them the edge. I am hoping that Orlando upsets LA, but Orlando has to use its 3-ball to win whereas LA is more adaptable to different types of offense.
My prediction is LA in 6 but don't be too surprised if you see Dwight Howard getting more points and production in the paint this series.
Originally posted by The GameIf Jameer Nelson does come back, it does change things for Orlando. But, he probably won't come back the same catalyst he was for Orlando before he was injured. Rafer Alston has done good in his place but Alston isn't as big of a catalyst compared to Nelson.
Orlando does have a tendency to do well against the best teams in the NBA but Kobe and the Lakers are more experienced in the playoffs which gives them the edge. I am hoping that Orlando upsets LA, but Orlando has to use its 3-ball to win whereas LA is more adaptable to different types of offense.
My prediction is LA in 6 but don't be too surprised if you see Dwight Howard getting more points and production in the paint this series.
I agree with this. I think Nelson, if healthy, can make an impact. However, if you are the Magic, how much do you use him? He's probably going to be a little out of sync the first game or two. Also, do you stick with what brought you to the dance, or do you tinker with that winning formula this late in the playoffs?
Best case scenario for the Magic would be for a game one blowout(either way) where they can kick the tires on Nelson, so to speak, and go from there.
LOS ANGELES -- Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson will be activated for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, but no decision has been made yet on playing time, an NBA source tells ESPN's Rachel Nichols.
Well, congrats to your 2008-09 NBA Champion LA Lakers. That was emphatic.
Crazy stat: Phil Jackson-coached teams are unbeaten when they win Game 1 of a series. The record? 43-0!
Kirk, crackers are a family food. Happy families. Maybe single people eat crackers, we don't know. Frankly, we don't want to know. It's a market we can do without.
The Lakers showed up not just with an offensive mindset, but by putting bodies around Howard and holding the Magic to a limited amount of 3's and perimeter shots. The Magic need a more agressive Howard and of course, they will need their perimeter shooters to step or else this will be a short Finals (again) for the Magic.
The Lakers showed what experience can do in a big game situation. Sometimes getting blown out in your firstgame can be a good thing. It cant get any worse. Orlando looked absolutely lost out there. I am guessing they were a little intimidated by the whole Finals experience. For the bulk of those players this is by far the deepest they have ever gone. I expect the Magic to come out with a lot more vim and vigor in game 2. The most important thing for Orlando in game two would be to simply establish their presence, especially on defense and try to find some sort of flow on offense, perhaps find holes in the LA defense. They dont necessarily HAVE to win, but it would be very helpful! The Lakers just have to come out and try to match their intensity in game 2. They can not figure every game will be this easy. The rest of the team needs to continue to play at a high level, because I dont see how Kobe can sustain this pace every game.
Game two should be interesting, lets see if Orlando can adjust.
Oh jesus quit yer whining! IM A MAGIC FAN!!!! All kidding aside, the Lakers are just relearning the same lesson that Jackson taught the Bulls. You have to save gas during the regular season.