Lakers should get it right this time
So, the Kobe puppet got the last laugh. His human likeness will be opening the NBA Finals on Thursday when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Orlando Magic.
Kobe’s puppet roommate, LeBron James, will be home recovering from jaw surgery, after which he can continue to explain why refusing to shake hands or speak to the media after a playoff elimination game is not poor sportsmanship.
While he’s at it, James might want to expand on his earlier claim that the Cavaliers never disrespected the game with their mock photo shoots or air guitar antics during the regular season. The game disrespected the Cavs during the Eastern Conference finals, but they’ll be back strong next year, no doubt.
A storyline heading into Game 1 of the 2009 Finals might be how Kobe Bryant took care of business in the playoffs, while superstar counterpart James did not. Don’t buy a word of it. The biggest reason Bryant is back in the Finals is still the gifting of Pau Gasol from the Grizzlies to the Lakers in February, 2008.
This is also the reason the Lakers will beat Orlando in six games. Kobe’s going to get his points every night, just as LeBron did when losing to the Magic in the ECF. When it’s time to look for help, Bryant can turn to Gasol or Lamar Odom in the paint. James was sending the ball to streak-shooting guards Mo Williams and Delonte West – not quite the same.
The Lakers should have a sizable edge against the Magic because they can combine a high-scoring star with a strong inside game. Gasol is averaging 18.2 points and 11.3 rebounds in the playoffs, while Odom is at 12.0 and 9.5. The Lakers have barely needed young center Andrew Bynum (6.3 points in 17 minutes) during the postseason.
Last year while losing to the Celtics in the Finals, the Lakers got pushed around by Boston’s aggressive defense. They countered this season by demoting Sasha Vujacic and Jordan Farmar in favor of bigger and more athletic Trevor Ariza (11.4 ppg) and Shannon Brown.
Don’t get me wrong. Orlando center Dwight Howard is sure to draw fouls inside, forward Rashard Lewis will be dangerous from 3-point land, Hedo Turkoglu is good late in games and swingman Mickael Pietrus has come alive. Pietrus is almost a carbon copy of Ariza, an athletic defender who is suddenly dropping 3-point shots with regularity.
Unlike Cleveland, though, the Lakers have the horses to match Orlando’s front line. From there, Bryant figures to make the difference because the Magic’s best backcourt player, Jameer Nelson, has been out since January with a shoulder injury. Nelson may try to play in the Finals, but it’s tough to imagine him being very effective.
If the Lakers win this series, coach Phil Jackson will win his 10th championship (do I even need to point out that six came with the Bulls) and finally break a tie with legendary Celtics coach Red Auerbach. Jackson matched Red in 2002, then lost the Finals in 2004 and ’08.
Prediction: Lakers in 6 games.
No bulls don't need mj, they be doing just fine with out him. mj was a great ball player but i think it ends there.
I also see the lakers in 6 and am glad PJ can finally pass the arrogant cantankerous and jealous Red Aurerbach in NBA titles as auerbach never gave Phil the respect Phil earned before Red passed on.
It is ironic that an ex celtic mchale made the latest celtic championship possible by gifting KG to boston and another ex celtic front office employee Chris Wallace the grizzlies gm will make the latest laker championship possible by gifting gasol to the lakers. Further irony can be found in that ex laker jerry west made this possible by not agreeing to trade gasol to the bulls and the grizzlies wound up with less talent in the laker trade versus what the bulls offered the grizzlies. I wonder if there is something MJ can do for the bulls to make them future NBA champs.