Comments on: The Starting Five NBA Finals Preview: Can the Lakers Defeat Orlando Despite Magic Shooting?

By: TC

TC — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 07:36:04 +0000

Understood Mizzo. You’re right. Until it’s done, it’s only promise unfulfilled.

By: awb

awb — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:30:02 +0000

If Lewis had the same ability as Kobe he would be making puppet commercials with him. As it stands he didn’t look all that effective going to the hole when the three was taken away from him.

Still I expect Orlando to figure out a way for Howard to get the ball more, but I don’t know if it will be enough.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:08:53 +0000

The Magic can still turn the series around, but Rashad Lewis has to step up. He has a tendency to disappear at times, and then re-appear. Kobe took advantage of Lewis’ no-show by making shot after shot without any Magic resistance and the game got out of control. However, in Game 1 when Dwight Howard got into foul trouble and Pietrus was throwing up airballs, Lewis as an elder statesman on the team (29 years old) has the skillset to take over a game.

Lewis seems disinterested and lack intensity on the court … and during that pivotal second quarter Lewis was a no-show. He needed to make some impact plays for his team to keep the Magic in the game. Lewis has the same ability as a Kobe Bryant, but sometimes he just disappears on the court… Outside of Anthony Johnson and Tyron Lue and Hedu, Lewis is the most experienced guy on the court with the BEST OVERALL OFFENSIVE SKILLSET at 6’10… THIS GUY NEEDS TO HELD MORE ACCOUNTABLE!!!!

Lewis should win most one-on-one situations. In regards to Lamar Odom, Odom seems a little bit stronger than Rashard, but Lewis should be able to do more damage than just EIGHT points for the whole game…

By: Mizzo

Mizzo — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:07:50 +0000

I agree. Andrew knows the stage he’s on from sitting out last year. If he plays to his ability, then I’m totally on board, but he hasn’t shown it at any time since his return from injury. I just want to see it. Not a pessimist or a cynic by any stretch. I just want to see it happen.

By: TC

TC — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 06:41:22 +0000

They might not shoot 29% in game 2, but Laker fans have been wanting that sort of energy and focus and KNOWING the Lakers could bring it like that, all playoffs. If you can’t bring it like that in the Finals, when will you? I expect more of that intensity in Game 2. Yeah, maybe I’m a doe-eyed optimist but as a fan, what else can I be? And championship teams step up. I said after last year, if Andrew was healthy, they’d win, and I stand by that.

By: Mizzo

Mizzo — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:56:40 +0000

This was one game at home. The Magic will not shoot 29% in game two. There’s no way. The Lakers should have won Game. The difference was the lack of point production from the Magic stars. Add up the totals.

Everybody and their Momma’s picking the Lakers. That’s an easy pick. I dare to be different. Of course sometimes I may be wrong, but the good are separated from the great simply by the risks they take.

We should all expect the Magic to rebound for Game 2. Not saying the Lakers win was an aberration, but it’s one game in a league where there was no definitive favorite.

Kobe Bryant is a killer. All that smiling he (Howard) did in the presser was almost disgusting. Hell, it was disgusting. I expected Dwight to feed off Bean’s energy and rock out. He will learn from this.

Kobe wants this more than the most rabid Laker fan and if the Magic don’t find a way to match his intensity, they will straight up get swept.

By: awb

awb — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:26:13 +0000

Wish I had seen this before the game so I could rebut some of the analysis. But too late. Anyway the Lakers height bothered the Magic and Howard as (should have been) expected and the Lakers played D the whole game which was kind of unexpected.

I will agree that big men rule (Kobe excepted) and the simple fact is the Lakers have more of them.

By: Magnetic Gifting

Magnetic Gifting — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:31:41 +0000

Quite a review. The Lakers depth and match-up problems give them the solid edge. Throw in Kobe and you have a potential sweep. After watching tonight LA in 5.

By: Mizzo

Mizzo — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:02:50 +0000

Thanks brothaman. I want it for Kobe as a fan, but the writer in me sees things differently.

By: AXG

AXG — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:17:16 +0000

Well Mike I decided not to say who was going to win or lose, but everyone knows where my heart is in this series. However your analyst is very in depth. You broke it down, so that it is forever broken. Good job, and nice way to shout out the toughest ‘hood in southeast PA.