Diesel Preview of Finals

ORLANDO or LA?...I don’t know about any other Boston fans out there, but when the Celtics lost I thought I would slowly tune out the rest of the playoffs and get ready for the off season. But, like many others, I caught most of the games and I think somewhere in the back of my mind I was intrigued by the potential Lebron-Kobe showdown. Now although that didn’t happen, we are still going to have one hell of a series and I cannot wait to see how this plays out. But until Thursday this is how I see things...

The Magic and Lakers are both playing their best ball and are coming off arguably their best games in the post season so both teams should feel very confident about their chances. However, overlooking their postseasons I don’t like LA’s series against Houston. They simply didn’t show up for some of those games and if that happens against the Magic they will not win. I also was not impressed with this series over Denver. Denver was a good team, but does anyone remember the KGless Celts going into Denver and blowing them out? When I think of Denver, that game sticks out in my mind.

Now Orlando has shown that home court is not an issue. They beat the Cavs badly in six games and barring a miracle by King James it would’ve been a sweep. The Celts took seven games but the Magic easily could have won that in five had they not fooled around in the fourth quarter. Since that game seven win in Boston “fooling around” in the fourth hasn’t been an issue.

KEYS TO VICTORY:

For the Lakers...

Forget about Dwight Howard, he is going to get his points and rebounds because he is a freak, but what can’t happen is a dunk contest. Keep Dwight somewhat contained. The bigger issue is letting guys like Pietrus, Lewis, Hedo and Rafer get wide open three point shots. This has been a KILLER in the Magics last two series...

Pau, Andrew and Lamar..please show up..Gasol has been playin real well so I shouldn’t bring him down with the likes of these other two clowns Bynum and Lamar...But these guys are going to be guarding Dwight and either Hedo or Lewis, and I am not convinced they are physical enough to stay interested defensively in games.

Kobe do work...Last year the Celts were all over Kobe like Kobe on Colorado hotel employees, and this manifested itself into what Bob Ryan I believe dubbed a “six game sweep.” I don’t think the Magic can play that good of D like the Celts did..Lebron had his share of points in the series, but that is because his supporting cast is terrible...If Kobe can get going early he is capable of winning the series by himself

Lastly, show up, give a shit, play with some attitude...Last year, especially in the last game they did not want to be on the court. They blew a couple big leads, and you can just visibly see them collapsing under adversity...If they play hard and smart basketball for 48 minutes, they are the better team and will win the series

For the Magic...

Control the paint...If you are Dwight Howard or whoever guarding Gasol and Bynum, don’t let them get comfortable..Pau can get in a groove if he gets going..and Bynum looks like he would rather be playing badminton so it doesn’t take much to get him disinterested.

Like Howard, Kobe is going to get his points. But don’t be like the Toronto Raptors and stand there and watch him score 81 points...I wonder if the Magic are going to watch any of last years tape to see how the Celts kept him in check...So harass him as well as you can and make the other guys beat you...

Easy Skip to my Lou...He has been really solid for the Magic, and a matchup with Jeff Fisher he should dominate like Aaron Brooks did with the Rockets..but he can’t get too selfish...he has to remember the scorers on the team and that he is the point guard, not the shooting guard

Keep Making those threes...the 3 pointer has been a tremendous weapon for the Magic..but everyone knows the saying, “live by the three, die by the three.” Get the ball to Dwight, and from there wide open threes should open up

Can they really be playing this well?..Can the Magic keep playing at this level, can Hedo be counted on in the clutch in the NBA finals...Being in the finals might be overwhelming for the Magic, especially Stan Van...I can easily see him losing it over something trivial during the series..

My pick?

Lakers in seven...this is my pick, but there are so many reasons to like Orlando..and if Orlando had home court I would pick Orlando in six..either way, it is going to be a great series...

-The Diesel