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Am I the first one to write about an NBA finals preview? I doubt it. There’s probably a few more, maybe a lot more coming up before Thursday’s Game One at the Staples Center.
But I couldn’t resist.
For the sake of the NBA, I wanted Orlando to lose. I really did. Dwight Howard’s infectious personality? I had to look away whenever I sensed a huge grin on his face was coming (unfortunately this was every possession). Rashard Lewis being one of my favorite players? An 0-for-10 game from the field with seven turnovers would’ve been amazing.
Why would I possibly want Orlando to lose?
Well the NBA needs huge ratings, and a rival matchup between two superstars would draw the interest from fans that Michael Jordan drew back in the mid-'90s. A LeBron-Kobe matchup would’ve been the perfect NBA finals. It would be the big market versus small market, premier superstar versus future superstar, a city with championships versus a city with only hope.
It all seemed too good to actually happen, and it was.
Orlando, despite being the underdog for the NBA title, is red hot coming to Los Angeles. It also appears they have a superhero on their side in Howard, much like when they had Shaq as a young center so long ago against Houston.
The Lakers have the most talent of any team in the league, but their ability to put the nail in the coffin in games during the playoffs has been quite the concern for Lakers' fans. After Game Six at Denver, however, the Lakers played their best game at the most important time and are the favorite to take home the NBA title.
However, without further ado, I give my own key factors for each team on what will make-or-break their chances of a championship ring.
Whether they’ll actually listen to me or not is up to them.
Los Angeles Lakers
Key No. 1: Kobe Bryant
Like the Nuggets, there’s no one on the defensive side for the Orlando Magic that can shut down Bryant; they can only contain him. Courtney Lee has established himself as a potential shut down defender, but he’ll have his hands full all series long. Unless Hedo Turkoglu’s wish upon a star for faster foot speed comes true, he will get torched if Stan Van Gundy makes a move to switch Hedo onto Kobe.
The bottom line is that Lee is undersized and inexperienced, and Turkoglu is too slow to stick with Kobe when going to the hoop.
Oh yeah, and Kobe has this thing called "motivation" and it applies to winning an NBA title. He’s in a perfect position to grab his first ring without Shaq, and after losing in an absolute blowout against Boston, he’s going to come in with a no-joke attitude.
Key No. 2: Lakers Three-Point Shooters
It didn’t happen at first, but Orlando eventually wore down LeBron to everyone’s surprise. This was mostly because of LeBron having to carry the Cavaliers every game because of the inconsistencies of his supporting cast. If the Lakers’ supporting cast is not effective to start, Kobe will be Kobe and develop the instinct to try and beat Orlando by himself.
It may work at first, because no one in the world can guard Kobe, but the Lakers’ supporting cast’s failures can wear down Kobe if the series extends to six games or more.
This means Sasha Vujacic, Derek Fisher, Luke Walton, and Trevor Ariza all have to come ready to hit their open jumpers when they get them. So far, they haven't produced efficiently like in the regular season.
Key No. 3: Game Of Matchups—Lakers Defense
Who will guard Howard, and who will guard Lewis or Turkoglu?
Orlando may be the underdog coming to the Staples Center, but they’re a matchup nightmare for anyone. Howard is just too strong for Pau Gasol to handle him. Andrew Bynum has the strength to at least limit Howard’s dunks and baby hook shots, but Gasol has no chance against the versatile forwards from Orlando if they both start together. Both Lewis and Turkoglu have unlimited range and can put the ball on floor to get to the hoop, which is no matchup Gasol would ever dream of having. Bynum may have to start off the bench once again, which puts Gasol at the center position.
Kobe Bryant is likely, and probably wants be the main person to take responsibility in shutting down Turkoglu. Hedo can be huge for the Lakers down the stretch and has been amazing in crunch time, nearly helping the Magic sweep the Cavaliers if it weren’t for LeBron’s heroics in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals. If Kobe can keep Turkoglu off his game offensively, it will make the fourth quarter and crunch time a much easier one for the Lakers.
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