(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
“Does it have a happy ending? As only celluloid can deliver.”
- An excerpt from V for Vendetta
It’s fitting that one of my favorite movies can provide the precursor for a preview of one of my favorite sporting events—the NBA Finals.
Additionally, it seemed that everyone, including myself, was convinced that a L.A. Lakers–Cleveland Cavaliers final was inevitable, even if it involved controversy or conspiracy—a la V for Vendetta.
Orlando’s presence in the NBA Finals might not provide the luster of Kobe vs. LeBron, but that will not make the Finals any less intriguing. The Magic Kingdom and Hollywood will vie for the NBA title, and I’m here to break down each team’s strengths and weaknesses, individual matchups, the headliners, the unsung heroes and keys to victory for each team.
Team strengths/team weaknesses
Orlando
Orlando’s success from beyond the arc comes up the most when pundits address the team strengths of the Magic—however, Orlando’s team defense is formidable in its own right. Orlando has earned a 9-0 mark in the postseason when they’ve allowed 90 points or less, and Dwight Howard has singlehandedly anchored Orlando’s interior defense.
Additionally, Orlando has only allowed 93.7 points per game in the postseason, third-best among NBA quarterfinalists (Houston, Orlando, L.A. Lakers, Cleveland, Denver, Dallas, Boston and Atlanta and tops among the NBA’s semifinalists (Orlando, L.A. Lakers, Cleveland, Denver).
Orlando’s well-documented prowess from behind the three-point line is warranted; Orlando leads all postseason participants in three-pointers made (8.6) and attempted per game (23.4), good for a 36.7 average.
I count Orlando’s team rebounding and bench as team weaknesses. Orlando has averaged 38.4 rebounds per game as a team, second-worst among NBA quarterfinalists and last among NBA semifinalists. Dwight Howard, a rebounding and defensive dynamo, averages 15.4 rebounds per game, which accounts for more than 40 percent of his team’s rebounds.
Concerning Orlando’s bench, Mickael Pietrus and Courtney Lee are the lone dependable reserves for the Magic. Players such as Anthony Johnson, J.J. Redick and Marcin Gortat provide a spell for Orlando’s starters; however, the drop-off in play is greatly apparent.
We're going to send you the most entertaining Los Angeles Lakers articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
1 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete