Target Acquired: Kobe Bryant Terminates the Magic

A few days before the run-up to game one of the NBA Finals, ESPN ran a story about Dwight Howard and his team’s improbable march to play for its first title since 1995.

Howard was interviewed by ESPN’s Rachel Nix and among the things discussed were Howard’s impressions of his coach Stan Van Gundy, how skinny he was in high school, and what he learned from winning his first golf medal over the summer.

While ESPN did a terrific job of depicting Howard’s charisma, which probably got him another endorsement deal, they didn’t portray Howard as the type of guy that who has the killer instinct needed to lead his team to an NBA Championship.

Last night may have served as proof of just how much the Magic want the championship.

The Los Angeles Lakers everyman Kobe Bryant scored 40 points, added 8 assists and 8 rebounds. Sounds like a guy on a mission doesn’t it?

There was something wrong with Kobe last night. Phil Jackson noticed it too, saying that Bryant “had the smell.”

He had something because for one stretch of the game, Bryant scored 36 points in just 33 minutes. His eyes are fixated on how close he is to the prize and he can smell it.

Coming off of last year’s 39 point loss against the Celtics in game six of the Finals, Bryant was determined to make it back to this point. Never again did he want to feel like he did last year, embarrassed, dejected, and most of all he felt as if he let himself down.

Well, Orlando, if we are to judge the Finals in one game this series may only last about four games. Bryant had an extra bounce in his step, a certain look in his eye, and a determination not to lose.

Howard and the Magic on the other hand seemed lost. Being that this franchise has only tasted Finals glory once in its short history, there is no experience to play off of.

The Magic has a team of shooters that were responsible for putting LeBron James and the Cavs to bed in the Eastern Conference Finals. Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, and Mickael Pietrus rained threes and jumpers all series long.

But last night their wrists either stiffened up or they just couldn’t handle the insults of Jack Nicholson.

Dwight Howard seemed a shell of himself, only logging 12 points and 15 rebounds.

The only spark of the night for the Magic was the return of scrappy point guard Jameer Nelson. Jameer returned from a shoulder injury that was supposed to have him out for the rest of the season. He played 23 minutes and contributed four assists and six points.

But it wasn’t a big enough spark to lead the Magic to victory.

While I believe that the Magic had first game jitters and were blinded by Kobe’s insanity on the court, Orlando cannot miss as many open jumpers and lay-ups as they did last night.

If they continue their miserable play, look for the Black Mamba to strike and terminate the Magic before Howard and his shooters know what hit them.

-JH