The Magic in Hollywood: An NBA Finals Preview

Literally, we can really say that the Orlando Magic will be in Hollywood for game one of the NBA Finals this coming Thursday at 9 ET.

This finals match-up will be smooth, pure, and free-flowing basketball. Both of these teams are known for their offensive tactics. These clubs are expected to produce a very high scoring game, with Los Angeles executing a high-powered triangle and motion offenses, and Orlando looking to get it going from three-point land. Not to mention with the knowledge of basketball players, such as Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard among others operating out on the floor, we should expect to see a high scoring affair.

Many had anticipated that the Finals would be the dream matchup between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. From the beginning of the playoffs fans had prayed to the basketball gods for this to take place, which would have indeed made it a classic showdown of two basketball titans trying to prove that they are the best in the NBA. If this was boxing, it would have been the fight of the century. This match up would be highly and wildly anticipated just like the upcoming Pacquiao - Mayweather bout.

Sorry to ruin the dreams of many, is what Dwight Howard was saying after they disposed of the Cavaliers in a 4-2 closeout. The Orlando Magic were led by Dwight "Superman" Howard who overwhelmed King James and the Cavs by eliminating them in six games.

Nobody expected them to win and they won. Now the Magic deserve respect as an Eastern Conference contender.

Although the Lakeshow and the Magicmen will go head to head to see which team is more finesse, both of them still have some cracks to cover up. The Magic have this friendly "Superman" guy who still needs a wake up call in order to transform from Clark Kent.  The Lakers on the other hand have the twin - towers, in Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, but both of these guys have some inconsistencies to cover up.

As the finals begin, it turns out that the Lakeshow are becoming the fan-favorites to win the title. Of course there is a reason. It's just because the Lakers are going recapture what is truly theirs. They have unfinished business from last year and will try to close out the post season with a Hollywood ending.

We can see that this young Magic’s Club is comprised of young talented offensive assassins that are "almost" ready to take the trophy. I see them as the young Lakers team last year.

On the other hand, no one on the Magic’s team has played in an NBA Finals game, meaning that the club lacks experience in this type of situation. They certainly deserve to be in the Finals, but they still lack experienced players who can step up in the game when need be.

Unlike the Magic, the Lakers are now more of a defensive team. Andrew Bynum has the ability to over power opponents on the floor. Pau Gasol, the slick and quick PF/C from Spain mainly uses his knowledge of the game to simply school his opponents. How about Lamar Odom? The TNT crew said it best; he's the most underrated rebounder alive today.

With these three guys playing great, mixed with talented offensive youngsters in Trevor Ariza, Jordan Farmar, and Shannon Brown amongst others. When you combine them with a crafty veteran in Derek Fisher, and of course arguably the best player on the planet in Kobe Bryant, you have the makings of a championship team.

The main difference between the Magic and the Lakers is that the Lakers have this exceptional player, or rather a competitor in Kobe Bryant. This former MVP is considered as a player who has no off-games. He's an exceptional player at both ends of the floor. Kobe Bryant can surely score a lot of points, but when he starts to get his teammates involved there is no stopping this potent attack.

And I'm pretty sure that this Finals won't last more than five games. If there were to be a sixth game, it would definitely be a blow-out.