OT: NBA Finals

Reckless · Post #1 » by **Reckless** » Sun May 31, 2009 7:05 am

Lakers are going to win the NBA title that I am sure of

Pappyman · Post #2 » by **Pappyman** » Sun May 31, 2009 7:27 am

What exactly makes you think that the Lakers are going to win the title? Have you even watched the Orlando Magic once this year? That is one tough team. I remember watching a game earlier in the season when the Magic played the Lakers in L.A. and the Lakers could not handle Orlando at all. I think that Orlando wins the title. They are the most balanced and talented team. They create match up problems for everyone they play. Look at the player match ups:

PG: Rafer Alston (Orlando) vs. Derek Fisher (Los Angeles)

Advantage: Alston

SG: Courtney Lee (Orlando) vs. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles)

Advantage: Los Angeles (duh)

SF: Hedo Turkoglu (Orlando) vs. Trevor Ariza (Los Angeles)

Advantage: Orlando (slight)

PF: Rashard Lewis (Orlando) vs. Lamar Odom (Los Angeles probable starter vs. Lewis)

Advantage: Probably Orlando

C: Dwight Howard (Orlando) vs. Pau Gasol (Los Angeles)

Advantage: Orlando

In my opinion, the Magic have the advantage in this series.

Soul Patch · Post #3 » by **Soul Patch** » Sun May 31, 2009 8:00 am

You forgot the Lakers sixth man: Stern. Big advantage Lakers.

HouseofBoozer · Post #4 » by **HouseofBoozer** » Sun May 31, 2009 8:58 am

Ya, sad to say, but I think the Lakers definitely win. Here's to hoping for an upset though. :thumbsup:

David Ginola 14 · Post #5 » by **David Ginola 14** » Sun May 31, 2009 9:31 am

Lakers 4-2...

Neon Black · Post #6 » by **Neon Black** » Sun May 31, 2009 10:47 am

Soul Patch wrote:You forgot the Lakers sixth man: Stern. Big advantage Lakers.

If Stern had that much power Lebron would face Kobe in the finals.

I really think Orlando takes this. They negate the Laker's length, and expose one of their only weaknesses: defending perimeter scoring.

Orlando in 6.

idajazz · Post #7 » by **idajazz** » Sun May 31, 2009 2:53 pm

Orlando beat them twice in the regular season.
I have watched Orlando quite a bit this year, they are a nightmare for the fakers.
Orlando in 6

UTJazzFan_Echo1 · Post #8 » by **UTJazzFan_Echo1** » Sun May 31, 2009 3:23 pm

idajazz wrote:Orlando beat them twice in the regular season.
I have watched Orlando quite a bit this year, they are a nightmare for the fakers.
Orlando in 6

My exact thoughts

RIJazzMan · Post #9 » by **RIJazzMan** » Sun May 31, 2009 5:17 pm

Please.... Orlando MUST win. I hate the Lakers...

Reckless · Post #10 » by **Reckless** » Sun May 31, 2009 11:33 pm

idajazz wrote:Orlando beat them twice in the regular season.
I have watched Orlando quite a bit this year, they are a nightmare for the fakers.
Orlando in 6

With Jameer Nelson they beat them twice

I just don't like their offense as much as the Lakers. They are too streaky.
They live and die from the 3. Lakers offense is much more balanced

sendai91 · Post #11 » by **sendai91** » Mon Jun 1, 2009 1:59 am

As much as I am really, really hoping for the Magic to pull this out, I think that it is the Lakers in 6 games, probably.

The Lakers have the three must's for postseason play all leaning or squarely in their favor: HCA, best player on the court, and playoff coaching experience.

The Magic only have a powerful advantage at one position where Dwight should have a field day. Otherwise, I don't see anyone on the Magic staying with Kobe, who is more of a pure scorer than Lebron is, and Lebron averaged 40+ pts through the series.

Orlando is next to last in the league in assists, and will live and die by the 3, as was mentioned earlier. That's generally not a recipe for success in the postseason.

For the Magic to pull it out, Lewis will have to outplay Gasol, Hedo will have to outplay Odom and Alston / Johnson will have to outplay Fisher / Brown. I can see one of those scenarios playing out, but not all three over a seven game series. I actually think that Denver had a better chance to beat LA than Orlando does due to much stronger PG play, and a deeper frontcourt.

I would LOVE to see Orlando win, but I have a bad feeling the Lakers fans that attend the ESA for the Jazz games will be absolutely insufferable next year due to Phil getting #10.

carrottop12 · Post #12 » by **carrottop12** » Mon Jun 1, 2009 2:23 am

I'm living in Orlando right now so it's pretty cool to see all this stuff going down. Reminds me a lot of the Jazz finals days where it's all anyone talks about on the radio and everyone of all ages is really excited for it.

Seriously, Orlando is a much better team then they get credit for, and if they can keep up this "not afraid of anything" attitude they have a real chance.

They have some moxy beating Boston in Boston in game 7, nearly sweeping the Cavs who I felt were the best team in the league this year, and winning games on the road in every playoff series so far this post season.

They are a match made in hell for most teams, if they slow Lamar Odom they will win the series I feel, but of LO has 3 good games or so they will struggle.

Also they need to shoot the ball well.

seejaydeja · Post #13 » by **seejaydeja** » Mon Jun 1, 2009 1:30 pm

My uncle is a Lakers fan and he was begging for a CLE/LAL finals. Orlando had LA's number this season. They have a chance, and I hope they win it all. I love Dwight.

If Magic keep shooting 3 pointers like they have been these playoffs, Magic win in 6.

UTJazzFan_Echo1 · Post #14 » by **UTJazzFan_Echo1** » Mon Jun 1, 2009 4:02 pm

If Howard keeps shooting 70+ percent from the FT line they will be unstoppable. There is nothing you can do against them when Howard is making his FTs. If Ive learned anything from the playoffs over the last couple years is that hot teams win and the Magic are blazing right now with LA being pretty mediocre. I fully expect the Magic to stun the Lakers and take one of the first games on the road then close them out at home.

Sloanfeld · Post #15 » by **Sloanfeld** » Tue Jun 2, 2009 2:07 am

I think the Lakers fans are too overconfident right now, like they think their team will play up to their potential like the last two closeout games they played in the playoffs. Keep dreaming LA. Can't wait to see Kobe and FISHER lose again. I expect four close games, Magic in 5.

outerspacefella · Post #16 » by **outerspacefella** » Tue Jun 2, 2009 4:07 am

In paper it's an even series, but the Lakers have the best guy to ever play the game...

Soul Patch · Post #17 » by **Soul Patch** » Tue Jun 2, 2009 4:45 am

outerspacefella wrote:In paper it's an even series, but the Lakers have the best guy to ever play the game...

Bynum?

idajazz · Post #18 » by **idajazz** » Tue Jun 2, 2009 4:51 pm

outerspacefella wrote:In paper it's an even series, but the Lakers have the best guy to ever play the game...

I didn't know Jordan came out of retirement???????

MeestR · Post #19 » by **MeestR** » Wed Jun 3, 2009 9:20 pm

idajazz wrote:
outerspacefella wrote:In paper it's an even series, but the Lakers have the best guy to ever play the game...

I didn't know Jordan came out of retirement???????

wilt's been retired for years

HammerDunk · Post #20 » by **HammerDunk** » Wed Jun 3, 2009 9:49 pm

outerspacefella wrote:In paper it's an even series, but the Lakers have the best guy to ever play the game...

How did they get Ostertag??? CONSPIRACY!