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So... I guess I'll be the one to say this... The Lakers totally pwned the Magic yesterday!!

For a team that 's been criticized for not having enough 'heart' to make it to the finish line, last night's game was a true reflection of how good the Lakers are when they're firing on all cylinders: Both the physical and emotional ones.

Pretty much everything I'd originally thought about the series came to pass. The Magic had a much harder time shooting and rebounding over the lean, lanky, Lakers team, Jamir Nelson looked to be very dangerous (though he should've taken the game into his own hands more if you ask me), and Kobe shot the lights out. Is it me, or did he look hungrier than usual last night.

Even though they played well on offense, their biggest strength last night was easily the defensive preparedness of the Lakers. They did what no team has done to the Magic yet in the playoffs: They found a way to keep the pressure very high on all three members of the Magic front court, both in the paint and at the 3-line. There were times that they had Odom and Gasol all over Superman with the ball in the post, and he'd try to dish it out, only to find Ariza stuck to Lewis like glue and Bryant holding down Turk. It was great to see how aware the Lakers were of where Orlando's weapons were and how unwilling they were to give them any room.

I really hope that Van Gundy has a better answer than this for Kobe and the Lakeshow... Thoughts?

Bah...the Lakers suck major big time...im sayin the Magic in 6 Any team that has Kobe is handicaped IMOHO

IAmGhostDog wrote:

I gotta' like Denver in the west.

Cleveland in the east.

What do I know.
Hey?

Some bad calls against both the Magic and the Lakers in the game. It was funny to see Kobe whining after he was blocked at the end of regulation. I like his talent but he has a penchant for constant whining or "working the refs." Some of the calls that put Kobe on the line were replayed, and you couldn't see a thing.

Viva Gasol, eres el más grande.
I don't see much love for Gasol here, so here I am to solve that

Edit: Sorry, spanish fanboy here eagerly awaiting to see Gasol win the ring with the Lakers.

Gasol definitely had some good shots and moves. When him and Odom are producing, along with Kobe, the Lakers look really good.

Hawkwing74 wrote:

Some bad calls against both the Magic and the Lakers in the game. It was funny to see Kobe whining after he was blocked at the end of regulation. I like his talent but he has a penchant for constant whining or "working the refs." Some of the calls that put Kobe on the line were replayed, and you couldn't see a thing.

Did you see the Howard calls? Super stars of all sorts always get the call. This is well known by every player, even lesser players will basically fling themselves towards the goal in order to get contact and have no serious intention of actually making a basket or even shooting it in some cases. The bad part is that they then miss other calls. Two goaltending calls were missed. One early by Dwight Howard, his hand was literally through and completely above the rim. I have no clue how a ref could miss that. Then later when Courtney Lee missed the 0.6 second layup, Gasol's hand hit the rim. In a close game both were important, you call Howard early and it could have completely changed the pass. You call Gasol and Orlando wins. What I dislike most is the way what is called changes over the time of a basketball game, what was a foul earlier must be one later.

The last goal tend non call was pretty blatant and a huge miss. So was the foul when Gasol took Howard down out of bounds the possession before. I thought the Officials were horribly in favor of LA. Since LaBron didnt make it they want the other annointed one to get his ring

That was a pretty good game. I was on the edge of my seat for the last 10 minutes. Dwight Howard, 9 blocks. wow.

Hawkwing74 wrote:

That was a pretty good game. I was on the edge of my seat for the last 10 minutes. Dwight Howard, 9 blocks. wow.

And 2 critical missed free-throws at the end of regulation.

I have to say I liked that outcome a lot better than the NHL finals It would have been nice to see the Lakers win in LA but I'm happy they won.

Well, my prediction was horribly wrong.

I'm happy for Phil Jackson.

I'm happy for Kobe. He finally managed to get the Shaq monkey off his back. Knowing him, I think he'll get another before his career is out....

So.... Predictions for next year??

Phil Jackson returns and the Lakers repeat?
KG avoids injury to bring the Celtics back to the promised land?
The Cavs' management finally gets LeBron the 2nd option he so desperately needs?
Superman gets even better (OMG) and proves this year wasn't a fluke?
Another threat rises from the ashes?

Thoughts?

Chicago Bulls make a landmark trade for Lebron James and dominate the NBA Finals in 2010

Predicting it now. Oklahoma City Thunder make it to the playoffs. Cleveland and LA in the Finals. Boston has a much worse season, failing to make it out of the first round of playoffs.