The Finals: Magic v Lakers

I have let this playoff season go on without my comments more or less. I did weigh in on the Denver/Dallas series I believe, but other than that, I have been quiet. 

But you already knew that. 

So, on to the breakdown:

I have doubted the Magic in every series. Yes, that means I thought the Sixers could beat them. To be fair, I had never watched them play during the season. Not once. I knew they had a good record and whatever, but I never got to see them play a game, let alone a half. 

So, after watching a couple of playoff games, I didn't think they were that good. I figured they had one of those years where a team dominates the regular season, and gets hit in the face by the face by playoff basketball. It happened a little bit to Boston last year. Everyone kept saying how good they were, but I didn't see it. Dwight Howard as your go-to-guy? Hedo as your clutch shooter? 

I have got to give them credit however: they make it work. I wasn't too impressed with the Boston victory (adding to my doubt) because the Cs were beat up. Cleveland however, had the best player in the game (or close number two) who was peaking. Orlando made them look horrible. The Cavs were a good team this year and the role players stepped up all season. That is why I don't buy all the 'no help for LeBron' crap. Orlando just beat the supporting cast. It wasn't a good matchup. Doesn't mean the Cavs suck. Just that they don't matchup well with the Magic roster. Happens. 

So, with all that knowledge I still don't know who will win. 

I am leaning heavily toward the Lakers in this one however. Whereas Mike Brown kind of choked when faced with matchup problems, I think Phil Jackson won't. That is not to say he can't get stunned, its just that he can recover quicker. 

I hate to get into debating role players like everyone else. The reason they are role players is that they are inconsistent. Some nights you get a superstar-level output. Other nights, a 1-17 performance. (Smitty anyone?) 

So, Rafer can look like a top-5 PG this series, and might get a Mr. Big Shot kind of name. Or at the end we may start saying things like: "Howard and Hedo need some help if they are going to win a championship"

ugh. Lake Show in 6.