Now it's down to the Lakers and the Magics
:
2009 NBA Finals
The NBA Finals starts on June 4, with the Los Angeles Lakers having homecourt advantage. Games 1 and 2 will be played at the Lakers' homecourt, and we expect a lot of excitement...
For the Magics, this will be their first trip to the finals since the Shaq era. It's been a long time, and their crowd has been longing for this moment.
Matchup issues could be one of the most-anticipated things to watch out for in this series. Like can Gasol or Bynum suppress Howard inside? Whose going up against Kobe defensively? For me, as of this moment only two players can really go up against Kobe, but they still can do that much...they lost to the Lakers in Round 1 of the play-offs...talking about Ron Artest and Shane Battier.
But you know what? I am thinking these two teams are really similar with their inside-out style of plays...Offensively they can shoot, no question about that! But the thing is how are they going to make stops. DEFENSE!!!
But from the looks of it, the Magics are better in their head-to-head series match up. Magics won their season series against the Lakers 2-0. Can the Lakers end their losing streak and bring home the trophy?
Important points for the Lakers:
1. Perimeter defense
Let Bynum and Gasol defend the inside. They are star-quality big guys, unlike those in Cleveland. And so the rest of the team has to be aware of the Magics' outside game. I think Odom, Ariza, and Fisher is good at this.
2. Keep up the good work
In their series against the Nuggets, Kobe found huge help from his guys. And so Kobe's teammates should be ready anytime, whenever Kobe finds them.
3. Pound the ball inside
Pau and Andrew can put Dwight in foul trouble, early in the game. This will disrupt his mindset and will make him soft at defense. Or at least let Dwight sit down and nurse those fouls, while they attempt to pull away.
KNOW MORE ABOUT PARKINSON'S DISEASE-[HERE
Important points for the Magics:
1. transition defense
I remember how Ariza went after the ball for a follow-up, after his teammate missed a fast-break lay-up. That is a great hussle play. Did not make the shot, but got a foul from the Nuggets. LA is a quick team, and they need to match LA's quickness.
2. Stop Ariza
Ariza has been a revelation...And I think he will be a factor in this series. If he's not scoring, he's defending. Slowly, but surely his confidence is going up. Disrupt Ariza's rhythm...
3. Alston's shots
We expect to see more triples from Alston. Hedo, Pietrus, Lewis, Johnson can shoot anytime. But with Alston included, Orlando is difficult to stop.
KEY PLAYERS:
LA LAKERS- FISHER, ARIZA AND ODOM
ORLANDO MAGICS- ALSTON, HEDO AND PIETRUS
FEARLESS FORECAST:
Orlando in game 1, after gaining momentum and confidence in bitting Lebron...the Lakers are in for a surprise...
For the Magics, this will be their first trip to the finals since the Shaq era. It's been a long time, and their crowd has been longing for this moment.
Matchup issues could be one of the most-anticipated things to watch out for in this series. Like can Gasol or Bynum suppress Howard inside? Whose going up against Kobe defensively? For me, as of this moment only two players can really go up against Kobe, but they still can do that much...they lost to the Lakers in Round 1 of the play-offs...talking about Ron Artest and Shane Battier.
But you know what? I am thinking these two teams are really similar with their inside-out style of plays...Offensively they can shoot, no question about that! But the thing is how are they going to make stops. DEFENSE!!!
But from the looks of it, the Magics are better in their head-to-head series match up. Magics won their season series against the Lakers 2-0. Can the Lakers end their losing streak and bring home the trophy?
Important points for the Lakers:
1. Perimeter defense
Let Bynum and Gasol defend the inside. They are star-quality big guys, unlike those in Cleveland. And so the rest of the team has to be aware of the Magics' outside game. I think Odom, Ariza, and Fisher is good at this.
2. Keep up the good work
In their series against the Nuggets, Kobe found huge help from his guys. And so Kobe's teammates should be ready anytime, whenever Kobe finds them.
3. Pound the ball inside
Pau and Andrew can put Dwight in foul trouble, early in the game. This will disrupt his mindset and will make him soft at defense. Or at least let Dwight sit down and nurse those fouls, while they attempt to pull away.
KNOW MORE ABOUT PARKINSON'S DISEASE-[HERE
Important points for the Magics:
1. transition defense
I remember how Ariza went after the ball for a follow-up, after his teammate missed a fast-break lay-up. That is a great hussle play. Did not make the shot, but got a foul from the Nuggets. LA is a quick team, and they need to match LA's quickness.
2. Stop Ariza
Ariza has been a revelation...And I think he will be a factor in this series. If he's not scoring, he's defending. Slowly, but surely his confidence is going up. Disrupt Ariza's rhythm...
3. Alston's shots
We expect to see more triples from Alston. Hedo, Pietrus, Lewis, Johnson can shoot anytime. But with Alston included, Orlando is difficult to stop.
KEY PLAYERS:
LA LAKERS- FISHER, ARIZA AND ODOM
ORLANDO MAGICS- ALSTON, HEDO AND PIETRUS
FEARLESS FORECAST:
Orlando in game 1, after gaining momentum and confidence in bitting Lebron...the Lakers are in for a surprise...
