The 2009 NBA Finals thread - Orlando Magic vs L.A. Lakers

Please dont let the Lakers win, thank you in advance.

"DonShula84 wrote:

Please dont let the Lakers win, thank you in advance.

Booo

David Stern in 7, but Orlando is going to put up an even bigger fight than advertised (by ESPN).

I just realize that I'm leaving for Europe next week...

How the hell am I gunna watch the games?!? I'm gunna have to pull all-nighters b/c games wont start until 3am over there! Internet broadcasts?

Magic are the underdogs (again), and I like the advantage of that. We're not supposed to win, so hopefully their team won't be expecting too much from us, even though we beat 'em twice this year. It worked against the Celtics and the Cavaliers, 3rd times a charm, let's do it again with L.A. :up

"FinNasty wrote:

I just realize that I'm leaving for Europe next week...

How the hell am I gunna watch the games?!? I'm gunna have to pull all-nighters b/c games wont start until 3am over there! Internet broadcasts?

Hey man, if you need help with broacasts, pm me, I'll give you all kinds of links for them.:knucks:

"Jaydog57 wrote:

Hey man, if you need help with broacasts, pm me, I'll give you all kinds of links for them.:knucks:

Will do... :up:

If the Lakers couldn't even pull away from teams like Utah (allowed the Jazz the opportunity to scrap their way back into almost every game), then I question how that mentality will bode with obviously what has become the most relentless team in basketball. This is going to be a very interesting series. When I looked at the potential matchup a few weeks back, I thought I'd sleep my way through watching Kobe Bryant finally holding up an NBA Finals MVP trophy 4-5 games into the series. No chance in hell. Orlando has been proving everyone (myself included) wrong since Jameer Nelson's season ending injury. I have no problem with that continuing up until this month's end. Really, I have no true hatred for the Lakers beyond my late blooming love fest for Carmelo Anthony... I just want to see some good basketball. I'm pretty confident that I'll have that chance.
What are you final predictions? Lakers / Magic & in how many games? Still going with Lakers in 7 because I think it's tougher for the road team to run the table at home in a 2-3-2 format than 2-2-1-1-1, and I do see Orlando stealing a game in LA. I just can't see them pulling off two, especially with the second being the decisive game of the series. I really can't see the Lakers losing three straight postseason games to ANYONE... regardless of location. I think Orlando has to win the three at home.

God. Even being a die hard fan of a team that benefited major from the 2-3-2... I really, really, really hate that format. Like why change it after three rounds?

Have fun in Europe FinNasty, hope you got some Magic shirts for the trip! :knucks:

"High Definition wrote:

If the Lakers couldn't even pull away from teams like Utah (allowed the Jazz the opportunity to scrap their way back into almost every game), then I question how that mentality will bode with obviously what has become the most relentless team in basketball. This is going to be a very interesting series. When I looked at the potential matchup a few weeks back, I thought I'd sleep my way through watching Kobe Bryant finally holding up an NBA Finals MVP trophy 4-5 games into the series. No chance in hell. Orlando has proved me wrong since the beginning of the season. I have no problem with that continuing up until this month's end.

I'm just worried about Kobe, that man can hit the net at half court. He's what LeBron hopes to be in 5-6 years. Man, that guys hard to stop. Like Dwight Howard said earlier today, 'just don't let him get started, 'cause once you do, it's hard to stop him." He gets in a zone, and that's it.

"Jaydog57 wrote:

Have fun in Europe FinNasty, hope you got some Magic shirts for the trip! :knucks:

I got the "Blue and White Ignite" shirt they gave us for game 6 at the Arena! I wore it that night and I'll be rocking it every game from now on... :D

"Jaydog57 wrote:

Magic are the underdogs (again), and I like the advantage of that. We're not supposed to win, so hopefully their team won't be expecting too much from us, even though we beat 'em twice this year. It worked against the Celtics and the Cavaliers, 3rd times a charm, let's do it again with L.A. :up

I don't think they're that big an underdog. As you say, LA has those two regular season losses. Everything I've seen and heard suggests they're taking it to heart. Only thing really killing Lakers is complacency against a weak opponent (see Rockets series) and I don't quite see that here. I think both sides are going to be motivated for this one.

"Regan21286 wrote:

I don't think they're that big an underdog. As you say, LA has those two regular season losses. Everything I've seen and heard suggests they're taking it to heart. Only thing really killing Lakers is complacency against a weak opponent (see Rockets series) and I don't quite see that here. I think both sides are going to be motivated for this one.

Yeah, but you guys have such a great team, and a coach that's a certified legend, in Phil Jackson. That man will go down in the HOF as one of the greatest coaches of all time, guaranteed. I guess I'm just being skeptical, but I know you guys will play different in the playoffs than in the regular season, I hope we will too.:knucks:

"Jaydog57 wrote:

I'm just worried about Kobe, that man can hit the net at half court. He's what LeBron hopes to be in 5-6 years. Man, that guys hard to stop. Like Dwight Howard said earlier today, 'just don't let him get started, 'cause once you do, it's hard to stop him." He gets in a zone, and that's it.

Kobe is going to get his regardless of the defense you throw at him. The best thing you can do is to ensure that he gets it in the toughest way possible. You know that when he's in attack mode he's going to get to the basket and the free throw line. When you foul him, foul him hard. Take a page out of Phil Jackson's book.

Worry about the rest of the team. Turn it into a one man show. As great as Kobe is, he can't beat you by himself. Orlando is too good. What you can't afford is guys like Trevor Ariza getting easy baskets and setting up for those spot up threes at the top of the key. I still have no idea on this earth why Denver didn't commit a guy on him every possession. Amateur job by George Karl.

Also, for the 15-25 minutes he's on the floor... the more Sasha Vujacic shoots, the better your chances.

"High Definition wrote:

Kobe is going to get his regardless of the defense you throw at him. The best thing you can do is to ensure that he gets it in the toughest way possible. You know that when he's in attack mode he's going to get to the basket and the free throw line. When you foul him, foul him hard. Take a page out of Phil Jackson's book.

Worry about the rest of the team. Turn it into a one man show. As great as Kobe is, he can't beat you by himself. Orlando is too good. What you can't afford is guys like Trevor Ariza getting easy baskets and setting up for those spot up threes at the top of the key. I still have no idea on this earth why Denver didn't commit a guy on him every possession. Amateur job by George Karl.

Yeah, I hope it turns into a replay of the 'LeBron Show' from last week, but we'll see. They've got a few more players that can step up than Cleveland.:up:

Let's see if Gasol / Odom decide to dominate as second and third options.

2 more days!

I can't wait, and what's with the delay from Thursday's game until Sunday?

i got the magic in six.

"#1 fan wrote:

i got the magic in six.

That would be nice, I'm predicting a win in L.A., in the first game, just like in Cleveland, and then L.A. wins the next one, and we win the two in Orlando. After that, it's anybody's game.:up:

"Jaydog57 wrote:

Yeah, but you guys have such a great team, and a coach that's a certified legend, in Phil Jackson. That man will go down in the HOF as one of the greatest coaches of all time, guaranteed. I guess I'm just being skeptical, but I know you guys will play different in the playoffs than in the regular season, I hope we will too.:knucks:

Thanks. Of the two teams I wanted to us to play against, it was Cleveland. Knocked them off twice when they were on a roll in the regular season and they weren't even close. Granted it's the playoffs which is why I'm certain it's going to be a real brawl. It's pretty much coming down to who makes their 3's. Of course I'm going Lakers in 6 since I'll be at Staples. :up:

"Regan21286 wrote:

Thanks. Of the two teams I wanted to us to play against, it was Cleveland. Knocked them off twice when they were on a roll in the regular season and they weren't even close. Granted it's the playoffs which is why I'm certain it's going to be a real brawl. It's pretty much coming down to who makes their 3's. Of course I'm going Lakers in 6 since I'll be at Staples. :up:

Haven't really kept up with Kobe enough, I know he's flawless in his free throws, but how is he with 3 pointers? He sounds dangerous.

"Jaydog57 wrote:

Haven't really kept up with Kobe enough, I know he's flawless in his free throws, but how is he with 3 pointers? He sounds dangerous.

On and off really. Sometimes he misses easy ones. Other times he hits a fall-away with a hand in his face and a hand on the elbow. Honestly, I'm surprised LO is hitting his 3's with regularity. Someone in the Lakers staff knows how to coach 3's because Ariza suddenly developed it the same way Brian Cook did way back.