Unstoppable is his middle name
Lebron James was 18 and Carmelo Anthony 19 when they both came into the league in 2003 as highly celebrated rookies who a lot of people think will just take a couple of years of seasoning and will eventually take over the league. That prophecy was slightly realized this year as both players led their teams to 1st place and 2nd place in the East and West respectively. A lot of talk has been made that both might face off in the finals. Unfortunately, both of them bumpred into two other early NBA entrants and put on hold that dream match-up – that’s Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant.
Howard to Bynum " Ang laki mo pala!"
Laki mong tanga
Dwight Howard was the number 1 pick in the 2004 draft and a lot of people were saying “what the ????” Why didn’t they get Emeka Okafor, the wisest choice back then. Five years after that draft no one is bickering anymore as the second coming of Superman has moved to become the best center in the league while Okafor has been forgotten. On the other hand, there isn’t much that can be said about Kobe Bryant who himself is an early entry in the league. Kobe’s exploits have either made believers or non believers for many NBA fans. Unfortunately for the non-believers, Bryant is probably one of the best individual talents in the NBA today. But then again individual talent would just take you as far as the conference finals in the NBA, team play takes you to the Finals. As the Lakers gun for their 15th NBA title, Dwight Howard’s team of over achievers would try to put that to a stop and crown themselves NBA champs. Here are some insights.
Pau will never run out of Gasul
A LOOK AT THE LAKERS
As mentioned, Kobe is the best in the clutch and his supporting cast is quite an assembly. Last year Pau Gasol was happy to be in the finals, but with another year with the Lakers and another finals appearance, expect Gasol to be meaner and tougher. What he endured and experienced against KG and company last will be the key factor for him to perform at his best. The key players for the Lakers are Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher. If Fisher could rekindle his old self then the Magic are in trouble. Odom on the other hand does a lot of things that sparks the Lakers run and gun offense.
Look for Kobe to score 40 while the rest of the team put up good numbers and make the Lakers score at an average of 110 points which will definitely give them the win. This year the team that competed last year is back with a vengeance and would not let down and they bucked the pressure of getting back since they were favored to make it to the finals since November. The rest of the team will make their contributions however hard it may be but Kobe and Pau will definitely be the difference that the Magic will have a hard time contending.
Dwight's Might
A LOOK AT THE MAGIC
Basic basketball theory, if a post player is double teamed then the post player will just kick the ball out to the shooters. The reason why the post player is double teamed is because Dwight Howard shoots 62.2% on the floor to score 21.7 points per game and rebounds at an average of 15.4 ppg. Defending the shooters on the other hand is easier said than done since their shooters are impeccable. Rashard Lewis averages 19.4 points per game and is 39.1% from beyond the arc, Hedo Turkoglu’s average is 17.2 points and is also 39.1% from beyond, a third shooter in Michael Pietrus averaged 13.8 points in the Cavs series and an astounding 47.2 % from three point area. Add to that point guard Rafer Alston who sank 37.8 % of this three pointers enroute to a 12.5 % average in points.
Rashard shoots a three
The Magic’s road to the top goes along the fact that team play is very important and everyone commits to his role to the letter in order for them to get the win! For the Magic to win, they have to pound it inside and if that does not work find the hole from beyond. On the other end of the court, stopping Kobe and Pau is a tough one but as they say a team in a mission will find ways to win.
If the series stays short look for the Lakers to win in 5 but if it extends to a game 7 my money is on the Magic.
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