If we learned anything during the ECF it was that basketball is all about match-ups. So with that being said lets go ahead and look at the match-ups.
Derek Fisher - Rafer Alston
Alston killed Moe Williams due Moe's inability to get things going and giving Lebron any help. I think he had one decent game and obviously he wasn't enough. Moe Williams is more athletic than Fisher but that doesn't always get it done. That's why I'm thinking this may lead towards L.A.'s advantage. Fisher is an experienced veteran who has the maturity to brush off a poor performance in last series and just play his role and ask what is expected of him. Something Moe couldn't do. Push.
Kobe Bryant - Courtney Lee
Obviously this one is going to L.A. Shouldn't even need an explanation really. Orlando does have a couple things going for them though. They did just play against Lebron James, the only other guy comparable in todays league to Kobe Bryant so they should know what they are getting into going against Kobe. Orlando has not just one but two defenders to throw at Bryant in Courtney Lee and Mickael Pietrus. Both guys have solid defense so that is a plus. Kobe is going to get his no doubt, it all comes down to will he have enough help. Something Lebron didn't. Advantage Lakers.
Trevor Ariza - Hedo Turkoglu
Both guys can knock down the shots when needed but I think this match-up involves one of the most underrated guys in the league. Hedo Turkoglu. Have you ever watched the Magics offense when Turk isn't on the floor? Just pay attention if you haven't next time the games on. The offense just seems to go smoother with much more ball movement when Turk is in. Turk can drive, knock down the three and dish it off. Not to mention his defense isn't bad either. Now I'm not saying Ariza isn't that good it's just that Turk is going to make that much more of an impact in this series than Trevor Ariza will. Expect a big series from Hedo because this is one of their biggest match-up advantages. Both players will hit their shots but Hedo will lead his team. Advantage Magic.
Pau "LOL" Gasol - Rashard Lewis
By a hair. This match-up right here may decide the series. Whoever gets the better of each other here is really going to help their team big time. I'm giving the advantage to Gasol though because I feel Gasol's post presence is something Lewis and the Magic are weak in outside of Dwight Howard. Lewis matched up against Varejao last series who really isn't the banger down low like Gasol is. If Lewis can keep Gasol in check and not let him abuse him down low in the paint then we may be leaning towards a Magic advantage here. Where this match-up does favor Orlando though is on the offensive side of the ball. Is Gasol quick enough to cover Rashard Lewis on the perimeter? I don't think so. Follow this match-up closely because this may be the one that decides the series. Advantage Lakers.
Andrew Bynum - Dwight Howard
If Dwight has a series like he had in Game 6 of the ECF the Magic could win this series in 5 games. Is that gonna happen? Probably not. Dwight had it pretty easy in the ECF going up against Z. Expect something a little different, a little tougher , a more physical battle going on down under the rim in this series. Bynum's 7'0" and 285 lbs will give Dwight some problems down low. He doesn't have the offensive game yet to just simply dominate but still you have to give this match-up to the defensive player of the year. Advantage Magic.
Lakers Bench - Magic Bench
When I look at the Magic's bench I see three guys who step up. Gortat, Pietrus and Anthony Johnsons compared to the Lakers who have three maybe four in Farmar, Vujacic, Walton and Odom. Now in recent history Odom has been a non-factor in big games. He disappears this is why I'm giving it a push. If Odom can step up and play his game than it's gonna be a big boost for the Lakers because that is another big body outside of Bynum that the Lakers can throw at Howard. But that is a big if. Pietrus loves his corner shot from the baseline and Johnson runs that offense decent enough to stay in the game. Gortat when he plays well allows Howard to catch his breath and not take too big of a hit when Dwight comes out of the game. Push
Phil Jackson - Stan Van Gundy
Insert porn moustache/Ron Jeremy joke here. Not but seriously, Phil just flash your fingers. If the Lakers win Phil Jackson will have won more NBA Titles than any other coach. Advantage Lakers.
Just something I started to type up in the NBA Finals thread but figured it was long enough to just make it it's own thread. I would give a prediction but I'm not big on predictions in the NBA because so many things come into play. I'll save the predictions for September when the NFL season kicks off.
Derek Fisher - Rafer Alston
Alston killed Moe Williams due Moe's inability to get things going and giving Lebron any help. I think he had one decent game and obviously he wasn't enough. Moe Williams is more athletic than Fisher but that doesn't always get it done. That's why I'm thinking this may lead towards L.A.'s advantage. Fisher is an experienced veteran who has the maturity to brush off a poor performance in last series and just play his role and ask what is expected of him. Something Moe couldn't do. Push.
Kobe Bryant - Courtney Lee
Obviously this one is going to L.A. Shouldn't even need an explanation really. Orlando does have a couple things going for them though. They did just play against Lebron James, the only other guy comparable in todays league to Kobe Bryant so they should know what they are getting into going against Kobe. Orlando has not just one but two defenders to throw at Bryant in Courtney Lee and Mickael Pietrus. Both guys have solid defense so that is a plus. Kobe is going to get his no doubt, it all comes down to will he have enough help. Something Lebron didn't. Advantage Lakers.
Trevor Ariza - Hedo Turkoglu
Both guys can knock down the shots when needed but I think this match-up involves one of the most underrated guys in the league. Hedo Turkoglu. Have you ever watched the Magics offense when Turk isn't on the floor? Just pay attention if you haven't next time the games on. The offense just seems to go smoother with much more ball movement when Turk is in. Turk can drive, knock down the three and dish it off. Not to mention his defense isn't bad either. Now I'm not saying Ariza isn't that good it's just that Turk is going to make that much more of an impact in this series than Trevor Ariza will. Expect a big series from Hedo because this is one of their biggest match-up advantages. Both players will hit their shots but Hedo will lead his team. Advantage Magic.
Pau "LOL" Gasol - Rashard Lewis
By a hair. This match-up right here may decide the series. Whoever gets the better of each other here is really going to help their team big time. I'm giving the advantage to Gasol though because I feel Gasol's post presence is something Lewis and the Magic are weak in outside of Dwight Howard. Lewis matched up against Varejao last series who really isn't the banger down low like Gasol is. If Lewis can keep Gasol in check and not let him abuse him down low in the paint then we may be leaning towards a Magic advantage here. Where this match-up does favor Orlando though is on the offensive side of the ball. Is Gasol quick enough to cover Rashard Lewis on the perimeter? I don't think so. Follow this match-up closely because this may be the one that decides the series. Advantage Lakers.
Andrew Bynum - Dwight Howard
If Dwight has a series like he had in Game 6 of the ECF the Magic could win this series in 5 games. Is that gonna happen? Probably not. Dwight had it pretty easy in the ECF going up against Z. Expect something a little different, a little tougher , a more physical battle going on down under the rim in this series. Bynum's 7'0" and 285 lbs will give Dwight some problems down low. He doesn't have the offensive game yet to just simply dominate but still you have to give this match-up to the defensive player of the year. Advantage Magic.
Lakers Bench - Magic Bench
When I look at the Magic's bench I see three guys who step up. Gortat, Pietrus and Anthony Johnsons compared to the Lakers who have three maybe four in Farmar, Vujacic, Walton and Odom. Now in recent history Odom has been a non-factor in big games. He disappears this is why I'm giving it a push. If Odom can step up and play his game than it's gonna be a big boost for the Lakers because that is another big body outside of Bynum that the Lakers can throw at Howard. But that is a big if. Pietrus loves his corner shot from the baseline and Johnson runs that offense decent enough to stay in the game. Gortat when he plays well allows Howard to catch his breath and not take too big of a hit when Dwight comes out of the game. Push
Phil Jackson - Stan Van Gundy
Insert porn moustache/Ron Jeremy joke here. Not but seriously, Phil just flash your fingers. If the Lakers win Phil Jackson will have won more NBA Titles than any other coach. Advantage Lakers.
Just something I started to type up in the NBA Finals thread but figured it was long enough to just make it it's own thread. I would give a prediction but I'm not big on predictions in the NBA because so many things come into play. I'll save the predictions for September when the NFL season kicks off.
