Howard vs. Bynum – Even when Bynum was healthy Howard dominated this matchup. In their first meeting in Orlando Superman got Bynum in foul trouble early as the kid didn’t know how to deal with size, strength, or atheism. Obviously this is the key to the series for the Magic, if Howard goes for 25+ per night (Vegas line is 28) then the Magic have more than a good chance to take the series. The caveat is that the Lakers will use all of Bynum’s fouls, bring Obenga (a banger) off the bench and use his 6 as well, particularly in the 4th qtr of close games, rest assured Superman will not get any dunks, he’ll have to get his points from the line and the jury is out how he will perform on the big stage. Huge edge to the Magic.
Tukoglu vs. Ariza – This is a tough call because the Lakers really don’t need Ariza to score, more just put the clamps on Turk particularly in the 4th quarter. Hedo will have to work on the defensive end as well, as Ariza, always a slasher, has become an outside threat shooting as well, with a higher percentage (52%) than any Magic outside shooter from three. Turk has a tendency to disappear during games sometimes, showing up in the 4th quarter just in time to hit some big shots. He’ll have to do more if the Magic are going to win this series. Because of what Ariza brings to the defensive end we’ll call this a push.
Lewis vs. Gasol – The consensus has been that the Ariza/Turk matchup was the most pivotal of the series, but we couldn’t disagree more. The winner of this matchup wins the series. A gutsy call on the Zen Master’s part as Lewis, even at 6-10, is much quicker than Pau and should be able to run off picks to get open looks. It’s a huge question if Pau can battle through in time to alter Lewis’ shots. If he can it totally changes the pick-n-roll offense of the Magic that simply killed the Cavs. Conversely, what is Lewis going to do on the block against Pau who can score with either hand and as an arsenal of pivot moves? This is another key point, as Pau should score at will and perhaps get Lewis in foul trouble if Orlando has to make an adjustment, it will through off their offensive rhythm, if the Lakers do, they can always go to 6-10 Lamar Odom. Advantage Lakers
Alston vs. Fisher – Neither are shooting 3’s well right now and hardly are offensive threats. What Fisher does bring is the experience of three rings and how to effectively run a championship offense. Defensively he is always a threat to take a charge on the break and does hit the occasional shot. Alston doesn’t have the ‘big stage’ experience and is somewhat of a liability on d when playing a big guard but that won’t be a problem in this series. What decides this matchup is who turns the ball over less and who can hit the big shot when call upon, all of which is up the air. Call this a push as well.
Pietrus vs. Kobe – The 124k question (winner’s bonus) is how much, if at all, can the MP contain the Mamba? If Kobe channels all the energy, anger of last year, and desire to prove he can win without Shaq, into offensive anger this series is over. He’ll drop 30 a night on him, and if he gets into foul trouble the Magic have no answer. On the other hand MP played some of the best D on King James all post season but LBJ doesn’t have the hammer Kobe does (we don’t want to start that argument again). Not a question of if, but how much. Huge edge to Lakers.
Magic vs. Lakers – well as far as the starters go we have an even matchup so that leaves us with coaching and the bench which although the MOP has proven his mettle to this point, it’s a different story on the grand stage where the Zen Master has nine rings so that is not a fair comparison. The bench easily goes to LA if the sugar daddy comes to play every night. If Odom brings a double-double to the table each night this is a 4-1 series. If he doesn’t show up it will go deep into the series at which point you look to home court advantage as the deciding factor. We don’t think it will get that far, there will be some tense moments, as there always is with the Lake Show, but the Lakers avenge their dismal showing last year by returning to glory with a 4-2 series win.
Who do you think will win this series and why? Let us know here, or chat live with fans from each team in the NBA chat rooms.
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Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Player matchups for finals discussed at press conference, the Smacchat breakdown
Labels: dwight howard, kobe bryant, la lakers, nba finals, orlando magic
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31 comments:
LA hasn't beat anybody except overrated Denver. They beat a Utah team that hadn't been 100% all season and was missing Okur which is their mismatch guy. LA had the size advantage, they beat a Houston team decimated by injuries which was well documented. They beat another undersized frontline in Denver. I'm still waiting to see a team LA has played that feature the type of players and depth Orlando has. Oh wait they have, Orlando and they're 0-2.
If lakers show up then they win. simple as that. Besides Kobe and Ariza The lakers have been playing below average basketball this whole playoffs, yet they still only loose six games ware as the magic are playing above average basketball right now (relative to their regular season stats) and still loose 7 games in a much weaker confrence.
The Lakers don't just give Kobe the ball like the Cavs do Lebron the Lakers run there offense and Kobe gets his looks in the flow. The only time that starts to change is when the game gets down to the end and the Lakers force teams to double Kobe leaving open shooters. The Lakers have a low post presense that the Cavs don't not to mention like the post below Kobe will post up the Magic guards. The Lakers were the #1 offensive team in the league and that doesn't happen just because Kobe is great.
When it comes to Howard its make him get the ball as far away from the basket as possible. Howard is a beast no doubt.
If I were a Laker fan this is what would concern me the most. They went into Philly and blew them out w/o Howard. They were down 3-2 to Boston and won game 7 in Boston. I've seen Lewis and Turk in part b/c of the refs that made games closer than they should've been knock down big jumpers over and over and twice they were down 20+ points and 16 in another on the road in Cleveland and they came all the way back. They don't panic. That's the sign of a well coached, disciplined team. Their reliance on 3's is exaggerated b/c you don't come all the way back that way. In fact thats how you make matters worse. I've seen Turk attacking and creating as well as Lewis. The mismatch that Odom usually creates with his size and versatility is par for the course for Orlando. I can't wait for this thing to start.
Ok Gogomah, philly is a .500 team coming from the east ( wouldn't even make a 8 seed in the west ) Boston is missing their best player in KG and barely beat a young bulls team ( 7 games ) Little baby and Perkins had Howard in check most o fthe series. Cleveland can't beat beat an elite team period. And facing Lewis and Turk is nothing new for LA. And far as your coach is concerned, you give him way too much credit. ORL should have swept the CAVS if it wasn't for his bad coaching. who let's lebron take the last shot with 1 sec remaining on the clock? ....Van gundy.
Here's the answer. You don't stop Kobe, just like you don't stop Lebron. You stop everybody else. See my whole point is Lebron is the better creator for others so if he couldn't get other's involved on a consistent enough basis to compete how will Kobe? Yes Gasol is better than anybody Lebron has but he doesn't demand a double when you have the reigning defensive POY on him. We already know what happens if you double Howard, so the only question is can Bynum or Gasol stop Howard one on one. Period, thats the only thing that matters. If they can't this series might be over in 5 b/c Orlando looks like they've improved every series. I think this the case as guys like Pietrus and Courtney Lee are gaining confidence and bringing energy. I mean whenever Lewis or Turk go to the bench and you come back with Pietrus and Lee you're not losing much and if anything are probably gaining quickness on the floor. Pietrus or Lee will eat whatever bench player LA puts out there whether it be Vujajic, or Farmar. Lee threw it down on Lebron, what Laker reserve can claim that, actually what Laker can claim that?
Hey Smaccaht, as you are so quick to put the rings on the Lakers' fingers a couple of things you forgot: 12/20 106-103 Orlando
Kobe had 41 on 14-31, and 11-11 from the line Fisher had 27 on 9-16. Gasol had 11pts 7rebs on 4-9 with all 3 playing 40+ mins. Bynum had 3pts 1 reb and this was before the injury. Odom did what he does so often and went 1-7. How is it that people think this whodini is better than Lewis who has proven at least in these playoffs against Boston and Cleveland to be clutch over and over? Has Odom ever been clutch? Seriously forget clutch you can't even trust him to show up.
Meanwhile Orlando had balanced scoring as usual. Turk had 14pts 5 rebs 7asts,on 5-10, Nelson had 27 on 11-16 so Howard had 18 and 12 and Lewis had 22 on 6-13. Nobody forcing the issue just good ball movement and defensive rotation.
On 1/16 they won 109-103 and Howard dropped 25 and 20 on Bynum and Gasol's gums. Nelson had 28, Lewis and Turk had 16 and 13 with Lee chipping in 12. Kobe dropped 28 on 10-26 shooting the chucker he is, and the only reason the game was close was b/c there was a Vlad Rad sighting as he dropped 15 on 5-8 from 3. You can't bank on that every day or every even every week. You guys got Morrison for him, how's that panning out?
To be honest I think both Orlando and the Lakers have mismatches at certain positions and think like both the games during the regular season will come down to the end and it will depend on who makes the shots and who makes the mistakes. If its close at the end its hard to say you can't pick the Lakers because there isn't anyone better than Kobe when it comes to closing the game out. We can talk matchups all day but when its the last 2 minutes no one in the league right now is better than KOBE
I know you've heard it before but really Orlando just had matchup problems for Cleveland and took advantage. In no way can Wallace or Ilguakus cover Howard and the Lakers Bynum and Gasol will probably only fair slightly better. But the Lakers will be able to use a more switching defense on Orlando since beside Howard the other big men don't post up very much.
Only because of media perception makes your #### beleive that if you even do. Shaq rode Kobe's coatails always begging Kobe to bail him out in the clutch, bring LA back from deep defecits, and Shaqs fat #### every year got to enjoy sitting out 30-40+ games being fat and lazy because he had KObe to do all the work. Yet somehow the media still never then nor now wants to acknowledge that fact. This is the most damning & frustrating thing for Kobe and his real Fans. Any1 who really knows the game understands the bias media perception is always used to persuade dumb/ignorant non common fans. Now that media frenzy is all in Lebrons World and he hasnt won a ring or chip. Matter fact Lebron hasnt even WON 1 GAME IN the NBA FINALS.
Matchup wise, I guess Gasol is gonna have to D up Lewis if he's gonna be on the floor with Bynum. That leaves Howard one on one with Bynum. MMMM Tasty, is what Howard will be saying. All day, Bynum picks up two early fouls in the 1st goes to the bench in comes Odom and Gasol can have his shot at Howard. Good luck with that. Mr. Euro Staypuff softer than mash potatoes will get destroyed one on one and he will get in foul trouble b/c all they can do against Howard is push him. thats it. thats all they can do like Varageo did. Howard meanwhile will swat either dude. Bynum is that kid thats used to being the biggest dude around and when he finally meets players he's not bigger than he gets punked like the punk he is.
from what I see in this board laker fans will be in for a rude awakening, defense win championships and the magic play the better defense of the 2 teams and have the defensive player of the year. Keep on believing it's gonna be up to kobe you will lose that way, you guys took control of denver when gasol and odom took control of the paint on defense and on the glass. And unless they can continue to perform at that level or even higher in the paint against the most dominant inside force I have seen since shaq of a few years ago they will lose this series. for an entire year laker fans have been saying if we had bynum, well you got him this year, no excuses after this one
BTW Orlando is respected by everybody. How can you beat the defending world champs(albeit w/o their best player) and the Cavs(best record in NBA, favorites to win the Chip by so-called experts) and not be respected. No that wasn't a fluke. Playoffs are all about match ups and Magic matched up well with those teams. Everyone says they CAN win but nobody is willing to put their money where their mouth is. Unfortunately for the Magic the Lakers are a way different team than those two I mentioned. What does kinda worry me is everyone picking the Lakers. Lakers play way better when they feel they have something to prove, which they still do have something to prove. That they can win 4 in the Finals!! Just cuz most people pick the Lakers to win does not mean we don't respect the Magic. It means we think Orlando is the 2nd best team in the NBA. That's not bad for Orlando. LOL!
If u just think about the Fact of all the teams Orlando is 32-32 in Market size that itself is amazing what we have been able to do. WE are a city of only 500,000 Residents or so. That is what 1 area of LA??? U add the tourism then sure it seems bigger, however the City itself is not very big. WE don't have the money to spend to get better like the Lakers have.
Lakers are good yes, However u are living in the pass. This NBA finals are two teams of now. Either IMO can win, neither team is dominant.
When Cavs played in the Finals u knew they could not beat the Spurs, they where dominant at the time.
Same goes when Lakers vs Philly happen. Lakers then where dominant, however this current Laker team is not.
Laker fans stop living in the shadows.. All you can do is tell Magic fans that we don't have any and we don't. We have this finals though, and we can win...
Three reasons why the Lakers will win the NBA finals.
1. Finals experience
2. home court advantage
3. Best closer in basketball Kobe Bryant
Wow what a shocking result. It's not over by 1 game though. No way while the big 3 play not bad again. I think they should play Alston more. Nelson is a great player but not ready for that many minutes. He made a few plays, but overall played horrible. I still think it will be close and hope Magic pull it off. Magic in 6, great game by Lakers and kobe.....
WAS ANYONE WATCHING THE SAME GAME I WAS!!!! Yall giving the Lakers wayyyyy too much credit!! Kobe goes for 40 as usual and the Magic shoot 29% from field of course they're gonna lose!! They got the looks they wanted and couldn't knock em down!! Orlando beat themselves point blank period!!!!....
The first 16 minutes of this game Orlando was pretty in sync for the most part. After the Lakers took that time-out early in the 2nd quarter that's when Orlando rhythm and offense went incredibly BAD!!! The next 32 minutes became the longest 32 minutes in there lives. Neverthaless I expect Orlando to bounce back and play much, much more efficient in Game 2. Outcome either a win, or a close lost.
The Magic can make every excuse possible but I can tell the Magic why they loss. THE LAKERS DEFENDED THE 3 POINT LINE WITH PLAYERS JUST AS BIG AS LEWIS AND TURK. PERIOD.
3 more wins and the Lakers will be champions for the 15th time! I don't think it will be a sweep, i think it will take 5 or more games to win this series. I knew we were going to win tonight, but not by 25 points.
can we list the STUPID excuses we've heard over the last 5 days?
Lakers are too soft
Lakers are a One man-team
Lakers can't contain howard
Lakers can't guard the pick and roll
Lakers can't guard the three
Lakers get all the calls
Lakers haven't won since 2002
Lakers got blown out by 39
Lakers have no bench
Lakers will be beaten by the Magic in 6
Lakers have the worst fans
Lakers barely beat the Houston Rockets without Yao
Lakers aren't consistent
Lakers can't win the big one
nuf said. shut the f' up and get back in the closet!
where was superman? everybody praising him cause he was dunking on ilgauskus...what did he get..12 points, yeah, amazing. And LA's height, too much, no more open 3's shooting over tiny guards..looks like 5-6 games with LA taking the title. orlando can fade back into obscurity..as for celtic fans talking smack..your run is done..you are old..injuries are the future..it's what happens to dudes in the early to mid 30's, better make a trade like LA for a gasol type player cause glen davis ain't no garnet..pierce is old..allen is old..oh, scalabrine..yeahh baby
orlando, he was proven innocent and the accuser was bragging to friends at a party how she slept with him. This was only a few days before the accusation started. She claims in her statement that he choked her hard, but there were no marks on her neck. Then she claims she lied about parts of her statement. Proof was in the pudding.
This iz statement game 4 kobe.... Game 2 game, adjustments will be made by the Magic, and will tie the series up! kobe wuz nice 2nite, Howard had some kryptonite in his arm sleeve, or sumthin' 25 pts iz a helluva smack down, 2 do in the Finals..... The Magic will be ready next game. Peace & blessings!
anyways, this series is far from over. orlando wont shoot any worse next game so all they can do is go up. howard got in early foul trouble and the lakers double team of odom and gasol was actually working. alston couldnt make a shot to save his life. lewis didnt play good. turk played a good 1st quarter then disappeared. yes kobe played good but he does all the time. this is nothing new. ariza will play better. farmar and brown will probably play a little more as well. since this game was a blowout the lakers will only win by 6 next game but the score will get bigger because of the final 1:30. so 13..
Love it people, love it. Any Nuggets fans on here still sayin' Kobe is over-rated, selfish, other BS that Kobe would love to here you say to his face so that he has even more motivation to get his first solo title and Finals MVP award? No? Wierd...notice how I say first, because this team is going to get another one. I don't like to say it's in the bag this early, but, come on...Kobe will not let his team lose, it just won't happen. And yeah, Kobe probably wouldn't have 3 titles already if he didn't play with Shaq, but Shaq didn't have any before he played with Kobe, or another pretty amazing gaurd in DWade. There would have never been a 3-peat without either of those guys. Kobe is evolving into a new player, more balanced...along with his 40 pts, 8 boards and 8 assists, he had 2 blocks and 2 steals...a complete game. He just wants to win and man, it's fun to watch. BO!
WHEN THE LAKERS WIN 4 GAMES, LAKER FANS YOU CAN TALK ALL YOU WANT....AND AS A MAGIC FAN ILL RESPECT THAT BUT ITS ONLY GAME 1 ONE PEOPLE RELAX. LIKE KOBE IS SAYING RIGHT NOW ON ESPN ITS 1 GAME AND THEY BETTER FORGET ABOUT REAL QUICK.
enarhi,nobody cares who leads the league in reb. and assist.its all about scoring.why do you think people say mj is the greatest of all time.because of his championships and his scoring.otherwise we would be saying magic was the greatest of all time!and on the point you made about kobe only passing when he gets traped is just ignorant,who has led the lakers in assist the last 9 years?the triangle offense is designed for all players to make passes.thats why lamar will have 4 assist gasol with 4 fisher with 4 luke with 3.and so on.
One thing I don't think I'll hear tonight: Lebron is such a better player than Kobe because he plays team ball.
Kobe: 40 points, 8 rebs, 8 assists. 8-8 from the FT line.
Another thing I don't think I'll hear tonight: the Lakers are soft and don't play defense.
Orlando scores 75 points. Gets held under 20 points in the final three quarters. And Dwight
Howard scores only one field goal.
Runnin' out of arguments, haters. But then again, you'll always have rape jokes.
Classy lot those haters are.
How good was Bynum, even with his limited minutes. He and Odom are the key. With them playing well, Orlando has no chance. To be fair to them, i don't think any team is the NBA has a chance with a FULLY LA team functioning at full capacity.
Laker defense kept the Magic totally off balance. Yeah they missed open shots but they were under duress all night.
Key to tonights game and the series. If the Lakers can play Howard straight up, with no double team .....this series is over.
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