NBA Finals Predictions

After some of the most compelling and drama laiden playoff series I can remember, the NBA Finals are finally here. 

On one side, we've got the Orlando Magic. A surprise team to many, but a team who I actually selected as the Eastern Conference representative before this season even began. Everything seemed to fall in place for the Magic this season with offensive capabilities at every position. More importantly though, they finally started realizing that they can't simply outscore every team to earn W's. Defense has become just as big a staple on this squad as the 3 ball is.

On the other side, a team I've hated on for much of this season. In fact, for every time I said the Magic were for real, I was saying the Lakers were a flop. I even went so far as to say Utah would eliminate L.A. in the opening round! (Ya, I guess that's what they call a "WTF Moment" these days). As usual, the team thrives through #24. But a 50/50 cast of superstars and nobody's has picked up the slack every time Kobe can't come through, and they've proven to be the most consistent team in the playoffs.

So, with the stage set, let's breakdown positions and spell out a Champion.

PG- Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar, & Shannon Brown vs. Rafer Alston, Jameer Nelson, & Anthony Johnson

> This is a clear cut advantage towards the Magic simply because of depth. Fisher, dirty or not, is a veteran player who's capable of handling this spotlight and distributing the ball. However, Farmar and Brown aren't necessarily the best backup's in the league. The duo combined to go for more than 10 points only once in the Conference Finals vs. the Nuggets. To make things worse, Farmar, who's been first off the bench for Fisher, is averaging nearly 2 turnover's a game in very limited minutes. REGARDLESS of whether Jameer Nelson plays for 10 minutes or all 4 quarters, the mere presence of him on the floor beside or in place of Alston, gives the Lakers an area for concern. 

ADVANTAGE: SOLID ORLANDO

SG- Kobe Bryant & Sasha Vujacic vs. Mickael Pietrus & Courtney Lee

> Of course the smart fan goes for Bryant in any battle. I will too because, right now, he is the best player in basketball (key word: right now- as in June 4, 2009). However, I will give my schpeel for the Magic's off-guards. I'll start first with Lee, who has been fantastic this season as a rookie out of Western Kentucky. He's a sniper from outside, which is why the Magic drafted him in the first place. But his ability to go hard to the lane has been more evident in the playoffs, especially vs. the Cavs with his thunderous dunks over Lebron. Like Pietrus, he's a long armed guard with a physical frame and he'll be a tough guard when Vujacic is in the game. As for Pietrus, say what you want about Rafer Alston being the savior for Orlando, but I give my vote to Mickael. He's shown against both Ray Allen and Lebron James that he should be considered one of the league's top lock-down defenders. Past that, just when you think his game is only on defense, he seems to get open in the corner for a key three. I'll go with the Lakers, but this will be a position to keep an eye on. 

ADVANTAGE: PUSH LAKERS

F: Trevor Ariza, Luke Walton, & Lamar Odom vs. Rashard Lewis & Hedo Turkoglu

> This is the closest call of all positions. Offensively, Lewis & Turkoglu are clear favorites. Defensively, Ariza & Odom get the obvious nod. There's not much more you can say.However, there are 2 points of interest viewers need to be aware of. First for the Lakers, I've said it all season long (even back to last year), and that is that when L.A. is at their finest, beating teams by 20+ points, it's because Lamar Odom decides to break loose. Odom is still a threat against any opponent and is the final piece of the triangle offense that makes the Lakers so dangerous. If teams have to worry about Bryant, Gasol, AND Odom, it's too much to handle. But when it's just Bryant and Gasol, defensive schemes can be arranged. Finally, for Orlando, Lewis and Turkoglu make the wheels turn for the Magic offense. Sure Dwight Howard is the launching pad, but these guys are equally important. Forget about when their shot is not falling, because on every night, it has been for at least 1 out of 2. The real concern is one of them gets in foul trouble. The Magic don't have backups at this position. Instead, it forces Pietrus or Lee to play a position where they have to guard a bigger player and has hurt Orlando. Fouls must be avoided for the 2. 

ADVANTAGE: EVEN

C: Pau Gasol & Andrew Bynum vs. Dwight Howard, Marcin Gortat, Tony Battie

> Dwight Howard vs. Pau Gasol? Dwight Howard vs. Andrew Bynum?  Is this even a discussion. I thought the Conference Finals against Cleveland's big men would be easy for Howard. But these match-ups look like an unfair recess game. If Howard doesn't put up 20 points a night and get at least 1 of L.A.'s 7-footers in foul trouble, throw out everything he did to this point- he failed. Gasol is the softest big man in the game and Bynum, who has all the tools, has yet to put anything together. Besides Howard, let's not forget how well Gortat has filled in for spells that have been crucial for Stan Van Gundy. Battie is also a body that's good for a few fouls and allows Howard rest. I don't care how good Gasol is on the offensive end- he's about to get a lesson in "Paint Power" from Howard.

ADVANTAGE: SOLID ORLANDO

Basically, this will be a very evenly matched series. 

Each team has a player who should have an advantage vs. his opponents- Bryant & Howard

Each team has a "third piece to the puzzle" player who must show up- Odom & Lewis

Each team beat the hottest squad coming into the playoffs- Nuggets & Cavs

Each team has shown the capability to win big games on the road

I've heard a lot of people saying Lakers in 6. I've heard a few go out on a limb with Orlando in 4. 

So here's my take. I see the Magic taking 1 of 2 in L.A. I see the Lakers taking 1 out of 3 in Orlando. That puts the Magic up 3-2 heading back to Los Angeles for Game 6. No way Kobe goes out in 6. Which pushes us to game 7. With Kobe exhuasted from carrying the Lakers to a Game 6 victory, Dwight Howard and company take over and shoot the Lakers out of their own building. 

MAGIC IN 7 - DWIGHT HOWARD = MVP