In the NBA Finals, I'm taking the Lakers/Magic in ___ Games

[wiley]

Lakers in 4.  You guys angered the basketball gods by rooting against the only guy capable of stopping Kobe.  Hope you're happy

I think the rooting base was about 50/50, I went cavs, so why did the basketball gods poop in my cereal?

To punish Celtics fan for those 50% rooting for Kobe and the Lakers by proxy.  Celtics fans need unity.  We all should have been behind King James.  We let each other down.

No, by rooting for Orlando we were rooting AGAINST the Lakers....the Cavs, as we saw, can't beat the N.B.A.'s best.

Magic in 6.  I'd like to say 7, but I just don't think they can do it in L.A., Though Chuck Barkley said 7  and he's been very on target this postseason...

[BigAlTheFuture]

I want Magics to win. But I think Lakers win in 6.

[BrickJames]

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=28615.msg498235#msg498235

[Scribbles]

Lakers in 4.  You guys angered the basketball gods by rooting against the only guy capable of stopping Kobe.  Hope you're happy

I think the rooting base was about 50/50, I went cavs, so why did the basketball gods poop in my cereal?

To punish Celtics fan for those 50% rooting for Kobe and the Lakers by proxy.  Celtics fans need unity.  We all should have been behind King James.  We let each other down.

No, by rooting for Orlando we were rooting AGAINST the Lakers....the Cavs, as we saw, can't beat the N.B.A.'s best.

Magic in 6.  I'd like to say 7, but I just don't think they can do it in L.A., Though Chuck Barkley said 7  and he's been very on target this postseason...

Exactly...plus Cavs were 0-2 vs LA this season and they couldn't beat Orlando, who honestly should have swept them, so I highly doubt the Cavs could give LA a better series than the Magic LarBrd.

[dark_lord]

i hate to say this, but speaking objectively.......

lakers in 5

[Change]

Magic in 5.

Say what you want an injured Jameer Nelson is 10x better than Anthony Johnson.

[hwangjini_1]

I'm taking the Magic in 6 games. I like their defense, their 3 ball. I think the one match up problem for them is Gasol.  Both teams play well on the road.

And you?

me? thanks for asking......

ihopeihopeihopeihopeihopeihopeihhope.....orlando in 6.

[EatSleepBreatheGreen]

Magic in 6,
for the following reasons;

PG: Alston vs Fisher
 Its a wash. neither are great and pretty much 2nd or third tier PGs.

SG: Pietrus(if SVG is smart) vs Mamba
Kobe the molester wins this. But I think Pietrus will do more than a solid job on him. Not to mention Kobe can't help on defense like he usually does because Pietrus has been hitting threes at a 45% clip.

SF: Turkoglu vs Ariza
Ariza is a very good defender but is hurt. Turkoglu is a very crafty, less agile Paul Pierce. Turkoglu should continue doing what he's been doing. Plus if he brings the ball up as the point forward, it takes away from Ariza helping on D.

PF: Lewis vs Gasol
wash. Both very good, both very different. Lewis will take Gasol out to the three point line meaning he wont be able to block as many shots. If he's not paying attention Lewis will let it rain. Gasol can pretty much back down Lewis, but even when he gets by him, theres still Superman waiting for the block.

C: Howard vs Bynum
I fully expect Howard to destroy Bynum in the post. I expect that lil Andrew will pick up dumb fouls, and not be able to muscle Howard away from the hoop. Perkins is the only one who can. Ilgauskus couldnt, Varejao couldnt, Wallace couldnt, GASOL CANT, and neither can Bynum. I also expect Bynum to be scared to put up any kind of shot for fear that Howard will embarass him in front of the celebrity crowd.

Bench:
Orlando has Courtney Lee, Gortat, Anthony Johnson, Reddick, Battie, and possibly Nelson.

LA has Vooyachick(i will never spell or pronounce it right, EVER!), Walton, Odom, Farmar, and........

Courtney Lee is better than Farmar, Gortat and Battie are limited on offense, but VERY big upfront, Reddick is Vooyachick, and Odom is the only standout for either side. I dont think either team has an advantage on the bench. If Nelson comes back at even 70% that pushes Orlando over the top.


So there you have it, LA one matchup in their favor and so does Orlando. I'll take Orlando's defense over LA's. And if the threes are falling for Orlando, then I take their offense as well.

[housecall]

Even though i picked the Magic in 6 i have a feeling(gut)that Gortat will have to play a big portion of a few games...i think the Zen Master will come up with some defensive schemes to bait Howard into early foul trouble.He seems most concern about how they will deal with Howard.

[Who]

Kobe Bryant knows Pietrus' game very well from his GSW days, and was successful against him. I don't think Pietrus will do nearly as well on Kobe as he did with LeBron.

In the regular season, Courtney Lee was both their best perimeter defender + their best defender on Bryant. He's the guy who stands the best chance of slowing Kobe down, although I don't think he will. I think Kobe is going to have a huge series.

[greenwise]

Being optimistic: Magic in 6
Being realist: Magic in 6

Now seriously, the Lakers are a better team. I hope they don't win, but right now they are favourites. But the NBA champion isn't decided by the look of a team and the chances, the games have to be played and the Magic have a very complete team. Anything can happen and I trully hope the Magic upset the diva Lakers once again.

To the basketball gods: let Kobe fail again please.

[droopdog7]

Lakers in 5.  Sorry, but Lewis won't get to coast during this series like he has in the previous two.  That is, while Gasol will have trouble with Lewis, he also will punish Lewis on offense.  And of course, the Lakers have Odum, who matches up well with Lewis. 

I don't think this series will be that close.   

[JSD]

Magic in 5. I see them splitting in LA and celebrating in Orlando.

[silvershamrocker]

My head says Lakers in 5, my heart says Magic in 6.

Please don't let Kobe get his fourth ring!