Why the Magic Will Beat the Lakers

Why your analysis is flawed:

1. Dwight Howard is growing in confidence.
It's easy to grow in confidence when you don't have anyone to defend in the low post. Boston was missing Garnett, Sixers lack a low post big man, and Clevelands lacks a low post big man. This meant Howard could concentrate on his offensive game. With the Lakers, Howard will have to contend with Gasol, Bynum, and Odom in the low post.

2. The Magic were one of only two teams to sweep the Lakers during the regular season.
Yes, the Magic swept the Lakers and won by 3 points and 6 points, not a significant win. Add, the reason the Lakers loss had to do with Jameer Nelson leading in scoring in both 27 and 28 points. The Lakers have problems with QUICK to guards similar to Brooks/Houston but Alston is NOT A THREAT no more than other guards the Lakers had to defend in the playoffs including Wiliams/Utah, Chauncey/Denver, and Brooks/Houston.

3. The Lakers have been vulnerable to the 3-point shot all season.

At times the Lakers are vulnerable to the 3 point shot but they did an excellent job against Houston after Battier went on that streak and Denver. Add, Cleveland allowed the Magic to have open shots because of matchup issues. Lebron refused to guard the hotter Turkolou and Lewis who were both 6 '10. Rather Cleveland used the smaller guards to defend them like 6 '3 Delonte West whom Turkolous shot over without even jumping. The Lakers have Odom 6 '10 and Ariza 6 '8 to challenge those 3 point shots.

4. Mickael Pietrus gives them a huge boast in a reserve role.
Pietrus can not guard Kobe like Battier who had a hand in Kobe's face on every shot. Unlike Lebron, Kobe is an IN YOUR FACE SHOOTER. Meaning, he doesn't have to drive to score and prefers to take that mid range jumper. Lebron weakness is his mid range jumper and he lacks a low post games. Yes, Lebron can bully his way to the basket but Kobe's is more skilled offensively than Lebron. As far as Pietrus hitting the 3 point shots, I take my chances on him.

5. Rafer Alston should have a surprisingly good series.
Rafer is not fast enough and he's too inconsistent to be a threat for the Lakers. In fact, this may be Fisher's best matchup of the playoffs so far. Yes, Rafer scored 27 points because Lebron REFUSED to guard him. But the next night he had 2 points. Too inconsisten. On the other hand, I expect Fisher to step up in the Finals because this is what veterans play for. Fisher has been there and you will see him make 3 point shots he may have missed earlier. He was showing signs of this in the last two games against Denver.

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You forgot the #1 reason why the Magic will win the series: THE LAKERS WILL GIVE IT AWAY.

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No one in orlando can guard Kobe . Enough said Lakers in 5

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I have no idea who will win this series...I'd like to say Lakers but anything's possible and the Magic are certainly the emotional favorites right now..however, in addition to the above post about the counter to the article's assertion there are these things.
1. The Lakers are NOT the Cavs...they, are not only more defensive at every postion, but they are also an offensive minded team...it's not going to be easier for Magic, it will be harder since they will actually have to defend at EVERY position or risk one of the many lakers getting hot. This will make them work harder and so they will be much more tired than just getting the rebound running down and scoring...extra effort will be a factor
2. lakers have defenders for the Magic's players where Cavs didn't...period...it won't AS easy to get all those threes. I'm not saying they won't but it won't be AS easy so there offensive production will probably go down.
3. Lakers have something to prove...while the Magic are riding the disrespect of the underdog position, the Lakers are seeking redemption...they were hugely embarrassed last year...it's not likely they won't be more emotionally committed in the ring series than in previous playoff games.
4. and most significantly, PJ is NOT Mike Brown...been there, done that and masterful at adjustments, PJ brings a calmness that won't allow the team to panic...they won't be thrown by the drama, and will fight as hard as the Magic EVER did to come from behind, and they have proven through 2 tough series, Rockets and Denver, that they can come from behind even when up against very physical teams...
So...while I still don't know which Lakers team will show up...I would put their A game against the Magic's A game and favor Lakers...we'll see

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the lakers have also been swept by the bobcats they last few seasons. does that mean that they could beat the lakers in the finals?
orlando's a great team and this will go down to the wire, anyone who things he or she knows the outcome is just throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks. This could goi either way.... should be great TV!!!

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YOU'RE FULL OF CRAP! WANT TO PUT A COUPLE THOUSAND DOLLARS ON THE SERIES? DIDN'T THINK SO! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

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Kobe is focused like a laser, the Magic have no shot.

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The author of this article, Povtak, will forever be remembered as one being totally ignorant about the subject matter he is writing about.
Magic????????

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The author of this article, Povtak, will always be remembered as someone who doesn't have the faint idea of the subject matter he is writing about. Magic?????

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As you said the finals is a different animal the Lakers in 6. Kobe will be Kobe, impossing his will on who ever plays him, Bynam will show what he is capable of, Odom is a solid basketball player, Gasol will have his way in the point as well. The games may be close but in the end Lakers in 6.

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I'm a life long Laker's fan, and believe the Lakers have the edge in this series, for a number of reasons. But anyone who thinks that Orlando can't beat the Lakers is a fool. And it has nothing to do with the regular series: the two Orlando wins over the Lakers came the second of back-to-back nights, the hardest games to win, statistically, for any team in the NBA. If Bynum fails to step up and challenge Howard, the Laker's are in trouble. Gasol is not quick enough and Odom is not strong enough to battle Howard, who is easily the most dominant inside big man in the game today. It comes down to defense. Can the Lakers stop, or curtail, the extraordinary shooting skills of Turkoglu, Pietrus, and Lewis, while someone -- probably a group of them -- keeps Howard operating far from the glass, where he still has not developed a mid-range jump shot, like Karl Malone had. On defense, the Magic will have their hands full with the Lakers. A key match-up will be in Phil Jackson's hands: if he keeps playing old, slow Derek Fisher and young, slow Luke Walton, he'll have problems. But if he plays Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown -- the latter who is as quick, and much stronger, than Farmar, and an even better shooter -- an keeps Ariza and Odom on the floor, the Lakers should win a tough series. It should be fun.

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Magic in 5, (only if they stay focused and play defense, defense, defense and the referees stay out of the game).

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the main reason why orlando will win is because the lakers dont have an answer to magic superman, he will elevate his game to a higher level that will be unstoppable,go magic..

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Orlando will win because Dwight Howard is the man. Also because everyone is going to be too busy worrying about him leaving shots open for all the other shooter on the team. Cant wait to see the game its gonna be good. GO MAGIC"S

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So How are you feeling about your article now that the Lakers are up 3-1?

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