ORLANDO – We all should have seen this one coming, especially after Stuff had a better warmup than Andrew Bynum.Orlando's mascot stood at half court, turned his back to the goal and flipped the ball over his head toward the basket.
Money.
It was either Stuff or Rafer Alston dressed in a furry green suit. Whoever it was, Tuesday night's tone had been set.
Almost everything Orlando threw up went in and the Magic won, 108-104. That was the good news for the home team.
The bad news was that almost everything Orlando threw up went, and the Magic won, 108-104.
"We shot 62.5 percent and almost lost the game," Alston said.
That's why the Lakers won't spend the next 36 hours hiding in their closets and a lot of people still think Orlando is teetering. Los Angeles played its worst game in weeks and still could've easily won had not aliens inhabited the body of Kobe Bryant for the final three quarters.
What are the odds he'll shoot 44 percent from the free throw line again, while Dwight Howard makes 11 of 16?
What are the odds Orlando will shoot 75 percent in the first half in Game 4?
What are the odds we really have a series now and not just a Lakers showcase?
Answers: 100-1, 500-1 and Even Money.
Yes, Game 3 had a lot of fluky elements. But anyone who thinks it was a total fluke is not a student of recent NBA playoff history.
From what I can tell, that includes a respectable portion of the media, most of Middle America and 98.9 percent of Lakers fans. Most had declared the Magic dead after Game 2, though many were ready to crown Kobe after Game 1's destruction.
That's when Courtney Lee missed that last-second shot in Game 2. Call it the Reverse Dagger.
You remember the first Dagger, don't you? That was LeBron James' 3-pointer at the buzzer in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Or was it Big Baby Davis' shot at the buzzer in Game 4 of the semis?
Or was it Howard getting suspended for Game 6 of the opening round at Philadelphia? Or Superman ripping Stan Van Gundy for not getting him the ball in Game 5 at Boston?
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 9: Golfer Tiger Woods talks with Director Spike Lee prior to Game Three of the 2009 NBA Finals betweeb the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena on June 9, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tiger Woods;Spike Lee
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 9: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on prior to playing against the Orlando Magic in Game Three of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 9, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 9: Pau Gasol #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks against the Orlando Magic in Game Three of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 9, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Pau Gasol
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 9: Trevor Ariza #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers attempts a shot against Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic in Game Three of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 9, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Trevor Ariza;Dwight Howard
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 9: Hedo Turkoglu #15 of the Orlando Magic drives for a shot attempt against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Three of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 9, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Hedo Turkoglu
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 9: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Orlando Magic in Game Three of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 9, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 9: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers reaches for a rebound against the Orlando Magic in Game Three of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 9, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Pau Gasol
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 09: Mickael Pietrus #20 of the Orlando Magic drives for a dunk attempt against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Three of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 9, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mickael Pietrus
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 9: Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives for a shot attempt against Tony Battie #4 of the Orlando Magic in Game Three of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 9, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lamar Odom
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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 09: Mickael Pietrus #20 of the Orlando Magic drives for a dunk attempt against Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Three of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 9, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** the Orlando Magic
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The Magic collect daggers like Marty Riggs collected scars. Remember the nutty detective Mel Gibson made famous in Lethal Weapon? Remember the scene in Lethal Weapon 3 where he and Rene Russo compared their scars?
Gunshot. Stabbing. LeBron.
All in the line of duty. Orlando's duty throughout these playoffs is to be the fall guy who suffers a soul-crushing blow and never recovers.
Only it never seems to work out that way.
"I've said it throughout the season and throughout the playoffs," Van Gundy said. "The one thing you can't question with our team is their resilience."
When will we learn?
Probably when Alston is pouring champagne over Van Gundy's head as David Stern hands him the championship trophy.
No, I really don't envision that happening. The Lakers are better, though not by much. And certainly not by the margin a lot of people were thinking before Game 3.
They will be the ones saying the Magic played over their heads Tuesday night. It began with Stuff and continued with Alston going 8-for-12 after almost going 0-for-LA.
According to the box scores, Orlando pretty much played three-on-five in the first two games. Their guards were awful, partially thanks to Van Gundy deciding a four-month layoff wouldn't affect Jameer Nelson in the slightest. His return disrupted the chemistry that had gotten Orlando this far. Now the Magic have figured out Nelson is better in limited duty off the bench.
Howard appears to be figuring out the Doberman defense that discombobulated him in LA. Mickael Pietrus appears to have gotten the Kobe-jeebies out of his game.
The Magic can't shoot any better than they did in Game 3, but they don't have to keep setting NBA marksmanship records to keep winning. They just have to play the way they have all season.
It's a team far too erratic to feel comfortable about. Hedo Turkoglu is likely to go 1-for-11, then hit four straight 3-pointers. Same with Rashard Lewis. Alston and Pietrus are even more inconsistent.
But somebody always seems to get hot when it's absolutely necessary. Throw in that resilience Van Gundy has mentioned about 852 times, and Tuesday night was totally predictable.
And it pays to remember the Lakers aren't the most predictable group the NBA Finals has ever seen.
"We can play much, much better," Bryant said.
The Magic can't. But anyone who thinks they still can't win this thing simply hasn't been watching.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Here we go again... "The Magic can't play any better than Tuesday night"... but the Lakers CAN! "much, much better" cause Kobe said so...? In my opinion BOTH teams played as good and hard as they possibly could. I don't see the Lakers being much better than they did in game 3. The reason they didn't make all their shots, committed more fauls and weren't as good from the free throw line is cause the Magic played them harder, faster, smarter and stronger than in the first 2 games. I don't know if anyone noticed but the Magic had gotten progressively better with every game in this series. The Lakers been flat. GOOD BUT FLAT, meaning they did not get better compared to the first 2 games. It will just come down to IF the Magic is able to replicate their performance for the remaining games. If they do, guess what..? Orlando will have the trophy! (Yes, you've heard it 99.5% of America who already coronizing LA) Of course, if the Magic slows down again, the Lakers will win it 4-2 in front of their home crowd. And that is my UNBIASED prediction! :)
I think you mean "coronating"
Give the Magic credit. They played a great game and won. I don't think that they can beat the Lakers 3 out of the next 4 games, period. They're good but not that good. For that to happen, Joey Crawford would have to ref all of the remaining games, and even that wouldn't be enough.
The only qualification to become an AOL sports writer is how fast can you jump on and off the bandwagon..
1 game and Kobe's clutchness is called in to question. Big Shot Rob missed a couple too. So did Jordan.
I suppose you folks need something to write in the here and now
go magic
"Magic Don't Need Best to Beat Lakers." Right, just 63% shooting to win by 4. Where does AOL find these losers?!
The Magic shot 42% in game 2 and lost in OT. They do no not need to shoot 62% to win.
Blue white ignite...Magic in 6
To all the L.A. fans just kick back and watch the lakers fall apart in game 4,5,6 as the magic will win this series right out from un der the lakers by one free shots. 3 pointer's, and a strong defence and a quick offence. with all said Kobe can not win this by himself and that is what has been happening in these games he has lost all the energy he has and now it is the orlando Magic to win over the lakers. I do not see L.A. win this straight out forget about that there will be game 6,7. this one will go the limit for both teams ofcourse the magic will win this final and get the trophy and bring it home as they leave L.A. that is my opinion. I have not lost a game by betting since the CAV's were left out. I am on a roll here so if your a better watch L.A. lose tonight and it will not go over the points bet under and orlando to win. don't come crying if you do not take this advise, i am a person that wins on picks do not be fooled by the media Orlando will win the next 2 at home them the last game taking it to the best of 7 it will be the 7TH game that will tell who is who ??? put your house on Orlando to win at home on not just one but both games at home ???
LAKER NATION WILL RULE 2 NITE, WE LUV L A! NO MAGIC WILL HAPPEN ON THE COURT, BUT PLENTY WILL BE WITH MICKEY MOUSE :-)!
When the magic Shoot the ball they Run back the other way why when they need to learn how to rebound they OWN balls Take a GOOD look at the OLD games ORlando magic PLEASE rebound your OWN BALL WHEN A TEAM PLAYER SHOOT THE BALL BECAUSE YOU ALL IS NOT THAT GOOD TO THINK EACH TIME YOU ALL SHOOT IT IS GOING IN PLESAE LOOK AT THE PLAYS STOP RUNNING THE OTHER WAY AND REBOUND ITS ALL ABOUT REBOUNDS WHEN YOU MISS REBOUND, REBOUNDS, YOUR OWN BALLS STAY AND HELP THE SHOOTING WHEN THE BALL DO NOT GO IN REBOUNDS, REBOUNDS PLEASE REBOUNDS
To the Coach of the Magic rebounds, is the words for the next three game. REBOUNDS, AND STOP RUNNING THE OTHER WAY. DO YOU NOT SEE THE PROBLEM WITH THE TEAM I DO, SHOOT AND RUN THE OTHER WAY.NO, NO, NO, SHOOT AND REBOUND IF YOU MISS THAT THE WAY NICK ANDERSON DID IT. I LOVE YOU NICK I MISS MY NICK.