ORLANDO -- All the Orlando Magic did on Tuesday night at Amway Arena was delay the inevitable, and they barely did that.I mean, how do you set an NBA Finals record by shooting 63 percent from the floor (including 75 percent in the first half), dribble before a ridiculously loud home crowd and survive by just four points?
Here's how: The Magic would LIKE to win it all, but the Los Angeles Lakers HAVE to do so, and the Lakers will. In addition to the Magic owning the wrong mindset for dribbling in June, they live and die by the outside shot. Odds are, following Tuesday's shooting spree, they'll slump before long. They'll spend more time in the grave the rest of the way toward playoff extinction than out of it.
Not only that, the Lakers are just better by a Kobe Bryant, a Phil Jackson and an obsession with grabbing a 15th world championship for their franchise. It just might take longer than expected.
"This [108-104 loss] should be motivating to us to go out in Game 4 on Thursday night and play even harder, make a couple of adjustments, so they don't get certain looks out there," said forward Pau Gasol after his Lakers' practice on Wednesday afternoon. "You know, [we should] make sure we contest their shots, most of their shots at least, and then we should continue to play our game."
The Lakers will. They HAVE to win, because Kobe has to do so without Shaq, and Jackson has to break that tie with Red Auerbach for most world championships as an NBA coach (currently at nine), and the Lakers have to avenge dropping their last two Finals, period. The Magic would LIKE to win, because they were swept out of the Finals 14 years ago, and they've been considered an underdog during much of this postseason, and winning is better than losing.
Not the same obsession for the Magic. So the Lakers could end things in five games, maybe six, but they'll likely need seven after spurting to a 2-0 lead in the series before they couldn't find ways to surge at the end of Game 3. "[The Lakers have] got some immature guys out there. ... [You] can see what they do on the court. They think about themselves more than the team."
-- Robert Horry
For one, Kobe wasn't Kobe. For another, these Lakers lack a killer instinct, which means they are significantly flawed compared to the ones of Robert Horry and his cold-blooded shots in the clutch. That combination helped those Lakers three-peat to world championships through the summer of 2002. And, yes, they also had a Bryant, a Jackson and an obsession. It's just that they also had a Shaq and an Horry. Plus, their obsession with capturing world championships was a 10 on a scale of 10.
"I would have given this Lakers team a 10 next to us, but they've got some immature guys out there," Horry told FanHouse, after watching both teams practice on Wednesday as a retired playoff closer for the ages. In addition to the Lakers, he starred for enough other NBA teams to earn seven rings overall, which means he knows what he's talking about. Added Horry, "I'm not going to name those immature guys for the Lakers, but you can see what they do on the court. They think about themselves more than the team. They take bad shots. You can see that they don't want to pass to certain guys.
"We didn't have that. But when you have things like that on this [Lakers] team, that's a sign of having too much 'me' and not enough 'we.' "
In contrast, the Magic just have too much "glee." Added Horry, shaking his head, before telling the truth about youthful Orlando and Dwight Howard, the Magic's 23-year-old Superman who occasionally has become Clark Kent in this series, "I watched them during Game 1, and I don't think they took being there too seriously," Horry said. "They were having too much fun. They were just happy to be there."
That's because they were. The Magic survived the mostly average Philadelphia 76ers in the opening round, but only after the Magic blew an 18-point lead along the way to a Game 1 disaster. Later, during the next round, the Magic nearly botched a 28-point lead to the Boston Celtics. Speaking of the Celtics, we discovered they were the Big One instead of the Big Three. So the Magic conquering that Kevin Garnett-less bunch during a seventh game at Boston was overdone.
The same goes for the Magic taking the Eastern Conference against a Cleveland team that they historically whip through matchup advantages.So it was about right that the Lakers pounded the Magic by 25 points last week to start the Finals in Los Angeles. The Lakers took Game 2 in overtime. Then, despite shooting out of their minds in Game 3, the Magic still needed all the pixie dust they could gather up the highway from the Disney folks to grab the first victory ever in the Finals for the Orlando franchise after six losses.
No wonder super-sub Mickael Pietrus was among several Magic players who couldn't stop grinning on Wednesday at Amway Arena.
"You never know when you're going to get to the Finals again, so you just have to sit back and enjoy it, because this is really fun," said Pietrus, 27, a Frenchmen, who played in the European League before spending five years with the Golden State Warriors. He joined the Magic before this season. Added Pietrus, still grinning, "Today, I woke up, and I was in the Finals. I want to give it my best shot, and the same goes for all my teammates, and hopefully we'll win it."
Hopefully?
See, what I mean?
Latest NBA Finals Photos
Hedo Turkoglu of the Orlando Magic speaks to the media during practice at the Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, Wednesday, June 10, 2009. (Roberto Gonzalez/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)
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Rashard Lewis of the Orlando Magic speaks to the media during practice at the Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, Wednesday, June 10, 2009. (Roberto Gonzalez/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)
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Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson watches his team during practice at the Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, Wednesday, June 10, 2009. (Roberto Gonzalez/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)
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Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard practices free-throws during the team's practice in Orlando June 10, 2009. The Magic are preparing for Game 4 in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)
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Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard jokes prior to their team's practice in Orlando June 10, 2009. The Magic are preparing for Game 4 in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)
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Orlando Magic's Hedo Turkoglu talks to reporters prior to their team's practice in Orlando June 10, 2009. The Magic are preparing for Game 4 in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)
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Los Angeles Lakers' Lamar Odom is shown on a video camera screen as he talks to reporters after their team's practice in Orlando June 10, 2009. The Lakers are preparing for Game 4 in the NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)
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Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy looks on during basketball practice at the NBA Finals Wednesday, June 10, 2009 in Orlando, Fla. The Magic play the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 on Thursday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Orlando Magic's Rashard Lewis talks with reporters at the NBA basketball finals Wednesday, June 10, 2009 in Orlando, Fla. The Magic play the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 on Thursday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Orlando Magic's Hedo Turkoglu, from Turkey, talks with a reporter during basketball practice at the NBA Finals, Wednesday, June 10, 2009, in Orlando, Fla. The Magic play the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 on Thursday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kobe is the immature player Robert Horry is talking about. I do not see the lakers winning this series unless kobe gets the ball to gasol, odom, and ariza more. Two years ago he had a meltdown during the playoffs because he was not the center of attention. Remember the words of branch rickey. It is better to trade a player a year too early then a year too late. Prehaps if the lakers do not win the finals it would be time to consider that option and get in on the LeBron derby in 2010.
How could a team give UP a record 63% shooting, and be good?! But the Lakers WERE hungry to lose game 3, had a hard job of it, but managed to do it, too. Yes, the Lakers have the more proven coach and super star. So did the Cavaliers. I hope they are enjoying fishing in the Bahamas. Grandpa used to run a glass bottom boat there, to show tourists, the reef. "Oh look, honey, there`s a reef! Don`t see many of those in the snow drifts in CleveLand!" Bryant is an older player, and superstar, he dominates the hype and the game, but he has earned that right with three championships, numerous all D team selections, maybe more on rep than D, but on both, and buckets of points. The youngsters Horry refered to are Bynum and Farmar. Yes, the Magic will have to play vastly better defense if they are going to stand a chance in game 4, 5, or more. But Howard was defensive player of the year. He is very raw on offense, but he CAN play a little D every now and again. Bryant is the only Laker who plays both ends of the court every game. In game 3, youngster Bynum, and young vet Gasol, even mature vet Odom, didn`t defend or rebound. Odom will likely defend and maybe rebound next game. Oldster Fisher, and youngster Farmar, didn`t assist, but Jackson`s point guards never do. He does not run the triangle thru a point guard. Which is a shame. But obviously, with a record tying 9 championships, quality team basketball is a luxury he does without, not a necessity. Two superstars, some/LOTS of shooters, and LOTS of/some of D can take a team pretty far. The Lakers have ONE superstar, some D when they are not leading in a series, and LOTS of hype. It may be enough. Certainly, the Magic will have to play better in games 4 and 5 to even have a chance at game 6, much less 7. May the best TEAM win.
Calm down people, grab yourselves some Haagen Dazs, and settle in. The Lakers have this thing in the bag. We just need the real Kobe Bryant to show up tonight, not the Dr. Jeckyll Kobe Bryant..
What a retarded article, this is... the hype continues as usual. We'll just have to wait till tonight to see what happens though. If you haven't already learned NOT TO count out Orlando too early, maybe after tonight you WILL realize how good they really are. It's easy to jump on the bandwagon and say it's LA's "destiny" to win the championship cause they failed to get it the last 2 times around... What about the Magic? They are just happy to be in the Finals and care less about earning their first title?? How stupid is that to think of!? I bet they will play their balls off to try to make it happen! It will just come down to pure will between these two teams. I say whoever wins tonight, will get the trophy at the end...
well rk,
. . .I would maybe have to agree with you about the overall reasoning this writer uses, BUT, he makes one very valid point (which is what I intended to address when I came on here).
Game three was much more what I envisioned this whole series being like, hard fought and very close games, so I was happy to see Orlando get a win and not have to listen to all the hogwash about another sweep. The problem is that the Magic played at a level that would be practically impossible for them to repeat in three more games (which is what it would take to win the series) and still they only pulled off a victory by four points.
Kobe Bryant was anything but the proverbial closer. He missed five free throws -- enough to win -- AND he missed three consecutive field goals in the last couple of minutes when the game was either tied or only a two point differential.
Had the brilliant performance by the Magic produced a lopsided victory then I would say they had a chance of winning it all. But when you put up record breaking numbers and still barely win a squeaker while the opponents superstar bombs miserably I don't think that shows the necessary ingredients to take this championship away from the Lakers.
Let's see where it stands after tonight. The Magic have survived before when they appeared finished but in this series I think the Lakers would have to quit (fail) more so then the Magic excelling.
Another dumb article by a bandwagon fan. Well hell if the lakers are to good and hungry for the championship i guess they shouldent even bother playing? The magic were one allep oop away from being up 2-1... Maybe if Pau didnt put his Paw in the hoop we might be talking about the Magic being hungry. This is a long series and theres still 4 games left to played, lets leave it to the players and not the one sided bandwagon sports writers.
The paw that went through the hoop was Howard's on a block of Gasol. That was a big no call
What if the Lee's Lay up had gone in? or, if the Magic had made 2 more of their missed free throw in game 2? You'd be singing a completely different tune.
This is a very competitive series so far. The games have been very, very good.
Lets just all watch some great Basketball tonight, stop the stupid double talk. (You contradicted yourself all over the place in this article), and have some fun.
This is what the NBA is all about.
"If" my aunt had nuts, she'd be my uncle..
why but it happened that the Lakers gave the game
to the Magic on Tuesday night, maybe it was a set up thing so that they win one game in the finals in all the years the francise has been in existance. why, is still beyond me. but with Kobe sitting out for a real long time and missing so many free throws does make it look like it was a fix. too bad for the fans, who want to see a real game on both sides. the Magic barely won as it was. And it was a boring game.
C-Mon Lakers, show what makes you the most popular team to watch in the NBA. We as fans deserve it ans you sure as heck deserve to just be the best. Go Kob, Go Lakers...Take tonights game and Sundays game and go home victorious.
where is my comment?
lakers gave this last game away on puurpose. kobe sitting out long er than in any game this entire season let alone the finals and missing so many free throws. REALLY.... give the fans more credit and get the win tonight and sunday and go back to La victorious.....
1) It is much more likely that Kobe will make his free throws in game 4 then the Magic will shoot at record breaking percentages.
2) If the Lakers ALL sat down and there were no defenders at all... the Magic would not be able to replicate their shooting percentage taking open shots from the exact same spots as if they were free throws.
hype hype. If they win it's because Gasol saves them. Kobe bryant looks like he can't wait to get home and kill another prostitute.
he should be in prison instead of playing basketrball !!! Street punk pure and simple...the media is so behind the lakers it makes me sick.
Yeah, so another Faker fan somehow has become a national columnist and points out the unlikely 63% FG shooting avg for the Magic to win, but fails to mention that in game 2, the Magic shot 39% and took the Fakers to OT, and were a lay-up from winning it in regulation. Also, anyone else notice how this bonehead discredits the Magic by bashing Philly, Boston and Cleveland, but mentions nothing about a Ming-less Rockets team taking the Fakers to Game 7, or Carmelo Anthony disappearing for the almighty Nuggets? Sheesh! Is this joker being paid to write this crap?
all the kobe bashign and he still had what 30 point sin game 3 get the winner of game 4 at the free daily video at tygaston.com right now
Clauberfl . . . says it all, hahaha. The only thing I can add is if anybody thinks this series is over yet they're crazy. That's just my (and track record's) opinion.
KOBE is not a rapist, The game is NOT FIXED , The LAKERS did not lose on purpose. Are all you people who say these rediculous thigs REALLY basketball fans??? I doubt you know much about the game. This is the NBA FINALS, the two best teams in the world playing for a title. Do you all think that its going to be a cake walk for the LAKERS?? Get real. How many games did it take the GREAT MJ and the Bulls to win thier string of titles? Do you think they breezed through each champion series in 4 or 5 games?? Think again. Although I think the Lakers will win the championship I also think the Magic are a great team and will win another game. What I DONT think is that just because they lose a couple games that it deminishes thier greatness or the greatness of the best player in the world Kobe Bryant. Same goes for Phil Jackson. Its a great competition and a great series and I LOVE this great game. GO LAKERS
Rasberrys to the FAKERS
The magic will have to blow out the lakers like the lakers did the first game to prove they can compete and I dont think that is going to happen.Lakers in 5 or six.