NBA Finals Preview

Well looky looky who is in the finals. Everyone expected the Black Mamba Kobe Bryant and his Los Angeles Lakers to be there but who thought that Superman (first, I have to address this Superman nickname. Bogus. Just because he plays for the Orlando Magic and is a big center that likes to dunk, does not mean that he can take the Superman nickname. And the "Superman Dunk" that he did during the slam dunk competition wasn't even a dunk. Watch. He throws the ball in) Dwight Howard and his Orlando Magic to be here? Not I.

Be it as it may, I still think that this is going to be a good series. I hope. Let's break'r down.

Center

Dwight Howard vs Pau Gasol

The edge here goes to Howard. He is a beast down low. But this match up is closer then one might think. In last sereies, Dwight had to cover Big Z who plays similar to Gasol but has no post game what so ever. Also in the last series Big Z couldn't hit a shot to save his life. Open or guarded the guy was terrible. Dwight was able to still play in the post on defense when Z would take jumpers. Gasol will hit those shots that were not made by the Cavs and this will be the 2nd most important match up. Magic 1 Lakers 0

Power Forward*

Rashard Lewis vs Lamar Odom

I put an asterisk by Power Forward because the starting lineups for each team do not feature a true 4. They are both very tall but play more of a small forward style. This is the most important matchup of the series because whoever wins this matchup, will win the series. Can Lamar be active of defense for an entire series? If he can the do that and be productive on offense (Rashard isn't covering anyone let's be serious) the Lakers win the series. Edge Lakers. Magic 1 Lakers 1

Small Forward

Hedu Turkoglu vs Trevor Ariza

The Michael Jordan from Turkey takes on the player that was traded away for nothing basically. Ariza has to know Hedu's game because he played with him for three years. Also Ariza's game has blown up this year and he is playing at a level not many thought he could reach. He is draining threes and playing lockdown defense. Hedu will be in for a handful. Lake show gets the nod here. Magic 1 Lakers 2

Shooting Guard

Mickael Pietrus vs Kobe Bryant

Another interesting match up in the series as Mickael Pietrus goes from guarding Lebron to now guarding Kobe. Fun stuff. Kobe will get his and he always does and Pietrus also challenges Kobe the way he did Lebron. He still is Mickael Pietrus and Kobe is still Kobe. Lakers win another one. Magic 1 Lakers 3

Point Guard

Rafer Alston vs Derek Fisher

Skip to my Lou is finally on the grandest stage and Derek Fisher is on his last legs. Skip will run circles around the older Fisher and will probably run his mouth the entire time. He has quietly played better as the playoffs has gone on and I think the push he gets from Jameer Nelson's speculated return is what he needs to play well. Playing the underdog card and the Magic follow his lead. Magic 2 Lakers 3

Bench/Coach

The Lakers have perhaps the best coach of all time in Phil Jackson and the Ron Jeremy lookalike that coaches the Magic has gotten a reputation of being a fireball. This can be good and bad and so far it has worked this post season. The Lakers have a deeper bench as well as they can bring Andrew Bynum in to replace Gasol when needed and can always insert Jordan Farmar in for Fisher. But what will ultimately be the deciding factor in the series is the play of Jameer Nelson. Can he play at full strength after being out for several months? Will he be limited to 15 minutes a game, where he can never really get into a playing flow? Who knows. All I know is that the score is now Magic 2 Lakers 4

Lakers in 6