NBA FINALS 2009

THE MOMENT OF TRUTH

I don't care how much Kobe Bryant says it's not about showing the world he can win it without Shaq.  I don't care how much he says those things are a thing of the past.  That's a lie and this is about truth.  Everyone wants to know can the Black Mamba deliver another piece of hardware to the City of Angels, including himself.  It's not just him.  We all were questioning.  We all remember how dominant Shaq Diesel was in the post.  We all remember that Kobe never won a finals MVP.  We all know that deep down inside Kobe wants to the best that ever played this game.  We all know that Lebron James is now breathing down Kobe's neck.  I think most of all, Kobe knows he's 30 years old, the age in an athlete's career where your supposed to be at your prime.  It's also the mountaintop and you can see that slope headed downward.  There are no guarantees in this league anymore, Mo Williams has been eliminated.  Ask Allen Iverson, he understands as he was in the NBA Finals in 2001.   He's never sniffed it again.

UH OH

One of the reasons I don't think the Orlando Magic can win the NBA Finals is because of their lack of experience.  The only guy on the Orlando Magic that has ever won a championship is Tyron Lue  with the Lakers in 2000 and 2001.  Lue and I were on the 2000 Championship squad together.  He's witnessed everything that Kobe did firsthand like myself, nine years ago.  Of course it's even more fierce now.  I was looking at the podium when Orlando beat Cleveland and the Magic were all celebrating.  Not sure if its just me, but Lue didn't look all that happy.  He has two championship rings and he's been there before.  But also, I think he was thinking "uh oh" or rather "oh my God, we got Kobe Bryant next."  He knows how focused this dude can be.  He and I have both seen way too much of that before.   Not sure if Lue wants to revisit that all again, this time from the wrong side.  

THE VAN GUNDY'S 

So explain to me how this is going to work.  You have Stan Van Gundy coaching in the NBA Finals.  You have his brother Jeff Van Gundy on the microphone doing the announcing for the game.  Are we suppose to believe that Jeff is partial?  Are we suppose to believe that he isn't rooting for his brother?  In no way shape or form.  But I have to tell you I love Van Gundy, Jeff that is, along with Mark Jackson calling the games.  These guys are two of the best.  They are hilarious, but they bring some knowledge of the game as well.  There's only one thing I don't like about Jeff Van Gundy.  He was the first coach to ever cut me in my life.  I was on the Knicks pre-season roster one year and he released me.  I never forgave him for that.  As a matter of fact he's a horrible announcer.  I take everything I said earlier back.  

DO THEY HAVE A SHOT? 

If you have to ask this question then I have to say you may be ignorant.  Maybe you haven't been watching the playoffs up until this point.  If you think this is going to be a quick knock down, you're crazy?  The Orlando Magic have been doubted at every point in this year's post season.  Do they have a shot?  Everyone's e-mailing me wondering.  Have you seen the way they shoot?  The can really hurt you from beyond the arc.  Turkgolu, Lewis, Alston, Pietrus, and yes even J.J. Reddick if he sniffs the court, can all hit the open three.  That is a nightmare for any team when you have a big guy in the paint that commands attention like Dwight Howard.  Do they have a shot?  If you ask that question maybe you should be. 

WHAT TO WATCH FOR IN THE FINALS

 

Can the Lakers guard Dwight Howard one on one?   That is the big question.  Because if they can't, they may be in for a long series.  Andrew Bynum should be up to the task, but should doesn't get it done in the finals.  With Bynum you never know who's going to show up.  

Will Kobe look to score or distribute?   When he is getting big numbers sometimes the other guys suffer, but last year none of the others like Pao Gasol or Lamar Odom stepped up.  Look for Kobe to try and get guys involved but if it's not working right away, the gun will be ready and loaded. 

Can the Magic's bench keep up with the Laker's second unit?  We know Phil Jackson has confidence in his bench and that gives the starters for the Lakers good rest.  The Lakers can come off the bench with about five guys in Farmer, Vujacic, Walton, Odom and Brown.  Orlando has gotten great play out of  Pietrus.   Anthony Johnson has been backing up Rafer Alston at the point and they can bring in Gortat who's been impressive in spurts.  Jameer Nelson will be active tonight for Game 1, but I'm not sure how effective he can be after that type of layoff.  The Lakers obviously have more to pick from but not sure you need that many in the Finals.  The bench starts to shorten the further you go in the playoffs. 

Shaq will show up at one of these games.  It's as if he just can't stay out of the news.  He's played for both teams.  Shaq has a mansion in Orlando.  I'm sure he still has property in Los Angeles.  He's gone off on Kobe in the past, and Stan Van Gundy in the near past.  He couldn't help but show up.  Shaq loves the spotlight and what would a finals be without the Diesel there court side in a front row seat?  Shaq is the greatest entertainer in the NBA, with or without a basketball in his hands.