As Nike and Vitamin Water try to forget about their respective failed "LeBron vs. Kobe" ad campaigns, the rest of us can think about the actual NBA Finals that gets under way tonight. Even though everyone wanted to see LeBron and Kobe go at each other, I actually think that the Magic-Lakers matchup will make for a more competitive series. Think about this: if not for BronBron's last second three in Game 2, the Magic would have swept the Cleveland LeBrons.
Yes, Orlando is still the underdog going into the Finals, but remember how Lakers fans were all hoping that the Magic would somehow sneak into the Finals so that LA would avoid LeBron and have an easy road to the championship? Uh, yeah, you can hear the nervousness in their voices now when they talk about having to play the Magic.
Anyway, I've done a lot of analyzing (aka watched a lot of SportsCenter) and have come up with the five most important players in the NBA Finals. Remember, it's not the five BEST players; just the five whose performance will have the greatest impact. Also, there's two honorable mentions for guys who just missed making the list. Without further ado...
5. Rashard Lewis. I had Rashard Lewis on my fantasy team this year and he was always a solid contributer. But there's something about this guy that prevents people from believing he's a star. Maybe it's because he's never played in the right market, maybe it's because he's not flashy enough, or maybe it's because he doesn't have the greatest attitude. I don't really know, but he's going to need to hit his threes if the Magic are going to have a chance. Dwight Howard's going to attract a lot of attention down low, so the Magic three-point shooting needs to keep up its performance from the Cavs series.
4. Kobe Bryant. Some people might be surprised to see Kobe so low on this list, but the reality is that he's not the most important factor for the Lakers to win. Yes, it's crucial that he performs well, but does anyone expect him not to? He's going to get his points and he's going to make some great plays. But if the Magic-Cavs series taught us anything, it was that Orlando has no problem letting the star do his thing as long as the rest of the team can't do squat. LeBron did probably everything humanly possible in that series to help the Cavs win (the dude nearly averaged a triple double a game!!!) but the rest of the squad looked like a high school JV basketball team out there. That said, the Lakers have better offensive weapons than the Cavs did, but it's up to those guys to get it done.
3. Pau Gasol/Andrew Bynum. After the Lakers knocked off the Nuggets in Game 6, Pau Gasol was interviewed by ESPN sideline reporter Shelley Smith. She commented that after his strong performance, no one could call Gasol soft anymore. It was, without a doubt, the LOL moment of the NBA Playoffs. Look, I don't care if Gasol scores 50 points and grabs 20 rebounds a game; that fool is softer than the Pillsbury Doughboy. Now imagine him having to stop Dwight Howard. I'm pretty sure Howard's arms are thicker than Gasol's body. This is where Andrew Bynum comes in. In theory, Bynum is stronger than Gasol, athough after what we've seen so far in the playoffs, that's questionable at best. In order for the Lakers to have success against Howard, Gasol's going to have to man up a good deal and Bynum is going to have to overcome his disease that prevents him from playing well in the playoffs. Speaking of Superman...
2. Dwight Howard. In the series against the Cavs, Dwight scored at least 24 points in five of six games (including a 40 point effort in Game Six). But perhaps more impressive (and important) is that fact that he's been shooting his free throws pretty freaking well. If he can keep that up, the hack-a-Dwight strategy is useless and it adds an important extra element to the Magic offense. There's also no doubt in my mind he can defend Gasol and Bynum (probably at the same time). Just stay out of foul trouble, big boy, because the Magic bench lacks depth especially at the center position.
1. Lamar Odom. Yes, that's right. Lamar Odom is the x-factor of this series. This guy has a real serious Jekyll and Hyde thing going on. You're never sure when the still-capable-of-being-a-decent-player-Lamar is going to play, and when the way-past-his-prime-and-now-a-crappy-player-Lamar is going to play. But when the former shows up and scores more than 10 points, the Lakers are 6-1. Lamar is not a star on this team anymore by any stretch of the imagination, but it's up to him how well this team will perform in the Finals. How Lakers fans will react to that fact, I'm not sure. But it's probably something along the lines of how Brad Pitt reacted in Seven upon finding out his wife's head was in the box, and he didn't know whether to remain calm, cry, or shoot Kevin Spacey.
What's in the box?!?!?!
Honorable Mentions
Jameer Nelson
There's a lot of talk that Nelson's going to be back for the Finals which is pretty remarkable considering he suffered a torn labrum in February. No one should expect him to crack the starting rotation, but if he can provide maybe 15 minutes or so off the bench, I think it'll be a huge lift for the Magic, especially considering Rafer Alston has the mental fortitude of an immature teenager.
JJ Redick and Adam Morrison
I already mentioned this in my Facebook status once, but who says the 2006 NBA Draft was a bust?! Look at them!
Just remember this: one of these guys is going to win a championship before LeBron does. Get those puppets ready.
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