LAKERS VS MAGIC GAME3

The Magic were one lay-up away from making Lakers fans shut up and having a commanding lead in the series. But that's not how the ball bounced and instead, they find themselves behind the Lakers but still very much in the series. For them to win the championship, they'd have to win their last 2 home games and steal one from the Lakers. Only 2 teams in NBA finals history have won three straight at home, the 06 Heat and the 04 pistons.After watching the first quarter, i couldn't believe how great Kobe was, making all those tough shots, and it's just too bad he disappeared in the end of the game.

And for all those believers who keep on insisting just how superduper clutch Kobe is, according to Bill Simmons, a study from www.82games.com has kobe shooting 14/56 in game winning situations in the past 5 plus seasons including the playoffs. And to make things worse, he only has 1 assist and 5 turnovers in those situations. Yup, quadruple teamed the last game and had his shot stuffed by Hedo in the last play of regulation in Game 2, instead of passing it to the 3 other wide open men.Also, i find it so weird that everyone keeps on hyping up Kobe's leadership in this finals and how he constantly communicates to everyone at all times. I've heard Mark Jackson repeat it countless times already but it bothers me cause i don't see anything special in what he's doing. I mean, that is the role of the team captain or the team leaders, if he doesn't do that then he doesn't deserve to be called the captain or the leader. It's that simple. I'm pretty sure LBJ does that too, or Jason Kidd and Chauncey, and those other guys but all im hearing is that this Kobe is now like a super leader. I ain't buying that.The Magic just shot lights out today. Pietrus did a good job stepping up and so did Rafer Alston. Big time games from them.

By the way, i do think Pietrus follow up dunk should have been called basket interference and he got away with a double dribble on offense early in the first half. I mean, 3 referees, how could you miss that? As for Rafer, that's the way to play, taking what the defense gives u and creating shots, taking it to the hoop. ALthough he did have some clumsy passes too which had me scratching my head. Again i find it funny, as i predicted, everytime i trash Rafer he bounces back and delivers a performance that will just make me shut up.I still am not so sure about whether the Magic can win the next game but i sure hope they do so that we can have an interesting series. I held my breath towards the end of the game, watching how tentative the Magic had become in crunch time, until Rashard hits another dagger.

Well, the fact that Kobe got his usual share of superstar calls where he practically wasn't touched and gets to the line didn't help me either. But today, the ball didn't lie and he shot terrible from the line, shooting worse than Dwight! Haha so much for me making fun of LBJ's free throw shooting. I guess Kobe can have bad ones too. And for the Lakers, please please get Pau Gasol more than 11 shots. Please don't let Ariza take more than him. Gasol is unstoppable at the post. He has been schooling the defensive player of the year all series long, so please give it to the guy who shot 81 percent from the field a while ago!! The key for the Magic to win is to outplay the Lakers at the 1, 3 and 4 positions. I have a deadlock at the 5 spot with Dwight and Gasol (i'm considering him a 5, since Bynum has been n-onexistent), or even a slight advantage for the Lakers. For the shooting guard spot, there is no way the Magic can have an advantage over Kobe, but as long as Pietrus can some what contain him then it should be good enough. As for the 3 position, Hedo needs to outplay Ariza like he did a while ago (OH and btw, why isnt kobe guarding Hedo yet? The nine time all defensive team needs to be taking on the star player of the opposing team. COMe on Kobe!!). And Rashard has been outplaying Odom (although Odom was great in game 2). But the real key is the point guard play. Fisher is a savvy veteran who is a good role player, but he is the weakest link of the Lakers, and Rafe/Jameer need to outplay him always in order for the Magic to win.The Magic were one lay-up away from making Lakers fans shut up and having a commanding lead in the series. But that's not how the ball bounced and instead, they find themselves behind the Lakers but still very much in the series. For them to win the championship, they'd have to win their last 2 home games and steal one from the Lakers. Only 2 teams in NBA finals history have won three straight at home, the 06 Heat and the 04 pistons.

After watching the first quarter, i couldn't believe how great Kobe was, making all those tough shots, and it's just too bad he disappeared in the end of the game. And for all those believers who keep on insisting just how superduper clutch Kobe is, according to Bill Simmons, a study from www.82games.com has kobe shooting 14/56 in game winning situations in the past 5 plus seasons including the playoffs. And to make things worse, he only has 1 assist and 5 turnovers in those situations. Yup, quadruple teamed the last game and had his shot stuffed by Hedo in the last play of regulation in Game 2, instead of passing it to the 3 other wide open men.Also, i find it so weird that everyone keeps on hyping up Kobe's leadership in this finals and how he constantly communicates to everyone at all times. I've heard Mark Jackson repeat it countless times already but it bothers me cause i don't see anything special in what he's doing. I mean, that is the role of the team captain or the team leaders, if he doesn't do that then he doesn't deserve to be called the captain or the leader. It's that simple. I'm pretty sure LBJ does that too, or Jason Kidd and Chauncey, and those other guys but all im hearing is that this Kobe is now like a super leader. I ain't buying that.The Magic just shot lights out today. Pietrus did a good job stepping up and so did Rafer Alston. Big time games from them. By the way, i do think Pietrus follow up dunk should have been called basket interference and he got away with a double dribble on offense early in the first half. I mean, 3 referees, how could you miss that? As for Rafer, that's the way to play, taking what the defense gives u and creating shots, taking it to the hoop. ALthough he did have some clumsy passes too which had me scratching my head. Again i find it funny, as i predicted, everytime i trash Rafer he bounces back and delivers a performance that will just make me shut up.I still am not so sure about whether the Magic can win the next game but i sure hope they do so that we can have an interesting series. I held my breath towards the end of the game, watching how tentative the Magic had become in crunch time, until Rashard hits another dagger. Well, the fact that Kobe got his usual share of superstar calls where he practically wasn't touched and gets to the line didn't help me either. But today, the ball didn't lie and he shot terrible from the line, shooting worse than Dwight! Haha so much for me making fun of LBJ's free throw shooting. I guess Kobe can have bad ones too. And for the Lakers, please please get Pau Gasol more than 11 shots. Please don't let Ariza take more than him. Gasol is unstoppable at the post. He has been schooling the defensive player of the year all series long, so please give it to the guy who shot 81 percent from the field a while ago!! The key for the Magic to win is to outplay the Lakers at the 1, 3 and 4 positions. I have a deadlock at the 5 spot with Dwight and Gasol (i'm considering him a 5, since Bynum has been n-onexistent), or even a slight advantage for the Lakers. For the shooting guard spot, there is no way the Magic can have an advantage over Kobe, but as long as Pietrus can some what contain him then it should be good enough. As for the 3 position, Hedo needs to outplay Ariza like he did a while ago (OH and btw, why isnt kobe guarding Hedo yet? The nine time all defensive team needs to be taking on the star player of the opposing team. COMe on Kobe!!). And Rashard has been outplaying Odom (although Odom was great in game 2). But the real key is the point guard play. Fisher is a savvy veteran who is a good role player, but he is the weakest link of the Lakers, and Rafe/Jameer need to outplay him always in order for the Magic to win.