According to my simulation Denver and Cleveland were supposed to face each other in the Finals this year. Shows how much a simulation actually knows. But anyways we now have the LA Lakers and the Orlando Magic facing off for the 2009 NBA Finals. Here's what I think, hope, feel who's going to win.
The Head says: Los Angeles is the team with the better record, has the best player in the game (Kobe), obtained a better supporting cast (Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum), and has more experience in big game situations. Many players on the team have already seen action in last year's NBA Finals, and the Lakers would very well be a strong titlist, if they would win it. The scary thing is the Magic's superstar Dwight Howard. The man is a bloody freak under the board, even more so than Shaquille O'Neal was in his heyday. Orlando managed to parlay his strengths into two regular season victories over the Lakers. That might be the x-factor in this game. The Magic have already taken the scalps of the Cavaliers and the Celtics, and adding the Lakers' would not be a longshot. To do that Orlando needs its star player at the forefront, barring injury, foul trouble, or game bans. The rest of Orlando's roster, while solid, is unsung.
The Heart says: At this point I don't mind much either team losing. The Lakers are the team with the long history and from a fan's point of view I like them better than Orlando. There are good players on both sides of the ball (Rashard Lewis of the Magic in particular, deserves mention). If the Lakers would win it, that would be better for the rivalry with the Celtics, but then again having the Magic win their first, is a better story. Also if Dwight Howard would lift the trophy it would throw a spanner in the Kobe-LeBron debates, which is good for everyone.
The Gut says: The Magic have a very impressive game, and if they steal home court advantage early in the series, they will throw enough unrest in the Lakers' locker room to win it all. They already did that with the Cavs, and I feel they could do the same against the Lakers. However the Lakers have been here too many times before to let that happen. In fact, their tough schedule so far (series wins against Houston and Denver) may actually help them. Kobe's crew is battle-tested and ready for the challenge.
Lakers in seven.
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