Magic Eye Ultimate Prize
By Josh Cohen
June 2, 2009
ORLANDO -- It’s time for the Orlando Magic to show what they are really made of.
After a memorable run through the Eastern Conference, the Magic now attempt to capture their first NBA championship in franchise history.
It won’t be easy, of course. The Los Angeles Lakers are considered heavy favorites and feature one of the most clutch players of all-time.
“It’s challenge after challenge after challenge with them,” Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy said.
Orlando, nevertheless, should be feeling very confident about this matchup. It is one of only two teams this season (the Charlotte Bobcats being the other) to not lose to the Lakers.
The Magic edged the Lakers, who return to The Finals for the second straight season and sixth time this decade, at home on Dec. 20 and again on Jan. 16 in L.A.
In both those victories, Orlando had All-Star Jameer Nelson, who may be activated for this series. Nelson, who combined for 55 points and 13 assists in the two meetings, has not played since tearing the labrum on his right shoulder in early February.
“Every day I do my rehab and every day I feel a little better about myself and my strength and everything,” Nelson said on Monday. “One thing I'm going to do is be smart about things. It's not like a sprained ankle or a dislocated finger or something. I had surgery. So I'm going to do what's best for me, my family and the organization."
The biggest obstacle for the Eastern Conference titleholders is how to slow down Kobe Bryant.
As the Magic dealt with in the East Finals against LeBron James, Bryant, a three-time NBA champion and former MVP, is nearly impossible to stop, especially if his fadeaway jumper is on the mark.
The 11-time All-Star erupted for 35 points and 10 assists in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets that helped clinch L.A.’s Finals berth. He also racked up a triple-double in one of the meetings this season against the Magic.
While Orlando may struggle to find an answer for Bryant, the Lakers may not have a counter for Dwight Howard.
‘Superman’ delivered a brilliant career performance to finish off the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 with 40 points and 14 rebounds. He should be able to take advantage of a matchup with Andrew Bynum, who continues to try to reassemble his game after suffering a knee injury earlier this season.
Howard had strong efforts against the Lakers this year, including a 25-point and 20-rebound masterpiece at STAPLES Center.
Another major asset, 3-point shooting, was essential in the Magic’s triumphs over the Lakers. Orlando buried 12 triples in each of the two games. Meanwhile, it tied an NBA record for most 3-point field goals made in a six-game playoff series when it drilled 62 of them in the conference finals.
Home-court advantage, although always extremely helpful, does not necessarily guarantee Finals success. In this decade, two Eastern Conference teams, the Detroit Pistons in 2004 and the Miami Heat in ’06, won the NBA title without the home-court edge.
“We understand that every series since the first series against Philadelphia, we were considered the underdogs,” Howard said. “The only way that you gain respect is by winning and that’s our plan.”
Van Gundy and Phil Jackson have begun preparation with their respective teams as the entire world anticipates the start of the NBA Finals. Game 1 is set for Thursday night in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
Magic at Lakers Regular Season Video: January 16, 2009
Magic vs. Lakers Regular Season Video: December 20, 2009
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June 2, 2009
ORLANDO -- It’s time for the Orlando Magic to show what they are really made of.
After a memorable run through the Eastern Conference, the Magic now attempt to capture their first NBA championship in franchise history.
It won’t be easy, of course. The Los Angeles Lakers are considered heavy favorites and feature one of the most clutch players of all-time.
“It’s challenge after challenge after challenge with them,” Magic Head Coach Stan Van Gundy said.
Orlando, nevertheless, should be feeling very confident about this matchup. It is one of only two teams this season (the Charlotte Bobcats being the other) to not lose to the Lakers.
The Magic edged the Lakers, who return to The Finals for the second straight season and sixth time this decade, at home on Dec. 20 and again on Jan. 16 in L.A.
In both those victories, Orlando had All-Star Jameer Nelson, who may be activated for this series. Nelson, who combined for 55 points and 13 assists in the two meetings, has not played since tearing the labrum on his right shoulder in early February.
“Every day I do my rehab and every day I feel a little better about myself and my strength and everything,” Nelson said on Monday. “One thing I'm going to do is be smart about things. It's not like a sprained ankle or a dislocated finger or something. I had surgery. So I'm going to do what's best for me, my family and the organization."
The biggest obstacle for the Eastern Conference titleholders is how to slow down Kobe Bryant.
As the Magic dealt with in the East Finals against LeBron James, Bryant, a three-time NBA champion and former MVP, is nearly impossible to stop, especially if his fadeaway jumper is on the mark.
The 11-time All-Star erupted for 35 points and 10 assists in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets that helped clinch L.A.’s Finals berth. He also racked up a triple-double in one of the meetings this season against the Magic.
While Orlando may struggle to find an answer for Bryant, the Lakers may not have a counter for Dwight Howard.
‘Superman’ delivered a brilliant career performance to finish off the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 with 40 points and 14 rebounds. He should be able to take advantage of a matchup with Andrew Bynum, who continues to try to reassemble his game after suffering a knee injury earlier this season.
Howard had strong efforts against the Lakers this year, including a 25-point and 20-rebound masterpiece at STAPLES Center.
Another major asset, 3-point shooting, was essential in the Magic’s triumphs over the Lakers. Orlando buried 12 triples in each of the two games. Meanwhile, it tied an NBA record for most 3-point field goals made in a six-game playoff series when it drilled 62 of them in the conference finals.
Home-court advantage, although always extremely helpful, does not necessarily guarantee Finals success. In this decade, two Eastern Conference teams, the Detroit Pistons in 2004 and the Miami Heat in ’06, won the NBA title without the home-court edge.
“We understand that every series since the first series against Philadelphia, we were considered the underdogs,” Howard said. “The only way that you gain respect is by winning and that’s our plan.”
Van Gundy and Phil Jackson have begun preparation with their respective teams as the entire world anticipates the start of the NBA Finals. Game 1 is set for Thursday night in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
