895056 <p>If I knew at the begening of the season that the Lakers would face the Magic in this years championship w/ a healthy Lakers team (including Andrew Bynum who was out for last years playoffs) I would have definetly picked the Lakers because they looked like a much more consistant team. There aren't too many NBA teams who just about live and die by the three and those who do usually don't make it that far (usually its the defense that wins the championships). However even though the Magic defense isn't outstanding it took some big time individual effort by Michael Pietrus, Jaameer Nelson, and Dwight Howard to stop the red hot cavs. Also, after the Magic lost All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson midway through the season most everybody thought that took out the Magic as legitimate contenders which is understandable because as everyone knows a point guard is the head of the offense but Rafer Alston appeared out of just about no where and stepped up along with help from Courtney Lee and even one time bust JJ Reddick. And when you add that into the equation with clutch shooters Hedo Turkalough and Rashard Lewis you have yourself a team. The reason the Magic jump shotters get so open is because of Dwight Howard who draws players with his great post up play. A thing thats underestimated about Howard is how strong he is ( he canbench 225 for 25 reps) thats&nbsp; more than some offensive lineman can do! I expect Dwight Howard to have a big series if the Lakers try to play single coverage with Andrew Bynum on him and I don't think the Lakers will be fast enough to get out on the edges and defend Orlando's&nbsp; shotters.</p> <p>plse comment :-)</p> true 2009-06-04T21:53:33Z 86755 3 2009-06-07T15:27:17Z