Magic or Lakers?  Juiced Sports’ finest take their crack at predicting the 2009 Finals (LeBron James not included)

SCOTT JACOBS

The Nike Puppets have gone to the witness protection program (pun intended) and Vitamin Water has replaced the Black Mamba and The King with Superman.  The Cavs called in sick, and so in place of the much anticipated (and overhyped to the point of nauseau) series that ABC and their sponsors had been pimping, we have in it’s place, Orlando versus Los Angeles.

Talk about opposites attracting.  If this series was a relationship it would be like a 40 year old cougar with a 20 year old kid.  Translation: the 40 year old has the experience (Lakers.), the history (14 titles), and the resume (an astonishing 30 NBA Finals appearances).  The 20 year old (Magic) is the new kid on the block, many argue they have no business being with the 40 year old, and that they don’t know what their doing.  Innuendos aside, the numbers are remarkable at first glance.

Franchise History Comparison

Championships: Lakers 14 Magic 0
Finals Appearances: Lakers 30 Magic 2
Playoff Appearances: Lakers 46 Magic 11
Hall of Famers... Well, you get the point…

Here’s our picks. 

Mitch Blatt

Lakers over Magic in 6 games

Why: The Lakers have the most firepower in the league, and they match up better against Dwight Howard than the Cavs. The Lakers have a taller team than the Magic, and they have four big men they can throw at Howard to get him in foul trouble. Howard already has five technicals, so he won’t be able to be too aggressive. Kobe really wants to prove that he can do without Shaq, but the Lakers don’t always show up, and if they don’t, Kobe might have to taste Shaq’s backside again.
MVP: Kobe Bryant — He finally proves that he can do without Shaq.

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Scott Jacobs

Magic over Lakers in 6 games

Why: Here’s a better question, “why not?”  Orlando is a big underdog (again) but they’re used to that, and they relish it.  Besides Howard, people have been asking, “who do the Magic have?”  Well, they’ve got a team, a collection of players who play together, always give their all, and they fight till the end (as evidenced by their numerous comebacks from seemingly insurmountable deficits).  They’ve got a center on the cusp of greatness, a forward who is a mismatch all over the court, three point gunners who are shooting the lights out, and a coach who is out to prove he is one of the most under-appreciated in the game.  Plus, we never know which Lakers team we’re going to get game to game, and L.A. can’t win this series with no-show performances.  Orlando is out to prove they belong, but here’s the big key.  Orlando will steal a game in L.A. and claim home court advantage.  Don’t underestimate having three home games in a row.  The Magic weren’t expected to be here, but it doesn’t mean that they’re not good enough to win it all.
MVP: Dwight Howard- If he stays out of foul trouble this kid is going to open a lot of eyes in the NBA’s showcase series

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Ash McDaniel

Lakers over Magic in 5 games

Why: I would like to give a little more credit to the Magic, but numbers speak for themselves. The Lakers faced easier teams in the playoffs–not to take anything away from the Nuggets–but the boys in L.A. didn’t have to go to seven games against the Celtics and face the NBA MVP LeBron James. I don’t know about you but I’d be damn tired by now. I would love to see a seven game series (and even six would be nice). But I fear that the Lakers will prove to be champions this year, Kobe will get his fourth, but at least the Magic will be able to say that they’ve been to the Finals and I see them coming back here again soon.
MVP:  Kobe Bryant

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Neil Dough

Lakers over Magic in 5 games

Why: Phil Jackson is a smarter coach than Mike Brown, and Los Angeles has more talent. The Lakers will feed the post early and often to try to get Dwight Howard in foul trouble, and when he does they will continue to go down low. LA has a more talented bench, and Kobe will be able to control the game with the ball in his hands, while Mr. Howard has to rely on the smalls to get him the ball.
MVP: Kobe Bryant will be this years finals MVP. He is playing tremendous 4th quarter basketball, and although it is extremely annoying to watch, he is getting on his teammates more than ever before. He is also playing with a huge chip on his shoulder…no Shaq, Jerry West said Lebron surpassed him, and this could be his last chance (because Lebron has surpassed him).

Photo: Getty

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