You know, I kind of wish that when the Lakers play one of their three [possible] games down in Orlando this coming week, I wish that they don't end up wining all three. Wait, that makes no sense and it's impossible for them
to win all three. What I mean to say is that I kind of want them to lose one of their games in Orlando.
WHAT?!
That's right, I want the Lakers to lose. No no, that doesn't mean I'm flip flopping from my original sweep predictions – the Lakers still could very easily sweep the Magic – and it doesn't mean I'm not a huge Laker fan anymore, I just want this series to get a little more interesting, that's all.
I mean, it is the Finals. We'll have that parade down Fig either way, I just want the lead up to be more dramatic.
Okay okay, I can see the smoke steaming out of all your ears, so I will lay another option on the table. Either the Lakers can lose one (definitely Game 4 if not tomorrow night) or someone should definitely get thrown out of the game, or at the very least a "T" for goodness sake!
This series so far has been just super boring. Kobe looking vicious is fun and everything... but why is he looking vicious? For what purpose? There is no real threat. It would be one thing if he were going head-to-head with the league's MVP, but it's just boring when he's against a brace-faced (oh what's that? He got them off?) Superman, especially if the Superman has been playing with rather mediocrity.
Though, I have to admit, last night's overtime was exactly what the doctor ordered. After playing a half that ended 35-40 (and a 15-15 first quarter!), ending the second half with a tie was too much fun, especially that finish! A few seconds before the Lakers inbounded the ball for the final time in regulation (when it was tied 88-88) I texted Imadul, "I hope Kobe misses this shot." Luckily, the text didn't get delivered because Kobe ended up getting blocked by Hedo, who then managed to call time out. When I originally said I wanted Kobe to miss, I wanted the game to go straight into OT, not for the Magic to have one last chance. When the Magic rookie had that chance to win the game with 0.6 seconds left (and he had an extremely good look!), I decided that even though the majority of Game 2 sucked major, I wouldn't hate it too much. Courtney Lee's a bum though, how could you miss two like that, man?!
But I did hate the game. It was boring. The rest of the series better be like the last 10 minutes of Game 2 or else this year's Laker Championship team will technically be better than last year's Finals team, and that just isn't the truth. So I really hope this series gets interesting. I would still love a sweep, but I just want them to get there with a little... pazazz.
Even though the Lakers had about the same score as they did Thursday, it was a much different game. In Game 1, the Magic could only manage 75 points and their star player only shot six times (made only one). In Game 2 however, other players on the Magic stepped up, especially forward Rashard Lewis who exploded in the second quarter and ended with 34 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. More than half of his points came from three-point land, where he was 6 for 12. Dwight had an okay game, 17 points and 14 rebounds, but he also had 7 turnovers. He shot better from the line though, 7 of 9. Hedo was the only other Magic that did any real scoring with 22 points, 3 of 6 from three-point. No one else on the Magic had more than 5 points, and only one player had 5.
Kobe had 7 turnovers himself (which I think ties a career high?), but he also added with 29 points and 8 assists. He's been a great facilitator as of late. Pau and Lamar were hands down the difference makers though with 24 points and 10 rebounds, and 19 points and 8 rebounds, respectively. Pau even had that great and-one in overtime that pretty much won the game for the Lakers. Bynum got into foul trouble, yet again, ending with 5 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound, and 5 fouls in 16 minutes. I was listening to ESPN Radio here in LA and they were joking that Bynum already had a foul in Game 3, haha. In fact, most of the Lakers played pretty bad throughout, so it's actually pretty funny that they got the win. Usually when they play crappy, they haven't gotten the win this year.
But now to the play of the game. I've already alluded to it, it's that Pau and-one in overtime that pretty much won it for the Lakers. It was a great dribble and pass by Kobe and a great scream by Pau after the make. The highlight also shows Kobe and Pau's reactions afterwards, with all their pointing at each other and everything. And there's an extra treat in the highlight that you probably won't see on SportsCenter. It has absolutely nothing to do with the play, but it was too sweet to leave out. It was Kobe and his family immediately after the game, and how he wiped his sweat on his daughter's faces and their reactions, haha. Watch it below:
