I am speaking on my 10 Cheating Commandments on Twitter right now (http://www.twitter.com/BlkSportsOnline).
Can we just fast forward through the NBA playoffs and straight to the Finals? Because David Stern already knows who is going to be in it.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Three things have happened to guarantee this is the Final we will be seeing this year:
1- KG won't be 100%
2- Manu is out for the playoffs
3- Bynum is back and is looking good.
I watched Andrew Bynum last night against the Nuggets and besides the brace it doesn't look like he is limited at all. If he is healthy it is a wrap for the rest of the Western Conference. No one will be able to challenge the Lakers in a seven game series. The Spurs were dangerous with Manu just because they are experienced and aren't afraid of the Lakers, but without him they just don't have enough firepower. I would be shocked if the Lakers lost more than a combine five games on their way to the Finals.
As far as the Cavs they had one obstacle and that was the Boston Celtics (I will talk about the Magic in a minute). If KG is not 100% and with the Cavs having home court advantage I just don't see a way that the Celtics beat the Cavs in a seven game series.
The Celtics no matter what they tell cannot be as hungry as the Cavaliers right now. Simply put the Cavs are also playing a lot better ball and have the best player. I just don't see the Celtics stopping that train.
A lot of Magic fans are wondering:
"What about us?"
I understand where the Magic fans are coming from because they destroyed the Cavs last weekend, but it just isn't there time. Over a seven game series the Cavaliers are a better team. The Magic are set to be a title contender for many years to come but just not this year.
The story line has already been written. You have one of the greatest players of all time realizing that his window is closing to cement his legacy. The only way he can do that is to win a title without Shaq Twitter. Then you have Lebron who knows that his legend cannot start to be written until he wins a championship and doesn't want to go 0-2 in NBA Finals in his career.
I can't wait. Wish it could start today.
I think the picture says it all. Lebron wants what Kobe already has
You didn't mark the tape Littal
I see where you're going with it, but if I remember right the Celtics are 1-0 against Cleveland without K.G. Yeah, Ben Wallace was out to but come on, you can't compare their importance to their teams. But more than likely odds wise it will be Cleveland vs. LA. Until I see Cleveland beat down the Celtics I'm not ready to jump on the bandwagon. Good article, Littal.
teStX5
teStX5