Hoops4theSoul

Jun

3

2009 NBA Finals Preview: Lee v. Bryant

Filed Under Analysis/Commentary, Previews & Reviews, NBA

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Impressive Orlando Magic Rookie Point Guard Courtney Lee Los Angeles Lakers Superstar Kobe Bryant Michael Pietrus Will Have to Step Up on Defense against Kobe BryantWhether you love or hate Kobe Bryant, his talent as a basketball player can not be denied.

For all the guys who’ve been compared to Michael Jordan, Bryant is the closest in talent and competitive greatness.

With that said, he is still a long way from ever being a Jordan, whom no one will ever match.

Still, Bryant has another opportunity here to win his first NBA championship without his former teammate and battering ram, Shaquille O’Neal.

After losing to the Boston Celtics in six games in the 2008 NBA Finals, Bryant has got to be feeling much better coming into the 2009 NBA Finals.

Orlando is nowhere near the defensive team that Boston was, so Bryant should have an easier time doing what he’s going to do anyways: score tons of points.

What should worry Bryant a bit is his supporting cast, which was marvelous for most of the 2008 NBA Playoffs but has been way too high or low this postseason.

With an Orlando team clicking on all cylinders and playing great team basketball, Bryant needs his supporting cast to step up and be much more consistent.

Regardless of what Jerry West and others may say about Lebron James, Bryant is still the best player in the game.

Orlando will try to limit Bryant but they won’t be able to stop him.

While Courtney Lee starts for the team, Hedo Turkoglu and Michael Pietrus will be the players who draw the key defensive assignment against Bryant.

The Magic will likely slide Lee on Trevor Ariza to start off the Finals.

An impressive rookie from Western Kentucky, Lee may not be a good defensive matchup this series, but he can still have a huge role if he continues to play with energy and no fear.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, Lee scored in double figures only once.

Yet his impact was much bigger than that.

Lee showed that he wasn’t afraid to take big shots (especially during Game Two in Cleveland).

He even slammed the ball on James twice in the series.

Just like he has been since returning from his fractured sinus, Lee will need to continue to be a spark plug for the Magic.

With Pietrus and Turkoglu, the Magic have other options to defend Bryant.

Pietrus did a really respectable job on James in the Eastern Conference Finals, but he’s facing a whole new monster in Bryant.

Edge: Duh. Obviously, the Lakers get the edge with Bryant.

Still, Orlando has some decent options at this position, in Lee and Pietrus, to work their own mismatches and utilize a three-point shooting and frenetic driving game.

To make it more difficult for Kobe, Orlando will need its shooting guards to be aggressive and relentless on both ends of the floor.

Yet when all is said and done, Bryant will be the MVP of this series.

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