So sorry to disappoint the rest of the nation, but the Orlando Magic are going to the 2009 NBA Finals. Against the wishes of the NBA, the networks, Nike, and any NBA fan not wearing Magic blue and white, the Finals will feature a matchup of two teams, not a game of one-on-one between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
As I was walking out of the O-Rena after Game 6, I was thinking about how disappointed the casual NBA fan must be. Frankly, it made me chuckle and say to myself, “too bad.” I would argue that the more exciting team won. I’m probably going to lose this argument to anyone who is not a Magic fan, and that is just fine with me. As Magic fans, we have grown accustomed to a lack of consideration from anyone associated with the NBA outside of Orlando.
Was anyone else bothered by the number of times that Nike’s Kobe/LeBron puppet commercial was aired? It even aired after the Magic eliminated LeBron from the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, I realize that Nike is careful to not explicitly say that the commercial is an advertisement for their two biggest endorsers to meet on basketball’s biggest stage, but then again, they don’t need to explicitly say it, do they? I have no clue how much potential revenue was at stake for Nike, but my guess is that they stood to gain a pretty penny from a Lakers/Cavaliers matchup. Well, again, too bad! Look, I’ve got nothing against Nike personally, but it seems that ever since Michael Jordon laced up his first pair of “Airs,” Nike has been an extremely powerful force in the NBA, and in basketball in general. I mean, since when should the manufacturer of the shoes that player’s wear have this much influence – real or perceived – on the game itself? Can you guys imagine Goodyear having this much influence over NASCAR? I mean, if anything, shouldn’t Spaulding be the company in this position? At least they make the actual ball that’s used! If LeBron or Kobe went to the local Wal-Mart and picked up a pair of off-brand hi-tops and wore them for one game, or even for one quarter, would either of them be less of a player?
The NBA’s network partners weren’t much better. They clearly wanted the more marquee matchup. TNT’s Kenny “the Jet” Smith could not face the truth and never seemed to back away from his stance that the Cavaliers were the better team. Once the LeBron was eliminated, he couldn’t jump on Kobe’s back fast enough. I understand that in business, especially in a time of recession, it is important to maximize your potential revenue. This means offering the matchup that most people in the country are likely to tune in for, allowing the networks to charge top dollar for an advertising spot. But surely these things are pre-set as far as cost, right? I can’t believe that TNT or ABC can suddenly, just a couple of days before a series begins, decide to raise the price for how much they charge for an ad spot because the matchup is more attractive.
I don’t buy in to the idea of an NBA-led conspiracy. I think that as a business, the NBA has their preferences; outcomes that they deem to be more financially rewarding. But I think there is a big gap between having preferences and taking steps to turn those preferences into actual outcomes.
The NBA and the networks are hardly the only ones that seem to push for these matchups. The national media are probably as guilty as anyone in feeding the LeBron/Kobe hype machine. Even now, two days after the Magic eliminated the Cavaliers, all that the national media can talk about is LeBron James and his lack of sportsmanship. Who cares? Shouldn’t you guys be talking about the Magic and the Lakers? At this point, I’d rather see headlines and articles talking about how the Magic have zero shot against the Lakers than to hear someone’s opinion on why LeBron “dissed” Howard. Outside of Cleveland, and especially in Orlando and LA, the NBA focus should be on the Lakers vs. Magic.
What’s not to love about this matchup? The Magic are truly a balanced team. Dwight Howard may be the focus, but he is not the only weapon the Magic have at their disposal. Rashard Lewis has become a stone-cold marksman from the arc, hitting numerous big time shots, just when they were needed. Turkoglu has practically turned inconsistency into a virtue, finding ways to positively impact the game, even if his shot isn’t falling. Rafer Alston, who had been a steady facilitator, now has altered his game slightly to provide a timely scoring punch to the Magic’s offense. And Courtney Lee, I cannot say enough about this supposed “rookie!” The cat does not get fazed!
As good as our starting five are, the best reason that you shouldn’t assume the Lakers are going to win the Finals is the Magic’s bench. We have incredible depth; depth that we have particularly developed over the 2nd half of the season. Our third-string shooting guard started in a 7 game series against the defending NBA champions. Our 2nd string shooting guard just finished playing admirably against the second-best all-around player in the game. Our backup point guard has logged more playoff games than anyone on the team, and our backup center has filled in so well, the team and fans aren’t worried when Dwight has to sit for awhile.
Maybe I’m biased, but I think that NBA fans across the nation and overseas are going to be very satisfied with the quality of the entertainment in this season’s Finals. Two great teams, each featuring one marquee name but multiple marquee talents, are likely to play an extended series. In fact, I’d argue that the Magic are the East team that is most likely to take the Lakers to a Game 7, thus allowing everyone – fans, NBA, networks, and yes, even Nike – to benefit in whichever way they deem most important. I’m sure they will still figure out a way to market the individual stars, but it is the teams that will shine.
I’m pretty sure that no NBA title has ever been awarded to a single player, no matter how great he was. The Eastern Conference Finals showed us that one great player can will a team to a tremendous regular season; however, it isn’t enough to win a title. If you need another example, just look at the Magic’s opponent in the Finals. The Lakers missed the playoffs entirely the year after Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton left the team. The next two seasons, the Lakers were eliminated in the first round. It wasn’t until last season, when the Lakers added a legitimate low-post scorer in Pao Gasol, that they were able to take advantage of having the greatest player in the game.
So, to all the fans who are upset that they won’t see Kobe and LeBron go one-on-one, believe me, you likely wouldn’t have seen much of that anyway. Furthermore, the game is played by 5 guys on a court together, not one. If you want to see LeBron and Kobe together, go check out that puppet commercial that is probably going to air all throughout the Summer. But if you want to see an impressive display of team basketball, just tune in to ABC on June 4th.
This message was not subject of approval by the NBA or the Orlando Magic. The views expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect the views of the Orlando Magic or the NBA, but solely the writer.
"My life will go on, this much I know. Cars and games will come and go. But never once will I forgetta, the way we danced, dear Dick Bavetta." - from "I Left My Heart In Dick Bavetta"
Posts: 9263 | Location: It's Hard Out Here for a Blog Pimp. | Registered: February 09, 2006
Great read, but unlike last time one of the experts with ESPN has picked the Magic to win in the finals, Abbott has us picked in 7. And you are right about the ads something like 97% have already been sold even before the two series were over. Best news for us the Lakers lost to us twice and they are one of the worst teams in the NBA defending the 3 point shot. The Magic made 12 in each game. We would be playing Denver if they had actually made some 3's they had that many open shots from beyond the arc.
Well said LOD! If a true basketball fan finds the Magic's brand of basketball boring then the must be brain dead. We have a top 5 star in the league in Dwight Howard leading an uptempo team that plays defense, attacks the rim and bombs away from outside.
I think they have been media brainwashed into believing only Kobe vs. Lebron was worthy of being a classic Finals.
Can you call it "Premature Adification" in the same mold of the failed Raebok "Dan vs. Dave" 92 Olympics.
Sorry puppets, I like watching the real thing play.
Posts: 6541 | Location: Amway Arena Lot 3 waiting for the next game | Registered: February 23, 2006
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Former A-10 standouts and Associated Press National Players of the Year Jameer Nelson of Saint Joseph's and Xavier's David West have been named to the NBA All-Star team and will square off Feb. 15 in Phoenix, Ariz. It marks Nelson's first All-Star selection, while West earns his second straight honor.
Posts: 6666 | Location: Perpetual English Confounder | Registered: July 10, 2007
Even now, two days after the Magic eliminated the Cavaliers, all that the national media can talk about is LeBron James and his lack of sportsmanship. Who cares? Shouldn’t you guys be talking about the Magic and the Lakers? At this point, I’d rather see headlines and articles talking about how the Magic have zero shot against the Lakers than to hear someone’s opinion on why LeBron “dissed” Howard. Outside of Cleveland, and especially in Orlando and LA, the NBA focus should be on the Lakers vs. Magic.
My thoughts exactly. I knew the headlines would be Lebron. It's never about Orlando. It's always about what Cleveland didn't do. Things like "who's to blame for Cleveland losing?" How about the Orlando Magic. They did win the games right? And now all the excuses are rolling in for Lebron. Instead of Cleveland being the best team in the league, now they're overrated and his teamates are garbage. I mean, the best team couldn't of possibly lost to Orlando right? Granted he doesn't have the best supporting cast in the world, but all we heard was how great this team was and how he finally had help. It's funny how quickly the tone changes when they lose.
But like you said, we won. Everything else doesn't matter. We're in the finals and that's the only thing that matters.
He had a name
His name was Wince Harder
"berto ending up like David Carradine would make me happy" -PEC
Posts: 6269 | Location: Cofounder of Hedo/Wince Club | Registered: January 25, 2006
Great read. I'm actually very happy about this kind of treatment, 'cause has probably gave our guys this bit of well needed motivation for proving all them wrong.
It is kind of fun as a fan to know that you crashed the party so to speak.
I mean beyond the puppets there was that Vitamin Water commercial with the whole Lebron vs. Kobe thing.
What was seen as a foregone conclusion was tossed aside with tremendous team play from a great basketball team and I like all of you am enjoying every minute of it.
Originally posted by Live or Die Magic: I would argue that the more exciting team won. I’m probably going to lose this argument to anyone who is not a Magic fan, and that is just fine with me.
lol, just yesterday somebody tried to tell me that "Orlando is a boring team". I knew instantly that he had fallen victim to the LeBron-hype...
I mean seriously, how can you dare to call the Magic boring after watching Dwight's powerful jam that knocked off the shot-clock, Courtney's dunk on LeBron, Rashard's cold-blooded threes, the numerous alley-oops from Hedo to Dwight...
This is simply what is missing from the NBA's golden era.
Remember the 76ers, with Dr. J, Cheeks, Moses Malone.
Remember the Lakers with Magic, Worthy , Jabbar, Rambis, Cooper.
Remember the Celtics with Parrish, McCale Ainge, Bird.
Remember the Bulls with Cartright, Jordan, Pippen, Grant, Paxon, Kerr
Those were TEAMS. That was the golden age when basketball was the most exciting, not the most boring.
You almost had 2 teams remembered for 2 players, Kobe and Lebron. Big whoop.
At least this year there could be interesting matchups. There wont be Jabbar against Parrish, but at least you will have 2 TEAMS that got here. There is at least alot of drama in the matchups.
The NBA might not like it but this is much better for them in the long run and hopefully we can get back to appreciating the game again.
I’ve got nothing against Nike personally, but it seems that ever since Michael Jordon laced up his first pair of “Airs,” Nike has been an extremely powerful force in the NBA, and in basketball in general. I mean, since when should the manufacturer of the shoes that player’s wear have this much influence – real or perceived – on the game itself?
I dispise Nike for this very reason. Beyond their labor & business practices, Nike has become the man behind the curtain in the sport.
20 years ago, agents ran the NBA. Stern has very effectively minimized their power, only to turn it over to Nike, & watch them corrupt the game all the way down to the HS level.
The two things I find really pathetic about this is that with an ounce more effort, they could positively influence the lives of a lot of young men with their power & influence. Instead, they are just a massive basketball factory mining for the next MJ or LeBron.
Worst of all is MJ, who managed to flip the script on Nike, and benefit tremendously from it. Kudos on that! Unfortunately, he's fallen very comfortably into an Uncle Tom type of role with Nike, instead of attempting to use his power & influence with Nike to represent the players...
We're a star driven society. Millions of idiots long to hear who is dating who & how big their drug problem is. We turn flawed athletes and human being like Mike Tyson into icons & then dispose of them like trash when we realize who they actually are. We elevate players like LeBron to superstar status before they've ever played a game & we eventually grant them accolades they've yet to earn.
The beauty of sport is that all biases, preconceived notions, and prejudices are useless on the field of competition.
Jackie Robinson's talent was undeniable. Buster Douglas beat Mike Tyson down. New England can beat the greatest team of all time in the SB and years later get upset as the new greatest team of all time. And, Tim Duncan & Dwight Howard can win championship no matter how much Stern, Nike, or anybody else want to see the new MJ's win!
"I'm still intirigued about Ryan Anderson. Only problem is he may be just a little more physical version of Brian Cook." - SmackDaddy
"I think he's much better than those two (Garrity & Cook). I think he'll be a much bigger asset than Battie. I still think he's a finesse player who fails to address the Magic's need". - KITNO (epic RA hater) Sig: An AddiFB Joint
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