The Nugs and Magic Look to Foil the NBA's Dream Matchup

Since early in the season, the NBA has readied itself to have its two biggest starts, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, pitted against each other in this year’s NBA Finals. Their teams cruised to commanding leads in their respective conferences, and up to this point everything has gone according to plan, as the Lakers and Cavs both dominated their first two playoff series for the most part. One more series victory for each team and the NBA would have its biggest Finals showdown since the days that Larry and Magic were controlling the court. LeBron and co. needed to continue their dominance against over-achieving Orlando, as the Lakers need to slide past the nuisance that is the Nuggets and the stage will be set. The matchup that everyone has been anxiously awaiting and anticipating. However, there is one small bump in the path paved to the perfect Finals; the Magic and Nuggets didn’t get the memo that stated that they were supposed to be just another overcomable obstacle standing in the way of destiny. But now, with the Nuggets fighting their way to a 2-2 series split with the Lakers, and the Magic holding a 2-1 lead over Cleveland heading into tonight’s matchup (and let’s not forget, they were one second and a LeBron miracle away from holding a commanding 3-0 lead), a Lakers/Cavs Finals showdown is anything but certain. Each team remaining has the ability to win the Championship, and at this point it is truly anyone’s ring. Despite the solid played demonstrated by each team throughout the playoffs, each team has strengths and weaknesses that will determine their overall ability to secure a ring for themselves. With that being said, my ranking of the four remaining teams follows:

1. Cavaliers – Despite their struggles early in this series, the Cavs have yet to have everyone clicking, as usual hot-hands such as Moe Williams and Delante West have been struggling, and they have received minimal help from the bench, causing them to rely heavily on LeBron James to score, which is not when they’re at their best. Once (and if) these players start contributing as they did throughout the season and playoffs to this point the Cavs will again create matchup nightmares. They also have the ultimate closer and go-to-guy in LeBron, who has shown he has the ability to single-handedly win games for the Cavs and after his awe-inspiring game winner in game 2 his confidence should be at an all time high. Add all these pieces together and the Cavs are still the championship favorites in my mind.

2. Nuggets – The Nugs have been the most impressive team in the Western Conference (if not overall) in these playoffs, showing off impressive depth spear-headed by the explosive J.R. Smith and the Birdman, Chris Andersen, along with vast defensive improvements and the ability to win tight games. Chauncey and Melo provide two legitimate scoring options, who have proven they can score in the clutch, which is crucial for playoff success. They have battled the Lakers to a 2-2 tie through four, and they show no sign of relenting. If they manage to outlast L.A. then the Eastern representative could be in for some trouble.

3. Lakers – Kobe, Kobe, Kobe. All year, the Lakers had success running a balanced attack which didn’t require the aforementioned Kobe to dominate the ball and the game. Rather, he would take his shots when necessary and facilitate the rest of his teammates, even referring to himself as a “compass.” However, that style of play has been nowhere to be found in this series, in which Kobe has needed an array of 40 point nights in order to keep L.A.’s playoff dreams alive. Where’s L.O.? Where’s Andrew Bynum? Until these players start to reemerge it is very difficult for me to label the Lake Show as the ultimate title contenders that they recently were. However, as long as number 24 is still suiting up in purple and gold it is impossible to count them out.

4. Magic – Although Orlando has rebounded nicely from their first round struggle with the Sixers with an impressive series victory of the short-handed Celtics, and they have looked extremely impressive against the Cavaliers thus far, I still believe that they are the team least equipped to make a true title run. Dwight Howard is not yet a dominant offensive presence who can score at will, and this leaves Orlando with the lack of a go-to guy. Sure, Hedo has proven that he can make some clutch shots, but a do not consider him the caliber closer that ever other remaining team has, whether it be Kobe, LBJ, Melo, or Chauncey. Combine this with their lack of depth (Orlando definitely has the least depth out of any remaining squad) and I find it difficult to see how they can truly contend for the title. However, I also doubted their ability to get past Boston, and they continue to surprise and impress. So, at this point, the Finals are anything but set in stone.