The NBA conference finals have been all but unwatchable unless you're a total homer. The Celtics have uncovered and exposed Dwight Howard. He may have a good defensive game or a good offensive game but he cannot put both together. He goes for help way too early and leaves his man with an easy assist or put back. Plus new coach Patrick Ewing has seemingly made his total game go down a notch or two. With him all but out of the series, the Celtics have dared the Magic to beat them with the low percentage 3 ball. So far, no good for the Magic. The trio of Rasheed Wallace, Kendrick Perkins, and Big Baby Davis are taking turns guarding Howard. Say what you want about Wallace, he has always been a fantastic post player, especially defensively. In game 3 the Magic gave up.
One thing I have wondered about all year has been the criticism leveled at Hedo Turkoglu. Last year he seemed to carry the Magic with good ball handling, assists and shooting. For sure he is not as athletic as Vince Carter....not many are. Turkoglu seemed to be the right person for the Magic, but they couldn't wait to get rid of him...probably because of an expiring contract. Turkoglu was averaging about 6 asssists a game in the playoffs and Carter is averaging just over one.
The Magic's big ammunition was supposed to be Jameer Nelson being healthy and the best bench in the NBA. Rondo has really negated Nelson and the Magic bench has disappeared. Oh well, at least winters in Orlando beat shoveling snow in Boston.
In the West Coast series it has been too much height and talent for the Lakers. The Suns face game 3 tonight. If they cannot win tonite, it's Celtics-Lakers, the NBA's dream matchup. I have to give credit to the people who said there were 2 teams that could make noise in the post season if they are healthy that were not at the top in the regular season...the Spurs and the Celtics. They were half right on the Spurs and all the way right on Boston.
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