Game 1

Now that both conference finals have played a game, it is time to look back on both game 1s. It felt so good to watch and really get into NBA playoff games again. Being a Knick fan, I was used to year after year going on an emotional roller coaster in May and if I was lucky enough June, but with the Knicks being the new Clippers I haven't had that in a while. At the end of the day I don't care as much as if the Knicks were playing, but I desperately want to see Kobe v Lebron in the Finals.

Each series began with a bang, and while there is not much that can be judged from 1 game here are a few thoughts.

Lakers v Nuggets
The Lakers came out with no energy and fell behind by a lot quickly. That did not stop them from storming back and taking the lead at the half. The main reason for this was the coaching of Phil Jackson. Phil showed why he is one of the greatest coaches of all time by being patient. Most coaches would have been calling timeouts, making substitutions too quick or not enough and getting technicals, but Jackson remained calm ran his normal rotations and showed confidence in his team. Even when the Lakers went down 7 in the 4th quarter, Jackson let his bench play and did not rush the starters back in.

On the other side of the court, the Nuggets had no answer for Kobe Bryant down the stretch. They rotated Billups, Smith and Anthony on him but there was no stopping Kobe. With that being said there were a lot of positives out of Denver. They showed that when Kobe was guarding Chauncey, Carmello was unstopable and when Kobe was guarding Carmello Chauncey became the go to guy. Denver has to exploit Trevor Ariza and let Carmello get started early. When the Lakers switch Kobe to Mello, I don't see a player on the Lakers who can slow down Billups.

Denver also showed how soft the Lakers bigs are on defense. Carmello was allowed to do whatever he wanted once he got to the hoop because Andrew Bynum looked like he was afraid of K-Mart and Nene. If I were George Karl I would tell my team to attack the hoop every play and make Gasol, Bynum and Odom play tough on defense.

With that being said the Lakers are incredibly deep. When there second unit is on the floor they seem not to miss a beat. If one player is not playing well there are so many other options to help keep the team a float while the starters get a rest.

Carmello finally showed why he is considered a top 10 player, but Kobe showed why he is the best in the game. There was no stopping Bryant in the 4th and I just don't see a way Denver is going to stop him all series. Kobe is going to be difference maker and the Lakers will be playing in the Finals.


Cavaliers v Magic
It is amazing what 1 game can do. All I heard from the media leading up to game 1 was how the Cavs were going to roll over the Magic and easily get to the Finals. After last night, all I am hearing is talk about Lebron not being able to get it done. Are people really this stupid? Can we only judge on a what have you done for me lately attitude? The truth is the Magic are a very good team and the Cavs will not be able to roll over them like they did to the Pistons and Hawks. On the flip side Cleveland is not a team that is going to run the table to the Finals, but they are still the better team in this series.

There is no excuse for what happened to the Cavs in game 1. After losing only 1 real game at home in the regular season, the Cavs jumped out to a huge lead in the first half. After Mo Williams 75 foot shot at the end of the half, I thought for sure this game was over. Lebron was absolutely on fire for most of the game, but what I did not like was how much he settled for the jumper. Lebron needs to go right at the hoop and draw fouls on Dwight or kick to an open shooter in the corner. Lebron was not missing the jumper, so he decided to keep shooting it. I really cannot question his decision because he scored 49 for the game. The only questions I have for the MVP is why he only took 5 shots in the 4th quarter and why he looked to pass first on the game winner.

With that being said someone else on the Cavs needs to step up and show they want to win a title. Mo Williams scored 17 on the game, but this guy is one of the most overrated players in the game. Delonte West, who to me is better than Mo, disappeared in the 2nd half and so did Big Z. If this team wants to a win a title someone is going to have to help Lebron and not rely on him to score as well as find the open man on every play.

On the other side of the court, Orlando played one of the most impressive games you will ever see. Coming off an emotional game 7 win in Boston, Orlando was not picked to do much in this series and went down big early. Stan Van Gundy deserves all the credit in the world, because he did not allow his team to quit and TNT kept showing him telling them to chip away. That is exactly what the Magic did as Rashard Lewis caught fire in the 2nd half. This win was one of the most impressive things I have seen a team do in the NBA in a long time.

The Cavs are still the favorite in the series and I would not be shocked if they won big in game 2. The Magic did prove that they are not going to be the Cavs doormat and believe they can win the series. I will be rooting for the Cavs because I want to see Kobe v Lebron, but the Magic are going to make this more of a series than people thought.

Overall the conference finals are off to a great start. Both these series should be great as every game will be exciting. At the end of the day it is going to be the best two in the game meeting in the Finals, but sit back and enjoy two great series.