The Lakerhead

What Just Happened? Lakers Lose to Magic Again.

For the 2nd time this season, the Lakers dropped a game to the Magic, this time at Staples Center, 109-103.  What is it about this Magic team that the Lakers haven’t figured out yet?

The wrench that is thrown in the Laker game plan is one Dwight Howard.  Who needs twin towers (like the 7-footer combination of Gasol and Bynum) when you have Superman on your team?  Gasol and Bynum had a combined 12 rebounds and 28 points.  Howard had 20 rebounds and 25 points.  The twin tower advantage is one the Lakers usually have on their side.  With the Magic, this upper-hand is nonexistent.

What about the Laker 3-point shooting?  With Radmanovic, Vujacic, and Fisher, surely the Lakers can benefit here, right?  Wrong.  The Magic have Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, J.J. Redick, and the surprisingly improved shooting of Jameer Nelson whacking away from downtown.

Speaking of Jameer Nelson, if he continues to play anything like he did against the Lakers (28 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists on 50% shooting), the Magic are virtually unbeatable.  That is a scary thought.

The Lakers were out-shot from long-range, and out-rebounded 54-40.  Those are differences that Kobe Bryant cannot make up, especially when he shoots only 38% from the field (10-26).  The Laker bigs figured out how to deal with Boston this year.  But they have a way to go before they figure out Dwight Howard.  He’s too athletic to just “get tough” and stop.  It has to be an insane team effort.  Perhaps it’s time for Laker fans to celebrate the fact that Orlando probably won’t make it out of the East instead of wishing for it.  I know I don’t want to see them again this year.