Some of the articles I have read online this week have me wondering this: Disneyland versus Disney World, Kobe to share the court with Superman, A new Muppet is needed, are all article titles I have seen. Have we, as a society, reached a point where we have to sensationalize everything to grab our attention? We are talking about the NBA Finals! Granted, we do not have the Kobe-LeBron matchup that the NBA, ABC, and many others desired, but there are many interesting subplots in this series: Dwight Howard vs. Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, and Pau Gasol, Is Jameer Nelson going to play in this series (according to his teammates, yes), and which, “X-Factor,” will make the biggest difference for their team (Lamar Odom or Hedo Turkoglu). There are several key elements to this series that I think this one will determine the winner.

Orlando’s defense vs. the Laker’s offense. Defense wins championships seem to be standard for the NFL, MLB, or NBA. The Magic are 9-0 this postseason when holding opponents to 90 points or fewer.  The Magic, at times, seemed to play with the mindset of letting LeBron, “get his”, but keep everyone else in check. Will they go with that strategy versus the Lakers and Kobe, or try to keep all in check? Part of Orlando’s defense also requires Superman, Dwight Howard (NBA Defensive Player of the Year), to stay out of foul trouble and on the court. I am sure Kobe & the Lakers have watched tape of the Cavaliers series and the success LeBron had driving into the lane at Dwight Howard. In Orlando’s two wins this season, the Magic outrebounded the Lakers by seven a game, on average.

My prediction for the series, Disney World in six.

Random Thoughts from over the last week

• When did the French Open begin?? Who’s left?? I heard Nadal got beat, but that’s been about it for me.
• Dale Jr. started 22^nd and finished 12^th. Maybe they did change the right piece of the puzzle…
• When the Hurricanes got swept by the Penguins, Hockey season in the Carolina’s ended. I have heard less about the NHL Finals than the French Open.
• The Belmont Stakes will be run Saturday. The only time this race seems to be relevant is when we have a horse going for the Triple Crown.
• LeBron, you lost many points in my book with that lack of sportsmanship at the end of the series. He was able to shake hands with the Pistons and Hawks when they lost…Reciprocate…like it or not, you ARE a role model, and your actions left a lot to be desired.