COOLER TALK - NBA FINALS

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. I know many out there are still ticked off that King James and the Cavaliers are out. I know that the dream match-up of Lebron and Kobe reminds long time NBA fans of the Bird-Magic clashes. But you are going to have to let it go. The dream match-up of King James versus Kobe is out the window. 

I can't blame anyone who thinks the Lakers are far and away the better team - they may be. But, isn't that what we going into the Cavaliers-Magic series? I mean the masses were swayed to believed King James was going to coast through to the championship game. NOT the case. In fact, Dwight Howard and the Magic showed the world that they are a team that deserves some attention and respect.

NBA FINALS BREAKDOWN. 

- Phil Jackson has never lost a NBA Finals series if his team wins Game 1. 

- Can Mickael Pietrus handle the duty of covering Kobe Bryant? It is hard to stop or slow down King James, but Pietrus seemed to disrupt James just enough , helping the Magic beat the Cavs in six games. 

- Jameer Nelson has been cleared by team doctors to play in the NBA Finals. Whether not he will play a huge role, coming off a supposedly season ending shoulder injury, the idea of having their number one point guard available is a big time bonus. 

- Kobe Bryant has a chip on his shoulder. It has been there since the departure of Shaq. Together they one three NBA championships and since that time, Kobe has tried to win one on his own. Following last season's meltdown by the way of the Celtics, Kobe will be the player to watch. Don't be surprised if he drops 60 in a game. He won't let anything stop him from this chance at a ring.

- Who can stop Dwight Howard underneath? Pau Gasol? Andrew Bynum? Luke Walton? Haha, just funny reading the last name again. The Cavaliers struggled inside to stop, slow down, and contain the Magic big man. They didn't really get it down and were only helped my his foul trouble. Ga-SOFT doesn't play defense, but has looked better than bad in this year's playoffs. Bynum has been a no show. And I don't think I even have to address Walton. Actually I know I don't. If Dwight can stay out of foul trouble, the Magic are a dangerous inside-out team. 

Prediction. Unlike most "experts" I believe the Magic has a legit shot at stealing a ring from the Lakers. The way that Orlando has played this season, especially in the playoffs, really comes as a surprise. They have been a very good team, but our thoughts were clouded, with the hopes of a Kobe-LeBron final. After venting, I am going to take the Lakers in seven games. This will shape up to be a surprisingly entertaining series, but in Game 7, Kobe will be Kobe leading the Lakers to their 15th NBA Championship. Oh, and of course Kobe wins the MVP honors.