Ubiquitous

"They never leave, they're here to stay..."

Mos Def - History

Nobody remembers who came in second place...so when you talk about the 2009 NBA Finals, the Orlando Magic have become can afterthought.

Definition

If the season ended today, many people would pencil in the Lakers and Cavaliers in a highly anticipated Kobe versus LeBron, Nike Most Valuable Puppets championship...however basketball like everything else in life has no guarantee.

The Magic with a pillar in Dwight Howard and floor general in Jameer Nelson have the components to make return trip to the promise land. Atlanta, Boston, and Cleveland are playing well, and because of that fact, the reining conference champions are left without their proper respect.

I asked a few of the Magic players what their thoughts were on the topic:

AXG: What's the state of this team?

Dwight Howard: It's a different team from last year for one...and now we're starting to gel together, so the biggest difference from last year's team is that last year we had all been together for a long time so we had great chemistry, and now we're just trying to learn to play with each other.

AXG: Where is the love and respect for this team?

Dwight Howard: We are still the only people who believe in us. There are still people that think we won't get as far as we did last year, but our main concern is finishing out the regular season strong without any injuries. I don't think they respect us...we still have to get that respect from people. We are the defending Eastern Conference champs and you let everybody else tell it...it's like we didn't even win it. We understand that, we are just going to continue to work on our game, and come playoff time we're going to be ready.

AXG: Jameer...you and Dwight sat and watched the Lakers celebrate the championship last year...can you speak on that?

Jameer Nelson: I did it with him...he wanted me to stay out there to soak it in...because you don't want anyone to celebrate on your home court, and we don't want that feeling anymore. What we did was try to soak it in, and use that as motivation.

AXG: How will that help your team as you make this run into the playoffs?

Jameer Nelson: Well we know the feeling...and we don't want that again, so like I told the guys earlier...each time we step on the court, it's a different experience and it prepares you for another game, and another situation similar to it.

AXG: Can you explain your last meeting against the Lakers, and Kobe Bryant specifically?

Matt Barnes: With great players like that you have to make them work. I think a lot of attention came to it because it was the Lakers and they [Magic] played each other in the Finals last year. I just thought it was a physical game...back and forth and the fact that it was Kobe and someone was standing up to him...everyone made a big deal about it, but you have to really make someone like him work. He's the greatest player in the world and you can't let him have the mental advantage over you as well. So I tried to stay in it and make him take as many shots as possible to get his points.

AXG: What do you bring to this team?

Matt Barnes: I'm trying to change the mentality around here. You know word on the street and around the league was that Orlando was soft, and it's nothing that one person is going to change, I think it's a team overhaul and mentality that you're not just going to come into our house and push us around. I think the team has taken to that and that's a good thing to roll with.

Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Imagaes

The Super Friends

Strength

Will

Style

"I had to lose myself, so I can love you better..."

Lauryn Hill - Lose Myself

I'm in Florida for the NBA Finals, and while it looks a little like Southern California...things are somewhat different, yet the same.

Superman

The Amway Arena is a welcome change of venue for the Orlando Magic as they...like the Poison Clan have won at home, while losing on the road. These are my first of any NBA championship series so I too had to shake off the pregame jitters. It was quite surprising as I've been writing for a few years, but once I was able to soak everything in, the game began and Kobe Bryant put on a 1st quarter show.

Blue Magic had an excellent game from start to finish aside from their inability to stop turning the ball over, however they were able to play a great swarming defense to cause a few key turnovers, including one on Bryant in the waning seconds. In the end they outlasted the Lake Show 108-104. 

LA leads 2 game to 1...

My keys to the Magic's Game 3 win are as follows:

• Orlando playing at home (They are a great team overall, but nothing beats playing at home)
• Play and composure of Skip to my Lou...says Alston, "The league is a make-and-miss league - first two games I'm missing...I look horrible. Tonight I'm making, I look good. That's what this league is about. It's a make-and-miss league."
• Magic offense highlighted by 4 players in double figures, none with less than 18 points
• Total team defense, described by Kobe as "They threw the whole kitchen sink, and they did a great job staying on my body. They brought help from the weak side, simple as that."

Today at the media availability after the Lakers practice/Magic shoot around, I was able to catch up with Bryant, and Odom, as well Jameer Nelson, and Courtney Lee. I noticed that the teams were extremely loose and comfortable, and have forgotten about the previous 3 games, as they focus on tomorrow and Game 4.

I spoke to everyone in the designated media areas, except for Kobe who I saw along with legendary trainer Tim Grover in the hallway adjacent to the court. The first thing he said was that he saw me last night, but he didn't have an opportunity to say hello. Coincidentally, as I typed that sentence above Dwight Howard walked past the media work room, and politely said hello and waved.

I'm really loving it here...

Antidote

Champion

Unity

Beast of the East

"For me giving up is way harder than trying..."

Kanye West - Champion

The best two teams in the association will vie for league supremacy once the NBA Finals begin on Thursday. 

Blue Magic

I was watching Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals last week with my friend Madeleine, and I expressed to her that the it didn't matter who won the contest because either team would have to play against the Lakers and their ultimate weapon Kobe Bryant.

She's not too high on Kobe, and I tried to explain that anytime your nickname is the Black Mamba, which interestingly enough is Africa's most dangerous and feared snake...then opposing teams had better pack a lunch, because its going to be a long day.

I often refer to her as a "tough crowd", because she doesn't go for the popular vote or opinion...and she calmly turned to me and said that Dwight Howard is the antidote to the Mamba's poison. 

Touche'...point well taken.

If Orlando is in fact a remedy to what the Lake Show can do, then it would rely on the factors below:

• Dwight Howard is the most dominant center in the NBA. With a name like Superman...he can do it all. In this era of power forwards that moonlight at the center position, Howard is young, nonetheless proven as he anchored the Magic to the championship round. He had 40 points, and 14 rebounds in the deciding game against the Cavaliers.
• Rashard Lewis has played well this season as an All-Star, and he has continued to raise the level of his game throughout the playoffs. His height allows him play various positions on the court, making him difficult to defend.
• Hedo Turkoglu proves to be just as difficult to guard as he uses his size, ball handling skills, and sharp shooting to carry his team in victory.
• Standout Rookie Courtney Lee has been playing like a savvy veteran, on both ends of the floor, with hustle, offense, and defense.
• Jameer Nelson was an All-Star this year as the Magic had three players for the Eastern squad, however he did not play in the mid season classic because of a shoulder injury, which has also hindered him from playing for the entire second half of the year. He has proven to give the Los Angeles Laker serious trouble with averages over 20 points per game, and if he can contribute on a high level then his "X" factor could pay great dividends for Orlando.

Photos: Nathaniel S. Butler, Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images

The Future

The Present

Determination

Prodigy

"What would you do, to get to me...what would you say, to have your way...would you give up...or try again..."

Aaliyah - Try Again

The NBA announced the reserves for the All-Star game yesterday during the game on TNT, and while I was surprised at some of the selections, I also know that there is nothing I can do about it, except write a story.

Winner's Circle

The pictures above tell two different stories...the first is the obvious with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James as they have become mainstays in the annual game, while the other pictures depict two players that I feel should have made their respective teams, but the day is approaching when Andre Iguodala and Al Thornton will play in several of these mid seasonal matches.

Call me biased, but both of these players should no longer be labeled as up and coming, or players on the rise, as they have both become complete players within the NBA. Offensively, and defensively you have to account for them, as they are game changers, while playing and maintaining a high level on defense. Only the good players can do that, so don't be surprised when this comes to fruition.

Their numbers are very solid, with Thornton averaging 17.2 points per game, 5.30 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, while Iguodala brings 17.7 points, 6.20 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per night. Granted, these are my thoughts, but I know a little something about basketball...and I'm very proud of Jameer Nelson, because he has proven his worth to the Orlando Magic, and he's from Chester, Pennsylvania...I can't stand the university he attended, but that's only because I went to Temple...and that's another story.

Is there anyone that you feel should have made the reserve team? Ray Allen, or Carmelo Anthony possibly...I'd like to hear your opinion. In the meantime, the list of reserves are as follows:

NBA All-Star Eastern Conference Reserves:

G - Devin Harris - New Jersey Nets

G - Joe Johnson - Atlanta Hawks

G - Jameer Nelson - Orlando Magic

F - Danny Granger - Indiana Pacers

F - Rashard Lewis - Orlando Magic

F - Paul Pierce - Boston Celtics

C - Chris Bosh - Toronto Raptors

NBA All-Star Western Conference Reserves:

G - Chauncey Billups - Denver Nuggets

G - Tony Parker - San Antonio Spurs

G - Brandon Roy - Portland Trail Blazers

F - Pau Gasol - Los Angeles Lakers

F - Dirk Nowitzki - Dallas Mavericks

F - David West - New Orleans Hornets

C - Shaquille O’Neal - Phoenix Suns

Photos:  Webster Riddick - Iguodala and Thornton

Getty Images - Bryant and James