Halftime Hype

Ever since training camp begins in October, our minds are focused on this time of year. Besides graduation and the thought of summer vacation, we always look forward to the NBA Finals. This is the time of year when the pundits no longer define the predictions, but rather, the predictions define the pundits. This is when one NBA franchise seizes the opportunity to rise to the top, and one team has to settle for silver. This is when one winner will be the example for future generations and the loser only a distant memory in the mind of the average fan. This is when a band of athletes representing two cities look to build a lasting reputation. This is where amazing happens.

This year the quest for gold is between the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic. If you had asked most fans at the beginning of the year, they would have told you the Lakers would definitely make the NBA Finals. If you had asked most fans during the season, they would have told you the Lakers would be 1 of 2 lone survivors come June. If you asked most fans during the first round of the playoffs, they probably would have told you the Lakers would emerge as the alpha-dog of the Western Conference and move on to the main stage. But if you asked most fans during the semifinals or finals of the Western Conference playoffs, they may have expressed some doubt about the Lakers winning the NBA championship, let alone staying in the race until June.

On the other hand, not many people would have told you that the Magic had the ability to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers, otherwise known as "The Lebron James Show", and contend for 1st place. They could've brought up a number of excuses: The Magic doesn't have the experience. Jameer Nelson is injured. Van Gundy isn't the right coach. LBJ and the Cleveland Crew will surely beat them. Well, the Orlando Magic have come a long way. Dwight Howard proved that in a defense vs. offense showdown, the Defensive Player of the Year has the edge against the offensive-minded MVP. I thought the Lakers were getting too much hate. Turns out, the Magic weren't getting any love. Even after going 6-3 this season against Boston, the Lakers, and Cleveland, the blue-and-white bunch weren't getting any credit.

Let's not forget about the league, though. This is not the best situation for the NBA, who was ready to settle the "who's best" debacle by letting LBJ and KB play it out - which would have meant historically high ratings. Just think of all the time that was spent making the Kobe-Lebron puppet commercials. It would have been the match-up of a lifetime: Cleveland vs. Los Angeles, Kobe vs. Lebron, 24 vs. 23, Past vs. Future, Experience vs. Hype (in this case, I'm not rooting for hype). Take a second to ponder how much could have been written about such a series. Thousands of columns, hours of TV, and plenty of books would have been devoted solely to the 2008-2009 NBA Finals.



However, let's not forget the storyline we're working with here. We still have the Lakers, who are desperately looking to redeem themselves after last year's embarrassment against the Celtics. A championship now would allow Phil Jackson to stand on a pedestal of his own - without the presence of Red Aurebach. A title would also prove that Kobe could win without Shaq, although big men have been influential in this pusuit (see: Pau Gasol). Statistically, if the Lakers won, they would have a 50% success rate in the Finals (15 championships in 30 appearances). Then, there's a young group based near Disneyworld, who wants to shine up their fingers with a ring. Dwight Howard could prove he's more than just a big dude who can block shots; he could prove to be a legit leader in this league. By winning, the Magic could add to recent upsets against the purple and gold and be remembered as the ones who stopped Kobe Bryant in his trek. Most of all, they could bring basketball pride to a city without much sports glory.

Picking a winner for this series isn't easy at all. The Lakers have been playing rather inconsistently, with their most recent game being an exception. But then again, the Lakers do have the game's greatest closer in Kobe Bryant. Nonetheless, the Magic do have the momentum, winning round after round as an underdog. The Magic did win both meetings against the Lakers this season. They also found a way to control a team with this year's MVP. Will it be Disneyland or Disneyworld who is the victor in the match-up?

This time, I don't think I'm being biased when I predict that the Los Angeles Lakers will be the 2009 NBA Champions. Regardless of how much the Magic say they have grown throughout these playoffs, it's the Lakers who have learned the(ir) lessons. Last year, after "cakewalking" through the playoffs, as Kobe Bryant put it, the Lakers simply didn't show up in the NBA Finals. From that point on, they have been dubbed "softies" and have been on a mission. They won't settle for second-best. They could care less about being the Western Conference champions. In the last two series, they have banged around with some of the more physical squads in this league and regardless of what the media says, they have gotten much smarter defensively.

At the same time, though, I wouldn't be surprised if the Magic won. Well, I would, but only slightly. The Magic have the game's greatest defender in Dwight and one of the best 2-3 punches (ex. Gasol-Odom) I've seen in Lewis and Turkoglu. Additionally, Rafer Alston had a sensational series against the Cavaliers. With Lebron James' hand in his face, he stayed cool, calm, and collected as he banked a three-pointer. And Skip to My Lou hasn't been the only factor for Orlando. Pietrus has also put on a display of his skills by showing he can drain a long-range deuce just as easily as he can drive to hoop and convert.

But at the end of the day, the Lakers are the wiser, more poised team. They're just so much more lethal. Whether it's Kobe Bryant's scowl or Odom yelling at the top of his lungs, L.A. is just so much more dangerous. With Shannon Brown in the lineup, they have the edge against Rafer Alston. At shooting guard, nobody can stop Kobe. Odom and Ariza should be able to handle Lewis. And I can't wait to watch Gasol and Bynum take on Dwight. This is the crucial match-up here. If Dwight dominates the post, Orlando jurastically increases its chances of winning. But if Gasol and Bynum continue to display a daunting defensive presence, things may turn out to be slightly more difficult.

One quick order of business: WHO SAW THE MAGIC GO UP 3-1? I can't wait until the Cavs are humbled, voters reconsider their MVP, and the holy members of the media go into hiding for their unjustly endless praise of LBJ and Co.

If you have been watching the Lakers-Nuggets and Cavs-Magic series, you know that there have been several x-factors who have come out of their shells, found cracks in the opponents' strategy, and flat out, saved the game. It seems as though each of the four teams in the championship race - none of whom have a huge edge over the other - have one role player who can really make or break a game, or as we may find out, an entire series. Sure, it always helps when your superstars show up. But your chances of victory get that much better when the other guys follow their niche. After all, Lebron seems to have no problem hoisting 40+ point performances. However, his team isn't getting the job done. Same goes for last year's MVP, Kobe. Without the support of the smaller guys, figuratively speaking, it's very difficult to expect to win.

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, it's imperative that Mo Williams gets his head in the game - and keep his mouth shut afterwards. His victory "guarantee" didn't end up happening and simply added fuel to Orlando's fire. Cleveland appears to be the most desperate team when it comes to an X-factor. I like to call the Cavs "The Lebron Show" because the default game plan seems to be:
1) Bring the ball up
2) Give the ball to Lebron
3) Stand around and hope for the best

The Cavs won't win ball games with that strategy. They need that icing on the cake. Ironically, I suggest that we delegate the dude who can't keep promises (a.k.a. Mo Williams) as their secret weapon. At times, we see this young man flourish as he drains a series of mid-range jumpers, only to score on the next possession by beating his opponent to the bucket. And of course, there is a "bright side" to his "guarantee" comments. It's somewhat refreshing, at least for Cavs fans, to know that their players are confident of their ability. At the same time, though, he needs to keep his ego on the low and just play the game.

Without a doubt, Orlando's game-saver, after Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, and Hedo Turkoglu, is Rafer Alston. Skip to My Lou has shown his entire arsenal in this series; the man can shoot, steal, spin, and make a lay-up with ease. With LBJ, runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, in his face, Alston continued to enforce his will by banking a 3. With Jameer Nelson injured, Alston has done a phenomenal job of handling the ball - and playoff pressure - by prevailing at home and on the road. His outbreak in Game 4 definitely earned him well-earned attention. If he can continue to score, outpace, and outsmart Mo Williams, he can easily guide the Magic past the Cavs.

Denver happens to have the most influential X-factor in the league in J.R. Smith. Sometimes, you could find him hitting consecutive three pointers or beating the opposition on continuous drives to the basket. On other nights, if he were on a boat, he couldn't even throw the ball into the ocean. Every one of his next moves are as irrational as his previous ones. For these reasons, he may never turn out to be an All-Star, but his presence on the game is still huge, nonetheless. Defensively, he's there to keep up with the quick guard on the other team - no matter how successful or unsuccessful he is. Offensively, if he's connecting, he's dangerous; but when he's shooting up bricks, it's almost a guarenteed Denver loss (I'm very reluctant about using the g-word).

Obviously, the player who has the biggest impact on the series (for the Lakers), is Trevor Ariza. Having given up on Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum, Ariza's hustle has been the difference between winning and losing in 2 games. But then again, his Game 2 slip-up did cost the Lakers a victory. All in all, though, Ariza had provided that extra spark that the Lakers, and more importantly, Kobe, need. When the ball is in the other team's hands, it's as if Trevor is playing with more energy than an offense, and is always looking to add to his stats with a steal, rebound, or block. He can match up with the opposition's shooting guard or small forward rather well, and his well-timed drives and recent increase in shooting accuracy have kept him on the floor (late). If Ariza continues to grab these game-changing steals - and Kobe gets some more help - the Lakers should have no problem advancing to the final round.

A great adaptation of enthusiasm of the game's greatest

This isn't the first time we've been faced with a Game 7 this postseason. As we all remember, Beantown's Celtics and Obamaville's Bulls got into an exciting seven game series that didn't fare out well for the underdogs. Now, in the Conference semifinals, we have two seven games series. It's no longer a question of who is the more dominant team; both teams have proved that they are talented. The winner will only advance to the next round by overcoming nervousness and all other emotions in a forum of adversity. But at the end of the day, "there can only be one."

With Orlando and Boston, we've seen the intensity of East Coast warriors. With the ferocious former-T-Wolf in KG absent, the Boston Three Party has turned to their dynamic duo and the bench as their source of inspiration to strive forward. Orlando is still getting acclimated to the heat of the series against the defending champs. I wouldn't call the Magic deers in headlights, but they aren't what I would refer to as "experienced." Coming in as virgins to the fame and success of the playoffs, they have done a phenomenal job holding their own - with the exception of allowing a buzzer beater by Big Baby. They have elevated their skilled players, who got bits of attention here and there, to postseason competitors, who are the subject of praise. The C's will be looking to get a victory on their home floor, but ever since #21 sat out so have the fans. Boston is no longer the most-feared place to play. Not that the waving green towels and roaring fans aren't intimidating; they are no longer a threat to the performance of the opposition. However, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce have the ability to pile up the points in the clutch - crunch time still an issue for the Magic who barely won Game 6 after missing plenty of easy free throws. I'm not going to make any predictions on who will be victorious, but Game 7 of this series should be much closer than the Bulls vs. Celtics Game 7.

Magic's keys to victory:

• Dwight Howard needs to continue what he's doing - except for publicly criticizing his coach and missing free throws.
• The X-factors, Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston, must be involved. Lee's jumpshot and Rafer Alston's teardrops and long-distance shooting must be in check.
• Hedo needs to shoot better and take agressive drives. Despite going 3-13 in Game 6, he scored when it mattered most. The goal will be to finish with a good shooting percentage, though.

The Cetlics keys to victory:

• Ray Allen and Paul Pierce should be ready for clutch performances, as they were Chicago. Allen's three point accuracy combined with Pierce's mid-range game will likely make-or-break this epic battle.
• Rondo needs to put defensive pressure on the opposing PG.
• Perkins and Big Baby need to stay out of foul trouble. As we saw in the 3OT thriller last series, the Celtics desperately need their big men under the six fouls.

Coined on an Urban Outfitters tee near you. Just Kidding.

The other seven game series will be the Lakers facing off against the Rockets. The Rockets came in as the underdogs and may actually get much farther than they thought. They stole the first game of the series in Los Angeles, and have reached the playoffs without their star, Tracy McGrady. As if that weren't enough, their center, Yao Ming, the tallest in the NBA, went down in the middle of the series. One would think that would drastically hurt their chances of advancing. Not at all. In fact, you could make a case they've played better without him, going 2-1. However, the Lakers, specifically Kobe, have been cool with shrugging off losses and criticism by winning the following game. Although the Lakers have come out too lackadaisical in this series, they still have a chance to prove naysayers wrong with a Game 7 victory. And some are forgetting the meager bit of adversity the Lakers are playing through. Coming into the series Luke Walton was injured, then we discovered that Fisher was too old to keep up with Brooks, and recently, Lamar Odom, one of the most versatile players the game has, hurt his back. Oh, and I forgot to mention that their superstar-in-training, Andrew Bynum, has only had one decent performance in the series. But at the end of the day, it's difficult to bet against Kobe and his playoff experience, and the Lakers should be able to grind out a victory at home against the Rockets. If this series seems more complicated, it's cause it is.

Rockets' Keys to Victory:

• Landry needs to duplicate his Game 6 efforts in order to make it close. His 15 points, many of them in the closing quarter, provided the Rockets' with a crucial lift.
• Scola must exploit Odom and Gasol. When defended by Odom, he has to make sure to take his shots in the paint and aggrivate his back injury. If he's matching up with Gasol, he needs to use the strength he showed in Game 6 to create space with the "softy."
• Aaron Brooks has to use his speed the entire game - especially when Fisher is on the floor. For the most part, he's run circles around the entire Lakers team.
• Artest needs to keep his emotions and body in check. An ejection would definitely hurt the outcome of the game for the Rockets. And don't forget, Ron Ron has earned some flagrant points from his ejection. He has one or two more chances before those points result in a suspension.

Lakers' Keys to Victory:

• Come out with a strong start. They can't afford to let Houston go on a huge run to open the game. As we saw in Game 6, if the deficit in the first quarter wasn't so large they may have had a better chance of winning the game.
• Farmar needs to play tight D on Brooks. He'll probably have an edge in minutes over Fisher and can't be fatigued.
• It's crucial that Bynum scores and rebounds. His starting position is in jeopardy and he's not showing any passion on the court.
• Turn the 6'6" Landry into a liability. His height makes it much easier to match up with him, but you can't let him draw fouls.
• Gasol can't be weak defensively. His "defense" on Scola was unacceptable. He should also look to lighten the load on Kobe, at least in the first half, so #24 has plenty of stamina in the second half.
• I'm not worried about Kobe at all. These are the moments he relishes. Another chance to prove himself and his clutch reputation. But he needs time on the floor to do so, and when Jackson rested him at the top of the fourth in Game 6, he really decreased any chances of a Lakers victory.

The hype for these games is immense. Lebron James is probably having goosebumps right now about his next opponent. But he gets one more game in a reclining chair before it's time to play. As for the Nuggets, who have recently been chosen as favorites to beat the Lakers or the Rockets, they'll be anxious for their next battle. But for now, we wait until the result of Game 7.

Dope Jam of the Day

Champagne Red Lights (Remix) - O'Neal McKnight feat. Ron Brownz and Busta Rhymes -In this song, Busta Rhymes, one of the pioneers of New Age rap, spits out our motto, "something like a phenomenon" several times. But that's not what makes the song unique. The chorus has O'Neal McKnight, in a voice resembling an announcer, descriptively reciting the club setting. To compliment the grandness of the chorus, Busta Rhymes literally busts some realistic rhymes. He mentions his amazing presence when he steps in and then its back to the baratone narration of McKnight. And to add a playful sound to the song is auto-tune professor, Ron Brownz. His outgoing personality meshes well with Busta Rhymes' serious nature. In terms of production, the beat is very consistent and has just enough variety to coincide well with the singers. Strongly suggest you listen to this new club anthem.

(Some) British bands knew how to compose songs that were about more than just love ballads or illegal substances. As I was shuffling through my iPod, I came across "Revolution" by the Beatles which reminded of me of "Where is the Love?" except with more rage. Another tune that comes to my mind is a bit more philosophical by the Kinks, "This Time Tomorrow". Part of the chorus goes, "This time tomorrow, where will be?" Indeed, the future is a quite intriguing prospect. People don't seem to dwell on this issue too much, but when we think of the future we generally ponder it for a long time before changing subjects. Also, in the same way the song could be a graduation theme it could also be played at a retirement party.

I also believe that music artists should try and be more like visual artists - focus on their habitat. Randy Newman did this very well with "I Love L.A.", creating such a legacy that it is now the anthem of Lakers victories. Tupac also shaked things up with "California Love", which explains the intricacies of this Golden State. And for the East Coast, Frank Sinatra documented his love for New York with the infamous "New York, New York". And more recently, Estelle and Kanye teamed up to produce an international hit with "American Boy." This is one of the more danceable and popular songs about the world's geography and major cities, so kudos to Kanye and Estelle. So, future artists, if it worked for Tupac and Kanye, it will work for you.

Lastly, the main reason I was inspired to write this post was because of "We Made You", the resurgence track of Eminem's career. After coming out of his hiatus, he has hit all pop culture notes with his newest single. Very funny lyrics on Kim Kardashian and Lindsay Lohan, as well as satire when it came to Sarah Palin and a variety of other topics. In addition to making fun of numerous celebrities, Slim Shady has managed to use tabloids to his advantage in making a chart hit.

In conclusion, artists shouldn't entirely forget about common concepts, like lust and clubbing, but rather, also look to pop culture and their surroundings for an inspiration.

And how do we automatically start disliking people before giving them a chance? Again, when hype had its date with destiny it made sure it was memorable. Tina Fey singlehandedly destroyed Palin's chances of reaching second-fiddle, and by the transitive property, screwing over the McCain's possibilities of becoming president. The media constructed Palin's image as really a female version of Bush. The (vice) presidential campaign this year proved that we are in a period of Media > Truth. It's hard to believe, but a once-a-week comedy show had such a huge political impact on a historic presidential election.

I'm a bit suspicious about this year's MVP voting. I understand the need for change. But it's become quite clear that the media has been hyping and favoring Lebron all season. The members of the media - sportswriters and the bunch - are the ones who vote on the award, which clearly explains why Lebron won by such a large margin. Lebron is to the media, as Obama is to Democrats and a majority of the American people - at least on election night. He has the all-around good image. The renowned "Witness" ad campaign. The smile. The shoes. The magazine covers. The stats.

First of all, what is the criteria for MVP? It appears as though this year it was based on individual statistics and team record but here's the truth: While Lebron may have had better individual stats, and his team barely had a better record that the Lakers, he's still in the Eastern Conference. And although the East has gotten much better recently, if you were seeded fifth in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, you still wouldn't have made it to the Western Conference Playoffs. The fact that the Cavs won 1 or 2 more games than the Lakers doesn't mean anything. They played against much worse opponents, which means LBJ had an easier time collecting his own in-game accolades. But if we were really judging MVPs predominantly on ppg and all the other factors, KB24 should have won it the year he scored 81 and averaged 35.4 ppg. These hints all add up to the big conclusion: the media is on Lebron's side.

I was reading some column in the Los Angeles Times this morning - I think it an article by Plashke - and Kobe was referenced to as a "walking scowl." These two words quite literally summarize Kobe's image as he plays the game. They may also serve as a reason why Lebron gets his way. Lebron is that chill, happy Obama-esque character that can commence sparks of joy everywhere. Kobe is the serious, McCain, sticking to fundamentals and staying away from what he believes are naive pitfalls. If they were rappers, Kobe would be Kanye West, "amazing" in every right and always ready to deliver the opponents with some "bad news," and LB23 would be Akon ahead of the game "right na na na." People think Kobe's assistance - Kanye's autotune - has gotten him his new success, while there's a unique, playful feeling in the air as Akon's voice resonates through a party. Conclusion: There's no question Lebron deserved the MVP this year, but the vote should be rationally thought out instead of going with the more popular player.