Halftime Hype

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.