Basketball Daily

After a disappointing defeat in the 2007-2008 championship finals against the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers determination thwarted them the trophy this season.  All during the regular season, the Lakers were extremely hungry for the title, and they proved that they are the best team in the NBA.

The Orlando Magic put up a strong fight, and in a few games it could of swung their way, but in the end it was Phil Jackson’s Lakers who came away with a bittersweet victory.  Kobe Bryant led his team all the way this year and he got the finals MVP, and it was well deserved.  The Lakers had a very successful year and it wouldn’t surprise me with the basketball crew they have now if they repeat next season.

CONGRATULATIONS LAKERS

The Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets are now in the books.  Denver who surprised analysts and fans alike really gave L.A. a fight to the end.  What was most surprising is that Denver got blown out at home to send them packing, where finally the Lakers played with the dominance and determination we had come to expect from them.  The Lakers win the series on the road in 6 games.

The Eastern Conference Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic ended with the Magic’s center Dwight Howard putting on a clinic down low with 40 points.  To most this was a considered an upset because of Cleveland having the best record in the NBA, but those who follow the game had a strong feeling that Orlando was a better team and the Cavaliers could not match up with Orlando’s forwards.  The Magic win the series at home in 6 games.

The stage is set for a thrilling and exciting NBA Championship Finals with the two superstars on the opposing teams of Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard.  The series is in the 2-3-2 format with the home team Lakers having the advantage.  The series begins on Thursday, June 4th, with all games being nationally televised on ABC.

The Charlotte Bobcats came up just a little shy this year, but did better than was expected of them.  They had a long shot on making the Playoffs but lost to a poor Oklahoma City team and then to the Chicago Bulls.  In the game with the Bulls, it was a fight to the end, with runs going back and forth, but in the end it was Chicago who came away with a victory with the final score ending at 113-106.

The leading scorers for Chicago were Ben Gordon with 39 points, Derrick Rose with 22 points and John Salmons with 19 points.  The high man off the bench was Kirk Hinrich with 10 points on 4 for 5 field goal shooting.  The Bulls finally got up to 500% on the year.  The additions of Brad Miller and John Salmons really pumped up the team, and they managed to play some good ball down the stretch of the end of the season.