??? ?????? wrote:
Lakers fans are too cocky right now. I don't think that they comprehend that Dwight Howard is a better player than Kobe Bryant when you are basing it on overall impact of the game. Yes, Kobe is a much more skilled player than Dwight, but Dwight's impact is unmatched. Obviously, because he's a center, he affects every player on the opposing, and not just his own man on defense, something Kobe really can't do.
Offensively, Kobe is single covered quite a bit, and then he will get met by some help defense if he gets towards the paint. Dwight Howard? LA's been double, tripling, quadruple teaming him every time he touches the ball. Kobe doesn't command the same amount of defensive attention.
Lakers should be viewed as the favorites, but Dwight Howard is such an impactful player, that it was never going to be easy for the Lakers. I think the Magic are going to win these next two games, and then it comes down to whether or not they can get a win in LA.
You can't be watching the same Finals I'm watching. Howard is NOT & probably never will be better than Kobe, or more of an "impact" player as you said. That is such a ridiculous statement. Kobe is averaging 33.3ppg, 8apg, 5rpg compared to Howard whos at 16.6ppg, 15rpg, 2.6apg. The only category Howard dominates in is rebounds & that's a given. He's not even the leading scorer for the Magic in the Finals! And he's not being double teamed either. Gasol & Bynum are playing him single coverage & succeeding because..well..HE'S NOT A DOMINANT PLAYER!
I like Dwight Howard. He's an amazing athlete & a wonderful guy off the court. But just because he's big & athletic does not make him dominant. I don't even know how people even started this. He's never averaged more than 21ppg. If he shot better at FT's that might be different. He is not a polished lost-post scorer. He scores facing the basket, relying on his superior strength & athleticism to score. When you put an opposing defender of similar size on him, he has a much more difficult time. He made 1 FG in game 1. 1! That's the second lowest total ever in the Finals for a starter. And you're calling him dominant? I guarantee he will not break 40 in a single game this series.
Kobe, on the other hand, can pretty much only be stopped by Kobe. He can shoot from anywhere, get his shot of at anytime, gets to the lane whenever he wants, & (other than last night) hits 90% of his FT's. I want you to watch all the Magic players on the court when Kobe gets the ball next game. All eyes will be on Kobe.
The only thing I agree with you on is that the Magic will win the next game.