Superman will meet kryptonite in human form and his name is LeBron James. The Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard is an immense talent blessed with nearly unparalleled physical gifts, but LeBron James is a once in a lifetime basketball player who is seeking to write the first chapter in the LeBron James legacy of championship basketball.
The Magic are placeholders until LeBron and his merry band of Cavaliers can meet an opponent who can elevate the myth of LeBron. Meeting the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals is mere predule to a larger event that basketball fans crave. Kobe Bryant is the one person in basketball who LeBron James needs. LeBron James needs to meet Kobe Bryant in the NBA Finals and end any questions as to whom is the greatest basketball player on the planet. LeBron needs Kobe to validate his greatness, which cannot be completely achieved by the Cavs beating the Nuggets in the NBA Finals. Perhaps, in a sense, Kobe also needs LeBron to cement his status as the true heir to Jordan in the lineage of NBA greats. Each man needs the other to define his greatness.
Basketball greatness is bestowed on very few people. There is a short list of greats and only championships elevate one player over the other. Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player in the history of the game and LeBron James is on a quest to alter that universal truth. The Orlando Magic will be unable to prevent LeBron's Cavs from reaching the NBA Finals, because Cleveland general manager Danny Ferry has provided LeBron with a complement of players that appear to have the necessary ingredients to win a title.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas is a legitimate low-post scorer. Mo Williams is an accomplished NBA point guard, who may not be as flashy as Rajon Rondo or Derrick Rose, but is a better fit to run the point for LeBron's Cavs. Anderson Varejao will give Dwight Howard problems and Varejao's propensity for hitting the hardwood to take charges may put Howard in foul trouble. Delonte West brings Philly grit and Joe Smith adds veteran leadership.
Delonte West
Against LeBron's Cavaliers, a team cannot rely on three-point shooting to get to the NBA Finals. The Magic's inability to score in the paint and Howard's non-existent low-post game will prevent the Magic from moving on. Dwight Howard's offense is generated by offensive rebounds and athleticism, which Cleveland's big men will be able to stymie.
This series will be the next step in the coronation of King LeBron with Kobe Bryant waiting in the wings to foil the path of basketball eventuality. Some will argue that LeBron is already the greatest player in the world, but without the trappings of an NBA title he is a modern day Dominique Wilkins or Charles Barkley. Not that I completely agree with the previous sentence, but playoff excellence creates myth and legend. LeBron needs his Craig Ehlo moment and Kobe needs to beat LeBron.
Chauncey Billups is a great story, Hedo Turkoglu is the Turkish Michael Jordan, but we all want LeBron and Kobe. Michael and the Bulls had to beat Isiah's Bad Boys, Isiah and the Bad Boys had to beat Magic's Lakers and Larry's Celtics and LeBron needs to beat Kobe.
The two baddest men in the planet need to meet on the hardwood to write the next chapter in hardwood history. It shouldn't happen any other way.
Prediction: Cleveland in five.
