Unless you’ve been in a cave during the last couple of weeks, its been quite clear who the media wants to see in the NBA finals. Nike has recently chipped in with the Kobe and Laron puppets who go at each other subliminally on who is the greatest. I must admit from the few commercials that I did see featuring the two, they did make me laugh. From Labron’s chalk toss, to Kobe’s 3 NBA championship rings, and a few others Nike is defiantly campaigning their endorsees pretty strong.

Even Vitamin Water has their own spiel on in my opinion who they favor to end up in the Finals. Only difference  instead Vitamin Water choosing to use human actors in their campaign, debating who is the greatest 23 or 24, referring to the jersey numbers of the ‘09 MVP Lebron James and his respective rival counter part Kobe Bryant.

But If you’ve been tuning in to both Eastern and Western conference championship games, Denver and Orlando have made a pretty big marketing campaign of their own, only using the  court as their choice of setting. Denver has been trading victories throughout with the Lakers on the advantage with a 3-2 lead putting Denver on the brink of elimination tonight on their home floor in game six, and a game closer to proving the media correct in the West. However, the story unfolds a little different out East as the Orlando Magic has proven to be a force to be wrecking with. Dwight Howard and the Magic have  the advantage in the series with a 3-2 lead, and head to their home floor in a win or go home game for Cleavland, despite letting the opportunity to wrap the series up last night with a 10 point loss.

In all,  I’m loving every bit of all the games in both series. However I don’t think there has ever been a clear cut favorite to battle it out in the finals since dating back to the days of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Even then the media weighed in with commercial ads featuring the two rivals from their respective teams. So its inevitable that history repeats itself, but not without a few outside looking in looking to rewrite the storybook ending.

Last night kicked off the conference finals for the Los Angeles Lakers playing host to the Denver Nuggets in game one for best in the west.  Kobe finished the night 13 of 28 from the field, 2- 3 from the 3 point line, and 12-13 from the stripe with 40 points, and the Lakers ran away with game one 105-103. Denver’s Carmelo Anthony finished 14-20 with 39 points 6 rebounds 4 assist, and was on fire from everywhere on the floor. Carmelo’s hunger was evident, and this game was a sure fire thriller from beginning to end, and I anticipate the rest of the series will be one for the ages.

Now if you missed the game and you hear it from some other blog or other news column, you’ll hear how L.A. ’stole’ game one. In all actuality Denver getting back to the conference finals after a 24 year drought, had control for majority of the game with 4 of the 5 starters finishing the stat column in double figures with points, while the Lakers only had 3 players finish with double figures. Laker’s Derek Fisher still struggled with his shooting woes early on, however nailed some big shots when they needed them finishing with 13 big points in the game. Dahntay Jones seemed to struggled with the task of guarding Kobe and was very evident. Jones eventually fell to foul troubles and had to sit. Denver coach George Carl made the switch  late in the game to have Carmelo match up with Kobe on the defensive end. Noticeably Carmelo seemed to have a better hold of how to harass Kobe, and  I think we’ll see more of Carmelo guarding Kobe moving forward in the series, which is probably the best move if Devener whats to contain Kobe’s production.

In my opinion I think I make a strong argument when I say Denver lost this game from the free throw line missing 12 for the night which well below their average. Also not to mention a late lack luster inbounds pass from Denver Guard Anthony Carter, with 30 seconds left on the clock down two points which Trevor Ariza easily picked off leading to 2 of the 9 free throws made by Kobe in the 4th quarter, 6 of which were in the last 30 seconds of the game. Chauncey Billups who finished with 18 points nailed a big 3 to pull within one of the Lakers lead 102-103 with 6 seconds remaining. Carmelo fouled Kobe on the inbound and made both free throws spreading the lead to 102-105.  Then Phil Jackson’s late strategy forced J.R. Smith to the free throw line with 3 seconds left in which he made the first, and had to purposely missed the second in hopes of a rebound and quick put back, however the attempt failed and there went game one for Denver.Last nights game clearly shows how crucial free throws are. Give a yard and they take a mile which is what the Lakers did in game one. Mark my words this series will be awesome.

Mark Cuban… yeah just hearing this guys name gets on my nerves. In my opinion Cuban is a FAN of the game who just so happened to have enough money to buy a franchise. I mean why is this guy always at the games with that look on his face like he just smelled a fart. Either that or the guys acting a fool trash talking referees or opposing team players FROM THE STANDS. Cuban your an owner lets act like and behave like one.
He’s always dressed like he just got back from a BBQ or cutting his front lawn with a frazzled hair do.
Finally this past week Cuban has pulled the last straw in my opinion. Where does anyone get the audacity to put their finger in any body’s face, let alone someones Mom and direct an insult about their kid. If you ask me K-Mart handled the situation pretty well considering the situation. Now this idiot wants to buy the Chicago Cubs, thank God that fell through. Mark listen, stop while your ahead. That’s my Friday Sports Rant.

After the game five performance the Orlando Magic put forth falling short of victory after a 14 point lead with seven minutes left in the 4th, Dwight Howard has since voiced his heart felt opinion on the actions of coach Van Goofy, saying “Our coach has to recognize when he has a certain group out there and getting the job done, we have to leave those guys on the floor,” Howard said. “We are going to make mistakes, but I think you have to go with what works.” Now, Im on the fence with these words by Dwight.  In watching the game true it seemed late that the Magic just completly stopped feeding the big man, and it was obvious seeing his frustrations while running up and down the court late in the game, but to the defense of Van Goofy ….  The aledged “Super Man” has had his hands full with Boston Celtics Kendrick Perkins. For the series Dwight is only averaging 16 points, in Game 5 he was 5 for 10 with 3 count em 3 airballs. Now I wouldn’t go as far to say Van Goofy gave up on his Defensive MVP whom by the way also had zero blocks along with  zero steals. But with the astonishing playoff record the Boston Celtics have, game 5 in my opinion was a must win for the Orland Magic.