Lack of Magic

Yesterday, Kobe scored the most points in any of his playoff game this season and it is due to his hunger to winning another championship. Everyone expected Kobe to bounce back after last year's humiliation, and everyone surely predicted that Kobe will come out with fire burning through his eyes once he was introduced last in game 1. Everyone knew of Kobe's capacity to take over a game with his own self. Thus, everyone got what they were expecting... a win by Kobe and his Lakers in game 1. I personally is not a Kobe fan but he was outstanding in game 1. No once could stop him despite being faced with multiple defenders at times and also despite being fouled hard numerous times. Every time Kobe lowers his head and drive to the basket, it results to a basket or two free throws. Kobe truly was the best player, and his laker teammates also stepped up and provided significant contributions specifically by Gasol, Odom, and Fisher. Luke Walton also provided some moves taught by his old man and Bynum early on did a good job controlling the boards and putting a huge body on Howard. But despite all this, the true story that affected the result is on the Magic. Not on Howard, not on his coach or his plays. It was on the Magic's inability to match the level of intensity of the Lakers. It was the Magic's inability to either slow Kobe or stop his teammates. It was because of the Magic's inability to shoot open jump shots or tip in from below the rim. It was all on the Magic's disappearing act which surely did not amazed us nor it provided us with excitement and awe. The bottom line is, the Magic should show up to even up the series. The Orlando Magic, not Magic Johnson, should revive their careers and do what they do best... Upsets.