The 2009 NBA Finals Game 1 was preceded by a whole lot of talking, a whole lot of show, and a whole lot of excitement. It all started with a portrayal of the L.A. Laker’s fire in a customized video made by the organization and this video not only pumped up everyone in the StaplesCenter, but it also pumped up at the fans at home, like me. The players came out to their introductions and a marvelous occasion had begun. An occasion that happens once a year, and every big basketball fan anticipates the NBA World Championship; deep down inside basketball fans also see the agonizing basketball withdrawal symptoms that will be present for 5 months until Halloween rolls in. That’s why this part of the season in the NBA is important to every fan. Also, did I mention the likes of Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard headline this year’s excitement? That’s right, things just got much more exciting. Every year new rivalries are built and old ones are relived and this year, the greatest basketball player in the world, Kobe Bryant, will lead an all star cast. They will do battle with the future of the NBA, Dwight Howard, as he begins to leave his 6’11 footprints in the history of the NBA. One player is a seasoned veteran at winning championships, while the other is making his first of countless appearances to the NBA Finals. In a sport where winning is everything, and losing can last a lifetime, how does one prepare for such a battle?

The first of the half of the NBA Finals Game 1 was exciting, and just like Magic Johnson said, every player on the court was far too excited and didn’t even bother to contain it. Players were playing harder than usual, concentrating much stronger, and reaching out much farther for the final prize. The L.A. Lakers were unstoppable on the offense and playing above average on defense. That sort of combination is deadly, and the Orlando Magic were definitely feeling that point. Orlando struggled trying to get their jump shot offense in rhythm, but the good L.A. defense and Orlando’s nervous state on the big stage had them missing most of the shots that did beat L.A. defense. The following players were key players in the first half:

Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers):

Kobe Bryant can be two different players on offense. He can be that facilitator that comes in and plays as a decoy for the double team to smother him. At exactly the right time, Kobe would pass the ball to the open man, usually when two defenders are all over Kobe, and thus the facilitation. He can also just take the ball and score at will like no other, as if he practices extremely difficult shots along with the easy open shots. By the second half Kobe Bryant had scored 18 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 blocked shot, and 1 steal, making exactly 50 % of shots. This meant he had decided to bring both offensive personas to play tonight. His defense is never different, and always full of effort and intensity. See kids what practicing in the gym from 5am everyday can lead to?

Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic):

The man in the middle for the Orlando Magic brought his A - game, placing himself in his hot spots and calling for the ball at every chance he got. At both ends of the court, Howard’s presence can be felt and if he wasn’t altering shots or swatting at the ball, he was getting fouled on the offense. At the line, he shot his free throws competitively, hitting 6 of his 8 shots. Unfortunately, Howard spent quite a bit of time on the bench due to foul trouble and his mediocre 8 points and 4 rebounds and a 10 point deficit were the glaring results of his absence.

L.A. Lakers Starting Cast: Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol

The L.A. Lakers came out to play, and along with Kobe, the cast all did their part. Bynum began early, rebounding and defending strong against Howard. Derek Fisher, a savvy big shot veteran, hit 4 of 5 of his shots to control his team’s offense alongside Kobe Bryant. Odom and Gasol both played like big men, providing strong defense and timely rebounds. To be honest though, Kobe Bryant had decided to make a statement, so don’t expect his all star cast scoring too many points in the next half. As long as Lakers cast can bring it on the defense, they have already guaranteed the first game.

Orlando Magic Starting Cast: Rafer Alston, Hedo Turkuglo, Rashard Lewis, Courtney Lee

In the first half, the Orlando Magic could definitely lose the nervousness they were playing with. One bright note was the return of their point guard floor General Jameer Nelson. He was out for *** on a shoulder injury on his shooting arm and was deemed injured for the rest of the season. Nelson instead works extremely hard to come back and gets himself 2 months ahead of schedule in his rehab schedule, and the man came back onto the court, seemingly not missing a beat. Three minutes off the bench and he had racked up 3 assists and played almost the whole second half, finishing with 4 points and 4 assists. Turkuglo coasted through the game hitting shots in the first quarter and missing in action here and there in the second. Rashard Lewis, another weapon in Orlando’s Offensive weaponry, was beginning to make his impact, however slower than required. A noteworthy acknowledgement goes to Courtney Lee and Michael Pietrus, battling to do what they can to contain the best player in the world.

The end of the third quarter is winding down and Kobe Bryant is playing like a man possessed, with an updated statline of 34 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 blocked shot, 1 steal, no turnovers, 5-5 on his free throws, and has hit 15 of his 27 shots.  The lead is at 22.  Unless a miracle in the size of Noah’s Ark comes through for the Orlando Magic, it is safe to say Kobe Bryant, with medium involvement from his all star cast, has sealed the deal for game 1.  The final quarter was not so full of action while Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard sat on the bench, one enjoying the well earned rest, while the other sulking in defeat, getting ready mentally for game 2.  The second half finished with Kobe Bryant back on the court continuing his assault, while Orlando Magic tried to mend their wounds and their pride and get in a rhythm now for the next game.

Kobe Bryant

If anyone watched the 3^rd quarter of the game, they will have to agree on the brilliance of this man’s game.  He was absolutely unstoppable, any shot he took, no matter the degree of difficulty, he was going to hit that shot, and most likely get that whistle for one more free throw.  Kobe Bryant can taste that sweet taste of victory, and he is on 7^th gear driving towards that victory.

Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard was contained to a point because Orlando Magic’s offense dictates around Howard getting the ball inside and passing the ball back out to the jump shooters.  Unfortunately none of the jump shooters were hitting, and on these rough days, losing by 20+ is nothing but familiar.  Dwight Howard did what he can and all he can do is look forward to Game 2, where he hopes his team will step up to hit the shots that are desperately needed if Orlando Magic were to give any sort of fight to the L.A. Lakers.

L.A. Lakers Starting Cast

The Cast came through and did what they had to do, which was very simple because Kobe Bryant was going off in ways unimaginable.  The cast must be applauded for their execution on both ends of the court on such a big stage, as was expected of them. 

Orlando Magic Starting Cast

The Orlando Magic starting cast just wasn’t ready Game 1, hitting only 6 of their 19 3 point shots and only 20 of their 63 field goals; the sad part is there still 8 and a half minutes of torture still left.  This is the life of a jump shot team: if your not in rhythm hitting your shots, then you will fall very quickly, and their defense doesn’t get better with every missed shot.  The bright side of things is there is still a possible 6 games, and so the Orlando Magic starting cast just has to get their heads together for Game 2.  Again, a noteworthy mention goes out to Michael Pietrus in the second half, working hard on Kobe Bryant and hitting some tough shots of his own to try to slow down the fire the L.A. Lakers were playing with.

Well Game 1 is officially. To many though, including even the players of the Orlando Magic, the game was unofficially over with 8 minutes left to go in the game. The L.A. Lakers have made it clear they are in much hurry to close this series out and claim what they felt they should have embraced last year against the Boston Celtics. Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant want their 4^th championship, the first without Shaquille O’Neal. Phil Jackson, the coach of the L.A. Lakers, wants to win his 10^th championship, which would put him in front of Red AuerBach and his 9 championships as a coach with the Boston Celtics. Finally, lets not forget Pau Gasol, former Olympic Basketball champion, all star Lamar Odom and future phenoms Trevor Ariza and Andrew Bynum who are all hungry for their first championship. Can the Orlando Magic, with just as many hungry mouths desperate for a championship, step up to the role of David, and bring the class and the experience to take out the L.A. Lakers, or should I say the Goliath of this year’s NBA?

If you liked this NBA Championship Finals Game 1 Breakdown, then check out my basketball related articles such as "Is King James Leaving Clevand?" which is in depth analysis of the next best player in the world to take Kobe's spotlight and if he will stay in the small market of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Or a deep analysis of the battle between Dwight Howard and the future best ever, Lebron James: A Long Awaited Destiny or a New Era of the Past? A Guide to the 2009 NBA Championship

Below you will find more NBA Basketball related articles I have written.  Thank you for visiting my hubpage and please feel free to comment.  Take care.

Related Readings:

The 2009 NBA Championship Finals: Game 2 Breakdown

The 2009 NBA Championship Finals: Game 3 Breakdown