Magic lost Finals -- Lakers didn't win them

Promptly after my last blog post, the NBA Finals turned from compelling to disappointing. The Magic had chances galore to seize control of the series, but the Lakers never handed over their grip. Now they've got a 15th title banner to hang in Staples Center.

After Game 4, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy tried -- unconvincingly -- in the media room to say that experience didn't play a factor down the stretch, when Dwight Howard missed two free throws and Orlando failed to foul when up by three in the waning seconds.

Laughable, man.

In that situation, you absolutely must foul. If you do foul, too many bad things must happen for you to lose. When you don't foul, all your opponent has to do is make one shot. And we've seen that shot go in countless times -- at every level of basketball.

Not only did the Magic not foul, they foolishly pressed. And after they pressed, they sagged on Derek Fisher -- who secured his lofty spot in Finals lore by sinking a game-tying triple and knocking down another one in the ensuing overtime. Not quite Robert Horry, but mighty, mighty clutch.

I praise Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and the rest of the Lakers for a great season. I salute Phil Jackson on becoming the winningest coach of all-time. But I will forever remember the 2009 Finals as the series Stan Van Gundy, Courtney Lee, Superman and the Magic coughed away.

Finals setting up to be epic

Most everyone who follows the NBA -- David Stern at the top of the list -- wanted to see L.A. versus Cleveland in the Finals. (I mean Kobe versus LeBron.) What we have instead are the two best teams in the land locked in a ferocious battle that could easily go seven games. We haven't witnessed that since 2005, when the Spurs inched past the Pistons in one of the more painful experiences Detroit fans have ever endured.

And this series is better.

This collision of talented and cohesive teams is great for the game of basketball. The Lakers have the Baddest Man on Hardwood -- Kobe the Killer, the Black Mamba, the Heir to Air -- meshing well with good complements, while the Magic have an absolutely elite collection of shooters that would present matchup problems for any team trying to guard them. They showed their outside touch last night in Game 3 by shooting a Finals record 62.5 percent from the field. And they didn't even play as well as they can.

What I see unfolding is four more close games, where Kobe goes off in a few, Rashard Lewis goes off in a few, and ultimately, we have a deciding Game 7 in L.A. next week.

Because regardless of what the Lakers decide to do defensively, they're not going to slow down the Magic as a whole. Double-teaming Dwight Howard leaves any one of the deadly 3-point shooters -- Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, Mickael Pietrus, J.J. Redick, Jameer Nelson -- open. Guarding Dwight one-on-one guarantees Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum a spot on a poster, dangling under Superman as he hangs on the rim and grins. And when it comes down to it, Derek Fisher can't guard Nelson or Rafer Alston at the point guard spot. Alston proved that last night by slicing into the lane whenever he pleased, with ease.

On the flip, there's not much the Magic can do about Kobe if he gets going. In the first quarter of Game 3, he was as unstoppable as we've seen this postseason. But he slowed down -- which can happen to the Mamba when he over-exerts himself -- and showed in quarters two through four that he was human. He'll have to rely more on Gasol and Odom these next two games if the Lakers want to win one in Orlando. He'll also have to find some way to get his full legs back under him for Games 6 and 7, because I don't see the Magic going quietly unless Kobe has another 40-plus night. He did it in Game 1, a Lakers romp. I'll be surprised if we see that again. The Magic are playing well in all facets -- aside from taking care of the ball. And if Courtney Lee makes that lay-up in Game 2, they're up a game instead of trying to claw back and even things.

Who knows how it will all unfold? We should just sit back and brace ourselves for four more close games. It's bound to be a series for the ages.

LeBron is LeGone, and LeDead to me

LeBron, you're dead to me.

I really enjoyed watching your elite play and bewildering athleticism this season, and I sang your praises all year long. I defended you in every Kobe-or-LeBron-who's-better? battle that flew my way. I looked past the still-palpable pain you inflicted on Pistons fans in 2007 and said repeatedly that you were the greatest player on the planet. Still might be. But I don't like you any longer.

There's something that athletes in your position -- one of megastar status -- absolutely must do, and that is respect the game. Saturday after Game 6, by refusing to acknowledge the Magic's feat, you spit in basketball's face.

And then you ignored the media afterward -- which was a misstep, but a forgivable one. Hell, Rasheed Wallace refuses to answer reporters' questions at the end of every postseason. It's classless, but at least Sheed has decency and the cojones to give dap to his opponents at the end of a series.

By walking out of Amway Arena Saturday without even saying "Well done" or "Good luck" or "We'll see you next year" to Dwight Howard and his Magic mates, you -- Mr. MVP -- came off as the sorest of losers. And you reminded me of the whiny baby I grew to despise in 2007 when you and the Cavs took advantage of a dysfunctional Pistons team and lucked your way into the Finals.

I understand that this was supposed to be your coronation -- Title Numero Uno -- but there was one small problem: Your team wasn't as good as Orlando's team. Now your managerial team needs to bulk up your roster. And your time will come. But until it does, you need to respect your opponent, respect the game -- and put away those confounded cameras in the pregame introductions.

Have a great summer vacation, Prince.