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.