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.