Way back before the NBA playoffs started I did mention on the “Talkin’ Sports” show on KLBC with my co-host JR, that Orlando could potentially make a run at the Eastern Conference title. That was of course before the injury to their All Star point guard Jameer Nelson. I then retracted and gave them no chance at the East title. Now that they did win and nearly swept the favorite Cavaliers, they can be considered in some circles a tough matchup for the Lakers. The Lakers finally decided to play to their capabilities and beat Denver in their own house to await the Magic in LA. I’m sure no one had Orlando in this spot, but everyone had the Lakers in theres.

Now without going into a prediction of the Finals, we all know where I stand. I believe the Lakers will win, but they will not win in no less than six games. The Lakers match up well with Orlando better than Cleveland did. I want to go back and more or less react to the NBA MVP LeBron James. He is a great player. Possibly top three if not one of the top five players in the NBA today. Perhaps he is the face of the NBA as well and has all the fame and fortune to last a lifetime. Basic sportsmanship should be a must when your at that kind of level. I know he’s not the first and won’t be the last person to leave the court early after losing a series in the postseason. Come on LeBron. Shake hands with Orlando, answer a couple questions with the media and go home. Don’t email your Olympic teammate afterwards. Don’t rationalize your decision today with, “It’s hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them,” he said. “I’m a winner. It’s not being a poor sport or anything like that. If somebody beats you up, you’re not going to congratulate them. That doesn’t make sense to me. I’m a competitor. That’s what I do. It doesn’t make sense for me to go over and shake somebody’s hand.” If I’m not mistaken, you are the team leader. The reason why Cleveland got to where they are in the playoffs. Of course your being a poor sport. Some would say a cry baby (see above). Learn from this mistake because you haven’t made any up until this point in your career LeBron.

My favorite story is that Lamar Odom is on a sugar rush. Literally eating tons of Snickers, Gummi Life Savers, Three Muskeeters and not to mention Cookies before games. Is that the reason why he doesn’t seem to be there for some of these games? I don’t know. Frankly this shouldn’t be a big deal, but when a doctor does research and theorizes about how this could affect him, then I really don’t care. I can’t get enough of the sweet stuff, but I do know when to put it down (right as I put down my Reese’s). Lamar will, according to him, wake up in the middle of the night grab his Mrs. Fields and go right back to sleep. I am in no means wanting the Lakers to go cold turkey with Odom’s stash. The Lakers are in the Finals, everyone who has eaten sugary things understands the obsession and to quote a Beatles song, “Let It Be.” Let him have his Twix and Skittles before the game. M&M’s during a timeout. Twinkies and Rolos at halftime. And after the game wash it all down with some Pixi Stix. A recipe for success.