Yep, unfortunately this season is over now.
Orlando made so many mistakes when the money was on the table. Leading by 5 well ino the final minute. Then at +3 with 10 seconds to go, Howard misses both FT's and finally Nelosn staring at Fisher as he comfortably prepares himself for a 3 pointer that ties the game, rather than fouling him much earlier, or making way for him to get into the basket for a 2 pointer.
As for Howard - I see your point but if he only could shoot from the line... 6 for 14 with 1 for 4 when it all mattered! As long as oppsition players such as Farmar and Bryant (and I'm not counting big men like Bynum, Odom or Gasol) can hold him and send him to the line w/o this ending in a 3 points game he's in trouble. Shaquille couldn't shoot from the line, but at least NOBODY could hold him and send him to the line for 2 throws - it was always 2 points + 1 FT.
Lakers won thanks to players like Ariza and Fisher who showed up today and helped Bryant and Gasol.
Orlando lost because only Turkoglu, Pieturs at times and Howard (he still had 20+ rebounds and 9 blocked shots) showed up. Lewis, Alston and Nelson were nowhere to be seen.
At the end of the day they prbably deserved this title, although I'd like to think that this season would have ended differently had Garnett been fit.
;D
