Article:Kobe vs Lebron, OR Billups vs Howard???

If you were anticipating the Kobe vs Lebron matchup for the finals, keep dreaming. The only way this is going to occur is through your video game consoles.

The Cavs have been outcoached, outmatched and out defended. For a team that was number one in defense, where are they? Mike Brown was coach of the year - for the regular season, not for the playoffs. If Mike comes back to Cleveland with the team, the fans will look to hang him for the screwup. In a town where the only lifeline of hope is residing on a pro basketball team - the fans will want blood. The Cavs fans in Cleveland are in need of a miracle, it isnt going to happen this year. And what of Lebron's contract? If Ferry doesn't get that done this offseason, it will make for a very nervous fan base and a really bad year for 09-10 season in Cleveland.

As to the Lakers, they are coming across the same problem. Everyone is "going through the motions" and Gasol is finally the first person to stand up and say - WHAT IS THIS? Its not Lakers basketball. Phil Jackson is going to have to be very careful, as Denver seems to have the same swing passing game as the Magic do. If the Lakers fail to make the finals, is this Phil's last year? Will Kobe want "another" trade. Going through that again is like waiting for Brett Favre to come out of retirement again - boring.

Wouldn't it be a surprise that David Stern will lose so much in revenue and ratings if Denver & Orlando make it to the finals? Who is really  gonna watch that series outside of those 2 markets? Just the ESPN folks will have the unfortunate job of reporting such a low rated finals that they  may not even want to watch. His dream matchup Lakers vs Cavs would bring in MILLIONS, such a shame. Even if only 1 of them made it, he's still out money just because of a possible sweep.

Lets review some scenerios:

Orlando Magic win the finals: All of southern Florida will rejoice. No one else cares

Denver Nuggets win the finals: All of America is SHOCKED and what a Cinderella story it is. America loves these in sports. Once the week is over - back to reality, nobody cares.

LA Lakers win the finals: No surprise against the Magic - but again, the Lakers are SUPPOSED to win.

Cleveland Cavaliers win the finals: I cant write this scenerio because the fairy tale is over.

Mr. David Stern; it's a sad, sad world when things don't go your way.