Do you believe in Magic?

Orlando has performed as their team name describes, magically. They came back against the 76ers, deflated the Celtics chances of repeating as champions, and then went toe-to-toe against the King himself, LeBron James.

Against LBJ and the Cavs, the Magic were at their best. They proved to the basketball world they weren't going to be witness to greatness and sent the Cavs packing.

But to say that the Magic are facing a different kind of beast than they did in the Eastern Conference Finals, would be an understatement.

To start, the Lakers are a much more proficient ballclub. Just looking at the playoffs alone, the Lakers score more than the Cavs did (102 ppg - 97 ppg), they hold opponents to a lower shooting percentage (42%) and where it matters most in this series, the Lakers opponents are only shooting 31% from long distance.

And of course, the Magic have to find someone to guard a hungry Kobe Bryant, who has been mean mugging since the Denver series.

The Magic are probably wondering what they did to anger Mamba. The answer. They showed up. Since that whipping the Lakers received against the Celtics to close out last years finals, Kobe has been on a mission, and that 40 pt, 8 boards, and 8 dimes is just an example of what we can expect the rest of this series.

Yes, it is only game 2, but in order for Orlando to win this series they're going to need a little more magic and a lot of prayer.

Dwight Howard ends Kobe/ Lebron discussion

With a 103-90 game 6 win Dwight Howard not only ended LeBron's playoff run, but ended the discussion on whether LeBron is better than Kobe. The answer he emphatically provided? Not yet!

LBJ adapted Will Ferrell's Ricky Bobby mentality,"If you're not first, you're last!" and James and the Cavs ended the regular season with a league best 66 wins. But just like Rick Bobby, they met an equally formidable opponent in the Magic.

Now LeBron is, as the guys from TNT put it, 'Gone fishing' and only one player from that debate still stands, Kobe Bryant.

Kobe Bryant was able to lead his team past the Nuggets, who undeniably captured some new fans with their high-energy, proficient basketball. Heck, some analyst even had them pitted to represent the Western Conference.

But Kobe did what people expected of him. He dished when needed to, played great defense, and did what he does best, shredded the opposing defense.

So while one Nike puppet continues to amuse fans, the other one, and this debate will be stored away, probably in the same place where you could find the Penny Hardaway's old friend.

Superman vs. the King part VI

Lebron James said Friday, "a team is dangerous when they know they are on their last limb, especially with us. I think we are very dangerous at this point"

Well to beat this Magic team and their version of Superman in the middle, you need everything you've got, and maybe borrow from the bank while you're at it. Just ask the Celtics.

The Cleveland Cavaliars, no doubt, have one of the best players in the game in Lebron, and he showed that he can win games singlehandedly (NOTE: scored or assisted in last 32 pts).

But we've seen this before. And it hasn't been when the Cavs were on their last limbs. It appears to be the plan of action. And it hasn't worked before to the extent that Cleveland would like.

Sure the Cavs have been to the show before, but I think everyone, espicially Lebron, remembers what happened there.

"The game is basically all LeBron all the time,” Van Gundy replied to Mike Brown's plan.

In order for Lebron and the Cavs to get by the Magic, and hope to again contend for the Larry O'Brien, they're going to need those other 11 guys to do their part. It's time for the bench to take their place as royalty alongside the King.

Elsewise, the King may decide its time to build a castle elsewhere.