The Los Angeles Lakers will win the 2009 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic.

"I would like to remind you that you bear a tremendous burden of proof." -We each have the same burden of proof. I have to prove that the Lakers will win. And you will have to prove that the Magic will win. Once again, we share the same burden of proof. I will start by comparing the starting lineup, in which the Lakers have better individual players at every position than the Magic: Point Guard: Derek Fisher (LA) vs. Rafer Alston (ORL) Alston may have slightly better statistics than Fisher, but Fisher has remarkebly better experience, leadership, and poise. He has been involved in 11 playoff series (154 games) and has won three NBA championships. Alston has been involved in less than one-third (48 games) of playoff games as Fisher, and has never even been invovled in an NBA championship series. Being one of the most respected respected players in the league, Fisher was voted President of the NBA Players Association. Fisher's experience, leadership, and poise clearly make up for the slight statistic differential, advantage LA. Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant (LA) vs. Courtney Lee (ORL) This matchup is quite laughable to say the least. Kobe is arguably the best player in the history of the NBA and far away the best SG in the NBA. Kobe has three NBA championships, was the MVP for 2008, an 11 time all star, and many many more. Courtney Lee is a rookie who only averaged 8.4 PPG in the 08-09 regular season. Courtney Lee compares in no way to Kobe Bryant, the advantage is easily LA. Small Forward: Trevor Ariza (LA) vs. Hedo Turkoglu (ORL) Hedo has better stats than Ariza, but the matchup is better suited for Ariza. Ariza is a strong 220 lb 6'8" SF who is known for his speed, dunks, and defense. Hedo is a lanky 220 lb 6'10" SF who is known for his shooting. He is slow and a bad defender. Ariza will prove to be too athletic for Hedo in the series, advantage LA. Power Forward: Pau Gasol (LA) vs. Rashard Lewis (ORL) Gasol has been statistically better than Lewis in the playoffs and in the regular season. In the playoffs, Gasol has only 1 less PPG than Lewis, while averaging 5 more RPG and shooting 10% better from the field. In the regular season, Gasol has been better in 13 out of 15 statistical categories than Lewis. Gasol's awards include: 2009 All-NBA Third Team, 2009 Feb. Player of the Month, 2008 FIBA Europe Player of the Year, 2008 Euroscar Player of the Year, 2 time NBA All Star, and many more. Lewis's only awards are a 2 time NBA All Star. Advantage LA. Center: Andrew Bynum (LA) vs. Dwight Howard (ORL) Dwight Howard has been noticeably weak if does not get the ball right below the basket for an easy dunk. Howard has not been met with a defensive challenge throughout the playoffs. He has not been met with someone to counter his size. My opponent may point out Zydrunas Ilgauskas of the Cleveland Cavaliers. But Ilgauskas is too big at 7'6", therefore he is an unathletic oaf. Bynum is big 7'0" 285 lb and athletic. Bynum has been known as a great defensive player prior to his MCL tear in early 2009. Bynum will be able to counter Howard's size and athleticism with his own size, athleticism, and defensive prowess. Therefore, advantage LA. Team Statistics: Lakers- (65-17 record, best record in the West)- 106.9 PPG, 43.9 RPG, 23.3 APG Magic- (59-23 record, 3rd best in the East)- 101.1 PPG, 43.3 RPG, 19.4 APG -The Lakers have the better record and the better statistics in the major statistical categories. Lakers have the clear advantage. Now I will compare the bench (with statistics (as of 3/9/09(~month before playoffs started))) (1): ***Scoring*** -The Lakers bench scores 28% of their total points. -The Magic bench scores 22% of their total points. ***Rebounds*** -The Lakers bench grabs 33% of their total rebounds. -The Magic bench 27% of their total rebounds. ***Steals*** -The Lakers bench snatches 52% of their total steals -The Magic bench snatches 30% of their total steals ***Blocks*** -The Lakers bench rejects 34% of their total blocks. -The Magic bench rejects 23% of their total blocks. ***Turnovers*** -The Lakers bench contributes 36% of their total turnovers. -The Magic bench contributes 21% of their total turnovers. Clearly, from these statistics you can see that the Lakers bench is better in virtually every category. Coaches: Phil Jackson (LA) vs. Stan Van Gundy (ORL) This comparison is about as lopsided as the Kobe/Courtney Lee comparison. I would love to see my opponent argue Stan Van Gundy's achievments with Phil Jackson's achievments which include: a record tying nine NBA championships, and the highest regular season winning percentages and the highest playoff winning percentages in NBA history. Clearly, advantage LA. On-the-Court Leadership: Lakers vs. Magic Another lopsided comparison... The Magic have no established leader while the Lakers have two 12-year veterans (Kobe and Derek Fisher) that have been involved in 10 NBA championships, won 6 of them. Kobe is a former MVP and Derek Fisher is the President of the NBA Players Association. The playoff experience of the Lakers trounce the experience of the Magic. Advantage LA. As can clearly be seen, the Los Angeles Lakers are better in every single aspect of basketball than the Orlando Magic. The team with the better players, coaches, experience, and statistics is usually the team to win a game. In this situation, the Lakers are the team with the better players, coach, experience, and statistics compared to the Magic. Therefore, The Los Angeles Lakers will win the 2009 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic. -----SOURCES----- (1) http://www.lakers101.com... ***Note- obviously I have used much more sources than this but all players'/coaches'/team stats/awards have come from nba.com and the wikipedia pages of the said players/coaches. Unless my opponent uses an obscure statistic (such as I did with the bench statistics), he does not have to cite. If my opponent feels as though he would like the link to every single page for every single player and coach I would be happy to provide them for him. Good luck to my opponent, I look forward to your rebuttal/argument.