Finals: Match-Ups.

Biggest match-up is the obvious one. One that centers on, well.. the Centers. Bynum since coming back from injury has been a bit irrelevant in the Playoffs. After a small tease in his comeback game against the Denver Nuggets in the last games of the regular season, he's almost not there mentally, and pretty much physically. I'm not sure if the new knee brace he's been using has really limiting his movement, or if he's just flat out scared of re-injuring it.

Whatever the reason is, he better man up.. literally. Bynum now has to face one of(if not) the premiere Center(s) in the NBA. In this series or any of the previous ones, we're not looking to have Bynum there as an offensive presence, but more of a defensive one. Bynum has to body Dwight up. Beat him to the spot and not let Howard get in good position to score. And if he is in a position to score, make it tough for him. Foul him if you have to, make him earn his points. It's never good for Big Drew to be in foul trouble, but knowing when to make the correct one is important. But if all we needed Drew for is fouls, we might as well put Mbenga in. IQ is the difference. Sorry D.J.

Next one to worry about is Rashard Lewis. The Power Forward who isn't one. He's a 6'10 Forward who's able to shoot the three, drive it in, and post. A task for starting Center/Forward Pau Gasol. Pau is fast and agile, and has shown he can close on a three shooter. But what is he going to do when that three shooter has the ability to drive? I think he'll do OK. Anyway the task also falls on Odom when he comes in for Bynum. I think he has a better chance at guarding him and can also switch off with Ariza to guard Hedo, when needed. Only question is, "how long do we let Bynum or Pau guard Dwight and Lewis before they sub?"

Hedo to me won't cause to much ruckus for the Lakers. I think after guarding a rough Melo, Ariza and Kobe won't have to much trouble with him. Though the Lakers might put to much emphasis on Lewis and Dwight, and may forget about Hedo. Lee and Pietrus on the other hand may be trouble. But not offensively. These two, especially Pietrus, look to stop, or at least slow down the Mamba a bit. They say these guys held LeBron down, but that man averaged +30, 8, and 8 in the series. And you call that slowing him down? I can't imagine what Kobe can do to these guys.

I don't see any other match-up problems for us so I won't bother for the rest. Game plan is for Bynum to hold down the paint. Or whoever else is down there, needs to guard it. Stay home on shooters, cause we all know the Magic can shoot the lights out. Try and keep our bigs out of foul trouble. But the biggest thing to is to control the boards. If we can manage to do half of that, we should do fine.