GAMEDAY.

Rewind back to October of 2008. Lakers were the heavy favorites to take the trophy this year. And was 7-0 to start the season. A couple of months later, they were criticized as not having that same spark. They then proved to everyone that they still got it, with a impressive win against Boston on Christmas day. They were again tested in a six-game road trip in February, ending with the East's top two seed in Boston, then Cleveland. They swept that trip. They rose to every big challenge the regular season brought to them. And then the made the Playoffs.

As the No. 1 seed in the West, you would think they would have the easier road. Instead they were tested in every series. First, facing a young, quick, and athletic Utah team that can really put up numbers. In which they finished in 5. Then, an "in your face" tough defensive minded Houston team. They struggled but got through it in 7. And finally met, which seemed to be a mixture of Utah and Houston. Denver played a physically defensive game while scoring on you at every angle. But their lack of experience proved detriment, causing them to fold under the pressure late in games. And eventually the Lakers took it in 6 games to advance to the NBA Finals.

Today, a few hours from now is Game 1 of the Finals against the Orlando Magic. The only team the Lakers failed to overcome. But since they last played, changes have been made on both teams. Bynum is back after missing half the season due to injury. Ariza is starting and newly acquired Brown has made Phil's rotation. Jameer who torched us in both games this year has been out for half the season. Former Rocket Rafer Alston replaced Nelson in a trade for former Laker Brian Cook, and helped Magic continue to be contenders.

Every step of the way in the road to the Finals, the Lakers have been tested. And to me, seemed like they had the hardest road to get there than any other team. In the regular season, as well as the Playoffs. Out hustled by the Jazz, out muscled by the Rockets, and out played by the Nuggets. If they were looked at as soft before the Playoffs began. They weren't anymore after playing those three teams. I'm glad they were put through hell. All that was just practice. Practice till the Finals where the Magic look to test them one more time.