TIN FOILERS FOILED by Tannen

Now where are all you conspiracy knuckleheads? Let's review a quote or two heard on the airwaves. "There is no way the league will allow Orlando to make the Finals". What's the point of going on, it's just pathetic to use the refs, networks and powers that be as excuses for things not going the way you want or think they should. It's typical American sports fan hysterics. Never accept shortcomings, deny facts and find someone to blame. The basis of right wing radio. The Lakers won the West because they're the best team, best coach, most playoff experience and the best player in the conference. Orlando won the East because they were able to survive Boston without Garnett and Cleveland fooled many, self completely included into thinking they could be dominant. Turns out they can't defend a quality offense, and the LeBron James supporting cast was not post season tested and played much too inconsistently. I for one am delighted despite being way, way off on my prediction. See? It's okay to admit error, might even be a sign of honesty or character. My prediction entering the East Finals was the Cavaliers would not face another game 6. If not for the James heave at the gun to win game 2, I would have been dead on, but on the wrong side. The oddmakers have LA a huge favorite. On my gambling site, you put down $50 on Orlando and get back $140, while the same half a c-note returns just $68 on the Lakers. This is the 30th time the Laker franchise has made the league finals. First happened 60 years ago when they were based in Minneapolis led by George Mikan. So they've made the Final 2 half the time since. Their longest drought between that season and 1973, a quarter century, was 4 years from 1955 until 58. Then they missed making the NBA championship round from 1974 thru 79. Along came Ervin and they were a regular until 1991. Then came the longest period where they didn't win the conference, from 92-99 until the Kobe/Shaq combo triggered a three-peat. This is their 6th appearance in the Finals this decade. History says the Boston Celtics with 17 titles are the most successful franchise the NBA has known, but they've won the East and championship exactly once since 1987. For consistency and just being a legit contender, no one can touch the LA Lakers.