Califloridian Dilemma

Well I find myself in a most awkward position. It's come time for the NBA Finals to actually begin (okay, tomorrow), and I truly do find my Califloridian tendencies challenged. It's Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers versus Dwight Howard and the more locally based Orlando Magic about to face off at the end of a long basketball playoffs journey.

Having watched (amongst legitimate Lakers fans) the entirety of the Lakers' series against the Denver Nuggets (and the awesome "Birdman" Chris Andersen) I feel a real kinship to them. Merely mentioning any kind of amusement at the Birdman's hairdo (spiky mohawk one day, spiky-everywhere the next) I would accumulate an impressive collection of death stares.

But being a native Floridian, the Orlando Magic's tenacity and amazing performances in the faces of basketball giants and overwhelming odds to be one of the more consistent teams in the Playoffs and as long as Howard can avoid foul trouble, they post an epic threat to Kobe's Lakers, who are led by a shaky Bynum and inconsistent Fisher at point guard.

If the Magic play well and solidly, like they have been, they could easily take the Finals, but the President doesn't seem to share this thought process. In a humorous side note, President Obama has picked the Lakers to win in six games over the Magic, interestingly increasing support and attention in Orlando.

As a native Floridian and spiritual Californian, this game will wrench at my very being, but I've dedicated my soul to the Orlando Magic, and hope they can pull a victory. As those hilarious puppet commercials have all ready shown us, Kobe has 3 (delicious) NBA Championship rings all ready. Let's see Stan Van Gundy's miracle workers get some for themselves.