Who wouldn't have wanted to see NBA rookie Courtney Lee dagger Kobe and the Lakers last night in game two of the Finals? Well of course Laker Fans everywhere, with maybe the slight exception of those in the Bluegrass. Nawwww, who am I to kid, they're Laker fans. However, for every other basketball fan in the commonwealth we almost witnessed WKU alum Courtney Lee end the game twice in the Magic's favor. ALMOST, being the key word.
His college career couldn't have went any better considering the circumstances. The Indianapolis native traded flat land for flat land as he decided to play his college ball for Western Kentucky University. Even before becoming a Hilltopper, Lee was no stranger to playing, and winning the big game. He led his Pike High team to the Indiana 4A State Championship in 2003. He then followed that up by tying for the All-Time WKU scoring lead with 2,238 career points. Not too mention plowing the Sun Belt Conference (winning conference player of the year as a senior)and most importantly leading the Toppers to a memorable 2008 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 run. So it seems Courtney Lee has been there, and done that.
Lee came into this season as the 22nd overall pick by the Orlando Magic. He also came into the league with an agenda, to show everyone he could play, and deserved to be worthy of a first round pick. By mid to late season, Lee was doing so, even playing himself into the Orlando starting lineup. Everything was going great for Lee, and true to his past it just kept on getting better as the Magic continued to win their way into the NBA finals, setting up a match-up with former league MVP Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant and the Lakers are certainly no stranger to the big stage. By many considered to be the leagues best player, Kobe is the heartbeat to one of the leagues most historic teams. Furthermore, he has three rings to go along with the reputation, and after last years near miss is hungry for a fourth. In game one, it looked as if the plate he was eating from was about to empty quick as the Lakers rolled the Magic. However, game two was a different story. After both teams endured a sloppy first half, the second half transpired into a very entertaining duel. For the longest time it seemed as if Rashard Lewis could not miss for Orlando, while Kobe and company returned the favor on the other end. Dwight Howard, who always is a focal point of the other teams D was doing what he could, while Hedo Turkoglu was also having an incredible game for the Magic. But when it came crunch time, one player found himself with the ball, and he was a rookie, (the only rookie on the floor) and he was Courtney Lee. After an impressive drive to get to the basket, Lee went up strong, but his attempt caught too much glass and instead of netting the go ahead bucket, he instead rimmed around what would be a Laker rebound.
On the ensuing possession, it was of course Kobe Bryant with the ball. With just second left, he made his move, blowing past Turkoglu in the process. BUT, just when it appeared he had freed himself to sink the game winner, Turkoglu recovered to pick up a game saving (to that point) block from behind. With tremendous hustle, he also gained possession of the ball, and achieved an Orlando Magic timeout. While the referee's huddled to see how much time to set on the clock, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy was busy drawing up what was to be the game winner. So with less than a full second on the clock and with the Magic inbounding across the half court line, Stan Van had drew up a flawless looking lob play at the basket. It could have been a catch and shoot to Lewis/Turkoglu, but instead he had the right call. It was a beautiful design, but surprisingly didn't involve the likes of his prized seven footer either (Dwight Howard). However, what Van Gundy had drawn up was the perfect decoyed lob intended to go to Courtney Lee, and it was on the money. Although contested late by Laker big man Pau Gasol, Lee got his hands on the perfectly thrown oop, just feet from the rim. As everyone in the Staples Center held their collective breath, it appeared the series was going back to Florida tied at 1-1. BUT, once again, the glass wasn't the friend of Courtney Lee (neither was his touch), as the attempt banked off the backboard just hard enough to keep it on and off the rim instead of down the net for the win. Lee went 0-2 in just under ten seconds, but the game still wasn't over. As Overtime started, and played though, the game quickly was. Ending with the Magic out of the picture for any chance at anymore last second breath takers. Instead of 1-1, the series now goes to FLA in favor of the Lakeshow 2-0, and Lee and the Magic with their heads in their laps.
Through so much triumph, Courtney Lee has now got a taste of what he himself has put other teams through, his entire basketball career. Only in this story you cannot help but to feel horrible for him. There wasn't anyone else I wanted to see succeed more on the court last night than Indy native and Hilltopper alum Lee, but it just wasn't there. So with I'm sure both plays replaying through his sleep, maybe, just maybe he may get another shot to seal the deal. And once again the Commonwealth will be anxiously around their tv sets, hoping that it goes in.
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