Mark Jackson’s View: Dwight Howard can’t do it by himself

Mark Jackson played in the 2000 NBA Finals for the Indiana Pacers against the Lakers, but his most stirring performance in 17 NBA seasons might have been helping the Clippers make the playoffs twice. Jackson is now a game analyst for ABC and ESPN and is serving as a guest columnist for the Los Angeles Times and Orlando Sentinel.

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“I don’t think the Magic can allow Kobe Bryant to play one on one. I expect the Magic to make an adjustment on that and force other guys to make plays.

“Also, I think the Magic got a lot of open shots in Game 1. This is a ‘make or miss’ league and they missed shots. I think at times you have to turn down those shots and look to put some pressure on the Laker defense.

“Ultimately the intensity level was a big difference too. At times we’ve seen the Lakers not show up, but the last three games they’ve basically been on top of their game and I think the Magic have to be disappointed in their energy and effort in Game 1. I was surprised at that. It’s not in Orlando’s DNA not showing up; it’s not something we’ve looked at from them during the course of the season, so that they laid an egg is surprising.

“It’s hardly an expert opinion to say Dwight Howard will get more than one basket in Game 2. I just think ultimately styles make fights, like in boxing, and I think the length of the Lakers’ interior defenders will continue to disrupt what Howard is trying to do. I don’t think the Magic can win four games with Dwight Howard being their best player in all four of those games. The Lakers sometimes have problems with the pick and roll and perimeter players, but a steady diet of throwing it down in the post is not going to beat them.

“Ultimately one of Orlando’s perimeter guys is going to have to make shots. That will open up lanes for Howard. Orlando is at its best when they’re creating seams and Howard is getting open dunks at the rim.”