Pietrus Pivotal in Magic Success

June 4, 2009 8:21 a.m. EST

Los Angeles, CA (AHN) - The Los Angeles Magic and Orlando Magic tip off the best-of-seven NBA Finals Thursday night. Frenchman Mickael Pietrus is playing a pivotal role for the eastern conference champions.

Pietrus is a soft-spoken Frenchman for Guadeloupe, a Caribbean island that is a part of France.

The 6'6 swingman is averaging 11 points and 3 rebounds during the 2009 NBA Playoffs. But more importantly, he's charged with guarding the other team's best player.

That'll be Kobe Bryant these next few days. Pietrus has gone back and fourth in recent days in deciding if he wants to wear Nike shoes endorsed by the Lakers' leader.

Pietrus has worn Kobe's Hyperdunk shoe this season, but said earlier this week he wasn't going to wear them while playing against Kobe and instead planned to wear a pair of Air Jordans. He's since changed his mind and said he plans to wear his Kobe edition Hyperdunk.

Pietrus was drafted by Golden State in the first round of the 2003 draft. He's averaged 9 points and 3.3 rebounds throughout his NBA career.

He's played an average of 27 minutes per game this season, scoring 11 points per and grabbing 5 rebounds a game.

Some refer to Pietrus as Air France. He's enjoying his new found success with the Magic and taking his daily interviews in stride.

His latest blog entry reads, " The reporters are starting to get creative with the way they ask their questions. Last series it was, "something something LEBRON" and now it is "something something KOBE." It doesn't really matter how they put it, they are asking the same thing. I love my job and I am glad I don't have their job...yet...ha ha ha." on mickaelpietrus.com.

Pietrus said the Magic are happy with the latest accomplishments, but they're not done yet, they want to win it all.