L.A. back on top
We’ve got Kobe Bryant and you don’t.
It was pretty much that simple as the Los Angeles Lakers won their 15th NBA title Sunday by defeating the Orlando Magic 99-86.
The debate will continue to rage next season as to who the best player is in the NBA, Lakers guard Bryant or Cleveland forward LeBron James. But Bryant just won his fourth ring and James is sulking at home, having not even been invited to the NBA Finals.
For now, the case is closed.
The NBA Finals usually come down to superduperstars. The Lakers have one in Bryant, and Orlando, while center Dwight Howard is on his way, don’t quite yet have one.
Bryant might not have won another Most Valuable Player trophy this season (James did), but he was the difference in the Lakers winning their first title in seven years. But you better believe Bryant, who scored 30 points in Sunday’s clincher and averaged 32.5 points and 7.4 assists during the Finals, is fine settling for winning the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award, named for the first time after the Boston legend.
It only was appropriate that Bryant looked like Russell in Sunday’s clincher, blocking four shots.
The Lakers also won the title this year because of the length on their frontline. They start 7-footers Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol in the post, and can bring Lamar Odom in to play small forward. That takes its toll on any foe in any seven-game series.
Still, the Lakers weren’t always dominant in the Finals. That’s why it will not be a fun offseason for Magic players and coaches as they wonder why they were unable to take advantage of when the Lakers were vulnerable.
There were several near misses in Game 2, which Orlando lost in overtime. And there was the outright choke in Game 4, which the Magic lost in overtime after blowing a five-point lead entering the final minute of regulation.
Unlike in the East final win over Cleveland, the Magic players were unable to hit clutch shots. And their vaunted three-point attack was off, especially Sunday, when Orlando shot just 8-of-27 from beyond the arc.
In the end, the Lakers needed only to play their best at certain times to give coach Phil Jackson his 10th ring. That breaks a tie he held with Boston legend Red Auerbach for most NBA coaching titles.
The Lakers turned it on Sunday after trailing 40-36 midway through the second quarter. They went on a 16-0 lead to go up 52-40.
That’s when the chants started of “Let’s Go Lakers.’’ Orlando fans, meanwhile, were silent.
Obviously, there were a lot of disbelieving Magic fans who parted with their tickets, and they ended up in the hands of fans wearing purple.
It’s a good bet that Lakers fans will again be seen in droves at next June’s final. With Bynum, who never was quite the same in the playoffs after returning from a knee injury, presumably healthy next season, they should be the favorites to win another title.
Of course, some questions will need to be answered. Will Jackson return in an attempt to win an 11th ring? Will the Lakers be able to keep both Odom and Trevor Ariza, forwards who are free agents? And will Bryant opt out of his contract and leave the Lakers?
It’s highly doubtful the third will happen. Bryant had too much fun finally winning a title outside of the giant shadow of former Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal, the Finals MVP in 2000, 2001 and 2002 when Bryant played the role of supporting actor.
Then next June, the Lakers again might be able to say, “We’ve got Kobe Bryant and you don’t.’’
Celtics Fan Said,
June 14, 2009 @ 10:23 pm
Let’s be clear: the Lakers have 15 championships. This is the 10th championship for the LA Lakers (the Minnesota Lakers had 5 championships).
Hi Hater Said,
June 14, 2009 @ 10:32 pm
It’s still the same organization…Hi Haters!
adklajdsfj Said,
June 14, 2009 @ 10:37 pm
Kobe will need to take a paycut to help Lakers retaining both Odom & Ariza. They’re already over luxury threshold next year without those two players, if these two players get 16M/yr combined, that’s 32M to keep them.. I dunno if Lakers are willing to do that.
adklajdsfj Said,
June 14, 2009 @ 10:39 pm
how many championships did Lakers/Celtics won in the era when there were only 8 teams or less in the NBA?
Whereisboston Said,
June 14, 2009 @ 10:39 pm
if that makes you happy buddy.
adklajdsfj Said,
June 14, 2009 @ 10:49 pm
-> Celtics Fan
Boston won A LOT of championship when NBA had very few teams, if you have a good team, you’re bound to win a lot of championships back then. If shaq was born in that era, he’d win 11 as well. Lakers had multiple dynasty and repeatedly come back and win, it’s a lot harder to do that.
Q Said,
June 14, 2009 @ 11:27 pm
There was a lot of debate as to who the best player on the planet would be….Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Kobe Bryant.
Not taking anything away from Lebron….He’s a phenom!! But still young, and hasn’t paid his full dues….Jordan had Pippen….Duncan had Robinson, and then later on Parker….Even Kobe got Bynum, Odom, and Gasol…..Lebron has to have that same person also….Not his time yet….Haters or not, got to give it up to Kobe….Can’t make excuses or take this one from him….Until next June, he’s the man!!
MR. BASKETBALL Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 12:17 am
The lakers have another 3peat if not 4peat in the making. As long as they retain this team they will repeat up to four times. gasol,ariza,bynum,odom can even shannon brown can only get better. Think about it if those players reach there potential that’s a real all star team. Lebron better sign with the heat and hope chris bosh comes(not a chance). Lakers are a dynasty…again!
JOhn Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 12:27 am
Don’t get this Lebron is better, but now Kobe is better because his team was better. Lebron is still better. Kobe just had a better team. If not for Orlando choking they would be up 3-2. Yes Kobe is great but Lebron had a better season. It’s like saying Magic and Bird is better than Jordan. No when Jordan had better teammates he won. He was better before he had his teammagtes. I’m glad Kobe finally did when and MVP. I may stop saying DWade is better.
John Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 12:57 am
Seriously, Kobe is the man and I wish him and his family the best! I think Kobe Haters (if I’m one) compare him to Jordan and expected more titles by this point. Especially the way he came into the Association. However, perhaps DWade would have also had the same problems with SHaq. We will never know. So Kobe truely all the best. I have love for you, DWade, Lebron, Dwight, Gasol, Duncan, Garnett, Parker and Paul.
Koz Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 5:06 am
It is against NBA union rules for a player to renegotiate a contract while it is still running. Kobe can’t do it even if he wanted to.
Jon Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 7:05 am
I shed a tear or two last year for the purple and gold…now I only have a smile. But I still dream of paying back the guys in green…WE ARE NOT YET DONE WITH YOU GARNETT AND CELTICS!!!
Xavi Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 7:18 am
Congratulations Pau Gasol!
From your home town.
Moltes Felicitats!! Sou Campions!!
temanuel1 Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 7:29 am
lakers are the best 2009 nba champs
Cordell Taylor Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 7:54 am
The Kobe cant win without Shaq thing was ridiculous to begin with….Shaq won all his titles with a great perimeter person (Kobe, Wade) so he was bogus for even throwing out a silly comment like that . Every great player needs a great supporting cast, Jordan had Pippen and Rodman, Duncan had Robinson and then Parker, Hakeem and Drexler, Garnett had Pierce and Allen, on and on.
Tim Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 8:33 am
good article ‘cept for one thing.
“But Bryant just won his fourth ring and James is sulking at home, having not even been invited to the NBA Finals.”
LeBron has been to the finals two years ago. But got swept by the Spurs.
Zildjan Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 9:02 am
With free agency, salary caps, draft and high salaries repeating as champions these days is next to impossible. Not to mention injuries to one of the main players… My beloved Celtics experienced it this year. Posey jumped ship because of money, Powe and Garnett were hurt and Brown had his ring and retired. Once a team wins a championship now days all their players are looking for more money and all the owners who are looking for that type of players are willing to pay. Managing an NBA team and bringing the cup home one season is hard enough let alone to repeat.
wallace Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 9:06 am
It is so hard to win a championship in the NBA with one player down it could change everthing. if Garnett played it could of been different, if Nelson was 100% it could of been different. be happy for the winners because it could be the Lakers in injury problems next year, the window is very small to win.It is very clear that the guards are changing before our eyes. Kobe, Garnett and duncan are the only three left from the old group. welcome the new stars, James, Anthony, Wade, Howard and so many more. what an exiting time in the NBA.
James Katt Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 9:22 am
When it comes to Odom and Trevor, the only thing that Jerry Buss has to ask is: Do I want to win SEVERAL MORE CHAMPIONSHIPS? That is all.
With Odom and Trevor, the Lakers have a great chance at getting FOUR MORE CHAMPIONSHIPS.
Otherwise, they are giving their chances away.
So: to Jerry Buss, is keeping them worth FOUR MORE CHAMPIONSHIPS?
I say yes. Spend it.
Giovani Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 10:07 am
Most people here with opinions are truly idiots. This whole thing that Kobe couldn’t win without Shaq is simply BS. You just have to get lucky and hot and the same time…but at the end of the day basketball is the sport where the refs can determine the outcome of a game. I understand that refs can miss calls but the play with Nelson getting elbowed in the mouth that led to the an open 3 point was really bad cuase how could three refs miss that play that happended in the open. At the end of the day MJ is the best ever but what if they called travelling and palming the ball on him that he basically did on every possesion??? What about the fact the stars get preferential treatement….is that fair…Look at Vince Carter…he got the calls all the time when they thought he would be the NBA’s poster child but then eventually they kicked him to the curb and all of a sudden he never got the calls than before. Kobe has always gotten calls just like Dwight Howard until he plays a superstar then he get’s treated the way Bosh does when Bosh plays Howrds…these players gets call until the play the bigger star…it’s simple ridiculous….but once the whole referee-betting scandal went down I lost my faith in the intergrity of the game cause in the pass especially the game where Toronto got jobbed in New Jersey that changed the whole series by that Donaghy guy it changed everything…the same way I would never watch the NHL again after the Calgary/Tampa Bay fiasco where Calgary basically won the Stanley cup in game 6 in overtime but they were job to elavate Vincent Lecavalier and to make TB a NHL household name…now I add the NBA to that list cause alhtough I love the Lakers and don’t really like Orlando watching some of that stuff is sickening…rules are rules and should be followed and the layup at the end of game 2 where Gasol hits the rim should have been goaltending….Rules are rules and should be followed but that is the problem in the world today….if you have friends in the right places you never have to pay a police issues ticket…which is not fair to people who don’t have cop friends and then we wonder why the world is messed up
lord alabaster Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 10:08 am
adklajdsfj
You are wrong. In fact, if there are fewer team, it’s harder to win championships every single year. Teams get to know each other very well and weaknesses become more obvious. It’s kind of like having Today’s Celtics, Lakers, Spurs, and Rockets keep seeing each other and you believe that ONE team will have it easy to string championships in a row?
Also, you are suggesting that Wilt should have won 11 championships then because he was the most destructive force in that era, like Shaq was in his.
JasonW Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 10:17 am
oh boy.. these celtics fans are f****** hilarious..
Re: Jason W Said Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 10:23 am
Yeah we Celtics fan find it funny how people like you can’t count. LOL
Tbone Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 10:54 am
Yeah, um, Tim? They’re talking about THIS year….. even, not ever
Henry Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 10:59 am
The Lakers won not cuz Kobe is the greatest player per se but cus he is the most determined. But with title without Shaq so to speak, now having proven himself, will be as motivated? He is a competitor but the extra juice of motivation may be over.
JasonW Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 11:45 am
yeah.. keep hating ’cause this is just the beginning of a new dynasty!
2 out of the next 3 will come to LA.. mark my words!
Boozebag Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 11:52 am
i wish the Lakers were going to get another shot at the Celtics but it’s just not going to happen. the “big 3″ are all on the decline. they’re going to be, at best, the 3rd best team in the east. hope that 1 title was worth another 15 years of mediocrity Celtics fans! you pawned your future!
Tarver Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
Out of all the teams next year the Lakers have the best chance again. As the article says, “We have Kobe. You don’t.” Kobe is the motivating trigger on that team. And everyone follows like ducks in a row to knowing what they are suppose to do. Sure it helped beyond belief to have three 7′-00″ c/pf but others stepped up too because of Kobe’s presence. When Kobe is on the floor his other teammates don’t have to do more than they can. It was the same team effort with Michael Jordan. The superstar does the heavy lifting while his counterparts do their thing: make the open jump shot, rebound, pass, set the screen, take the charge. Don’t do more than you can. Kobe is the CEO on the floor and everyone else become very good specialists. But before the Lakers can start crowing dynasty again let’s see how money changes their roster. It always does. If it’s down to Ariza or Odom. It’s an Ariza landslide. As long as you have Gasol you’re OK. Andrew Bynum takes more minutes and you find another young 7′-00″ to develop. Thanks for the memories Odom. Find a way to pay Ariza. Derrick Fisher has perhaps 2 more years but that’s OK too because you have Shannon Brown as his backup. The pieces are easy to fit when you have Kobe and Pau Gasol.
CAVSin010 Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 12:38 pm
It’s amazing how fast all these “experts” jumped off the LeBron bandwagon when he got knocked out and switched over to Kobe. Did you hear Mark Jackson yesterday on tv? How much can you kiss Kobe’s a**? He might have said Kobe was the best player in the world over 5 times. Don’t get me wrong, Kobe is great, and this ’ship was another great accomplishment for him, but when the Cavs were sweeping Det and ATL these announcers couldn’t stop talking about LeBron. They do not know anything about basketball, and when LeBron finally gets some help, he will be unstoppable; and you’ll see how quickly they proclaim LeBron as the best. “James is sulking at home, having not even been invited to the NBA Finals.” -using that to compare the two players is stupid and ridiculous-switch , illgauskus, varejao, ben wallace and joe smith with ariza, gasol, bynum, odom, and you’ll see where LeBron is. with the addition of Mo Will alone Bron was able to lead them to the best record-imagine when he gets a low post presence there. True, you need great players to win a championship; but to say Kobe is better because he is in the Finals is straight dumb, go check yo-self.
J-mart Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 1:04 pm
Garnett where are thou???
knock knock Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 1:21 pm
cavsin sumthin are you retarded?? So what your saying is, If lebron had kobe’s team, he would of won a championship as well. That’s hilarious, especially when lebron had a stacked eastern conf team that was full of much better defenders than any l.a. has. Lebron is extremely overrated, you can go watch lebron shoot free throws any day and hope that ONE day he will develop a jumpshot and learn not to travel. dummy, have fun wackkin off to your lebron poster all summer
JasonW Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 1:29 pm
the ‘LeBron had no help’ excuse once again..
(you guys should read your own comments here prior to the Conference Finals!)
JasonW Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 1:36 pm
comments like these:
The team to beat by Eddie Johnson
http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/johnson/2009/03/28/the-team-to-beat/
Beck Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 1:38 pm
In all reality, the Lakers have a real shot at extending this Championship run at least 2 more times over the next 3 years. As everyone has said, they would need to hold onto Odom and Ariza. Here’s something that may surprise everyone, Odom was quoted as saying that he “wants this same team to return for the next several years, and that he does not want to be leave Los Angeles area since he’s been living there since he was 19 years old (Orange County Register - after the championship).” He then went on to state that “I am willing to take a paycut to keep Trevor here.” The capper was letting everyone know that he simply is more concerned about winning championships than how much he can get paid. Some of us forget that when he came over to the Lakers, he had better offers from other teams but chose the Lakers because it would keep him in L.A. and he would have opportunities to make runs at championships. We forget, that this guy has been around for almost 10 years or more, and he’s made a ton of money. Don’t be surprised if other Laker players are willing to make similar sacrifices so as to keep this team together. They’ll probably also trade a guy like Vujacic, or perhaps Walton to a team that could use them. They’ll figure it out because they now have the solution…Kobe, Odom, Gasol, Ariza, & Fisher to close out games. Now, my question is, who on the Celtics is going to take one for the team? Pierce, Garnett, Sugar Ray? It’s probably going to have to be Pierce, since the other two have been taking hits all their career. Good luck with that one Boston. Great Job Lakers!!!
Todd Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 2:07 pm
Where’s Eddie when you need him.
I can’t stand it when people say “Orlando could have easily been up 3-1…” yes, and if I had a wicked jump shot I’d be in the league too. But I don’t and they’re not. Congrats LA! You deserved to win and you did!
frank B Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 4:44 pm
The question is, how many championships will this group win?
Kobe was the most valuable on the floor, but there is no championship in LA without:
Paul Gasol. We were going nowhere until we got him.
Phil Jackson. A true genius.
Derrick Fisher. Laker Legend
Trevor Ariza. Kobe Bryant’s Scottie Pippen
Lamar Odom. A wild card type player that no one has the answer to.
Kobe has at least three more seasons left. He might finish with 7 world championships.
Obviously Fisher’s age is a problem but he should be able to finish out his contract which I believe expires next year.
The biggest worry to me is the way that Phil Jackson looks like he is slowing down. I think his health might be a real concern.
I think the Lakers will keep both Lamar and Trevor, probably at the expense of Vujucic, Walton, and Shannon Brown.
Watch out NBA!
Carl from cleveland Said,
June 15, 2009 @ 11:35 pm
I am so sick of hearing people say lebron had no help. he had plenty of help,that’s why we had the best record in the league. if it were all lebron we would have been winning 66 games ayear for years. i am a cavs fan,but it’s time for lebron fans to admit that right now kobe bryant in the best player in the world period! You people are complete jokes. just look at both teams? no lebron isn’t playing with other superstars,but neither is kobe. gasol was an all star once without kobe,the same amount as big z. odom has never come close to being one. before kobe he was known as the biggest underachiever in the league. the guy is one offense from being banned from the league for the life! fisher is 34,and clearly declining. bynum has been nothing since his injury. their supposed sharp shooter sasha couldn’t throw a rock in the ocean this year. their point guard farmar regressed alot! face it kobe willed that team to victory,and until lebron can stop getting caught up in the hype and do the same things kobe can he should no longer be in that conversation. lebron right now is just a sore loser who is thrown into everyone’s face by nike. look at kobe’s leadership? while lebron dribbles for 20 seconds,and then expects someone to hit a 20 footer with three seconds left on the clock,kobe is directing traffic out there. he tells guys go to the post. when his team needs a basket he get’s them one,or he makes the play to get them one. yeah kobe and the lakers choked away a big lead to a surperior team last year,but lebron let his team choke away leads in back to back games. he is just not a leader or winner despite what he says. i will say this though,the lakers do have a better team,and it’s because they have the best player in the world. until lebron starts playing for wins,instead of stats he will never be on kobe’s level period! so all you lebron first fans keep praising him for his stats,us real cavs fans will be waiting for the day we get a leader that can do more than shoot us out of a series.
Henry Said,
June 16, 2009 @ 8:16 am
re kobe vs lebron…if u switch the players so that kobe was w the cavs and lebron with lakers, what wld have been the result?
Kobe Bryant Said,
June 16, 2009 @ 3:58 pm
I’m the best ever! congratulations to my team! I’m gonna be a Laker til’ I retire!
knock knock Said,
June 17, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
result would be lebron still going fishing.
CAVSin010 Said,
June 17, 2009 @ 4:27 pm
LeBron had a stacked eastern conference team? You can’t be serious if you believe both have an equal amount of talent around them. Lebron is surronded by a bunch of so-so role players, and didn’t have anyone really good until Mo Williams, and still led his team to the best record in the NBA. True he is in the East, but that is still a great accomplishment. He has virtually no one he can dump it to in the paint,(unless you think Illgaskus, Ben Wallace, and Varejao have great inside games) while Kobe has two great seven footers plus Lamar Odom. Sure, the Cavs had good defensvie players but that was about it, and the Magic eventually tore apart that defense. There is no more arguing necessary, while you think it’s an “excuse” that LeBron has a bad team, just wait and see what the result will be when he finally gets one more impact player next to him.
CAVSin010 Said,
June 17, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
and Carl from Cleveland, are you serious? You’re comparing Illgaskaus with Pau Gasol….If you just switched those 2 the Cavs would probably be better. While he had more talent this year than other years, he still hasn’t had a sufficient amount around him to win a ring. Lamar isn’t close to being an all star? He actually is, there are just too many great fowards in the West.
bobbylight Said,
June 19, 2009 @ 2:04 am
Carl from Cleveland wins the argument, sorry CAVsin010. To say Lebron is surrounded by losers is ridiculous. Cavs got the best record and that does not happen by accident or by only 1 out of 5 guys on the floor. Lebron is a great stat filler and will have plenty of opportunity to atone and actually lead a team. As for now, Kobe is leading his teammates, who were maligned several times by the media ever since the 2008 Finals. The reasons why Lebron lovers are now calling the Lakers supporting cast superior: 1) they are finding excuses 2) they are simply not watching the Lakers progression and how Kobe actually helped them as a teammate 3) they don’t realize the Lakers overcame poor play from the bench (namely Vujacic), who were their strength last year 4) they didn’t watch the Lakers struggle with mismatches in the western playoffs, yet they overcomed it with Kobe willing them through rough stretches AT THE RIGHT TIMES 5) they are not seeing that Kobe can fill stats yet be the balanced teammate that his young squad needed him to be. So again, Carl from Cleveland is more knowledgable. For what it’s worth, the Cavs will see success so long as Lebron stops worrying about stats… sound familiar? (Kobe had the same issue).
bobbylight Said,
June 19, 2009 @ 2:34 am
Let me throw in another aspect of Kobe. If you watched the entire season and playoffs especially, Kobe was always talking/teaching the young guys. Lebron was more sporadic. So you have two stat fillers, but only one true leader in Kobe. The “analysts” that question this (after what we “witnessed” this season) are just not liking Kobe as a person for whatever reason or they’re simply in blind obedience to the Lebron marketing hype. For Kobe not to get due respect at this point is like saying …it’s 1996 and Lebron is better than MJ despite not winning any titles or showing the same leadership. Furthermore, don’t you think Lebron had at least comparable talent this year than when he was in the 2007 Finals? So what’s up with end of the discussion? Lebron’s gotta lead the right way, only then will he deserve to get all the accolades. If Jordan got crazy numbers, but no rings.. even he would diminish in his stock. Winning (not just stats) is a big part of the “greatest ever” discussion, whether that’s fair or not… Kobe post 81 points, yet Steve Nash got MVP.. why? because Suns were winning alot more.
Sten Said,
June 21, 2009 @ 6:00 am
Hey i have one amazing statement to make - Actually all players who have won Championchips - have had OTHER PLAYERS ON THEIR ROSTER !!! amazing isint it ?
jase702 Said,
June 23, 2009 @ 6:14 pm
I think that people are simplyfying winning a championship….it takes everything at the right time, experience, talent, health, effort, coaching. The Lakers won because everything was right at the right time. I hate Boston but I truly believe that without the injuries…they were still better than Cleveland AND Orlando. On another note, im tired of hearing all the Kobe haters out there. The man has PAID HIS DUES. I remember his rookie season when he sat the bench, ALL YEAR. Kobe and Shaq together, the first 2 years…SWEPT out of the playoffs. Nobody remembers that. You have to pay dues in the NBA and Lebron is learning that right now. If he is as great as everyone thinks….his time will come.
Jackie Moon Said,
June 25, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
thats right LA is back on top! we are the kings of the bball world! our lakers are champions and now our sadsack clippers will have Griffin!! its good to be in LA!! and Shaq moved further away! lol
http://clipperschat.com/
http://lakersoffire.com/