Lakers, earned their 15th title on Sunday night as Bryant scored 30 points and Pau Gasol added 14 and 15 rebounds in a 99-86 win in Game 5 over the Orlando Magic, who ran out of comebacks.
Many expected that there will be Game 6 but the Lakers were able to stop it by beating the Magic on their home courts.
It took a bit longer than Bryant expected, but he has stepped out of former teammate Shaquille O’Neal’s enormous shadow—at last. His fourth championship secured a strong case can be made for Bryant being the league’s best player since Michael Jordan hung up his sneakers.
Jackson, the chilled-out, bow-legged Zen Master who won six league titles in the 1990s with Jordan in Chicago, now has won No. 4 with Los Angeles and broke a tie with legendary Boston coach Red Auerbach as the winningest coach in finals history.
“I’ll smoke the cigar tonight in memory of Red,” Jackson said. “He was a great guy.”
Bryant and Jackson, whose relationship strained and briefly snapped under the weight of success, are again at the top of their games.
And even O’Neal, now with the Phoenix Suns, was glad to see the Lakers finish the job.
“Congratulations kobe, u deserve it,” O’Neal said on Twitter page. “You played great. Enjoy it my man enjoy it.”
To the Lakers Team, Congratulations! for winning the 2009 NBA Finals crown.
Watch the video of Game 5 Highlights below..
Sunday, June 14, 2009
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