Finally! After seven years full of up and downs, dramas and rebuilding process, the Lakers are NBA champions. Orlando made a great start by leading 15-6. Bynum shot the ball 7 times in the
first seven minutes?! Of course, without success. But Kobe started to make shots and the Lakers came closer.
The second quarter was the big story. It started with a baseline jam by Kobe. Then Ariza and Fisher connected on three straight threes - all assists by Kobe. Odom's reverse lay-up completed the
Lakers' 16-0 run. The Magic never really recovered from it.
Kobe finished the game with 30pts 6rbds 5asts & 4blks. His brilliant game 5 effort was highlighted by perhaps his best move of these finals. In the 3rd quarter, he get the falling-away,
double-clutch, switching-hands shot to fall vs DPOY Dwight Howard. It reminded a young Michael Jordan.
The Lakers clinched their 15th title with a convincing 99-86 win. L.A won the series 4-1 with solid performances from Odom (17pts 10rbds), Gasol (14pts 15rbds) & Ariza (15pts).
P.Jackson passed Red Auerbach for the most championships by a coach in NBA history with ten.
And of course, Kobe finally won a title without O'Neal, who congratulated his former teammates on Twitter: "Congratulations kobe, u deserve it. You played great. Enjoy it my man enjoy it."
Kobe: "
It finally felt like a big old monkey was off my back. t felt so good to be able to have this moment. For this moment to be here and to reflect back on the season and
everything that you've been through, it's top of the list, man. To have the attitude of we're going to become a better defensive team, a better rebounding team and then to actually do it and to see
it all happen, it feels like I'm dreaming. I can't believe this moment is here."
Phil: "
I'll smoke the cigar tonight in memory of Red. He was a great guy."
Howard was hardly a factor in Game 5. He scored 11 points, took just nine shots and never got a chance to get going. Lewis scored 18 points, but was only 3 of 12 on 3s for Orlando. The Magic went
just 8 of 27 from long range.
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What a game. There have been great games 4 in the past finals. And this one ranked right there with it. Magic hitting his baby hook. Kobe taking over after Shaq fouled out. Lots of these classics
have involved Lakers players.
Once again, it was the case. This time, it was Fisher who provided the drama. Kobe missed 20 shots. Orlando had 17 turnovers and missed 15 free throws. The first three quarters were not really
great basketball. Still, game 4 was definitely one for the ages.
Both teams made brilliant plays in the money time. The Magic lead by 5 with less than 15 seconds to play. Kobe made a sick pass to Gasol whose dunk cut the lead to a one possession game.
Dwight Howard had his team's fate between his hands...two free throws...two misses. Then here came Fisher. D-Fish hit a long three to tie the game with 4 seconds to go. With the score tied at 91
apiece in the final minute of overtime, he delivered another clutch three that sealed the win for the Lakers.
Fisher: “I just sensed that was the dagger. That was the one that would put us in a position to close out the game—even though the game wasn’t over.”
Kobe: “He’s been there before. That’s Derek. He just has supreme confidence and I think those shots at the end of the game are actually easier for him than the other
ones.”
Despite his poor shooting night, Kobe managed to score 32pts. He added 7rbds & 8asts to became the second Laker to recorded at least 8asts in six straight playoffs games - the other one is
Magic Johnson.
The Lakers won 99-91 vs the Magic, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in these Finals. They are just one win away from their 15th title.
Trevor Ariza and Pau Gasol each had 16 for Los Angeles, which came back from a 12-point halftime deficit. Ariza had 13 of the Lakers' 30 points in the third
quarter. Unless they can force a Game 6, the Magic will remember this as another finals game that got away.
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Kobe has been waiting for a year to have an opportunity to reach the NBA finals again. After last year's failure vs the Celtics, Kobe is now on a mission. He wants to add another ring to his
collection. He wants redemption after two straight disapointing performances in finals vs Detroit & Boston. Kobe is focus more than ever. He knows that it may be his best chance to get ring
#4.
But Kobe has never played well in games 1. He averaged 20pts on 37% shooting in his five previous finals' openers. Last night, he made sure his performance will go down as one of the all time
bests. With Orlando leading by two after the opening quarter, Kobe scored 14pts in the 2nd period as his team took a 10pt edge at haltime. The Black Mamba wasn't done yet.
In a brilliant 3rd quarter, he just harrassed the Magic with an assortment of jumpers, fadeaways and layups. Slithering around Orlando defenders with ease, Kobe collected rebounds and
assists as the game turned into a blowout.
Kobe scored 40pts with 8rbds & 8asts to lead his team to a 100-75 rout of the Magic in these Finals game 1.
“He’s pretty intense in his own game. If we’re not scoring, he’s going to carry the load himself,” Bynum said.
"He had the smell," added P.Jackson
After three quarters, Kobe had already his best game ever in finals with 36pts 6rbds & 7asts. The game was over with the Lakers leading by 24 with 12 minutes
to go. Known as one of the best shooting teams, the Magic went just 8 of 23 on 3's and shot only 30% overall.
Odom & Gasol combined for 27pts & 22rbds. Bynum added 9pts & 9rbds while playing solid defense vs D.Howard. Orlando young star had 12pts & 15rbds but made only
1 shot in 6 attempts.
“I just want it so bad,” Bryant said softly Thursday night. “I just want it really bad.” If he plays this way the entire series, he will add a 4th ring to his collection for
sure.
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Nobody on the Lakers team wanted to play a game 7. After game 5 win, they
players agreed: close out the deal in Denver. They had an opportunity to do it in the previous round vs Houston but they got their ass kicked by 15 in game 6.
But last night, with their focus, their intensity, their experienced, they were able to pull the Nuggets away. They lead by 5 after one, by 13 at the half thanks to a complete team
effort. Ariza scored 17 (3/4 from three point land). Walton had his best offensive game of the series with 10. Gasol & Odom combined for 40pts & 20rbds. And Kobe..as expectedn
he had that killer look in his eyes that said: "lets finish them off now".
Kobe is headed back to the Finals after delivering 35 points and 10 assists in a command performance that allowed the Lakers to close out the Nuggets in six games with a 119-92
rout.
Bryant didn’t wait for the fourth quarter Friday night to give the Nuggets a blow to their effort to extend the series. He scored 11 points in a decisive 21-7 run that gave the Lakers a 53-40
halftime lead that never was threatened.
In several moments, Denver came within 14 or it a couple ot threes. But on the very next posessions, Kobe hit some daggers that killed any hope of a possible comeback. It's nice to have the best
closer in the game!
Averaging 34pts in the series, Kobe is headed to the NBA Finals for the 6th time with the opportunity to get his 4th ring. Hopefully, the Lakers learned from last year's experience
and will be ready to go. As G.Karl said last night:
“I saw little cracks in the Lakers and somehow we’ve cemented those cracks back up, and I think they’re the best team right now in the NBA."
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Kobe is so much talented that we kind of forget he's human. After last night's
game, he was so tired he could barely stand up. It was another physical game. Another great road win for the Lakers. And another heroic effort by Kobe.
Kobe responded to Lebron's game winner by scoring 41pts in what he called "one of the biggest road win he ever had." The Lakers trailed most of the game. But with some help from Gasol & Ariza
at the end, Kobe delivered the dagger three with 69 seconds left to put his team ahead for good.
The Lakers get a 103-97 victory over the Nuggets that restored L.A's home court advantage. If Kobe was the hero once again, Gasol's clutch jumpers at the end and Trevor
Ariza's great steal - like he did in game 1- spark L.A past Denver and take a 2-1 lead.
After his 40pt explosion in the series opener, Kobe made 12 of 24 shots in game 3 - the 1st time in his career that he had multiple 40pt games in the same series. In front of an inhospitable
crowd that despises him, Kobe delivered one of his best playoffs effort - highlighted by a sick three pointer that silenced the crowd for good in the final minute.
Kobe: "It's a much better feeling, than being at home and hearing the roar of the crowd." I rank this game right up there with some of the biggest road wins we’ve had since
I’ve been a Laker. Because, in the past we always had guys that had a lot of experience. Robert Horry, Rick Fox, Ron Harper,
they’ve all been through this before. For our guys this is brand new. Last year we weren’t tested like this. And it goes a long way for us as a ballclub.”
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