Lakers are 2009 champions with convincing game 5 win
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.
Publicité