Redemption: Bryant leads Lakers to 15th NBA title

By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer Jun 15, 3:37 am EDT

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)—Kobe Bryant(notes) jumped and punched the air. He did it again, seven years of pent up frustration freed in a fit of joy.

This was the one he wanted more than all the others.

The one to top them all.

One year after failing miserably in the finals against Boston, Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers found redemption. They finished a season they felt was theirs with a 99-86 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday night in Game 5 to win the 15th NBA title in franchise history.

For Bryant, this was the missing piece from his resume, his fourth championship and first without former teammate Shaquille O’Neal(notes).

“I don’t have to hear that criticism, that idiotic criticism anymore,” said Bryant, the finals MVP. “It was annoying.”

For Lakers coach Phil Jackson, this was title No. 10, moving him past legendary Celtics coach Red Auerbach for the most by a coach in league history.

“I’ll smoke a cigar in honor of Red,” Jackson said. “He was a great guy.”

For Pau Gasol(notes). For Derek Fisher(notes). For Lamar Odom(notes). For Trevor Ariza(notes) and for Andrew Bynum(notes) and the rest of the Lakers, this was a title to savor.

“It’s a dream come true,” Gasol said. “The completion of a goal.”

Odom scored 17 points, Ariza had 15, Gasol 14 and 15 rebounds, and Fisher, whose two big 3s in Game 4 saved L.A., had 13 points.

It took longer than Bryant expected, but he has stepped from O’Neal’s enormous shadow—at last.

Bryant averaged 32.4 points, 7.4 assists, 5.6 rebounds and more than a dozen cold-blooded glares per game. He wasn’t out to make friends in these finals, he was out for redemption. Throughout the playoffs, he didn’t smile. He just snarled and bared his teeth.

“I was just completely locked in,” he said. “I was grumpy for a while and now I’m just ecstatic, like a kid in a candy store.”

O’Neal, who won three titles with Bryant before the pair had a major falling out, was glad to see his former teammate win another.

“Congratulations kobe, u deserve it,” O’Neal said on his Twitter page. “You played great. Enjoy it my man enjoy it.”

Bryant and Jackson, whose relationship strained and briefly snapped under the weight of success, are again at the top of their games.

Together.

Following the game, the pair shared a long embrace.

Jackson, who once called Bryant “a selfish player” now sees the 30-year-old in a far different light.

“He’s learned how to become a leader in a way in which people want to follow him,” Jackson said. “That’s really important for him to have learned that because he knew that he had to give to get back in return, and so he’s become a giver rather than just a guy that’s a demanding leader. That’s been great for him and great to watch.”

After the final horn, Bryant and his teammates bounced around the floor of Amway Arena. Moments later, Bryant swept his two daughters, both wearing gold Lakers dresses, into his arms.

It was just as he dreamed.

“It finally felt like a big old monkey was off my back,” he said. “It 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.”

Bryant had come up short twice in the finals before, in 2004 with O’Neal against Detroit, and again last season against the Celtics in the renewal of the league’s best rivalry. The Lakers were beaten in six games, losing the finale in Boston by 39 points, a humiliating beatdown that Bryant and his teammates had trouble shaking.

They went to training camp with one goal in mind. This was going to be their season, and except for a few minor missteps, it was.

In the locker room afterward, Bryant made sure Jackson got a champagne shower.

“He took his glasses off, threw his head back and soaked it all in because this is a special time,” Bryant said. “For us to be the team that got him that historic 10th championship is special for us.”

Orlando will be haunted by moments in a series that swung on a few plays and had two overtime games.

After losing Game 1 by 25 points, the Magic had their chance in Game 2 but rookie Courtney Lee(notes) missed an alley-oop layup in the final second of regulation. In Game 4, Dwight Howard(notes) clanged two free throws with 11.1 seconds, and the Magic allowed Derek Fisher to nail a game-tying 3-pointer to force OT.

Howard, the Magic’s superhero center, was hardly a factor in Game 5. He scored 11 points and took just nine shots. Rashard Lewis(notes) scored 18 points, but was only 3 of 12 on 3s for Orlando, which after living on the 3, finally died by it.

The Magic went just 8 of 27 from long range.

When the game ended, Howard didn’t move. As his teammates headed to the locker room, Howard stayed on Orlando’s bench and watched as the Lakers celebrated on the Magic’s floor. Jameer Nelson(notes), Orlando’s point guard who came back for the finals after missing four months with a shoulder injury, finally joined him

The two sat stunned.

“What I just told Jameer is look at it, just see how they’re celebrating,” Howard said. “It should motivate us to want to get in the gym, want to get better.”

Orlando was trying to become the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the finals. They had rallied to knock off Philadelphia and Boston, and then upset LeBron James(notes) and Cleveland in the conference finals. The Magic always felt they had a shot at history.

Bryant, though, wouldn’t be denied his place.

“They had an answer,” Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said, “for everything.”

Updated Jun 15, 3:37 am EDT
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1837 Comments

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  1. MelissaG
    1837. Posted by MelissaG Sat Sep 5 3:27am EDT

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    . hi
    mzt?
  2. ivan
    1836. Posted by ivan Tue Jul 21 1:47am EDT

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    yeah! lakers! kobe's 1st time to win the jersey number 24! this is only comment for orlando that they ar strong cauz, they made it to the finals and beat cavaliers where the king james' team....... but this word i can say to orlando that they LOZERS! :P =P LOZERS! LOZERS! for lakers WINNERS! WINNERS! WINNERS! the fans of orlando ar too LOZERS! too =P =D =)
  3. Matthew
    1835. Posted by Matthew Wed Jul 15 12:22am EDT

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    Suck it easy Laker Haters.
  4. JomieA
    1834. Posted by JomieA Tue Jun 30 6:32am EDT

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    congrats.
  5. <i>tsuatsiaohua24</i>
    1833. Posted by tsuatsiaohua24 Thu Jun 25 7:47pm EDT

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    matching up lebron w/ kobe is a big joke. lebron s just a 2004 2006 loser in usa basketball teams. jordan,garnett,carter ,shaq,grant hill ,kobe etc. this players would never allow usa team 2 lose.

    kobe is the next jordan,not tmac,not carter,not lebron,not wade.

    but the best dunker of all time is vince carter,slam dunk champ,evry1 was shocked of carter,360 dunks were nothing for carter, its to easy 4 him.

    i never saw lebron do any 360 because he sucks,just do simple dunks. lebron shoot jumpers like shaq.

    only kobe can score 81 pts 2day,only kobe can score 50 pts 4 straight games 2day,only kobe can score 60 pts in 3 quarters.

    if kobe wants he can average 40 pts and win the scoring title,he became unselfsh in order 2 win a championshp ring in the nba n an olympic gpld medal,lebronze sucks.
  6. Azlynn
    1832. Posted by Azlynn Fri Jun 19 4:29pm EDT

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    I love the los angeles lakers because of bryant, ariza , odom , luke , farmar , brown , fisher , sasha , bynum

    but i think they r hot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  7. Jong D
    1831. Posted by Jong D Tue Jun 16 9:23pm EDT

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    this site is all about NBA, and it's about sports... sports is all about "it's not the winning or loosing that game, it's how you play the game..." if we do hate super star like KOBE then why you are here watching NBA? i guess that is not the exact word "hate" but instead "ENVY"... to whom? TO KOBE BRYANT, because you can't accept the fact that he is already and still super star after the retirement of great player of all time, MICHAEL JORDAN... and why other insists that he is a rapist? if so why he is not in jail? there is no rape when there is willingness... those people continue hating and saying he [KOBE] is rapist... you are only SOUR GRAPING because he won the 2009 NBA Championship and emerged as the Final MVP... not Lebron nor Howard... don't say bad words because KARMA is roaming around...
  8. Racer-X
    1830. Posted by Racer-X Tue Jun 16 3:36pm EDT

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    @1729. Posted by G smacktalk Mon Jun 15 1:34pm EDT Report Abuse
    "Check out Luke Walton! He got his ring! He don't have to live in his Dad's shadow anymore. Remember last year when Bill was rootin for the Celts? You go Luke!!! " - yeah I remember. Bill was a dick for doing that, but then Luke was very disappointing last year and Bill as a father expressed his disappointment which was wrong. Luke stepped up during the Fuggets series and the Finals. I'm happy for him.
  9. Racer-X
    1829. Posted by Racer-X Tue Jun 16 3:33pm EDT

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    @1734. Posted by B C Mon Jun 15 1:39pm EDT Report Abuse
    "has anyone ever noticed how ugly kobe's 2 daughter are? they look like squirrels...his wife however...i would f*ck the sh*t out of her pu$$y" ---- what are you a fuhkin child molester you fuhk? why you checkin his daughters out like that you sick fuhk? so if his daughters were not "ugly", you'd fuhk the shet out of their p-ussy? you should be scalped! @1740. Posted by G smacktalk Mon Jun 15 1:48pm "Did you see Howard having sportsmanship unlike Lebron? " - dude, unlike your other bullshet comments earlier, you're right on with that comment. I like Howard, he was classy during post-game interview too.
  10. Racer-X
    1828. Posted by Racer-X Tue Jun 16 3:26pm EDT

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    WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD! LakerNation - let's give some props to the Magic though. The numbers 4-1 doesn't reflect how close the series really was, games 2, 3 and 4 (especially 2 & 4) were VERY CLOSE!. If Lee made that layup in game 2 and if Fish missed that 3pointer in game 4, whoa, a whole new ball game, whole new series. I think Van Jeremy is completely wrong in saying experience is not a big factor in the finals. Fish is the Laker Sniper - One Shot One Kill! I love Fishman, Mr. Clutch Shot Fisher! Funny how nobody's talking about Lebron comparison to MJ now. It's all about the the Black Mamba. In 2011, they'll be talking about how Kobe surpassed MJ, that Kobe is the greatest of ALL TIME. It will no longer be "Be Like Mike" but "Be Like Kobe"!
  11. tos
    1827. Posted by tos Tue Jun 16 9:16am EDT

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    dbackcrazy434 yeah but he did have another superstars SG in Wade on that team. Is because Kobe didn't rape that girl geez even you can't be this dumb.
  12. chris
    1826. Posted by chris Tue Jun 16 2:54am EDT

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    Here is my run down. I'm glad that Kobe got his ring, but lets face it he is the Star that either you love him or hate him. Just like the NY Yankees, there is no getting around that fact. But to all the haters that say a true star can win without help is just full of it. Here is the run down of last champions starting from 1980 to 2009. I do not know that much about the 50's 60's and 70's except film. 1980 - Lakers (MAGIC, KAREEM, Jamaal Wilkes, Cooper) 1981- Celtics (BIRD, PARISH) 1982- Lakers (MAGIC, KAREEM, Jamaal Wilkes, Cooper) 1983- 76ers (Dr.J, MOSES MALONE, Maurice Cheeks) 1984- Celtics (BIRD, PARISH, McHALE) 1985- Lakers (MAGIC, KAREEM, WORTHY, Byron Scott, AC Green, Cooper) 1986- Celtics (BIRD, PARISH, McHALE, Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge) 1987-Lakers (MAGIC, KAREEM, WORTHY, Byron Scott, AC Green, Cooper) 1988- Lakers (MAGIC, KAREEM, WORTHY, Byron Scott, AC Green, Cooper) 1989- Pistons(THOMAS,DUMARS, Aguirre, Laimbeer, Vinnie Johnson, Rodman) 1990- Pistons (THOMAS,DUMARS, Aguirre, Laimbeer, Vinnie Johnson, Rodman) 1991- Bulls (JORDAN-THE G.O.A.T-PIPPEN GREATEST SF to play the game by NBA Players Poll past and Present. Horace Grant, Bill Cartwright. John Paxson) 1992 - Bulls (JORDAN, PIPPEN, Paxson, and great role players) 1993 - Bulls (JORDAN, PIPPEN, Paxson, and great role players) 1994 - Rockets(HAKEEM THE DREAM, Otis Thorpe, Sam Cassell, and Big-Shot-BOB) 1995 - ROCKETS (HAKEEM THE DREAM, CLYDE THE GLIDE, Sam Cassell, Big-Shot-BOB) 1996 - Bulls (JORDAN, PIPPEN, RODMAN, Ron Harper, Steve Kerr) 1997 - Bulls Bulls (JORDAN, PIPPEN, RODMAN, Ron Harper, Steve Kerr) 1998 - Bulls (JORDAN, PIPPEN, RODMAN, Ron Harper, Steve Kerr) 1999 - Spurs (TIM DUNCAN, DAVID ROBINSON) 2000 - Lakers (KOBE, SHAQ,Glen Rice, Ron Harper, Big-Shot-BOB, Fisher) 2001 - Lakers (KOBE, SHAQ,Fisher, Big-Shot-BOB) 2002 - Lakers (KOBE, SHAQ,Fisher, Big-Shot-BOB) 2003 - Spurs (DUNCAN, ROBINSON, Tony Parker, Manu G.) 2004- Pistons(Billips, Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton,Prince, Ben Wallace) 2005- Spurs (DUNCAN, Parker, Manu G. Big Shot BOB strikes again) 2006 - Heat (WADE, SHAQ, Alonzo Mouring and Gary Payton key role players) 2007- Spurs (DUNCAN, Tony Parker, Manu G. Big Shot BOB gets his 7th RING so he is better then Jordan, Kobe, Shaq, and everybody else who doesn't have 7 rings right?) 2008 - Celtics (GARNETT, ALLEN, PIERCE, Rondo, and great role players) 2009- Lakers (KOBE, Gasol, Odum, Fisher, Ariza and other role players) So lets see thats at least 30 years of champions and every champion had at least 2 all-stars or 2 hall of famers on them when they got there rings. I put the Super Stars in BOLD to show you that every team had a superstar on them. Only the 2004 Detroit Pistons was the only team that really won a championship playing true team ball and caught the Lakers aguring and injured and took advantage of it. Remember that team was a bunch of rejects sloppy seconds from other teams that didn't want them. Wallace was an All-Star with the Blazers but never reached superstar status. Billups became an allstar after that championship. Rip was a player that Jordan got rid of because he thought the Wizards could not build around him. Prince was only in the league for his 2nd year, and the Pistons got lucky with Ben Wallace, because he wanted to prove he belonged in the NBA and tailored his game after Rodman yes Dennis Rodman Defensive and Hitting the Boards, Great role. So It takes great Chemistry to win a championship, and Kobe and Shaq had it from 2000-2002 but those 2 Superstars could not work together and that is why they spilt. And remember nobody made a big deal about the Isaiah Thomas led Bad-Boys not shaking hands with Jordan and the Bulls after the conference finals. Everybody knew that was the end of an era and a new one was born, and Thomas didn't want his era to end. Thats why everybody is making a big deal about LBJ not shaking hands because the NBA wants him to be the face of the NBA, but it is not his time yet. Kobe is still the Villian to Hate. But I can see where this going they want a rivalary like Bird Vs Magic which would be great agurements in the barbershop waiting on that haircut. Sorry So Long Just my 2 cents. Enjoy Kobe while you can because after he Retires there will never be another Kobe. Just Like Jordan, Magic, Bird, Dr.J,)-these guys changed the game. And Lebron will change the game when its all said and done. but when Lebron is Pushing 36 there is some kid now growing up watching Kobe and LBJ and trying to patent his game after them and will push the game to new levels. But face it JORDAN is the G.O.A.T he changed the game completly without him there is no game of Kobe and Lebron, they grew up watching Jordan ok Folks. Just Like Jordan Grew up watching DR.J
  13. David C
    1825. Posted by David C Tue Jun 16 2:07am EDT

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    We are the champions, LA, and we'll all keep on fighting till the end!!!! We are the champions!!! We are the champions!!!! No time for Magic, 'cause we are the champions, of the world!!!!!!
  14. JackMeHoff
    1824. Posted by JackMeHoff Tue Jun 16 12:20am EDT

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    As For 1324. lachon.watts

    Why don't you FCUK URSELF Lachon.watts!!! U' DUMB FCUK monkey ARSSE!!! Go get me bananas!!!!
    I know what basketball is u lil sheiitt fcuk!!! On contrary u know basketball from xbox don't you??? ... U r not participating and playing it on the field coz u r a fcukin big dreamer goof who got bashed n smashed here and there time to time in the HS, r u? I believe so!!!
    Just a little reminder here u stupid fcuk... THIS IS NOT A BLOG.... THIS IS AN ONLINE DISCUSSION FORUM, U TURD!!! Guess u don't know what the different between those two either, do U? What's a matter... too stupid to understand the concept of online discussion or u just got some brain damage!! Fcukin losers!!! SO shout the FCUK UP!!!! Go write your GED exam you illiterate monkey!!! Better.... just pack ursorry illiterate monkey arsse out of this discussion!!!
  15. <i>pbsanco</i>
    1823. Posted by pbsanco Mon Jun 15 11:53pm EDT

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    The Celtics! They are not even in the equation for next year. They need to rebuild. Even with a healthy KG they have a tough road.
  16. <i>pbsanco</i>
    1822. Posted by pbsanco Mon Jun 15 11:51pm EDT

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    Why do you haterz keep bringing up Kobe the Rapist? I know, you don't have anything else to say. Suck Azz and look fo rme at the parade. PS: You can't rape the willing, you trick!
  17. Marlon A
    1821. Posted by Marlon A Mon Jun 15 11:48pm EDT

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    Just wait till the next season, Boston's BIg Three will come back to take the crown.
  18. Kevin
    1820. Posted by Kevin Mon Jun 15 11:08pm EDT

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    wow - yesterday its was all about Lakers and the rapist MVP - after two hours- the lakers was lucky because the celtics or the cavs were not the opponent team.///@@ kobe compared to MJ orany old school hall of famer player. @@@## the lakers won because they have 8 players on the floor(Including the ref ) who's paying for the parade. All this are irrelevant. So for all of you laker hater. Go and wank yourself. and stick your five fingers in your ass.........@#$% @#$%
  19. Henry
    1819. Posted by Henry Mon Jun 15 10:59pm EDT

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    Hey dudes..The LAKERS the best team ever..The MAGIC w/c Orlando are claiming belongs to no other than LAKER's "MAGIC JOHNSON".. To KOBE, keep up the good work ,Man..u deserved it..hope to see ur unselfish playing time, man..watch and learn how the great players like JORDAN, MAGIC JOHNSON, BIRD, etc. play.. HURRAYYY, LAKERS..I KNOW U CAN WIN ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP..AND A LOT MORE..HOW I WISH I CUD SEE U PLAY, WISH KO LANG..

    HENRY H.
  20. Jay
    1818. Posted by Jay Mon Jun 15 10:25pm EDT

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    Kobe Bryant is a replica of Michael Jordan but we will see next season if they can do it again for another championship....
  21. rodrigo r
    1817. Posted by rodrigo r Mon Jun 15 10:04pm EDT

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    ": _para sakin Orlando Magic wins:)
  22. <i>voltairebernardino45</i>
    1816. Posted by voltairebernardino45 Mon Jun 15 9:53pm EDT

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    lakers is the best . Kobe is awesome. he just deserve the MVP title.
  23. Val
    1815. Posted by Val Mon Jun 15 9:52pm EDT

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    Despite the glory of a triumphant season for my team, Los Angeles Lakers, one cannot deny the galantry displayed by the man-mountain that is Dwight Howard during the entire playoffs, this despite his tender age. Way to go, Dwight. Keep up! And for my Lakers, congratulations to all of you, especially to Pau, Lamar, Trevor, Andre, anf Fish you made it all for Kobe and all of your fans, men.
  24. <i>nilmerr</i>
    1814. Posted by nilmerr Mon Jun 15 8:28pm EDT

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    hi i like to be basketball player u teach me how to play Kobe Bryant
  25. <i>nilmerr</i>
    1813. Posted by nilmerr Mon Jun 15 8:28pm EDT

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    hi i like to be basketball player u teach me how to play Kobe Bryant
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 LA Lakers
K. Bryant Kobe Bryant
10-23,  30 Pts
6 Rebs, 5 Assists
 Orlando
R. Lewis Rashard Lewis
6-19,  18 Pts
10 Rebs, 4 Assists

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