Lakers are NBA Champions; Kobe finally "gets his"

By Brendan Hall
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Let the floodgates open. Let the overkill, and the overexposure, commence.

The Los Angeles Lakers quickly overcame a nine-point deficit to build a 10-point cushion early in the second quarter of game five of the NBA Finals. The Orlando Magic were never able to cut into it cleanly, and the Lakers went on to win their 15th title in franchise history.

I theorized before this series that the Lakers were soft on the interior, and they proved to me that they’ve come a long way since the 2008 Finals. The combination of Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza, and with Lamar Odom coming off the bench, was lethal enough to outlast Dwight Howard and Co. in the frontcourt. More importantly, everyone knew their role on this team – Kobe see, Kobe do – and didn’t get in the way.

And now, since SportsCenter now conveniently operates directly across from the Staples Center, we shall be reminded every day for the next three months the following:

-- Kobe finally won one without Shaq.

-- Phil Jackson has now won more championships in any North American professional sport than anyone else – more than Scotty Bowman, more than Red Auerbach – which means he must now be the greatest coach since Knute Rockne. Phil Jackson is of Deity status (Woj already beat me to the punch, though he’s not tongue-in-cheek).

-- Pau Gasol has evolved into a mecha-beast on the low post.

-- Kobe finally won one without Shaq.

-- Kobe finally won one without Shaq.

-- Shaq, will you go to Cleveland please?

-- Lebron. 2010.

And they're probably going to promote the heck out of those "MVPuppets" and their neighbor "Lil' Dez". It’s going to be a beautiful disaster of a summer. By mid-August we’re going to know everything about these cool, hip bunch of yuksters that we’re going to be screaming for the NFL season to start. I can’t wait.

But I digress. Here are my game balls for the series:

Kobe Bryant
The Finals MVP played like someone with a chip on his shoulder in this series, averaging more than 33 points per game, to stamp himself as the world’s greatest player. He made difficult shots look easy, and didn’t take for granted the open looks he got. In the force-fed “Kobe or LeBron?” debate, I officially want Kobe taking the last shot.

Trevor Ariza
A question now arises as to what the long-term plans are for the upstart forward. It’s not a question of whether they keep him or not – they’d be stupid to even contemplate it – but how much to throw at him. Jackson entered Ariza into the starting lineup full-time for the Finals, and he played like a bona fide veteran. He was the best defender in this series, and provided key long-range shots when needed. Rack 'em.

Derek Fisher
Just for his shot in game four alone, you have to give the man some sort of merit. But more importantly, he played with an even-keeled, smooth tempo, and quietly had a very consistent series. This is why Kobe likes him – he never gets in the way, and hardly makes a mistake. When you need him to score, he scores.

I will have a season wrap, and look ahead to the future, in tomorrow’s entry. Until now, enjoy this championship.