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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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MVP Kobe Leads Lakers to Title No. 15

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(Newser) – The Lakers captured their 15th NBA title tonight in Orlando, polishing off the Magic with a 99-86 victory that gave coach Phil Jackson his record 10th title, the Los Angeles Times reports. Last season's runners-up, the Lakers saw five players score in double figures, led by Finals MVP Kobe Bryant (30 points), who collected his fourth championship and first without Shaquille O'Neal.

"This really feels like a dream," said Bryant. "This doesn't even feel real right now. It's unbelievable." After a competitive first quarter, the Lakers went on a 16-0 run in the second quarter and never looked back. His team's 4-1 series victory and first title since 2002 meant Jackson broke Celtics legend Red Auerbach's record. "I'll smoke a cigar tonight in memory of Red," said Jackson.

The Lakers' Pau Gasol kises the Larry O'Brien trophy after the Lakers won the NBA championship tonight in Orlando.
The Lakers' Pau Gasol kises the Larry O'Brien trophy after the Lakers won the NBA championship tonight in Orlando.   (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant celebrates after a shot in the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals against the Orlando Magic Sunday, June 14, 2009, in Orlando, Fla.
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant celebrates after a shot in the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals against the Orlando Magic Sunday, June 14, 2009, in Orlando, Fla.   (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
His Lakers teammates greet Kobe Bryant as he comes out for a rest in the third quarter LA's title-clinching victory in Game 5 of the NBA Finals tonight in Orlando.
His Lakers teammates greet Kobe Bryant as he comes out for a rest in the third quarter LA's title-clinching victory in Game 5 of the NBA Finals tonight in Orlando.   (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Orlando's Rafer Alston hangs his head in the third quarter of the Lakers' title-clinching victory over the Magic tonight in Orlando.
Orlando's Rafer Alston hangs his head in the third quarter of the Lakers' title-clinching victory over the Magic tonight in Orlando.   (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Los Angeles' Trevor Ariza (3) dunks against the Orlando Magic in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' victory in Game 5 of the NBA Finals tonight in Orlando. LA won the series, 4 games to 1.
Los Angeles' Trevor Ariza (3) dunks against the Orlando Magic in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' victory in Game 5 of the NBA Finals tonight in Orlando. LA won the series, 4 games to 1.   (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Series MVP Kobe Bryant begins to celebrate late in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' victory over the Magic in Game 5 of the NBA Finals tonight in Orlando.
Series MVP Kobe Bryant begins to celebrate late in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' victory over the Magic in Game 5 of the NBA Finals tonight in Orlando.   (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Kobe Bryant holds the Larry O'Brien championship and NBA Finals MVP trophies after the Lakers beat the Magic, 99-86, in series-clinching Game 5 tonight in Orlando.
Kobe Bryant holds the Larry O'Brien championship and NBA Finals MVP trophies after the Lakers beat the Magic, 99-86, in series-clinching Game 5 tonight in Orlando.   (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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3 comments
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Sauerkraut
Jun 14, 09 9:59 PM CDT
Yeah! Go Lakers! But the Magic and their fans really have some true class. Truly a respectable organization. Now if I can just have the Dodgers win the World Series. Reply
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Forderon
Jun 14, 09 11:24 PM CDT
The Lakers are a great team and Kobe and Phil Jackson are worthy champions. I don't buy the bullshit arguments that "Kobe never won without Shaq" or Jackson never won without a top 10 NBA player of all time. Those are simplistic and lazy arguments. Kobe is a top 15 player of all time in my book and Jackson is the best coach ever. Pau Gasol is one of the finest big men in the game, Odom is about as good of a complimentary player you can get and Fisher and Ariza are fine role players. That's a great team. The Magic are also a worthy finalist. They had the #1 defense in the league this year and made their way through a tough Eastern conference. Don't let the 4-1 series fool you, 3 of the games could have gone either way, so this was no easy victory LA, they simply clicked starting with game 6 against Denver and never let go. Anyway, great NBA season and I can't wait for the next season to start! Reply
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Snowleopard
Jun 15, 09 2:08 AM CDT
IMHO, Kobe is definately in the top 5 players of all time. The bar has been raised, and those players who were great in decades gone by would face tougher opposition today.
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