You got it right Winnipeg! Last week we had an official AccessWinnipeg.com poll and 56% knew that the Lakers would become the 2009 NBA Champions.
In a series that was supposed to be LeBron vs Kobe… Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic shocked the world when they eliminated the heavily favorite Cleavland Cavaliers. But the Magic would show their inexperience and youth – buckling under pressure, missing key free throws, and simply not being able to win games against a hungry Laker team.
Kobe Bryant and the Lakers simply had more on the line than the Orlando Magic who were making their first finals appearance since 1995. Kobe Bryant, who seemed unstoppable every game of the series, wanted needed to prove to the world that he could win a championship without being under the shadow of Shaquille O’Neal. The Lakers and Kobe would wrap it up in Game 5 and win their 15th franchise championship (second only to the Boston Celtics with 17)
NBA Finals Records Broken This Year:
– First NBA Finals series to have 2 overtime games
– Orlando Magic shooting 62.5% in Game 3
– Dwight Howard 9 blocks in Game 4
– LA Lakers 30th Finals appearance
– Phil Jackson 209 playoff wins
– Phil Jackson 12 Finals appearances
– Phil Jackson 10 NBA Championships
Los Angles Lakers Playoff Run:
Round 1: Utah Jazz 4-1
Round 2: Houston Rockets 4-3
Conference Finals: Denver Nuggets 4-2
Finals: Orlando Magic 4-1
Kobe Bryant won the Bill Russell Finals MVP Award for the first time in his career. This is Kobe’s 4th NBA Championship (all with the Lakers) but his first without big man Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq won Finals MVP all other championship wins (2000-2002)
Do we see a dynasty in the making? You bet that LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett, and Tim Duncan will all be coming back hungry next year. The 2010 season is going to be something spectacular.
See you next season.
