Los Angeles Lakers wins the 2009 NBA Finals | Lakers the Champion

Los Angeles Lakers 2009 NBA Finals Champion. Los Angeles Lakers wins the NBA Finals 2009.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)— Congratulations to the Los Angeles Lakers, who earned their first NBA championship in seven years. The Los Angeles Lakers have won their 15th championship, beating the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game 5 of the NBA finals.

This is Kobe Bryant’s  fourth title, the first without Shaquille O’Neal. It was the 10th championship for coach Phil Jackson, moving him past Boston’s Red Auerbach for the most all-time.

The Lakers took control with a 16-0 run in the second quarter and rolled to their first title since 2002. Pau Gasol added 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Lakers.

Kobe Bryant finished with 30 points, five assists, and four blocks, but in spite of a series of jaw-dropping drives and perimeter looks, he was merely a brilliant part of the championship puzzle. Pau Gasol’s defense in the interior was a huge part of Dwight Howard’s limited effectiveness in the paint, and Trevor Ariza’s 12-point second quarter helped turn a close game into a Lakers walk. Rashard Lewis  scored 18 points for the Magic, who were in the finals for only the second time.

Jackson, the chilled-out, bow-legged Zen Master who won six league titles in the 1990s with Jordan in Chicago, now has won No. 4 with Los Angeles and broke a tie with legendary Boston coach Red Auerbach as the winningest coach in finals history.

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

O’Neal, now with the Phoenix Suns, was glad to see the Bryant win another title. “Congratulations kobe, u deserve it,” O’Neal said on Twitter page. “You played great. Enjoy it my man enjoy it.”

Image Source: sports.yahoo.com

Image Source: sports.yahoo.com