Lakers Crush Magic for 15th NBA Title

ORLANDO – This NBA championship run for the Los Angeles Lakers didn't start when they opened training camp back in October. It started a year ago with the embarrassment of a 39-point, Finals-ending loss in Boston when they trudged off the famed parquet floor while being taunted by Celtics fans.

From the depths of that humiliating defeat came the single-minded determination to make things right.

The Lakers culminated that quest Sunday night in Orlando when they pummeled the Magic, 99-86, to capture the 15th title in franchise history, winning the series 4-1.

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The Lakers, who won 65 games during the regular season, used the Magic like they were movie extras, just there to help with the rightful coronation. They beat the Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets on their way to this final stop.

They crushed the Magic in Game 1, much like they crushed them in Game 5. There were three close games in the middle, but rarely did this title run ever seem in doubt. "We used last season's finish as motivation. This year we just worked so hard, as a team, as a group, as individuals to make it happen. It's such a great feeling now."
-- Pau Gasol

Kobe Bryant was the ringleader from start to finish through the playoffs, getting 30 points, six rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots, making sure he brought everyone along for the ride.

It was the 15th NBA title in franchise history. For Bryant and point guard Derek Fisher, it was the fourth, tying them with Tim Duncan and Shaquille O'Neal for the most since the Michael Jordan era.

For coach Phil Jackson, it was his 10th championship, making him the winningest coach in league history.

"We used last season's finish as motivation,'' said Lakers forward Pau Gasol, who had 14 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. "This year we just worked so hard, as a team, as a group, as individuals to make it happen. It's such a great feeling now.''

For the Magic, it was a cruel ending to their finest season in history. Although they fought through the middle three games of these Finals, they stopped playing long before the last one was over, giving up to the strength of the Lakers, on their home court.

It was never close in the second half. Magic center Dwight Howard left with his fifth foul late in the third period, but the Magic already were beaten. He returned in the fourth, but he didn't change a thing. He finished with just 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots.

The Lakers used a 16-0 second quarter run to take a 56-46 halftime lead that was never challenged. They hit eight consecutive shots in the period, including three by Trevor Ariza. The Magic were buried by their seven turnovers and a surging Kobe Bryant, who had 15 points in the period.

Ariza's role in the win was particularly haunting to the Magic, who traded him to the Lakers early in the 2007-08 season for Brian Cook and Maurice Evans, two long-gone players. The Magic didn't think he could shoot well enough for their new style of play.

The Lakers started the game slowly, falling behind by nine in the first period when they let center Andrew Bynum take too many shots. Although Bynum took only 22 shots combined in the first four games, he took nine in the first period, throwing their offense out of rhythm.

The Magic, who relied so heavily on their 3-point shooting all season, struggling from long distance. Rashard Lewis hit their first and only 3-pointer in the first half with 1:45 remaining in the second period. By intermission, this one was over.

Latest NBA Finals Photos

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Hedo Turkoglu #15 of the Orlando Magic shoots against Pau Gasol #16 and Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers during Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Hedo Turkoglu;Pau Gasol;Lamar Odom

NBAE/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots against Rashard Lewis #9 of the Orlando Magic during Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rashard Lewis;Kobe Bryant

NBAE/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Chris Brown attends Game Five of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chris Brown

Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic attempts a shot against Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dwight Howard;Andrew Bynum

NBAE/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Chris Brown (L) and friends attend Game Five of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chris Brown

Getty Images

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant reacts late 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)

Orlando Magic's Courtney Lee looks on during the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals against the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday, June 14, 2009, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant celebrates after scoring a three-point shot against the Orlando Magic in the 4th quarter of Game 5 of their NBA Finals basketball series in Orlando, Florida, June 14, 2009. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Reuters

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Rashard Lewis #9 of the Orlando Magic attempts a shot against Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Credit: 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rashard Lewis;Pau Gasol

NBAE/Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

6-14-2009 @ 11:12PM

Giles said...

Congratualations to both teams. Now the off season free agency and trades, all the more important because the draft seems mainly to be little guys who won`t much help most teams. Coach Jackson, LaMar Odom, Trevor Ariza, and Kobe Bryant being among the free agents would may find the economic depression undercutting the ability of the current team to come up with a high enough offer to qualify to resign them.

6-14-2009 @ 11:10PM

magic1263 said...

N.B.A Champion Lakers!!! congratulations to Kobe.Pau Fish and the rest.

6-14-2009 @ 11:15PM

spiritualmack said...

Lakers are a class act! How about a repeat!? Yeehoooooo!!! I wish I was in Inglewood tonight?
By the way...(What the hell is a "laker" anyway?)
(and what's a knickerbocker, for that matter)?

Congrats, LA!!!

Eat your heart out Shaq, Kobe got his on his own!

Spiritualmack

6-14-2009 @ 11:58PM

The Minnespolis Lakers were the Northern and Western most team in the NBA when the moved to Los Angeles in 1960, named after the large number of lakes in Minnesota, then promoted as the most of any state, though Texas actually has the most, not counting the glaciers of Alaska, since they are ice not water. Also named after the Great Lakes, Northern Minnesota borders Lake Superior. The Lakers changed from blue and gold to purple and gold because the Bruins already had blue and gold at UCLA. The KnickerBochers were an old baseball team, which folded, who were named after a type of shorts, also called Knickers. Both teams may be active in the free agent market. The Knicks may try to sign all the Lakers free agent players, but already have a coach, so one of the two coaches might switch to General Manager for the Knicks.

6-15-2009 @ 7:54AM

rghton5 said...

"Class Act"? With Kobe on the team? Think not. Kobe is a lowlife sociopath thug with an anger issue.

6-15-2009 @ 1:34PM

mister8116 said...

this guy kobe is nothing but a wife cheater with anger issues that gets paid 1000 times more then any of you dummies that idolize this thug!

6-14-2009 @ 11:18PM

Pimp Daddy said...

Congratulation to the Lakers.Hope Queen James took notes.Now lets get ready for some Football. Go SAINTS.

6-14-2009 @ 11:26PM

Hanford Searl Jr. said...

... Who-CARES!?!

6-15-2009 @ 1:35AM

nofear said...

You do you sore looser.

6-15-2009 @ 1:49AM

Hey looser I know you care, get over it Lakers and Kobe won.

6-15-2009 @ 2:01PM

I care. I hate seeing bad behavior, lack of character, and the thug mentality rewarded. If you want to see how Kobe fans act go to CNN.com/LAriots.

6-14-2009 @ 11:28PM

cabinetec said...

HERES TO THE GREATEST COACH IN NBA HISTORY AND MAYBE THE BEST IN ALL OF SPORTS PHIL JACKSON. CONGRATS LAKERS YOU DESERVE ALL THE PRAISE AND HAVE SILENCED THE CRITICS. THE MAGIC ARE A GREAT TEAM BUT WERE CLEARLY OUT MATCHED BY YOU AND YOUR BRILLIANT COACH. LETS REPEAT IT NEXT YEAR

6-14-2009 @ 11:31PM

Edwin said...

Orlando magic are history.., by next week, Howard will sign on to LA.
Lewis will also leave. Orlando team will fall apart.
And Kobe will get another obscene salary hike.

6-15-2009 @ 1:52AM

Do you mean you think Howard will sign with the Clippers? Possible. They haven`t been getting it done, and they`ll add Griffin at one forward spot, probably power forward, his jumper is shaky, so they will probably deal off Randolph, and may deal off Kaman to make room for Howard while they are at it. The Lakers have Bynum, they could bring him off the bench and start Gasol as high post center and Howard at weak side power forward, but they just won the championship, so if they can hold onto Odom, they may not want Howard, with his raw talent and lack of offensive skills, enough to bid high enough to get him. And Howard is from Atlanta, he might want to stay in the southeast, which still might make Miami a possibility, and HotLanta itself. And obviously Orlando will do its best to resign him. But in this depressed economy, even big name free agents even in big name cities may not get offered enough to be able to stay put. And small name free agents in small markets will certainly not command much.

6-15-2009 @ 9:18PM

Howard and Lewis have resigned with the Magic. Unfortunately, instead of resigning Turkoglu (and Gortat), the Magic resigned Nelson, who averages fewer assists than Bryant. And I expect Byant`s contract was already mazed out. Hell probably be able to stay in Los Angeles if he wants. The Lakers were quicker, more effective with Odom than with Bynum, but Jackson, Odom, and Ariza could all be gone this summer. So maybe it`ll be Turk to Los Angeles, either team would be improved by him, Clippers or Lakers. Cavs might want him. The size and quality the Magic had on the perimeter gave them fits, and they`d be weaking a rival as well as strengthening themselves. As for the L.A. riots. unfortunately folks riot after sports events in every country in the world. In Europe, the worst of it is soccer hooliganism. The US media better get used to the fact Hispanics will eventually be the number one ethic group in the US, are already second only to Anglos, and fastest growing. That will mean more Hispanics in the NBA, which is fine, in hooliganism, which isn`t, and in every other aspect of American life.

6-14-2009 @ 11:36PM

SPiRiTUALMACK to ans your Qestion for "what the hell is a Laker anyway?" The answer is, that they began thier NBA franchise in The Land Of The Lakes before moving to LA. So the name Lakers

6-14-2009 @ 11:37PM

dandeliquidation said...

the fakers are the world chumps BFD now the town will be burnt done for sure the fans are the worst in any sports look out florida kobaby is there to rape your women the lakers still suck and always will go clippers

6-15-2009 @ 12:49AM

DANDELIQUIDATION... IM HOPEING THAT IF THY DO BURN THE CITY THAT THEY MAKE SURE YOUR HOUSE GOES FIRST. YOU DONT BELONG IN A GREAT CITY. I THINK BAGDAD WOULD BE A GREAT PLACE FOR YOU TO MOVE. YOUR A MORON

6-15-2009 @ 3:59AM

lopjackie21 said...

dandeliquidation....
I'm glad that you hate Kobe and the Lakers!
Ahahahahahahahaha! They won...Ahahahahahaha!
I want you to be pissed....Ahahahaha!
GO KOBE....GO LAKERRRRRRRRRS!