NBA FanHouse

Tip-Off Timer: Michael Jordan's 63 Remains Playoff High

Tim Povtak — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST

Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Tuesday, there are 63 days remaining.

There have been 31 regular season games in NBA history in which a player has scored 63 points or more. There has been only one in the playoffs, an indication of how much tougher it is to do. And it's no surprise who did it.

In a career that is nothing but highlights and accolades, titles, trophies and triumphs, Michael Jordan had his most impressive individual scoring performance when he scored 63 points for the Chicago Bulls in a double-overtime playoff loss to the Boston Celtics in 1986.

It was just his second NBA season, leaving a mark that neither he nor anyone else has touched.

"I didn't think anyone was capable of doing what Michael Jordan has done to us,'' remarked Boston star Larry Bird that day. "He is the most exciting, awesome player in the game today. There's Michael Jordan, and there's the rest of us.''

Bird was speaking from authority. His Celtics went on to win the NBA championship that season after winning 67 games, crowned as one of the greatest teams in league history.

Jordan left an indelible impression. He had played only 18 games that season because of a broken foot. He returned for the end of the regular season and that first-round playoff series against the Celtics.

Although the Celtics swept the best-of-five series, Jordan made Game 2 a memorable one. With his Bulls trailing by two in regulation, he missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. He was fouled by a lunging Kevin McHale, made both of his free throws after time expired and sent the game into overtime, making shots from all over the floor.

The Celtics eventually won, 135-131. Jordan had scored 49 points in the Game 1 loss, but he managed to top it two days later when he hit 22 of 41 field goals and 19 of 21 free throws.

Although Jordan's performance was anything but typical, the game became a symbol of the early years in his NBA career, where scintillating individual performances were tarnished by a struggling team.

It was the second consecutive first-round playoff exit for Jordan, who had won the Rookie of the Year Award the previous season. It wasn't until his fourth season that the Bulls even finished with a winning record and advanced beyond that first round.

Five of the top seven scoring performances in his career came in those first four years. He scored 69 against Cleveland late in the 1989-90 regular season. He scored 64 against Orlando in the middle of the 1992-93 season.

Yet nothing ever topped the 63 he dropped on the Celtics under the glare of the playoffs.

"I think it was just God disguised as Michael Jordan,'' Bird remarked that day.

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Michael Jordan

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 20: Michael Jordan, managing partner of the Charlotte Bobcats, reacts to a play against the Orlando Magic during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on February 20, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

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Michael Jordan Photos

Actor Kevin Costner; PGA Golfer Mike Weir and Michael Jordan attend the Inaugural Mike Weir Charity Classic at the Glen Abbey Golf Club on July 20, 2009 in Oakville, Canada..Inaugural Mike Weir Charity Classic.Glen Abbey Golf Club.Oakville, ON Canada.July 20, 2009.Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage.com..To license this image (57947355), contact WireImage.com

WireImage.com

LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 02: Tyrese and Michael Jordan visit the Grand Gala Suite at the 135th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jeff Gentner/Getty Images)

Getty Images

DETROIT - APRIL 06: (L-R) Michael Jordan, David Robinson, John Stockton and C. Vivian Stringer are announced as members of the 2009 Hall-of-Fame class at halftime of the Michigan State Spartans and the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Ford Field on April 6, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. Utah Jazz head coach is also elected but was not present. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

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DETROIT - APRIL 06: Michael Jordan is announced as a member of the 2009 Hall-of-Fame class at halftime of the Michigan State Spartans and the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Ford Field on April 6, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Getty Images

DETROIT - APRIL 06: (L-R) Michael Jordan and David Robinson are announced as members of the 2009 Hall-of-Fame class at halftime of the Michigan State Spartans and the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Ford Field on April 6, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 31: Former Laker great James Worthy (L) talks with former Bulls great and Charlotte Bobcats part owner Michael Jordan (R) on the bench during the game between Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Bobcats game at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 31, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

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Tip-Off Timer: Michael Jordan's 63 Remains Playoff High originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kobe Caps Off Year With Another Honor

Elie Seckbach — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, NBA Awards, Playoffs, NBA Videos, USA Basketball, Interviews, FanHouse Exclusive

Kobe Bryant is on top of the world, enjoying one of his best years ever as an NBA player after his impressive haul of hardware -- the NBA championship, Finals MVP, co-MVP of this year's All-Star Game. And don't forget about the Olympic gold medal from last summer.

So how does he top it all off? By starting a new charity in China. In this FanHouse exclusive we catch up with Kobe at an awards ceremony as he was being honored by the Asia Society Southern California. We also hear from T-Mac and Tim Leiweke, the CEO of AEG, who was also honored on this night.

Check out the video after the jump.

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Kobe Caps Off Year With Another Honor originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bobcats Need to Sign Iverson

Tim Povtak — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:21:00 EST

Filed under: Bobcats, NBA Fans, Playoffs, NBA Rumors

Michael Jordan still hasn't created the buzz that the Charlotte Bobcats need to be relevant again.

Allen Iverson could.

And Larry Brown knows it.

The Bobcats could spend the next three years treading water in Charlotte, mired in mediocrity or worse, while support for the franchise continues to erode and Jordan shirks more front office duties.

Or they can take the bold step, light the fuse and sign Iverson as a free agent next week, enjoying the fireworks that surely will follow when he and Brown renew their love/hate relationship.

The Bobcats won't pay Iverson anywhere close to the $21 million he made last season with Denver and Detroit - no one else will either -- but they easily can clear enough space to pay him the $7 - $10 million he will take to continue carving his legacy as the toughest little man in NBA history.

There is no reason not to do it.

The 'Cats have an owner losing millions and trying to sell. Attendance is way down, particularly troubling for a town that once led the league when they had the Hornets. They have a sparkling new arena with too many empty seats. And they aren't going anywhere with the team they have now.

Iverson could put them in the playoffs for the first time in Bobcats history, giving the long-suffering fans a reason to watch once again. Just give him the ball and watch.

Don't ask him to fit in. Tell him to sparkle. Don't ask him to practice. Tell him to score every night.

Remember, it was Brown and Iverson who put the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Finals in 2001, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. They almost killed each other as they learned to co-exist, but it worked. Iverson made Brown's hair turn gray, frustrated him at every turn, but he never played better than he did under Brown's coaching.

"There were things that went on during our careers (together), but the work he did was phenomenal,'' Brown said recently. "He played hard every night. He played hurt.''

The Bobcats won 36 games last season, Brown's first in Charlotte, but it's hard to find any reason for optimism with the current roster. First-round draft pick Gerald Henderson of Duke is a complimentary player at best.

Current point guard Raymond Felton will never be more than average. Shooting guard Raja Bell should be a reserve. Iverson could replace either one in the lineup, and give the Bobcats 25 points every night, teaching a relatively young team how to compete like he does. And no one competes any harder than he has, getting knocked around by players twice his size, bouncing up each time it happens.

Iverson was a disaster in Detroit late last season, contributing to the recent firing of coach Michael Curry. He didn't fit into the rigid system the Pistons already had created. It was a bad fit from the start.

But that's where Brown's presence in Charlotte would work wonders. He knows how to get the best from Iverson, one of the most unique players the league ever has seen. He can do it again, turning around a franchise in desperate need of a spark.

Bobcats Need to Sign Iverson originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:21:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Magic to Pursue Rasheed Wallace, Brandon Bass

Tim Povtak — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:10:00 EST

Filed under: Magic, Mavericks, Pistons, Playoffs, NBA Rumors, NBA Transactions, FanHouse Exclusive

Now that they have landed All-Star Vince Carter and all but said goodbye to Hedo Turkoglu, the Orlando Magic will try to rebuild their supporting cast by targeting a pair of vastly different free-agent frontcourt players.

After losing to the Lakers and their big front line in the NBA Finals, the Magic are expected to make offers next week in free agency to both veteran Rasheed Wallace of Detroit and young Brandon Bass of Dallas, according to two NBA sources.

Wallace, 34, is expected to be pursued by both the Magic and the Boston Celtics, who are competing with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Wallace has played 14 seasons in the NBA, earning a reputation as an often enigmatic, but unselfish player with championship experience.

Wallace still could remain in Detroit, but he has expressed a desire to finish his career with a legitimate contender in the East. He would help either Boston or Orlando counter Cleveland's addition of Shaquille O'Neal.

Bass, 24, came into the league with New Orleans as a second-round draft pick. Although still unheralded as a backup last season to Dirk Nowitzki, he is considered a good rebounder who would provide Dwight Howard with more help around the basket.

In getting Carter on Thursday from New Jersey, the Magic traded center/forward Tony Battie, along with guards Rafer Alston and Courtney Lee. They also are expecting to lose center/forward Marcin Gortat to free agency, necessitating several roster moves this summer.

Turkoglu wasn't part of the deal for Carter, but his fate in Orlando became clear when the Magic traded for Carter. Turkoglu earlier this week notified the league that he was opting out of his contract to become a free agent.

He is expected to be seriously pursued by Toronto, Portland and Sacramento. He is seeking a five-year deal worth an estimated $10 million annually, which is more than the Magic were willing to pay.

2009 NBA Draft

Phoenix Suns top draft pick Earl Clark, right, laughs with Suns general manager Steve Kerr, as Clark is introduced during a news conference, Friday, June 26, 2009, in Phoenix. Clark, a forward from Louisville, was selected 14th overall in the NBA basketball draft on Thursday. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phoenix Suns top draft pick Earl Clark smiles as he is introduced during a news conference, Friday, June 26, 2009, in Phoenix. Clark, a forward from Louisville, was selected 14th overall in the NBA basketball draft on Thursday. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX - JUNE 26: President of Basketball Operations, General Manager Steve Kerr and Head Coach Alvin Gentry of the Phoenix Suns introduces Earl Clark (6-10, Louisville) the 14th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft on June 26, 2009 at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Steve Kerr;Earl Clark;Alvin Gentry

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PHOENIX - JUNE 26: President of Basketball Operations, General Manager of the Phoenix Suns Steve Kerr (L) introduces Earl Clark (6-10, Louisville) the 14th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft on June 26, 2009 at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Steve Kerr;Earl Clark

NBAE/Getty Images

PHOENIX - JUNE 26: The Phoenix Suns introduce Earl Clark (6-10, Louisville) the 14th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft on June 26, 2009 at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Earl Clark

NBAE/Getty Images

New York Knicks NBA basketball draft picks Jordan Hill, right, and Toney Douglas, center, walk with New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi during batting practice before an interleague baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, June 26, 2009, in New York. Hill was selected No. 8 overall. Douglas was selected 29th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers was trade for for a future second-round draft pick and cash. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

MINNEAPOLIS - JUNE 26: Jonny Flynn, the 2009 NBA first round draft selection, answers questions from the media at a press conference on June 26, 2009 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jonny Flynn

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Phoenix Suns first round draft pick Earl Clark, center is flanked by general manager Steve Kerr, left, and head coach Alvin Gentry, as Clark is introduced during a news conference, Friday, June 26, 2009, in Phoenix. Clark, a forward from Louisville, was selected 14th overall in the NBA basketball draft on Thursday. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Knicks first round draft pick Jordan Hill responds to questions during a news interview before an interleague baseball game between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets,on Friday, June 26, 2009, in New York. Hill, a forward from Arizona, was selected No. 8 overall in the NBA basketball draft on Thursday. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Magic to Pursue Rasheed Wallace, Brandon Bass originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A Conversation With NBA VP Stu Jackson

Matt Steinmetz — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Playoffs, NBA Referees

NBA executive vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson took time with FanHouse this week to address some postseason issues regarding officiating and punishment.

Question: How did this year's postseason flagrant foul numbers compare with other years?

Jackson: In terms of flagrant fouls called this year in the playoffs, there were 17, which was one less than last year. That was more flagrant fouls than were called in 2006-07, but less than 2005-06. So, it was basically consistent with the last four or five years.

Question: How about the number that were rescinded compared to other years?

Jackson: Five were downgraded to zero or simply personal fouls this year. There were four last year, one the previous year, and then three and three. So this year was the highest by one.

Question: Is every disciplinary action made public by the league?

Jackson: Not 100 percent of them are. We have some incidents that involve relatively minor infractions that do not get announced or there are other situations where we may choose not to announce the fine. If there's a suspension involved, that will always be announced.

Question: What would you say is the No. 1 officiating issue, situation or call that gets scrutinized the most among the league, players and front offices?

Jackson: I don't think there's any one, with respect to the types of calls. There are may types of calls that are difficult to call in real time. Obviously, player fouls are one of them. The block/charge call is very difficult, traveling is very difficult to call in real time. Bang-bang out-of-bounds plays are difficult. There are many calls that are difficult given the speed at which our game is played.

Question: Where is the league on replay right now?

Jackson: We currently have a recommendation that's going before the board of governors this summer to include certain 24-second violations. We also at the last competition committee meeting in May agreed that we form an instant replay sub-committee to look at the state of instant replay in our game today and also look at instant replay in our game going forward. And thirdly, any formulation of new instant replay, that committee would then make a recommendation to the general competition committee.

Question: Are there any plans to address the block/charge call and do you see a need to address the block/charge call?

Jackson: That particular call, and I'm sure (senior vice president, basketball operations) Ron Johnson would tell you, is addressed every single season as it's one of the more difficult calls to make. Often times even with having the advantage of using the broadcast replay the block/charge plays are difficult to determine even with video. That always has been and always will be an area of focus within our rules of officiating.

Question: That sounds like a "no."

Jackson: Actually just the opposite. We always look at that. Referees go to training camp in the fall, and it's always one of the topics there because it's always a difficult play.

Question: It seems one of the greatest assets of the league is the athleticism of the players and their ability to play above the rim. Does the league plan on going farther in terms of encouraging more shot-blocking, by perhaps allowing a little more leeway up high and maybe being more rigid with guys sliding in to take a charge?

Jackson: Currently, under our existing rules, the one thing we've encouraged is for players to make basketball plays, which are often shot-block attempts. We allow a player to jump vertically in the restricted area around the rim. They can go make that basketball play as long as they are vertical. There no foul will necessarily be called. Referees may have a no call on that play or it could be an offensive charge. So that encourages particularly our frontcourt players to jump off the ground and block shots.

As it relates to the block/charge call, I don't know that by altering the way we call it that we necessarily encourage more blocked-shot attempts because the way players are coached at every level to gain a legal defensive position before the offensive player drives into space. That's the way players are taught. I don't know that altering the way we call it equates to more shot-block attempts.

Question: We saw Dwight Howard get a technical foul, later rescinded, for a celebratory act. Do you measure a celebratory act the same way you would measure taunting?

Jackson: There's a judgment. We don't want to take the emotion out of the game and a player celebrating or even having a heat-of-the-moment reaction even when he's not celebrating and may not be angry, those actions are tolerated. It's a judgment of the official. It's when a player has a reaction and continues to pursue and official or continues the reaction, that it will be met with a technical foul. In terms of emotion, we don't want to take that away. In the Dwight Howard situation, he was clearly celebrating his accomplishment and not taunting.

A Conversation With NBA VP Stu Jackson originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lakers Parade: Behind The Scenes

Elie Seckbach — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Playoffs, NBA Videos, Interviews, NBA Press Box

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Close to 90,000 hardcore Lakers fans packed the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to celebrate the Lakers' NBA championship, among them USC's Pete Carroll, the Lakers girls, politicians, cops and Los Angeles' best and most unpredictable fans.

In this exclusive FanHouse video, NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant spots me in the crowd and gives me a shout-out. We also meet the cast of characters that make up the mozaic of Lakers fans, from the adult man who walks around with a Kobe action figure, to the fan who says he'll kill an Orlando fan after the parade (jokingly, we hope), to the fans who called out of work sick to be at the parade. This is one video you wont want to miss.

Check out the video after the jump.

Lakers Parade: Behind The Scenes originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lakers Parade: Live Video Stream

Brett Pollakoff — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:35:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, NBA Fans, Playoffs, NBA Videos

If you're looking to catch live coverage of the Lakers' championship parade but can't get away from work to attend or catch it on television, FanHouse has got you covered. The Lakers are streaming live video from the festivities, and the official party gets started at 11AM PT.

You can catch it all right here, after the jump.

Latest NBA Images

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (2nd R) celebrates with (L-R) coach Phil Jackson and teammates, Shannon Brown, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol of Spain, after they won their 15th NBA Championship in Los Angeles, California June 17, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Reuters

Fans hold up a sign outside the University of Southern California campus as they wait for buses with the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team to parade down Figueroa while celebrating their 15th NBA Championship in Los Angeles, California, June 17, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Reuters

Los Angeles Lakers fans sleep and rest as they wait for the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum gates to open for the rally as they celebrate their 15th NBA Championship with fans in Los Angeles, California, June 17, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Reuters

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: (Top-Bottom, l-r) Josh Powell, Pau Gasol, DJ Mbenga, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, Sasha Vujacic, Luke Walton, Adam Morrison, Sun Yue, Andrew Bynum, Trevor Ariza and Jordan Farmar of the Los Angeles Lakers walk down the steps during the 2009 NBA Championship Victory Parade at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on June 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Josh Powell;Pau Gasol;DJ Mbenga;Derek Fisher;Lamar Odom;Sasha Vujacic;Luke Walton;Adam Morrison;Sun Yue;Andrew Bynum;Trevor Ariza;Jordan Farmar

Getty Images

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, right, and teammate Trevor Ariza leap to celebrate the Lakers' NBA championship at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Wednesday, June 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Lakers' Derek Fisher, center, celebrates on stage during the Lakers' NBA championship victory ceremony at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, left, speaks as Kobe Bryant looks on during the Lakers' NBA championship victory ceremony at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol of Spain (R) hugs Kobe Bryant as they celebrate with the Lakers basketball team after they won their 15th NBA Championship in Los Angeles, California June 17, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Reuters

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 holds the Larry O'Brien trophy as he rides on the top of a double decker bus at the start of the Los Angeles Lakers NBA championship victory parade outside the Staples Center on June 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kobe Bryant

Getty Images

Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol of Spain celebrates with the Lakers basketball team after they won their 15th NBA Championship in Los Angeles, California June 17, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Reuters

Lakers Parade: Live Video Stream originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Puppet Kobe Celebrates Championship, Real LeBron Celebrates His MVP

Brett Pollakoff — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Cavaliers, Lakers, Playoffs, NBA Videos

This video is the latest offering from the folks at Nike, and features Puppet Kobe celebrating his fourth NBA championship somewhat discretely so as not to upset his friend and roommate, Puppet LeBron. Somehow though, I don't think the real LeBron James is all that broken up about it.

Check out the photo of James (snapped by TMZ, naturally) after the jump, which shows him rocking an LBJ - MVP t-shirt. LeBron probably won't be criticized at all for boasting his individual achievement as he's out on the town, but man -- can you imagine the backlash if Kobe were to ever do something like this?

Puppet Kobe Celebrates Championship, Real LeBron Celebrates His MVP originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Lakers Are the Team of the Decade

Tim Povtak — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:40:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Playoffs

It would be great to start an argument here about the NBA Team of the Decade, bringing out all that Tim Duncan/Gregg Popovich ammunition (then we could even use one of those Tony/Eva bathing suit pictures), about the wonderful consistency and championship model that was built and sustained in San Antonio.

The Spurs have, after all, won more games than anyone else since 2000. They also have been the picture of class.

But it is too much of a stretch now.

When this season began, there still was real debate over which NBA franchise could claim this first decade of the 21st century. While the Lakers captured the '80s after getting through the smoky haze of Red Auerbach cigars, and the Chicago Bulls owned the '90s, a war was being waged right to the end for the '00s.

Kobe Bryant made it official on Sunday. The Los Angeles Lakers didn't just win another championship. They won the decade. "This team could be in position to be playing (in the Finals) the next three, four, five years."
-- Mitch Kupchak

They started by winning three consecutive titles ('00, '01 and '02), and they finished by winning another one, positioning themselves to start all the talk of a repeat if they are bold enough to keep this fragile mix together through a summer of free agency.

"This team could be in position to be playing here (in the Finals) the next three, four, five years,'' said Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak from the sweaty and victorious post-game locker room. "That doesn't mean it's going to be here, or mean it's going to win here, but the talent is young enough and good enough to do it."

If the Lakers don't mind staying in the luxury-tax territory for a few more years - and they shouldn't because their profit margin is as high as any in the league -- they can re-sign both free agents Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza.

If he stays healthy, center Andrew Bynum should be considerably better than he was through this postseason, when the Lakers sometimes won despite his foul-plagued presence. With Kobe and Pau Gasol serving as the 1-2 punch, and the same supporting cast, the Lakers will move into the next decade as the team to beat, with or without Phil Jackson sitting on his throne.

In between their four titles to San Antonio's three, the Lakers also reached the Finals and lost two other times. The Spurs never finished second. San Antonio owns a 576 to 530 regular season edge in regular season victories, but the Lakers led 98 to 83 in playoff victories.

The Spurs never needed to rebuild, winning at least 53 games all 10 seasons, while the Lakers took the rollercoaster route, falling to 34 wins after they dealt Shaquille O'Neal to Miami before rising again.

The Shaq/Kobe era in Los Angeles was a glamorous but tumultuous one, By contrast, the Spurs were so even keel it was scary. Yet their run faded the last two years. Duncan is wearing down. Popovich is wearing out. Kobe is in his prime, better now than he ever was. Everyone else in the decade was a one-year wonder.

It was Kupchak who rebuilt this team to last, enduring plenty of criticism and second guessing along the way. He was the one who orchestrated the steal of Pau Gasol last season from Memphis. He saw the potential of Ariza in Orlando while everyone else wavered. He refused to trade Bryant, even when Kobe pouted.

The Lakers proved that you don't need a No. 1 pick in the draft from which to build. They originally got O'Neal as a free agent, then traded him after he had worn out his welcome, getting pieces to fit around Bryant.

"We proved that the rebuilding phase had a beginning, and an end, and that it just took a little patience,'' Kupchak said. "It doesn't take 15 years to rebuild. It takes some time, but it doesn't take forever to do it.''

The Lakers Are the Team of the Decade originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Another Coach Ever Win 10 Titles?

Tom Ziller — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:40:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Playoffs

Red Auerbach's record of nine NBA championships as a head coach -- a mark the Celtics legend has shared with Lakers boss Phil Jackson since 2002 -- finally fell Sunday night. I'm sure when Auerbach stepped aside to let Bill Russell take his title many thought Red's record would never be caught. That it took three threepeats and then some to get Jackson over the hump tells you how much fate plays a role here.

Will we ever see another coach surpass Jackson's new record (assuming Jackson doesn't add on in the coming years)? It seems really unlikely, given modern circumstances.

Jackson is an amazing specimen in the coaching world, in that he has endeared uncommon loyalty from not just his players, but from his stars. Following Doug Collins in Chicago, a young coach Michael Jordan adored, Jackson was able to straddle the line between the taskmaster disciplinarian his history as a tough-nosed NBA defensive roleplayer had ordained, and hands-off players' coach, a style employed (to a degree) by Jackson mentor Red Holzman. On those halycon Bulls teams, capturing Jordan's attention was the obvious key. Jackson succeeded, and he ended up with six titles.

Those six titles obviously paved the way for the next four. Jackson had instant success in Los Angeles, winning the title during the first three seasons of his tenure. After that threepeat, no team would have fired Jackson for losing in the Western Conference Finals in 2003 and the NBA Finals in 2004. As it is, Jackson quit when Shaquille O'Neal was traded. When he returned a year later, he was met with a stunted talent level -- Lamar Odom was now the No. 2, and that's not good enough, as the 45-37 record came to prove.

But without those first six titles in Chicago, how long would Jackson have lasted in the return to L.A.? The Lakers regressed in 2007, winning just 42 games and sparking Kobe Bryant's summer of outrage. Is it fair to say most coaches would have at least visited the hot seat during this summer, even with the three rings in town?

And that's why no coach will win 10 rings in today's NBA: we're too impatient for all of that.

Avery Johnson got run out of town two years after taking his team to the Finals as a (basically) rookie head coach. Stan Van Gundy was rumored to be on the chopping block weeks ago ... before taking his team to the Finals. Mike Brown had heat of unknown veracity despite 66 wins. The list goes on. Winning isn't the ultimate resumé builder any more. You have to win at critical points in your career, you have to please the resident superstar and the current ownership, and you have to be exceedingly lucky.

Among current head coaches, only Gregg Popovich has multiple titles and a completely safe job. Pop has four rings with San Antonio, and he turned 60 years old this season. (Jackson turns 64 in September.) Could Popovich reach 10? He'd need six more rings ... at a time when his dynasty is finally falling apart. Tim Duncan is 32, Manu Ginobili 31. Tony Parker is young and the Spurs could rebuild around him while Duncan continues to age gracefully. But how long can Popovich last before his other interests become more of a priority? Popovich has coached 12 full seasons to get his four rings -- can he actually last into his late 70s or early 80s if 10 is on the line? Probably not.

The only other current head coaches with so many as one championship are Larry Brown (age 68) and Doc Rivers (age 48). The retired Pat Riley (age 64) has five rings -- could he make a comeback with a new dynasty? Perhaps, but unlikely. Rivers could run off a threepeat if Danny Ainge reloads his team on the fly. No one believes Nate McMillan has reached his peak as a coach as of yet -- only 44 years old with a talented roster, he could be a threat if he lasts long enough. (Van Gundy could be placed in a similar boat, though he turns 50 in a few months. SVG also would seem to have a greater likelihood of burning out early.)

But this is such a stretch -- the two current guys you'd pin as having the greatest chance to catch Jackson are a retired 64-year-old and a fellow who has never taken his team to even the conference finals. Which is to say Jackson's record is safe for a while. A long, long while.

(Mike Brown omitted from discussion for a reason.)

Will Another Coach Ever Win 10 Titles? originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RoundCast: Lakers Championship Edition

Brett Pollakoff — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Magic, Playoffs

Bloggers knee-jerking on the phone + roundtable style = RoundCast.

The Los Angeles Lakers are the World Champions, finishing off the Orlando Magic in five games on Sunday night to put a glorious end to the 2008-09 season.

FanHouse's Matt Moore and old friend Craig Kwasniewski joined me to break down Game 5, as well as look back at how the NBA Finals unfolded. Will Stan Van Gundy ultimately be held responsible, or were the Lakers simply the more talented team this time around?

We also look ahead to next season, as both of these teams face questions about whether some of their key players will return after hitting the free agent market. The season is over but the celebration continues, after the jump.

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RoundCast: Lakers Championship Edition originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lakers, City Will Split Cost of Parade

Matt Watson — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:30:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, NBA Fans, Playoffs

Will the Lakers have a victory parade? In ordinary times, the question would seem silly. The Lakers are a source of great civic pride, why wouldn't they honor the team after winning their fourth NBA title of the decade?

But in times of economic crisis, it's a legitimate question, especially when the city is already scheduled to begin laying off dozens of city employees.

"We can't afford to cover the costs," city Councilwoman Jan Perry told the Los Angeles Times on Friday. "How could we make a decision about people's jobs and then sponsor the parade?"

Fortunately, the city and team have reached a compromise: instead of asking the city to foot the entire bill, the Lakers will cover half of the expenses, with each side expected to kick in roughly $1 million.

Some will consider any public dollar spent celebrating the accomplishments of one of the most profitable professional sports teams in existence as frivolous, but if Sunday's celebration outside Staples Center is any indication, a significant portion of the community will be attending.

As if deciding who will pay for the parade wasn't controversial enough, people are also criticizing the scheduled route, a two-mile path leading from Staples Center to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. From blogdowntown:

In 2002, the celebration began with a ceremony at City Hall, then traveled south to 2nd street and through the tunnel before proceeding south on Figueroa to Staples Center.

In both 2000 and 2001, the DWP building at 1st and Hope was the starting point, with the caravan jogged over to Figueroa before heading south to Staples.

In each case, the parade route passed the sights one expects from a city: skyscrapers, plazas and a sea of people.

While the stretch of Figueroa south of Staples might someday be a vibrant connection linking USC to Downtown, it is far from that today. It's a stretch lined by car dealerships, strip malls and fast food.

Wait a minute -- fast food? As in Jack in the Box? Maybe after all those "WE WANT TACOS!" chants, the team thought they were doing their fans a favor.

Lakers Fans Get Rowdy

Los Angeles Lakers fans celebrate outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles after their team defeated the Orlando Magic in the NBA final on June 14, 2009. The Lakers won the series 4-1 TOPSHOTS AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Los Angeles Lakers fans celebrate their teams victory in the NBA Finals over the Orlando Magic in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo/ Philip Scott Andrews)

Los Angeles Lakers fans break the windshield and try to flip a police car while celebrating their teams victory in the NBA Finals over the Orlando Magic in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo/ Philip Scott Andrews)

Los Angeles Lakers fans set fire to a statue outside the Staples Center while celebrating their teams victory in the NBA Finals over the Orlando Magic in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo/ Philip Scott Andrews)

Los Angeles Lakers fans pose by a burning newspaper stand while celebrating their teams victory in the NBA Finals over the Orlando Magic in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo/ Philip Scott Andrews)

Los Angeles Lakers fans celebrate their teams victory in the NBA Finals over the Orlando Magic outside the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo/ Philip Scott Andrews)

Los Angeles Lakers fans celebrate in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 14, 2009 after the Lakers' won the NBA championship. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

A man jumps on a car as Los Angeles Lakers fans celebrate in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 14, 2009 after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals ito win the NBA championship.(AP Photo/Jae Hong)

Police detain a Los Angeles Lakers fan after they started throwing bottles and damaging passing cars outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, after their team defeated the Orlando Magic in the NBA final on June 14, 2009. The Lakers won the series 4-1. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Los Angeles Lakers fans taunt police as they try to disperse them when they started throwing bottles and damaging passing cars outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, on June 14, 2009. The Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in the NBA final and won the series 4-1. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Lakers, City Will Split Cost of Parade originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trevor Ariza Haunts Magic in NBA Finals

Tim Povtak — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 01:15:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Magic, Playoffs

ORLANDO -- Trevor Ariza never wanted to be traded by the Orlando Magic, but it was the best thing that ever happened to him.

He won an NBA Championship. He blossomed as a player. He will become very rich this summer as a free agent.

Life has turned out for the better.

Ariza was part of the celebration inside the locker room of the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night, soaking up the victory as much or more than anyone. And with good reason.

He had beaten the team that didn't think he was good enough. It was the ultimate payback.

"It's an amazing feeling for a lot of reasons. We won the title. But it was special because the Magic made it to this point, too,'' he said. "To beat them, and to beat them here is the greatest feeling for me.''

Ariza was traded to the Lakers early in the 2007-08 season in exchange for Brian Cook and Maurice Evans, both long gone from the roster. The Magic already had Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis, so they didn't think Ariza would have much of a role. They also didn't think he could shoot well enough, and they wanted shooters at every position surrounding Dwight Howard.

Although he was hurt and played in only 35 games last season, he played in all 82 games this season. He went from a dreadful shooter to a good one, which added to his strengths as a slasher and defender. He also became a starter late in the season for the Lakers, a key to their run through the playoffs.

In the playoffs, he turned into a great shooter, hitting 47 percent (40 of 84) from 3-point range. In the Finals, he hit 41.7 percent (10 of 24) against the Magic. His seven-point burst in a five minute stretch in the second quarter is when the Lakers went on their 16-0 run and took control of the game.

"Trevor stepped up his game,'' said Magic center Dwight Howard. "When he was on our team, he couldn't shoot the ball as well as he can now. Now he's one of the best 3-point shooters. He's slashing, scoring, playing defense, so I think he was probably the main reason, him and Lamar Odom, for the championship.''

Trevor Ariza Haunts Magic in NBA Finals originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 01:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jameer Nelson Never Delivered a Spark

Tim Povtak — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:55:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Magic, Playoffs

ORLANDO -- Jameer Nelson was headed into the locker room after the crushing, Game 5 defeat in the NBA Finals, not interested in watching the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate on his home court, not after he felt so helpless to stop them.

Yet teammate Dwight Howard pulled him back out, asked him to watch alongside him, so they could share the pain of defeat, so that maybe they could turn it into incentive this summer.

It's something he'll remember.

"It hurts. It's tough, but Dwight wanted me to be there with him to see it,'' he said. "I don't want this feeling again. Dwight wanted it to soak in. I wish I could have done more.''

Nelson may be remembered - maybe unfairly -- as the symbol of the Magic's failure in the Finals. What started as his finest NBA season - his first All-Star selection - ended with his most disappointing one.

After missing four months recovering from that right shoulder injury and surgery, he suddenly reappeared for the NBA Finals, a gamble by Magic coach Stan Van Gundy and general manager Otis Smith that backfired.

Instead of providing the spark they had expected, he might have been an anchor that dragged them down. He didn't return to his starting role, but he returned to an undefined backup role, playing sporadically through five games. He took the role of Anthony Johnson and cut into the playing time of starter Rafer Alston.

He changed the backcourt rotation that had worked so well through the first three rounds of the playoffs. In a series with three very close games, he could have made the difference.

"I have some regrets, but I don't regret coming back,'' Nelson said. "If I didn't think I was ready, I wouldn't have tried.''

He averaged 18 minutes, 3.8 points and 2.8 assists in the Finals, a far cry from his regular season averages of 16.7 points, 5.4 assists in 31.2 minutes. In two victories against the Lakers during the regular season, he averaged 27 points.

Nelson played only 13 minutes Sunday night. He hit two of seven shots with four assists and one turnover. He didn't play with the confidence that made him an All-Star. He played like someone would expect for a guy who had missed four months of the season.

"The point guard situation is not what determined this series,'' said teammate Rashard Lewis. "This is not on Jameer. You get a chance to have an All-Star back, you welcome him with open arms.''

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Jameer Nelson Never Delivered a Spark originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kobe Bryant Named Finals MVP

Brett Pollakoff — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:02:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Magic, NBA Awards, Playoffs

Kobe Bryant was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, and being the best player on the team that just won the championship, it's tough to disagree. It was Kobe's first time winning the award, because it went to Shaquille O'Neal the first three times that the Lakers won the title with Bryant on the roster.

Bryant averaged better than 32 points, five rebounds, and seven assists for the series, so again, his numbers validate the fact that he's taking home the award. But this was truly a team effort, and there are others that are arguably just as deserving.

Pau Gasol is a strong candidate, especially if you consider his contributions on both ends of the floor. He averaged over 18 points and nine rebounds in the series, shot better than 57 percent from the field, and largely kept Dwight Howard in check on defense.

Derek Fisher's series-long numbers weren't that fantastic, but without his two huge three-pointers in Game 4, the Lakers wouldn't be standing on the championship podium -- at least not after Game 5.

But while Kobe shot under 46 percent from the field for the series, and averaged 27 shot attempts per game, he's the unquestionable leader of this team. Without his work ethic, drive, and desire, the rest of the team wouldn't have stepped up to the championship level that they were able to in these playoffs.

By most standards, the definition of the MVP is not only the best player on the team, but someone who makes his teammates around him better. When you look back at what Bryant was able to do with this Lakers team throughout the post-season, there's simply no argument to be made: choosing Kobe Bryant as the Finals MVP was a no-brainer.

Kobe Bryant Named Finals MVP originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Humbling NBA Finals for Howard

Matt Steinmetz — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:40:00 EST

Filed under: Magic, Playoffs

Game 5 was another quiet one for Magic center Dwight Howard. Eleven points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and three turnovers in 39-plus minutes in his team's 99-86 elimination game defeat against L.A. on Sunday.

Rather than point their fingers at Howard, there are sure to be plenty who will instead criticize Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. They will argue that Van Gundy didn't do enough to get Howard involved in the offense.

After all, Howard took only nine shots in Game 5, which is the number of shots per game he averaged during the Finals.

Let that sink in for a minute, particularly if Howard is supposed to be the best center in the NBA. Biggest and strongest player on the court and he can only get you nine shots per game?

That doesn't sound like a Van Gundy problem. That sounds like a Howard problem.

The real issue is that Howard isn't talented enough or skilled enough to generate shots for himself. That's almost unheard of for a star player

It's one thing for Howard's low-post game to be on the raw side. What's tougher to figure is why Howard wasn't able to manufacture attempts by going to the offensive glass.

His rebounding numbers were fine for the series. Yet it's hard to remember him with a big follow-up for a dunk or a rebound in traffic that he kicked out for a big-time 3. Howard never dominated the interior in the series. And you don't need touches to do that.

At the same time, it's virtually impossible to imagine a Moses Malone or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or Hakeem Olajuwon or even Patrick Ewing going so many consecutive games in a Finals series without getting shots on a consistent basis.

But that's kind of the point. Each of those guys were good enough to force the issue if need be. And if it meant they had to take a bad shot or two, so be it. But Howard isn't polished enough to get shots off, and in this series he's wasn't persistent enough on the offensive glass to get the ball that way.

Howard is getting better, but what the Lakers' defense did to him should get him to working on his game. It's one thing to struggle in your first NBA Finals. It's another to be taken out of them all together.

Latest NBA Finals Photos

Police officers in riot gear stand guard outside Staples Center as supporters celebrate after the Los Angeles Lakers won their 15th NBA Championship, in Los Angeles June 14, 2009. The Los Angeles Lakers captured their 15th championship and first since 2002 with a 99-86 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the NBA Finals on Sunday. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Reuters

ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Sasha Vujacic #18 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks at the Larry O'Brien Championship trophy as the Lakers celebrate in the locker room after their 99-86 win against the Orlando Magic 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 *** Sasha Vujacic

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Pau Gasol (facing camera) #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Shannon Brown #12 after the Lakers won 99-86 to win the NBA Championship against the Orlando Magic 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 *** Pau Gasol;Shannon Brown

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Rafer Alston #1 of the Orlando Magic hangs his head as he stands on court against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 14, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. The Lakers won 99-86 to win the NBA Championship. 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 *** Rafer Alston

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during the final minutes of the Lakers 99-86 win against the Orlando Magic 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 *** Kobe Bryant

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: (L-R) Kobe Bryant #24 (holding daughter Gianna), Pau Gasol #16 and Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate after the Lakers won 99-86 to win the NBA Championship against the Orlando Magic 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 *** Kobe Bryant;Pau Gasol;Andrew Bynum;Gianna Bryant

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Finals MVP Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers kisses his wife Vanessa as he celebrates after the Lakers won 99-86 to win the NBA Championship against the Orlando Magic 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 *** Vanessa Bryant;Kobe Bryant

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Finals MVP Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates daughter Gianna after the Lakers won 99-86 to win the NBA Championship against the Orlando Magic 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 *** Gianna Bryant;Kobe Bryant

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Finals MVP Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with his daughter Gianna and wife Vanessa (R) after the Lakers won 99-86 to win the NBA Championship against the Orlando Magic 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 *** Gianna Bryant;Kobe Bryant;Vanessa Bryant

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 14: Finals MVP Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers holds up the Larry O'Brien trophy after the Lakers won 99-86 to win the NBA Championship against the Orlando Magic 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 *** Kobe Bryant

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A Humbling NBA Finals for Howard originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lakers Crush Magic for 15th NBA Title

Tim Povtak — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:55:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Magic, Playoffs

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.

L.A. Lakers vs. Orlando Magic
Lakers 99, Magic 86: Box Score | Kobe's MVP
Povtak: Ariza Haunts | Nelson Backfires
Whitley: X Marks Jackson's Spot in History
Mariotti: Vindicated: Kobe Wins Without Shaq

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

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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

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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

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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

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Lakers Crush Magic for 15th NBA Title originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Finals Game 5 Live Blog

Matt Moore — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:50:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Magic, Playoffs

They have to win four.

I mean, we all know they will. You could point to several moments when this NBA season ended, but Derek Fisher draining a pull-up-jumper-in-transition three was pretty much the final nail in the coffin. You can't blow leads like the Magic did. But they did. But if the Lakers and Kobe Bryant want to cement themselves as everything we've already anointed them as, they have to win four games.

So here we are, and tonight will either be a mercy-killing as the Lakers end it and begin celebrating yet another in a long line of championships, or Orlando will kickstart the ticker and pray for a miracle. Join us for the celebration/funeral, at 8PM EST.

Final: Lakers 99, Magic 86 | Box Score

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=&amp;amp;amp;quot;http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;task=viewaltcast&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;altcast_code=64637a4f6b&amp;amp;amp;quot; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;NBA Finals Game 5&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

NBA Finals Game 5 Live Blog originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lakers Will Re-Sign Both Odom and Ariza

Tim Povtak — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:40:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Playoffs, NBA Rumors

ORLANDO -- Phil Jackson might not be around to see this through - how about Pat Riley for his replacement? - but it looks like the Lakers are well positioned to become the first team to successfully defend an NBA title since they made it three in a row earlier this decade.

All the key guys will be back next season. Mark it down. Winning will make it happen.

Whenever the Lakers win this 2009 title - Game 5, 6 or 7, take your choice -- they will go into the summer prepared to start talking about a repeat.

Free agency doesn't scare them. Not when you're one of the richest franchises in the league, determined to keep this title run going. Not when they saw what happened to the Celtics, who let role-playing James Posey leave in free agency after they won a championship, only to regret his absence all season.

Yes, Kobe Bryant can opt out of the final two years of his contract, paying him $23 and $24 million, but even if he does, he won't go anywhere else. More likely, he will just sign an extension when owner Jerry Buss lets him fill in the numbers.

Forwards Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza are both free agents, but neither is expected to command huge money, actually costing the Lakers no more combined next year than they did this year.

Despite some speculation to the contrary, the Lakers are not looking at an either/or signing.

"I don't think that's the case at all,'' said Jackson. "That's not set in stone, that there will have to be a decision made between those two. Players will have decisions to make in free agency.''

The Lakers already were paying the luxury tax this season with a payroll of $75 million. To get Odom and Ariza re-signed, coupled with the obscene $12.5 million Andrew Bynum will make with his new deal, their payroll will rise close to $90. They still hope to be able to dump the salaries of either Sasha Vujacic or Luke Walton.

Odom, the highest-paid sixth man in the league at $12 million, already has said he expects to take a significant pay cut to get a new multi-year deal. Ariza, who made just $3.1 million this season, may reach the $5.8 million mid-level range. Ariza essentially will get what they take away from Odom, and everyone will be happy.

Even the guy who signs the checks will be happy. That's what winning will do.

"I'm a home right now (in LA),'' Odom said. "I have a chance to be on one of the best teams in history. What's not to like? Right now I can't think about this summer. The business side of basketball will take care of itself. Free agency, you go where you want to go.''

Ariza is having his finest run as an NBA player at the perfect time. He didn't become a regular starter until March, but he has excelled in the role, shooting better than he ever has. And his playoff run has only helped his value.

"Yes, it (free agency) will be exciting for me, but I can't think about it now,'' he said. "We're trying to win a championship right now. The other stuff will come later.''

Lakers Will Re-Sign Both Odom and Ariza originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA Finals Ref Report: Game 5

Matt Watson — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Lakers, Magic, Playoffs, NBA Referees

Objectively speaking, the referees haven't been much of a factor in this series, and that's how it's supposed to be.

I'm sure some fans in Orlando will disagree -- what about Pau's goaltending? Or Kobe's elbow? Those are two isolated incidents that might have warranted a whistle, but for the most part, the Lakers have gone up 3-1 despite the referees, not because of them.

Consider: the Magic attempted 18 free throws in the fourth quarter and overtime in Game 4 before the Lakers attempted one -- and the only reason the Lakers made a single trip to the line was because Mickael Pietrus committed a flagrant foul in the final seconds.

In the first four games, the Magic have attempted 123 free throws to the Lakers' 92 -- that's nearly eight extra trips to the line a game, and yet the Magic have still lost two in overtime. If the numbers were reversed, all the conspiracy theorists would have some ammo ... but they're not. The Magic are in a 3-1 hole because they haven't played well. End of story.

Tonight's crew will be the same crew that worked Game 1: Dan Crawford, Joe DeRosa and Ken Mauer. For what it's worth, the Lakers are 8-2 in the last 10 games that Crawford and Mauer have called, but that's to be expected: the Lakers won nearly 80% of their games this year. Against the spread, the Lakers are 6-4 and 5-5 in their last 10 with Crawford and Mauer, respectively, calling the games.

If Magic fans are searching for a glimmer of hope, it's that any grand conspiracy, if one actually exists, would be in favor of prolonging the series to milk as many ticket sales and advertising dollars as possible. And historically speaking, the individual officials making up tonight's crew traditionally favor the home team.

But unfortunately for those same fans, everything we've seen in the first four games points to the Magic needing more than a little help from the refs if they're going to win -- they also need to execute down the stretch and actually hit their free throws when they get sent to the line. Even if the refs lend a hand, it's up to the Magic to actually do something with it.

NBA Finals Ref Report: Game 5 originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 14 Jun 2009 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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