With Win, Two Lakers Seal their NBA Legacy

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With Win, Two Lakers Seal their NBA Legacy
Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Let's face it, this was not the NBA Finals we anticipated. Early on, as the season began, the entire focus was on a Lakers-Celtics rematch.

Then as the year progressed and LeBron continued to grow as a player, leaving no doubt as to who is now the best in the NBA, the thoughts turned to a King James versus Kobe showdown for all the marbles.

Unfortunately, what we got was Lakers-Magic. It was a not so great series as the phenomenal storyline that was the Orlando Magic shifted tragically when it came time to perform on the biggest of stages.

Orlando fans can only hope that Hedo and Superman can somehow shake off their performances at crunch time in game four. And that Stan Van Gundy can shake off game two and four and the what might have beens.

Otherwise, this may have been the one chance for the Magic to make their mark.

Proving their were outmatched, the Magic fell with a thud in game five. The 4-1 Lakers series win was culminated by an exclamation point, 99-86 victory to clinch.

Despite it being a lackluster series, the 15th Laker title did seal the legacies of two of the all-time NBA greats.

First, it was the 10th title for coach Phil Jackson, moving him past Red Auerbach and into sole possession of most titles won. While he has not necessarily proven he can win with average talent (note, Red didn't either), the guy sure knows how to handle NBA egos and the game's biggest stars (first Michael, now Kobe).

After last year's finals and the poor showing of the Lakers many had begun to wonder if the Zen master had lost his touch.

He hasn't. And he clearly now must be considered the best to ever coach the game at the professional level.

Then there is Kobe, who finally proved he could win without the big fella, Shaq. Their breakup was ugly and seemingly detrimental to all parties until Kobe wrestled some game points this year.

By winning that first title without Shaq and earning Finals MVP status in the process, Kobe has matched Phil in earning his legacy. Bryant may have lost the title of best player to LeBron, but he now has his fourth title while the King has yet to win his first.

Flickr photo courtesy of compujeramey.

3:41 PM