After the Lakers championship in 2009 many felt that Bryant had redeemed himself and quenched the demons from his past. Anyone who felt that Bryant would somehow be satisfied after his fourth NBA title clearly doesn’t understand what makes him tick. After the controversial signing of Ron Artest, the Lakers were ready to start another title run. At the center of this nucleus of All-Stars and role players was Kobe Bryant, hot on the trail of his fifth NBA title.
Unlike the 2009 season where the Lakers cruised through much of the season, 2010 saw its fair share of struggles for Bryant and the Lakers. Bryant faced numerous injuries, and for the first time in several years was unable to play all 82 games of the regular season. The team limped into the playoffs, struggling to close out the regular season on a strong note.
After a scare from the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder the Lakers turned on the burners. They dismantled a severely undersized Utah Jazz squad in a series that never really got started, and played through a tough six game series in the Conference Finals against Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns.
Their prize for Western Conference dominance? Redemption. Sitting in the way of Bryant and his fifth NBA title was the team that denied him his fourth. Knowing Bryant, he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. In a series that saw many ups and downs for both squads, it all came down to four quarters of basketball on a warm June night.
Many felt that this particular Game 7 was going to cement or dismantle Bryant’s place in basketball lore. This was his Game 7. Against the hated Boston Celtics. In Los Angeles. This was his moment to shine. To score 40 points and lead the parade. However, the game didn’t turn out like everybody thought it would.
Bryant struggled mightily with his shooting, connecting on only 6 of his 24 shots from the field. However, in a tribute to his greatness, he found other ways to have a positive impact on his team. Bryant pulled down a game high 15 rebounds, and connected on all his free throws in the FInal minutes to seal the deal.
As the ball bounced down the floor and the final seconds ticked away, it was over. Bryant had done what Jerry West and Elgin Baylor failed to do. He had defeated the Celtics in the Finals, and he had taken home the MVP trophy.
All the talk involving Shaquille O’Neal has been forever squashed. While neither of their careers are over, both Bryant and O’Neal have carved their own legacies, both of championship caliber. But as of now, Bryant has more titles than O’Neal, and you can take that to the bank.