It was an amazing year for the Los Angeles Lakers. It started with the Lakers as the defending champions and will finish the same way. We saw epic series’ and amazing performances. We were able to witness the maturation of young players and the dominance of savvy veterans. We watched as Phil Jackson won his eleventh title, as Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher won their fifth, and as the Lakers as a whole hung their sixteenth championship banner into the rafters of Staples Center.
Overall it was a great year for a great franchise. As 2010 comes to a close and we look ahead to 2011, it seems only fair that we put together a brief montage of the greatest moments of 2010, and reflect on the year that was in Lakers basketball.
Next: The Year Begins With a Bang
January
The year started with a bang, as on New Year’s Day the Lakers faced the Sacramento Kings. The game finished with another legendary moment in the career of Kobe Bryant:
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_TeSeRwnL0
Next: February
February
The month of February was slow for the Lakers. While the team struggled to find their groove on the court, they were happy to take a break and enjoy the festivities of All-Star Weekend. While Bryant sat out to rest his sore finger, another Laker took to the court in the Slam Dunk Contest:
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95s4yIi630g
Next: March Madness
March
The month of March saw ups and downs for the Lakers as they were getting ready for the playoffs. They saw several two game losing streaks and a seven game winning streak. Perhaps the most exciting moment during the streak was another Kobe Bryant game-winner, this time against the Toronto Raptors.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZxbUqSzb78
Next: April Showers
April
In the first round of the 2010 post-season the Lakers faced some unexpected trouble from the Oklahoma City Thunder. In the sixth game of the series, with Oklahoma City threatening to push the Lakers to the brink of elimination, Pau Gasol slammed the door shut:
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqQyur3gaJw
Next: May Day
May
The month of May saw the Lakers face the Utah Jazz and the Phoenix Suns in the second and third rounds of the post-season. After roaring past the Jazz in impressive fashion, the Lakers faced an exciting Suns squad that was looking to knock off the defending champs and head to the NBA Finals. With the series tied at two games apiece, the newest Laker, Ron Artest, etched his name in Lakers lore:
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0qPoWAgsF8
Next: The Lakers Bloom in June
June
After six grueling games the Lakers and the Boston Celtics had 48 minutes to prove who would wear the NBA crown for the next twelve months. A tough, physical game came down to the final seconds, and it was the Lakers who would ascend the basketball throne:
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfaxusuEIcI
Next: The Road Begins Again As The Calendar Hits July
July
After another long, strenuous run at the title the Lakers were looking to improve even further. After bringing back Derek Fisher and Shannon Brown, the Lakers added several more pieces to the squad. Perhaps the biggest addition was defensive specialist Matt Barnes, who came over to the Lakers from Orlando:
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8_Kgs2C9Rc
Next: The New Boys of Summer Plan to Beat the Heat in August
August
The month of August is generally a slow one for the NBA. After the dust settles following the NBA Draft, the league has a month to wait for training camp to begin in September. The newest additions to the Lakers were looking forward to getting on the court:
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NoovRwVpgU
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4NpqOrXPXk
Next: Wake Me Up When September Ends, And The New Season Begins
September
Entering September the Lakers were looking to start strong and make a run at another championship. With training camp slated to begin soon, head coach Phil Jackson gave his take on what to expect from the Lakers in 2010-2011:
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZWgsJ-97UE
Next: October Brings Candy, Costumes, and Rings
October
The season was finally about to begin again, and what better way to start a new year than with a ring ceremony. As the Lakers prepared to begin another journey, they celebrated the culmination of a successful season:
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gevE3WF_37M
Next: Grab the Turkey, Stuffing, and Career Milestones, It’s Thanksgiving Time
November
Another milestone was awaiting Kobe Bryant in the month of November, as he became the youngest player to reach 26,000 points in his career:
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JeOstY–2A
Next: The End of 2010 and the Beginning of a New Quest
December
As we close the books on another great year for the Lakers it’s always nice to look back at the moments that defined the year. While the month of December wasn’t the greatest for the Lakers this year, it helped usher in a new year of Los Angeles basketball. However, since the only real option is to show a video of the Lakers getting blown out again on Christmas, I’m going to leave you with my personal favorite moment from 2010. All I’m going to say is, Derek Freaking Fisher:
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ8YLoZKp3M