1. MAKING IT A DOUBLE: Nothing quite says 'we did it' like winning the NBA championship after an up and down season, injuries, hard fought series' and an epic 7 game duel with the Boston Celtics. The Lake Show made it a double by successfully defending their 2009 NBA Championship. Trophy two was sweet as the Lakers are now spurred on for a three peat conclusion to the trilogy. Do back to backs make dynasty's? Just like Magic said in the 80's after his "Yeah, YEAH!"
2. THE FISH THAT KEEPS SAVING L.A.: Derek Fishers always been as good as Robert Horry was in the clutch but this year he's been as good as Kobe. Most recently he even switched it up, driving in for a game winning layup against the Clippers away at Staples last month. Still it was Derek's fourth quarter heroics in game 3 of the finals at the Celtics garden that defined his year and kept L.A. in a series they where losing grasp of...fast. This momentum changer steered the course for his team and kept hope alive. It felt like last year in Orlando all over again. Sure this guy isn't as quick as other guards but who in the league is clutch like him. He may not be as big a player as Kobe, Gasol or even Shaq but when it's all said and hung up, one things for sure this number 2 jersey has to be retired.
3. KOBE, KOBE. KOBE: Forget chanting 'M-V-P. M-V-P. M-V-P' saying Kobe's name three times is dominant enough. The guys just goes from strength to strength and ring to ring, all whilst playing through injury after injury. This year Kobe only hit seven buzzer beating, game winners, including one so epic against Miami that even Dywane Wade liked it. Not only that but Kobe became the Lakers all time leading scorer (and where talking about a team that the NBA all time leading scorer played for) and hit 26,000 points. Oh and he just happened to be his dominant, legendary self leading and even at times coaching his team to another championship, and they didn't give him the MVP! It's OK though he took something else.
4. DON'T SHOOT: During the fourth quarter of a pivotal, playoff game against the Phoenix Suns the ball was kicked out to Ron Artest who was at the elbow of the three point line. He spotted and set up but shot an awful shot. It was OK however as Gasol corralled the rebound only to fire it back out to Ron for a 'here buddy try again' moment. What could of been seen as a great moment ended up sounding like brickwork and from there nobody wanted Ron to shoot again. Still believe it or not that shot really counted as a fired up Ron wasn't about to let this affect his mental. In the weening seconds of overtime even the clutch Kobe missed a shot, but in game Ron charging like the Bull he once was to awkwardly but assuredly tip the ball in for the game winner and series clincher. Bet everyone was glad he shot now. Even in L.A.'s crucial Game 7 finals game with Boston Ron stole the show and even had the opportunity to shoot for three yet again. As everybody left him open and Phil Jackson's zen told him not to do it, Ron said "forget it" and shot anyway. "BOP"! In it went, now nobodies going to take this guy lightly again.
4. THE BEAUTIFUL GAME 7: Game 7 of he 2009/2010 finals against Boston was ugly...so ugly, somewhere Sam Cassell could be seen. Still however this hard fought, nail biting, cringe worthy, brick for basket affair had some real beauty to it. Hard work always looks good and the usual, flashy showtime Lake Show, showed that they could get down like the 80's Detroit Pistons. It was a tough, physical game that at times looked poor. Hey, even Artest and Pierce squaring up to each other looked a bit pathetic. Still when it was all said and done basketball's more passionate and battle worthy side was shown and amongst all the flash and YouTube highlight it was refreshing to see. The Lakers didn't win in style, they won with substance. This close shave was rough around the edges but still a good luck and with sweat soaked jerseys mixed with champagne and victory tears of joy, what's more beautiful then that? TIM DAVID HARVEY.
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