 Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers came out victorious on Thursday evening (June 17) against Boston Celtics, but it was a fight all the way down to the wire.
In the end, the Lakers pulled out a win with a narrow margin of 83-79, earning the team's 16th title, one shy of Boston.
It was the first time the Lakers had beat the Celtics in a Game 7 in their longtime rivalry. And it was Kobe's fifth NBA Championship title -- tying Lakers luminary Magic Johnson and moving to within one of Michael Jordan.
The Lakers star and Finals MVP had a rough offense game, going 6-24, but finished out the evening with 23 points and 15 rebounds, in this defensive battle.
It's ok, because Kobe only cared about getting that title for his second straight year. Next season, they will look to three-peat since accomplishing the feat in 2000-2002.
"This one's by far the sweetest," Bryant said following the game on Thursday at Staples Center.
It was an emotional win, but all the Lakers were ecstatic. NBA.com said that center Andrew Bynum was popping champagne in the middle of the hallway outside the Lakers locker room. And, Ron Artest -- who won his first championship -- lost his voice after screaming at the top of his lungs in excitement after a hard fought Finals, Playoffs and season.
But, this win was especially sweet for the Lakers because they got their revenge after losing to the Celtics in 2008.
"We learned from the disappointment and the frustration and the anger that came from losing that series," said Derek Fisher.
The Lakers shot just 32.5% in Game 7, but they won by rebounding the ball and play defense. The Lakers outrebounded the Celtics, 53-40, including a 23-8 advantage on the offensive boards.
They also managed to hold the Celtics to 40.8% shooting, Ray Allen making only three of 14 and Paul Pierce five of 15.
It wasn't pretty, as Coach Phil Jackson said, but it's done.
"It wasn't well done, but it was done," he said. "And we did it with perseverance."
There will be a victory parade Monday (June 21). Get ready!
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