NBA Finals - Game 5

ITS OVER! Lakers have secured 15th NBA Championship. And, how sweet this one is. I'm sure hoops fans would have loved another nail-biter. But, after that simply amazing second quarter run (16 to Oh!), it was all over. The only remaining drama was 1) would Kobe get a triple-double and 2) would anyone hurt themselves in the post-game celebration. Great great win by the greatest franchise in the NBA.

Lots of chatter about "best ever" with respect to KB24. This is kind of unfair to Kobe. Obviously, he has been compared to (and models himself after) MJ, but Kobe is still playing. Kenny Smith ranked him 10th ALL-TIME. And, he's still playing! He is the only guy around who can improve his standing. Nuts.

Here's a nice factoid for comparison on the NBA Finals stage:

Kobe Bryant averaged 32.4 points and 7.4 assists per game against Orlando during the Finals. The only player to match or surpass Bryant's averages in each of those categories in an NBA Finals series was Jerry West, who averaged 37.9 points and 7.4 assists per game for the Lakers in their 1969 Finals loss to the Celtics.

That, to me, is a measure of his greatness. The widely acknowledged best SG B.M. (Before Michael) and Kobe is right there. By the way, Jordan never got that close to the Logo. Just saying.

Some more on the impossible. Instead of saying "single best ever", I'll identify the best ever (no limit) at each position, ranked how I see them...

PG - Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson
SG - Michael Jordan (for now), Kobe Bryant, Jerry West
SF - Larry Bird (for now), Pending 1*, Julius Erving
PF - Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Reserved 1*, Reserved 2*
C - Wilt Chamberlin, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal

Pending 1 - this spot is waiting on Lebron James to get a title. No one gets on my list without winning a title.

Reserved 1 - this spot is reserved for Elgin Baylor. Simply the best player ever to not win a title - a true shame.

Reserved 2 - this spot is reserved for Karl Malone. The second best player ever to not win a title - ironic that both played for Lakers. :-|

That's the Top 16 players of all-time. I'd take that squad anytime. :-) Let's just run a few 8 vs 8 player team challenges - Wilt and Bill picking squads.

Some tweets from the sweet series clinching Game 5:

# @sportsguy33 We need the Revenge Series first - 2010 and Celts are going down! In 2011 we can have the Rubber Match , when Lakes get 17th
about 13 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to sportsguy33

# The L.A. Lakers win their 15th NBA championship, beating the Orlando Magic 99-86. (via @cnnbrk) Wooo Hooo
about 14 hours ago from Twitterrific in reply to cnnbrk

# 10 minutes and I can already get the official "on the court" hat shirt DVD and towel...for 79.95.
about 14 hours ago from Twitterrific

# We Are The Champions!!
about 14 hours ago from Twitterrific

# "Dad. Can we watch the trophy presentation?" "You bet, son." 3:00 left in the game
about 14 hours ago from Twitterrific

# LOTS of Forum Blue and Gold in the stands. "Lucky." - Napolean Dynamite
about 15 hours ago from Twitterrific

# KB24 refused treatment on his hand at halftime-Finals MVP is wrapped up
about 15 hours ago from Twitterrific

# Screening (antonym): Dwight Howard
about 15 hours ago from TweetDeck

# Screening: ...His opponent can see him and, therefore, is expected to detour around the screen.
about 15 hours ago from TweetDeck

# Screening: ...he may be as close as he desires providing he does not make contact...
about 15 hours ago from TweetDeck

# Screening: When a player screens in front of or at the side of a stationary opponent...
about 15 hours ago from TweetDeck

# Traveling: a. A player shall not run with the ball without dribbling it. b. Hedo Turkoglu
about 15 hours ago from TweetDeck

Series fade out, with "We Are The Champions" in the background...