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Bryant wins NBA Finals MVP award en route to fourth ring


Posted Jun 14 2009 11:58PM

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Kobe Bryant has the NBA title he needed most: the one without Shaq.

Bryant's seven-year chase for an NBA championship is over. He's got his fourth. One year after failing in the finals to Boston, Bryant and the L.A. Lakers have redemption.

They earned their 15th title as Bryant contributed 30 points, six rebounds, five assists and four blocks in the Lakers' clinching 99-86 win that eliminated Orlando in five games.

It took longer than Bryant expected, but he finally stepped out of former teammate Shaquille O'Neal's enormous shadow -- at last. His fourth championship secured a strong case can be made for Bryant being the league's best player since Michael Jordan hung up his sneakers in 2003.

After the final horn, Bryant leaped into the air and was quickly engulfed by his teammates, who bounced around the floor of Amway Arena. Bryant then gave a long, heartfelt hug and shared a few words with coach Phil Jackson before sweeping up his daughters, both wearing gold Lakers dresses, into his arms.

NBA Finals Most Valuable Players
By The Associated Press
Season Player, Team
2009 Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
2008 Paul Pierce, Boston
2007 Tony Parker, San Antonio
2006 Dwyane Wade, Miami
2005 Tim Duncan, San Antonio
2004 Chauncey Billups, Detroit
2003 Tim Duncan, San Antonio
2002 Shaquille O'Neal, L.A. Lakers
2001 Shaquille O'Neal, L.A. Lakers
2000 Shaquille O'Neal, L.A. Lakers
1999 Tim Duncan, San Antonio
1998 Michael Jordan, Chicago
1997 Michael Jordan, Chicago
1996 Michael Jordan, Chicago
1995 Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston
1994 Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston
1993 Michael Jordan, Chicago
1992 Michael Jordan, Chicago
1991 Michael Jordan, Chicago
1990 Isiah Thomas, Detroit
1989 Joe Dumars, Detroit
1988 James Worthy, L.A. Lakers
1987 Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers
1986 Larry Bird, Boston
1985 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, L.A. Lakers
1984 Larry Bird, Boston
1983 Moses Malone, Philadelphia
1982 Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers
1981 Cedric Maxwell, Boston
1980 Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers
1979 Dennis Johnson, Seattle
1978 Wes Unseld, Washington
1977 Bill Walton, Portland
1976 Jo Jo White, Boston
1975 Rick Barry, Golden State
1974 John Havlicek, Boston
1973 Willis Reed, New York
1972 Wilt Chamberlain, L.A. Lakers
1971 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee
1970 Willis Reed, New York
1969 Jerry West, L.A. Lakers
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