Finals Redemption

The year long journey is complete. After an embarrassing NBA Finals series loss to the Boston Celtics last year, the Lakers have come all the way back to earn the franchise's 15th title. Los Angeles defeating Orlando 99-86, to win the championship in 5 games.

This championship means something to every single player.

Kobe Bryant: He experienced the bottom of the NBA, as he played on a lottery team with over-his-head Coach Rudy Tomjanovich, and he experienced the top of the NBA with this latest championship. He also experienced some highs and lows in between, like trying to force the Lakers to trade him in the summer of 2007. Bryant also lost a historic playoff series in which his team was up 3-1 against the Suns. "Ship his ass out," he cried to Kupchak regarding Andrew Bynum. Then, he reached the top of the mountain again, only to see the trophy fall out of his grasp to the green Celtics.

But now he can shut his critics up. Kobe Bryant won his 4th NBA championship, and yes his first one without Shaquille O'Neal. No one ever says that Shaq couldn't win without Kobe, Robert Horry, Rick Fox, or the one guy Kobe trusted the most...

Derek Fisher: He and Kobe go way back. They were drafted into the association in the same year, but everyone knew who was going to be the star.

Fish was never on par with Kobe talent wise, but Bryant grew to respect him, when he saw his tireless work ethic. It's no coincidence that Derek Fisher was the player Kobe looked for to hit a big shot in the Finals. He was much maligned for having a dreadful post season that saw his shooting percentage drop to 28% shooting from three, but who did Kobe trust more with the game on the line? Derek Fisher that's who. It didn't matter that he was 0-for-5 on three-pointers before his clutch shot in Game 4. This was the guy that Kobe knew would get the job done when it mattered the most.

Lamar Odom: He was supposed to be Scottie Pippen when the Lakers traded for him in the blockbuster Shaq deal of 2004. However, things didn't work out as Odom never became Robin to Kobe's Batman. He couldn't be counted on to consistently put up numbers every night, as the Lakers went three more seasons without a postseason series victory. Finally, when all hope seemed lost on Lamar being a reliable No. 2 option, the skies opened up for a awkward looking Spaniard...

Pau Gasol: Just think about this for a moment: Since Pau Gasol was traded to Los Angeles in February of 2008, the Lakers have not lost three consecutive games. This is a testament to just how consistent Gasol has been. He has rarely had an off night, averaging 18.9 PPG, and 9.6 REB this season, as he made the All-Star team and was third team All-NBA.

After watching gold draped around his Laker teammate's neck Kobe Bryant in the Olympic summer of 2008, Pau dedicated himself to getting stronger. He bulked up and it showed in the post season, as he man handled whoever guarded him. Even Mr. Universe Dwight Howard couldn't stop Pau in the post. For a guy who's been on some of the worst teams in the NBA as a part of the Memphis Grizzlies, Pau Gasol can appreciate this title victory as much as anybody.

Trevor Ariza: Payback is a bitch. Ariza was traded from Orlando to Los Angeles for Brian Cook and Maurice Evans. I wonder who got the better of that deal considering that those two aren't even playing for the Magic anymore.

In 229 career games before this season, Ariza only hit nine threes. In the postseason, he made 40 and shot 48% from the land of beyond. He improved his game after Kobe Bryant gave him an off-season shooting regimen to increase the wing's range. Trevor Ariza got the last laugh as he stuck it back to his old team by winning a championship in his old house.

It's been a long road for the rest of the Lakers as well. Luke Walton has the second longest tenure on the Lakers, so he's definitely been around the tough times, losing two Finals. Sasha Vujacic was nicknamed "The Machine" last year for his ability to hit shots time after time, but he proved that was just a contract year. Shannon Brown came over in a salary dump from a bad Charlotte team, and played important minutes in the Utah and Denver series.

Finally, before Josh Powell got into the NBA, he attended a big man camp where he met Patrick Ewing. The former Knick straight up told the young Powell that he would never make it to the NBA. One could only imagine what Powell was thinking as he hoisted the championship trophy, as now assistant coach Ewing was watching on the sidelines.

Congratulations to the 2008-2009 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers. What are your thoughts on this redemption season? Please feel free to leave a comment below.