Kobe Bryant Career in 2009

The Lakers were ready to reclaim the NBA title in 2008–09. It had been seven seasons since their last championship. Their bench was strong and their starting lineup healthy. Kobe’s finger was completely healed, and he did not miss a game. He was named Western Conference Player of the Month for December and January as the Lakers racked up victory after victory. In one of the season's stranger plays, Kobe collided with teammate Andrew Bynum, wrecking Bynum’s knee. Jackson simply shifted his players around and the team barely missed a beat. The Lakers finished with 65 wins, the third-best record in team history.

Kobe led the Lakers in scoring (26.8) and assists (4.9). Among his season highlights were a pair of triple-doubles—his first since 2005—and a 61-point outburst against the Knicks in New York. He was also named All-Star co-MVP with Shaquille O’Neal. At season’s end, LeBron James edged him for NBA MVP. He was named to the All-Defensive First Team for the third season in a row and sixth time in his career.

Up next were the Denver Nuggets. Game 1 seesawed back and forth until Kobe took over in the fourth quarter. He canned six free throws in the final 30 seconds to finish with an even 40 points in LA’s 105–103 victory.

Kobe’s fourth championship was made even sweeter when he was named series MVP for the first time. The Nuggets took Game 2, another taut affair, 106–103. Kobe was the difference again in Game 3, nailing a clutch three-pointer with the Lakers down 95–94. They never trailed again, pulling away to a 103–97 win as Kobe sealed the deal at the charity stripe. Denver evened the series but the Lakers took the final two games to earn a berth in the NBA Finals. Kobe led the team in points and assists in both contests.

The Magic took Game 3 and then nearly tied the series a couple of nights later. Again, the Lakers dodged a bullet at the end of regulation, as Derek Fisher hit a clutch trey to send the teams into overtime. Fisher nailed another three-pointer to give the Lakers a 99–91 win. Dwight Howard dominated much of the game, but could not make his free throws, and ultimately this was the difference. Kobe was good for 32 points and 8 assists.

In Game 5, Kobe played like a cold-blooded assassin. He was totally locked in as LA seized control of the game and won 99–86. He finished with 30 points, and celebrated like a kid when the final buzzer sounded. Kobe was an easy pick for MVP of the Finals.

Rather than resting on his laurels, Kobe came into the 2009–10 campaign focused on repeating. Even a December fracture of his right index finger didn’t slow him down. He elected to play through the pain and was named the conference’s Player of the Month that very same month. A sore back and knee eventually prevented him from playing nine games, but LA barely missed a beat. Among the key additions to the club was Ron Artest, who would no longer be giving Kobe fits on defense.