Kobe Bryant won 5 NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, which puts him first ahead of Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal as the greatest Laker ever. While this is debatable, Kobe played his entire career with the Purple and Gold and meant more to the franchise than any other star. Wherever Kobe went, arenas would get sold out to watch The Black Mamba play.
But Kobe Bryant earned this love. He was the most dominant shooting guard in NBA history behind Michael Jordan, and he was a part of 5 dominant championship teams. In order to revisit The Black Mamba’s legendary career, here are Kobe’s 5 championship teams ranked.
5. 1999-2000 Los Angeles Lakers
Regular-Season Record: 67-15
Playoffs Record: 15-8
Finals Record: 4-2 vs. Indiana Pacers
Key Players: Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Glen Rice, Ron Harper, Robert Horry
The Indiana Pacers were a great team led by Reggie Miller, but they were no match to Shaquille O’Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers dominated the league with the 1st record in the West and the best record in the league. The Lakers once again made a deep playoff run, finishing with a 15-8 record.
The Pacers had the best record in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, so it was expected that a Reggie Miller vs. Kobe Bryant matchup would determine the next NBA champion. But the NBA Finals was all about Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq put up 38.0 PPG and 16.7 RPG in one of the greatest Finals performances in NBA history. Shaq completely owned the series, and he had a ton of help also. Glen Rice averaged 11.5 PPG, Bryant averaged 15.6 PPG, and this Lakers team kicks off the list of the Black Mamba’s greatest teams.
4. 2009-2010 Los Angeles Lakers
Regular-Season Record: 57-25
Playoffs Record: 16-7
Finals Record: 4-3 vs. Boston Celtics
Key Players: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, Metta World Peace
The 2010 Lakers had to overcome a very long season to capture the NBA championship. This was Kobe’s final championship team and possibly the most important one. Kobe and the Lakers got revenge on the Boston Celtics for the 2008 Finals, and there was no way Bryant would be denied his 5th ring. The Lakers were once again the first seed of the Western Conference and they looked primed for their second straight Finals appearance.
The Lakers went 16-7 in the postseason and it was mainly thanks to Kobe Bryant. Bryant had an incredible run against the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals and he would be denied a Finals berth against the Celtics. With Kobe struggling in Game 7 by shooting 6-24 from the field, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace stepped up to ensure Bryant lifted his 5th ring. Gasol put up 19 points and 18 rebounds in Game 7 while Metta World Peace played 46 minutes and dropped 20 points.
3. 2008-2009 Los Angeles Lakers
Regular-Season Record: 65-17
Playoffs Record: 16-7
Finals Record: 4-1 vs. Orlando Magic
Key Players: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza
The 2009 Los Angeles Lakers was Kobe’s ultimate revenge squad. The Lakers were destroyed by the Boston Celtics in 2008 led by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. Kobe Bryant could not find enough help and the Lakers were forced to regroup in 2009. Which they did. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to the first seed in the Western Conference and they looked primed for another deep postseason run.
The Playoffs were more of the same, as the Lakers went 16-7 in the postseason. The Finals series against the Orlando Magic was all about Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Trevor Ariza, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant won Finals MVP by averaging 32.4 PPG, while Pau Gasol was an amazing sidekick putting up 18.6 PPG. Trevor Ariza was a monster on defense and he held his own with his 11.0 PPG, but his hustle was particularly helpful. With Lamar Odom (13.4 PPG) and Derek Fisher (11.0 PPG) on the squad as well, this Lakers team was truly one of Kobe’s best.
2. 2001-2002 Los Angeles Lakers
Regular-Season Record: 58-24
Playoffs Record: 15-4
Finals Record: 4-0 vs. New Jersey Nets
Key Players: Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, Rick Fox, Robert Horry
The 2002 Los Angeles Lakers were a great team in NBA history because this team won the 3rd title in 3 years with Shaq and Kobe. Armed with talent such as Fisher, Fox, and Robert Horry the Lakers made quick work of the New Jersey Nets in 4 games in the NBA Finals.
Shaq averaged 36.3 PPG and 12.3 RPG in the Finals, while Kobe chipped in with 26.8 PPG as well. Derek Fisher was on point with 12.8 PPG while Rick Fox put up 9.8 PPG, and the Lakers were on point in the Finals. The Lakers were a force in the regular season but they turned it on in the postseason by going 15-4. This team was Kobe’s second-best team ever because nothing comes close to the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers.
1. 2000-2001 Los Angeles Lakers
Regular-Season Record: 56-26
Playoffs Record: 15-1
Finals Record: 4-1 vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Key Players: Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher, Rick Fox, Robert Horry
The 2001 Los Angeles Lakers was the greatest team that Kobe Bryant ever played in. Shaquille O’Neal was at his best, averaging 33.0 PPG and 15.8 RPG while capturing the Finals MVP. Kobe Bryant put up 24.6 PPG while Fisher and Fox each chipped in with 9.8 PPG. The Sixers had the league MVP in Allen Iverson, but they had no shot.
The Lakers went an incredible 15-1 in the playoffs and made quick work of the Sixers in 5 games. Shaq was at his best, Kobe became a superstar in his own right, and the role players all contributed in their own way. Kobe’s 2001 Los Angeles Lakers team also has an argument for being the most unstoppable team in NBA history and that makes the 2001 Lakers Kobe’s best team.
Next
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