Game 5: Lakers vs. Magic

Here is the final photo essay after the Lakers' wonderful 99-86 victory over the Orlando Magic to clinch title No. 15 after 30 championship series appearances. Feels pretty good.

Yes, that's Kobe's reflection in the Lawrence O'Brien Trophy:


Always great to take a team photo when the conquering is done:


No. 4 for Kobe has to feel pretty darn satisfying:


And for Lamar Odom, who has been to hell and back in his personal life, No. 1 has to feel pretty good too:


This is what a title feels like after waiting seven years:


The mayhem begins on the court:


Phil Jackson said his kids had this hat made up specially for him. Perfect. Classic.


Another classic Phil pose. He said he would smoke a cigar in Red Auerbach's honor. Nice:


Andrew Bynum sharing a moment with his mentor and personal coach, the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar:


Kobe and Derek Fisher, the only players on this team who have savored the last four Laker titles:


"Oh, Mr. Russell, thank you so much. Now we need to win only two more titles to catch your Celtic asses.":


Kobe said they made sure to get Phil inside their circle in the lockerroom:


And once Phil was there, he got the bath of a lifetime:


The Lakers have never lost three games in a row since Pau Gasol joined the team and we're sure glad he came:


The architect of this brilliance, Mitch Kupchak, finally can breathe:


The Laker big men always stick together:


So what does Luke Walton think of all this? "Hooooooorrrible!" ... Just kidding:


Yes, for the second time in franchise history, the Lakers will be on a Wheaties box:


The Lakers had plenty of support a long way from home:


Does this mean Vanessa gets a "championship" ring too? (shown here with the cute Natalia):


Celebrity row: Venus Williams... that is all. Sure Chris Brown and Rhianna were there, but enough already:


Dwight Howard's just not quite ready for prime time:


And it was a sad ending to the night as the reality of the situation set in for Magic fans:


But as we did before, let's close on a positive note for Orlando: