Jerry West Finals MVP (Loser)
Lakers defeat Magic in five games for 15th NBA title.
The 2009 NBA Finals was the championship series of the NBA's 2008–09 season, contested between the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers and the Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic. The Lakers defeated the Magic in five games to win the franchise's 15th NBA championship. Kobe Bryant was named the Finals MVP.
Quick Facts
- Player
- Jerry West
- Team
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Season
- 1968-69
- Series result
- Lost to Boston Celtics (4-3)
- Award status
- Unique in NBA History
- Position
- Guard
Lore & Background
The series was nicknamed the 'Disney Series' for its connections to The Walt Disney Company, which owns ESPN and Finals broadcaster ABC. Walt Disney World is located 20 miles from Orlando, and Disneyland is located 30 miles from Los Angeles. The Lakers were heavily favored to win the championship over the Magic.
Reader's Guide
The Lakers won the series 4–1. Game 1: Lakers won by 25 points, the 6th-largest margin in NBA Finals Game 1 history. Game 2: Lakers won 101–96 in overtime. Game 3: Magic won, their first Finals win in franchise history. Game 4: Lakers won in overtime. Game 5: Lakers won to clinch the championship.
Did You Know?
- The Orlando Magic's Game 3 victory was the first win in an NBA Finals game in franchise history; they were previously swept in 1995 by the Houston Rockets.
- Kobe Bryant joined Shaquille O'Neal, Michael Jordan, and Jerry West as players to record 40 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists in a single NBA Finals game.
- As of the source, this was the last time the Lakers clinched an NBA championship on the road.
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