Orlando, FL (Sports Network) - When Shaquille O'Neal was traded from the Lakers to Miami in the summer of 2004, the focus was put on Kobe Bryant and if he could win a championship without the perennial All-Star center. Kobe and Shaq captured three straight titles (2000-02), but the newspaper headlines and constant badgering from reporters only agitated Bryant.

Finally, last year's league MVP, with guidance from the best postseason coach in league history and a strong supporting cast, reached the pinnacle again with a 99-86 win over Orlando Sunday night, clinching the NBA Finals in five games. "It was annoying," said Bryant of the constant questions. "It was like Chinese water torture, just keep dropping a drop of water on your temple. It was just annoying. I would cringe every time. I was just like, it's a challenge I'm just going to have to accept because there's no way I'm going to argue it. You can say it until you're blue in the face and rationalize it until you're blue in the face, but it's not going anywhere until you do something about it. I think we as a team answered the call because they understood the challenge that I had, and we all embraced it." The Lakers did just that. After losing to Boston in the title series and watching the Celtics celebrate on their home floor with a 39-point victory in the deciding Game 6 last year, the Lakers dedicated themselves to reaching the Finals again.

After disposing of Utah in five games in round one, the Lakers were pushed to seven games by Houston in the Western Conference semifinals. They then needed six games to beat Denver before powering past a young Magic team, which was in the Finals for just the second time in club history. The 15th championship in Lakers history, including the fourth for Bryant, was extra special in that he wasn't playing in the shadow of Shaq, who was the MVP each time during the previous title run. This time, Bryant, who averaged better than 32 points during these Finals, was named MVP. "I just don't have to hear that criticism, that idiotic criticism anymore," said Bryant. "That's the biggest thing. I don't have to hear that stuff anymore." O'Neal was happy for Bryant. "Congratulations kobe, u deserve it," O'Neal said on his Twitter page. "You played great. Enjoy it my man enjoy it."

The soap opera between Kobe and Shaq has been a hot-button topic, so much that even after O'Neal was gone, Bryant actually asked for a trade from the Lakers because the team didn't have players to build around him. The club responded with a huge trade, acquiring big man Pau Gasol from Memphis in the middle of the 2007-08 season. The Lakers haven't lost three straight games since that deal. "Six and a half years in Memphis were tough as a professional, also personally because I don't take losing very lightly and I hate losing," said Gasol. "It was affecting me personally. But the day that I was traded I couldn't believe it. It was such a beautiful day for me, and then also I think the Lakers were pretty happy with it, too." Topping off the championship jaunt was the accomplishment of Lakers coach Phil Jackson, now the holder of a record 10 NBA titles, one more than legendary Celtics coach Red Auerbach. "Having won ten championships is a remarkable accomplishment, there's no doubt about it," said the noted Zen Master. "Watching those games click down, and a championship of all different forms and fashions, on the road, at home, players that vault themselves into team play is a remarkable thing to have watched. I think I've always said this before, the journey is what's really important, and it's important for the players and the coaches to watch these kids come together and form a unit and be supportive of each other, and this was no exception."

Six of Jackson's championships came coaching Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in 1990s. Jackson set another record Sunday night, passing Bill Russell (11) for most titles won by a player/coach. "It's been a long time since he had a champagne bath, and I knew that, so I made sure he became part of our circle and we got him pretty good," said Bryant. "He took his glasses off, threw his head back and soaked it all in because this is a special time, and for us to be the team that got him that historic 10th championship is special for us."
 

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