Lakers win in convincing fashion

By Jared Spinelli Sports Central Columnist

The Lakers defeated the Sixers in game five of the NBA Finals on Friday night, thus completing a 15-1 postseason record, with their only loss being to the Sixers in game one of the Finals. The Lakers' near-perfect postseason can be attributed to many things, but what they all add up to is sheer dominance.

When the Sixers stole game one against the Lakers, many believed those Sixers had a big chance to win three more games, and become NBA champions. After all, the Sixers had stunned the Lakers with their quick, tough play. The Sixers surprised the Lakers with their defense and relative ease in stealing the ball from, among others, Kobe Bryant. Also in game one, Dikembe Mutombo played great defense on Shaquille O'Neal, enough to hold the "Diesel" from getting the game back in Los Angeles' grasp.

However, then came game two, game three, game four, and finally, game five. In these four games, the Lakers returned to their dominant ways, with Shaq dominating inside, and Kobe dominating outside. The Sixers had their chances to steal another win, particularly in game three, but fell short on their chances to take the lead.

The Lakers, though, did not win the NBA championship thanks to only Shaq and Kobe. They rather won the championship with key contributions in important spots from the Lakers role players: Derek Fisher, Rick Fox, and Robert Horry. Fisher hit a big three-pointer in game five just when the Sixers were beginning to make their fourth-quarter comeback. The three silenced the Philadelphia crowd, and ultimately ended the Sixers' chances. Fox played great basketball all series, scoring twenty points in game five, including a few key baskets just when the Lakers needed them.

Then you have Robert Horry. Horry came off the Lakers' bench in the second half of game three and when the Sixers closed the gap with the Lakers, Horry connected for a clutch three-pointer, one of his three three's (3-3 from three-point land), which brought confidence back to the Lakers, and which led them to victory.

In a losing effort in the series, Allen Iverson showed once again just why he was the NBA's Most Valuable Player. Iverson played hurt all series, and still managed to play just about all forty-eight minutes in all five games. Iverson gave his all for coach Larry Brown, and his efforts were recognized.

Next year, the Lakers will be back once again to defend their championship, and will be vying to three-peat. Iverson and the Sixers will be back to try once again, as will many other teams. The pressure will surely be on the Lakers to continue their success and defend their titles. It was quite the year in the NBA.