2008–09 Los Angeles Lakers season
Encyclopedia
The 2008–09 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 63rd season of the franchise, 61st in the National Basketball Association
(NBA) and 49th in Los Angeles
. The Lakers
won their division for the 31st time and appeared in the Western Conference Finals for the 39th time. With 65 wins they recorded the third most wins in franchise history, the most wins since 2000, and improved by 8 games from last season. The Lakers sold out all 41 home games for the season, earned the most money from ticket revenues, and had the 5th highest change in gate receipts from last season.
On May 29, the Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets
to advance to the NBA Finals
for the second consecutive year and 30th time in franchise history, extending their NBA record for most Finals appearances. On June 14, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Orlando Magic
4-1 in the best of seven series to become the 2009 NBA Champions, the 15th Championship for the franchise. Kobe Bryant
was awarded the 2009 NBA Finals MVP.
On July 15, 2009, the Los Angeles Lakers won the 2009 ESPY Awards
for Best Team and Best Coach/Manager for Phil Jackson
.
, who missed the second half of the season and playoffs was rehabilitating and working on conditioning. Trevor Ariza
, who also missed the second half of the season, but later returned in the playoffs also had to work back into shape. Both players played on opening day. During the 2007-08 season
, Kobe Bryant
suffered a tear in his right pinkie finger. At the time, Bryant decided to forgo surgery and play out the rest of the season and participate in the 2008 Summer Olympics
in Beijing
. He eventually chose to not to have surgery and let the hand heal naturally.
to the Golden State Warriors
. As a restricted free agent, the Lakers were allowed to match any offer that another team gave Turiaf. The Lakers chose not to match the 4 year $17 million offer the Warriors gave.
Ira Newble
, who the Lakers picked up midway through the 2007-08 season, was not resigned and remained a free agent for the rest of the season. Coby Karl
was also cut from the roster with Sun Yue replacing him.
Andrew Bynum
, who is signed for the 2008-09 season, signed a 4 year contract extension for $57.4 million.
DJ Mbenga resigned with the team for one year for approximately $850,000. Josh Powell
was also signed to a one year contract to replace the departed Ronny Turiaf
The Lakers 2007 NBA Draft
pick Sun Yue, spent the entire 07-08 season playing for the Beijing Olympians
in the ABA. He also played for China in the 2008 Summer Olympics
. In the offseason the Lakers signed him to a 2 year deal.
Joe Crawford, C.J. Giles, Brandon Heath
, and Dwayne Mitchell
signed to the Lakers roster during the offseason but were all released before the season began.
in February 2008, the Lakers only had a second round draft pick in 2008. With it they selected Joe Crawford from Kentucky
. He signed with the Lakers on August 27, 2008, but was waived October 22, during the 2007-08 pre-season. He currently plays for the Los Angeles D-Fenders
of the NBA Development League
.
was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats in return for Adam Morrison
and Shannon Brown
. The deal was made largely to save money to be able to resign players during the off-season, notably Lamar Odom
and Trevor Ariza
.
On February 18, backup center Chris Mihm
was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies
for a conditional second round draft pick in 2013. The trade saves the Lakers approximately $2 million in salary and luxury tax money.
, they were seen as the favorites from the Western Conference to make the trip in 2009. The team's original starting lineup was:
C
- Andrew Bynum
PF
- Pau Gasol
SF
- Vladimir Radmanović
SG
- Kobe Bryant
PG
- Derek Fisher
Having Radmanović start at SF instead of Lamar Odom
was seen as a way to space out the offense since two 7-footers, Bynum and Gasol, were in the starting lineup.
With Bynum starting and swingman Trevor Ariza
healthy, the team started off the season with a 7-0 record. A week later they tied the record for best start in franchise history. They were unable to break the record the next game, losing to the Sacramento Kings
on the road. After peaking at a 21-3 record the Lakers played 4 games in 5 days on the road. They finished the road trip with a sub-par 2-2 record and were facing a rematch of last year's finals against the Boston Celtics
on Christmas Day. Under the national spotlight the two teams kept the game close well into the fourth quarter, where the Lakers finally pulled away in the last 2:48 of the game. Phil Jackson
earned his 1,000th career win in the game. The Lakers went to win 10 of 11 games, before losing back to back against the San Antonio Spurs
and the Orlando Magic
.
The losses revealed how injuries to role players Luke Walton
and Jordan Farmar
could affect the Lakers. Jackson eventually benched the under-performing Radmanović and was replaced by Walton in the starting lineup. Walton was chosen as starter because of his good passing skills and Jackson wanted to emphasize ball movement in the offense. Andrew Bynum was also criticized for his poor play, including a one rebound performance against the Houston Rockets
on January 13. Bynum responded by going five straight games with a double-double including a career best 42 points against the Los Angeles Clippers
. Around the same time Kobe Bryant
also recorded two triple-doubles for the first and second time in his career since 2005.
On January 31, against the Memphis Grizzlies
, Bynum left the game with an injured right knee after he was hit by Bryant driving to the basket. An MRI
scan revealed he had a tear of the medial collateral ligament
in his right knee and was expected to miss 8–12 weeks. To adjust to the injury Pau Gasol moved from power forward to center to replace Bynum and Lamar Odom was put into the starting lineup as power forward to replace Gasol. On February 7 the Lakers traded Vladimir Radmanović
to the Charlotte Bobcats
for Adam Morrison
and Shannon Brown
. Radmanović saw his role decrease drastically with the Lakers when he was taken out of the starting lineup, often coming in behind Walton and Trevor Ariza
.
In a road game against the New York Knicks
on February 2, Bryant scored 61 points on 61% shooting in a 126–117 win. Bryant's scoring outburst set a record for the most points ever scored at the historic Madison Square Garden
, breaking Bernard King
's record. Bryant's performance was also the highest single game point total of the 2008–2009 season in the NBA.
Aside from the team record, another result of the team's success was Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol
and Phil Jackson being selected to play and coach in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game
. Bryant was named the All-Star MVP along with former teammate Shaquille O'Neal
. After the All-Star break, the Lakers won 17 of 19 games.
After playing 27 of their first 46 games at home (a league high) the Lakers were on the road for 22 of 31 games; which started with a six game road trip and ended with a seven game road trip. The Lakers won the first six games on the road, including wins against the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers
(Cleveland's first of two home losses of the season). After the All-Star break, the Lakers won six straight games, but then went 2-5 including going 0-3 on the road. The Lakers redeemed themselves by winning two road games in two days; including a win against the Houston Rockets
who were on a 12 game home winning streak and their Western rivals (and second seeded team in the West) the San Antonio Spurs
.
In March, after recommending Phil Jackson to, Luke Walton was moved to the bench and was replaced with Trevor Ariza. Jackson hoped he can spark the bench activity which dwindled throughout the year. The change caused a surge in Ariza's production and allowed Walton to play less minutes against opposing teams' starting players. The Lakers were dealing with giving up leads in games and receiving inconsistent production from the reserves.
After spending the entire season with the best record in the Western Conference the Lakers clinched the top record in the Western Conference on March 27. Since then they were in a race with the Cleveland Cavaliers to finish with the best record in the league and secure home court advantage throughout the playoffs. With a loss to the Sixers on March 17, the Lakers fell to second place overall. They eventually conceded and locked up the second best record in the league in April. On April 9, Bynum returned to the Lakers after missing 31 games. His first game back he started and scored 16 points off of 7-11 shooting and grabbed 7 rebounds.
. In Games 1 and 2 at Staples Center, the Lakers won both games. The Lakers would lose in Game 3, following a game winner from Deron Williams. All three games saw the Lakers give up big leads. After a 5-24 performance in Game 3, Kobe Bryant scored 38 points in Game 4 on 16 of 24 shooting in a win against the Utah Jazz. The Lakers won the series in Game 5 with a 107-96 win at home. Luke Walton injured himself and his out at least one week with a partial ligament tear in his left ankle.
got ejected and technical fouls assessed to Bryant, Artest, Luis Scola
, Luke Walton and Lamar Odom. The series moved to Houston for Game 3 which the Lakers won 108-94 to retake home court advantage in the series. The Lakers went on to lose Game 4 87-99, despite Rockets center Yao Ming
missing the game (and rest of the series) with an injury. In Game 5 the Lakers blew out the Rockets by 40 points, tying the Rockets worst loss in franchise history. Game 6 in Houston was decisively won by the Rockets 95-80. The Rockets jumped out to a 17-1 lead to start the game and were up at half time by 16. Game 6 was the most watched basketball game ever on ESPN
. The final game of the series was played in Los Angeles on May 17. The Lakers routed the Rockets and won the game 89-70. With 2:30 left in the game the Lakers were up 89-58 and Bryant sat out for most of the 4th quarter. Kobe Bryant scored 14 points his lowest amount of playoff points. In each game of the series the team that led at the first quarter won the game.
scored 18 of his 40 points in that quarter to lead the Lakers to a 105-103 to take a 1-0 series lead. In Game 2, the Lakers took a 41-27 lead in the second quarter. In the final minutes of the second quarter the Nuggets went on a 14-2 run to get themselves within 1. Ever since that the game was close. The Nuggets were able to get a win at Staples Center 106-103 which gave the Lakers their second home loss of the postseason. In Game 3, there was another close game which the winner was not decided until the Lakers pulled away at 12 seconds when Bryant made 2 free throws. The Lakers stole homecourt advantage back from the Nuggets with a 41 point performance from Kobe Bryant
(13 of them in the 4th quarter). The Lakers were able to stop Denver's 16 home game winning streak by defeating the Nuggets 103-97 to take a 2-1 series lead. The Denver Nuggets would even the series by defeating the Lakers 120-101, thanks in part to 49 free throw attempts. The Lakers allowed 120 points the most in franchise history, also allowing Denver to score 43 points in the 4th quarter. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets at Staples Center 103-94 in Game 5. Game 6 was a blowout in which the Lakers defeated the Nuggets 119-92 to advance to its franchise's 30th NBA Finals
appearance.
While the Lakers were making their NBA record 30th Finals appearance, the Magic were entering only their second in franchise history. The Lakers had home court advantage due to having the better regular season record. The Lakers earned a blowout win in Game 1, defeating the Magic by 25 points. Game 2 was a tighter contest, with Magic guard Courtney Lee missing a game lay-up off an inbounds lob at the end of regulation. Instead, the game went into overtime and the Lakers prevailed. The series switched to Orlando for games 3, 4, and 5. In Game 3 the Magic shot 75% in the first half and 62.5% in the game, both NBA Finals records, to win by 4 and bring the series to 2-1. Game 4 was another close game. Derek Fisher hit two key 3-pointers, one with 4.6 seconds left in regulation to tie the game, and the other with 31.3 seconds to go in overtime. The Lakers moved within one win of their 15th championship by beating the Orlando Magic 99-91 to open a 3-1 series lead. The Lakers defeated the Magic in Game 5 to clinch their 15th NBA Championship with a 99-86 win, winning two consecutive games in Orlando.
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 82 || 20 || 24.4 || .460 || .319 || .710 || 4.3 || 1.8 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 1.67 || 0.29 || 8.9
|-
| *
| 18 || 0 || 7.6 || .524 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | .667 || .889 || 1.1 || 0.6 || 0.22 || 0.11 || 3.2
|-
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 82 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 82 || 36.1 || .467 || .351 || .856 || 5.2 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 4.9 || 1.46 || 0.45 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 26.8
|-
|
| 50 || 50 || 28.9 || .560 || .000 || .707 || 8.0 || 1.4 || 0.36 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 1.80 || 14.3
|-
|
| 65 || 0 || 18.3 || .391 || .336 || .584 || 1.8 || 2.4 || 0.88 || 0.15 || 6.4
|-
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 82 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 82 || 29.8 || .424 || .397 || .846 || 2.3 || 3.2 || 1.16 || 0.07 || 9.9
|-
|
| 81 || 81 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 37.0 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | .567 || .500 || .781 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 9.6 || 3.5 || 0.64 || 1.00 || 18.9
|-
|
| 23 || 0 || 7.9 || .474 || .000 || .875 || 1.3 || 0.4 || 0.43 || 1.04 || 2.7
|-
| †
| 18 || 0 || 5.8 || .375 || .000 || .857 || 1.9 || 0.6 || 0.06 || 0.33 || 2.0
|-
| *
| 8 || 0 || 5.5 || .333 || .250 || .500 || 1.0 || 0.4 || 0.00 || 0.00 || 1.3
|-
|
| 78 || 32 || 29.7 || .492 || .320 || .623 || 8.2 || 2.6 || 0.99 || 1.26 || 11.3
|-
|
| 60 || 1 || 11.7 || .444 || .000 || .760 || 2.9 || 0.5 || 0.15 || 0.28 || 4.2
|-
| †
| 46 || 28 || 16.8 || .444 || .441 || .852 || 2.5 || 0.8 || 0.61 || 0.15 || 5.9
|-
|
| 10 || 0 || 2.8 || .273 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.2 || 0.10 || 0.10 || 0.6
|-
|
| 80 || 0 || 16.2 || .387 || .363 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | .921 || 1.7 || 1.4 || 0.96 || 0.09 || 5.8
|-
|
| 65 || 34 || 17.9 || .436 || .298 || .719 || 2.8 || 2.7 || 0.49 || 0.15 || 5.0
|}
* Stats after being traded to the Lakers.
†Stats before being traded from the Lakers.
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || 31.4 || .497 || .476 || .563 || 4.2 || 2.3 || 1.57 || 0.43 || 11.3
|-
|
| 21 || 0 || 13.1 || .434 || .480 || .792 || 1.2 || 0.6 || 0.48 || 0.10 || 4.9
|-
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 40.9 || .457 || .349 || .883 || 5.3 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 5.5 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 1.65 || 0.91 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 30.2
|-
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || 18 || 17.4 || .457 || .000 || .651 || 3.7 || 0.4 || 0.35 || 0.91 || 6.3
|-
|
| 20 || 1 || 13.0 || .391 || .308 || .737 || 1.4 || 1.7 || 0.45 || 0.15 || 4.7
|-
|
| 22 || 22 || 28.9 || .394 || .284 || .861 || 2.0 || 2.2 || 0.95 || 0.05 || 8.0
|-
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || 40.5 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | .580 || .000 || .714 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 10.8 || 2.5 || 0.83 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 1.96 || 18.3
|-
|
| 7 || 0 || 2.3 || .167 || .000 || .000 || 0.4 || 0.0 || 0.00 || 0.29 || 0.3
|-
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || 5 || 32.0 || .524 || .514 || .613 || 9.1 || 1.8 || 0.70 || 1.35 || 12.3
|-
|
| 14 || 0 || 5.2 || .423 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 1.000 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 1.000 || 1.2 || 0.3 || 0.00 || 0.07 || 2.1
|-
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || 0 || 10.9 || .264 || .314 || .833 || 1.4 || 0.5 || 0.43 || 0.17 || 3.0
|-
|
| 21 || 0 || 15.8 || .427 || .313 || .611 || 2.5 || 2.1 || 0.67 || 0.14 || 3.8
|}
| valign="top" |
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
| style="width:140px"|Player || style="width:70px"|Signed || style="width:210px"|Former team
|- style="height:40px"
|Josh Powell
|| style="font-size: 80%"| August 14 || Los Angeles Clippers
|}
|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
| style="width:140px"|Player || style="width:70px"|Left || style="width:210px"|New team
|- style="height:40px"
|Ronny Turiaf
|| style="font-size: 80%"| July 18 || Golden State Warriors
|- style="height:40px"
|Coby Karl
|| style="font-size: 80%"| July 1 || free agent
|- style="height:40px"
|Ira Newble
|| style="font-size: 80%"| July 1 || free agent
|}
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(NBA) and 49th in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. The Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
won their division for the 31st time and appeared in the Western Conference Finals for the 39th time. With 65 wins they recorded the third most wins in franchise history, the most wins since 2000, and improved by 8 games from last season. The Lakers sold out all 41 home games for the season, earned the most money from ticket revenues, and had the 5th highest change in gate receipts from last season.
On May 29, the Lakers beat the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
to advance to the NBA Finals
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association . The series was named the NBA World Championship Series until 1986....
for the second consecutive year and 30th time in franchise history, extending their NBA record for most Finals appearances. On June 14, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
4-1 in the best of seven series to become the 2009 NBA Champions, the 15th Championship for the franchise. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
was awarded the 2009 NBA Finals MVP.
On July 15, 2009, the Los Angeles Lakers won the 2009 ESPY Awards
ESPY Awards 2009
The 2009 ESPY Awards were announced from Nokia Theatre on July 15 and showed during the telecast on ESPN, July 19. It was co-presented by Under Armour and Land Rover.- Voting :...
for Best Team and Best Coach/Manager for Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
.
Key dates
- June 26: The 2008 NBA Draft2008 NBA DraftThe 2008 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2008 at the Washington Mutual Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, including...
took place in New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. - July 1: The free agencyFree agentIn professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
period started. - October 7: The Lakers pre-season started with a game against the Utah JazzUtah JazzThe Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. - October 28: The Lakers won their season opener against the Portland Trail BlazersPortland Trail BlazersThe Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
at Staples CenterStaples CenterStaples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles...
. - December 8: With a 17–2 season start, the Lakers tied their record for best opening in franchise historyHistory of the Los Angeles LakersThe Los Angeles Lakers franchise has a long and storied history, predating the formation of the National Basketball Association .Founded in 1947, the Lakers are one of the NBA's most famous and successful franchises. As of summer 2010, the Lakers hold the all-time records for wins , winning...
. - December 25: The Lakers avenged their 2008 NBA Finals2008 NBA FinalsThe 2008 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2007–08 NBA season, and the conclusion of the season's playoffs. The Boston Celtics, top-seeded champions of the Eastern Conference, defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, top-seeded champions of the Western Conference, four games to two in a...
loss with a 92-83 win over the Boston CelticsBoston CelticsThe Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
, ending Boston's 19-game winning streak. - February 2: Kobe Bryant scored 61 points, the most ever scored at Madison Square Garden.
- February 8: The Lakers ended the Cavaliers 23 home game winning streak. The Lakers also became the first team in NBA history to win back-to-back games on the road (Boston and Cleveland), against teams with .800-plus win percentage at least 40 games into the season. It was one of Cleveland's 3 home defeats all season long including playoffs.
- February 14–15: 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend2009 NBA All-Star GameThe 2009 NBA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball game played on February 15, 2009 at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the Phoenix Suns. The game was the 58th edition of the National Basketball Association All-Star Game and was played during the 2008–09 NBA season...
took place. - March 12: The Lakers clinched the Pacific DivisionPacific Division (NBA)The Pacific Division is one of the three divisions in the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association . The division consists of five teams, the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings...
title with a win over the San Antonio SpursSan Antonio SpursThe San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
. - March 26: The Lakers matched last season's win total (57) with 11 games remaining with a win over the Detroit PistonsDetroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
. - March 27: The Lakers clinched the top record in the Western Conference with a win against the New Jersey NetsNew Jersey NetsThe New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for their 58th win. - April 14: The Lakers ended their regular season with a 125-112 victory over the Utah JazzUtah JazzThe Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, becoming the third-winningest team in franchise history with 65 wins. - April 19: The Lakers played their first playoff game of the season against the Utah JazzUtah JazzThe Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. - April 27: The Lakers won their Western Conference First Round series 4-1 over the Utah Jazz, advancing to the Conference Semi-Finals.
- May 17: The Lakers defeated the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals and advance to the Western Conference Finals. - May 29: The Lakers defeated the Denver NuggetsDenver NuggetsThe Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals and advance to the 2009 NBA Finals2009 NBA FinalsThe 2009 NBA Finals was the National Basketball Association championship series for the 2008-09 season. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Los Angeles Lakers, champions of the Western Conference and defending Western Conference champions, and the Orlando Magic, champions of the...
. - June 14: The Lakers defeated the Orlando MagicOrlando MagicThe Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
in Game 5 of 2009 NBA Finals2009 NBA FinalsThe 2009 NBA Finals was the National Basketball Association championship series for the 2008-09 season. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Los Angeles Lakers, champions of the Western Conference and defending Western Conference champions, and the Orlando Magic, champions of the...
, winning their 15th championship in franchise history.
Injuries
Following the 2007–08 NBA season, the Lakers faced two key injuries in the offseason. Andrew BynumAndrew Bynum
Andrew Bynum is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was drafted 10th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005. Bynum became the youngest player ever to play an NBA game later that year, breaking Jermaine...
, who missed the second half of the season and playoffs was rehabilitating and working on conditioning. Trevor Ariza
Trevor Ariza
Trevor Anthony Ariza is an American basketball player in the National Basketball Association who plays for the New Orleans Hornets. Primarily a small forward, he is listed at tall and 210 pounds.-Biography:...
, who also missed the second half of the season, but later returned in the playoffs also had to work back into shape. Both players played on opening day. During the 2007-08 season
2007–08 Los Angeles Lakers season
The 2007–08 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 62nd season of the franchise, 60th in the National Basketball Association and 48th in Los Angeles. The team celebrated their 60th anniversary, thus the Laker jerseys wore the 60th anniversary patches on the leftmost part...
, Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
suffered a tear in his right pinkie finger. At the time, Bryant decided to forgo surgery and play out the rest of the season and participate in the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. He eventually chose to not to have surgery and let the hand heal naturally.
Departures
The most notable departure was last year's backup power forward Ronny TuriafRonny Turiaf
Ronny Turiaf is a French professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the NBA. Turiaf has been a member of the French national basketball team....
to the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. As a restricted free agent, the Lakers were allowed to match any offer that another team gave Turiaf. The Lakers chose not to match the 4 year $17 million offer the Warriors gave.
Ira Newble
Ira Newble
Ira Newble is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs, the Atlanta Hawks, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Seattle SuperSonics, and the Los Angeles Lakers.-College career:After graduating from Southfield...
, who the Lakers picked up midway through the 2007-08 season, was not resigned and remained a free agent for the rest of the season. Coby Karl
Coby Karl
Coby Joseph Karl is an American professional basketball player. He is the son of George Karl, head coach of the Denver Nuggets.-High school career:...
was also cut from the roster with Sun Yue replacing him.
Signings
Sasha Vujacic was the first member of the Lakers to sign a contract with the team in the offseason. Still, contract negotiations dragged on longer than usual because he wasn’t signed to a tender offer from another team as a restricted free agent. Vujacic considered playing in Europe, but ultimately signed a 3 year contact worth $15 million with the Lakers.Andrew Bynum
Andrew Bynum
Andrew Bynum is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was drafted 10th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005. Bynum became the youngest player ever to play an NBA game later that year, breaking Jermaine...
, who is signed for the 2008-09 season, signed a 4 year contract extension for $57.4 million.
DJ Mbenga resigned with the team for one year for approximately $850,000. Josh Powell
Josh Powell
Josh Powell is an American professional basketball player.-Early life:While playing at NC State, Powell averaged 12.4 ppg and 5.2 rpg in his sophomore year . He was not selected in the 2003 NBA Draft and played in Europe...
was also signed to a one year contract to replace the departed Ronny Turiaf
Ronny Turiaf
Ronny Turiaf is a French professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the NBA. Turiaf has been a member of the French national basketball team....
The Lakers 2007 NBA Draft
2007 NBA Draft
The 2007 NBA Draft was held on June 28, 2007 at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. It was broadcast on television in 115 countries. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur U.S...
pick Sun Yue, spent the entire 07-08 season playing for the Beijing Olympians
Beijing Olympians
Beijing Aoshen Olympians or Beijing Olympians or Beijing Aoshen are a professional basketball team that formerly played in the Chinese Basketball Association and now play in the West Coast Pro Basketball League. They have also played in the American Basketball Association. Some sources refer to...
in the ABA. He also played for China in the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
. In the offseason the Lakers signed him to a 2 year deal.
Joe Crawford, C.J. Giles, Brandon Heath
Brandon Heath (basketball)
Brandon Heath is an American professional basketball player who plays for PBC Lukoil Academic of the National Basketball League of Bulgaria.Brandon formerly played for the APOEL B.C. of Cyprus. In 2007, he played in France for Entente Orléanaise 45, where he averaged 12 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9...
, and Dwayne Mitchell
Dwayne Mitchell
Dwayne Mitchell is a 6'5" shooting guard formerly from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.Dwayne played with the Iowa Energy in the NBADL until August 1, 2008 when he was signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Lakers, who on October 8, 2008 waived Mitchell, who later signed with the Los...
signed to the Lakers roster during the offseason but were all released before the season began.
Draft picks
Due to the midseason trade for Pau GasolPau Gasol
Pau Gasol Sáez is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was born to Marisa Sáez and Agustí Gasol, and he spent his childhood in Spain...
in February 2008, the Lakers only had a second round draft pick in 2008. With it they selected Joe Crawford from Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...
. He signed with the Lakers on August 27, 2008, but was waived October 22, during the 2007-08 pre-season. He currently plays for the Los Angeles D-Fenders
Los Angeles D-Fenders
The Los Angeles D-Fenders are a NBA Development League team based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2006, the team is owned by the Los Angeles Lakers, which became the first National Basketball Association franchise to own a D-League team...
of the NBA Development League
NBA Development League
The NBA Development League, or NBA D-League, is the National Basketball Association's official minor league basketball organization. Known until summer 2005 as the National Basketball Development League , the NBA D-League started with eight teams in the fall of 2001...
.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 58 | Joe Crawford | Shooting guard Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team... |
Kentucky University of Kentucky The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky... |
Trades
On February 7, Vladimir RadmanovićVladimir Radmanovic
Vladimir Radmanović is a Serbian professional basketball player who last played for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association...
was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats in return for Adam Morrison
Adam Morrison
Adam John Morrison is an American basketball player who is currently free agent after being released from KK Crvena zvezda....
and Shannon Brown
Shannon Brown
Shannon Brown is an American professional basketball player who plays at the shooting guard and point guard positions. He last played in the National Basketball Association for the Los Angeles Lakers. Brown attended Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois, was named Illinois Mr...
. The deal was made largely to save money to be able to resign players during the off-season, notably Lamar Odom
Lamar Odom
Lamar Joseph Odom is an American professional basketball forward with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association.-Early life:...
and Trevor Ariza
Trevor Ariza
Trevor Anthony Ariza is an American basketball player in the National Basketball Association who plays for the New Orleans Hornets. Primarily a small forward, he is listed at tall and 210 pounds.-Biography:...
.
On February 18, backup center Chris Mihm
Chris Mihm
Christopher Steven Mihm is a 7 ft , 265 pound American professional basketball player currently a free agent. He was drafted with the 7th overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.-Early life:...
was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
for a conditional second round draft pick in 2013. The trade saves the Lakers approximately $2 million in salary and luxury tax money.
Roster
adam morrisonDepth chart
| Pos. | Starter | Bench | Reserve | Inactive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C Center (basketball) The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well... |
Andrew Bynum Andrew Bynum Andrew Bynum is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was drafted 10th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005. Bynum became the youngest player ever to play an NBA game later that year, breaking Jermaine... |
D. J. Mbenga | ||
| PF Power forward (basketball) Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low... |
Pau Gasol Pau Gasol Pau Gasol Sáez is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was born to Marisa Sáez and Agustí Gasol, and he spent his childhood in Spain... |
Lamar Odom Lamar Odom Lamar Joseph Odom is an American professional basketball forward with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association.-Early life:... |
Josh Powell Josh Powell Josh Powell is an American professional basketball player.-Early life:While playing at NC State, Powell averaged 12.4 ppg and 5.2 rpg in his sophomore year . He was not selected in the 2003 NBA Draft and played in Europe... |
|
| SF Small forward The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall... |
Trevor Ariza Trevor Ariza Trevor Anthony Ariza is an American basketball player in the National Basketball Association who plays for the New Orleans Hornets. Primarily a small forward, he is listed at tall and 210 pounds.-Biography:... |
Luke Walton Luke Walton Luke Theodore Walton is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . His primary position is at small forward. After the 2010 NBA Finals, Walton and his father Hall of Famer Bill Walton became the first and only father and son to... |
="color:#5c2f83;">Adam Morrison Adam Morrison Adam John Morrison is an American basketball player who is currently free agent after being released from KK Crvena zvezda.... |
|
| SG Shooting guard The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team... |
Kobe Bryant Kobe Bryant Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school... |
Shannon Brown Shannon Brown Shannon Brown is an American professional basketball player who plays at the shooting guard and point guard positions. He last played in the National Basketball Association for the Los Angeles Lakers. Brown attended Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois, was named Illinois Mr... Sasha Vujačić Sasha Vujacic Aleksandar "Sasha" Vujačić is a Slovenian basketball player who has played in Italy, the United States , and more recently for Anadolu Efes S.K. in Turkey... |
t style="color:#5c2f83;">Sun Yue | |
| PG Point guard Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that... |
Derek Fisher Derek Fisher Derek Lamar Fisher is an American professional basketball point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . His NBA career has spanned more than 14 years, during which he has won five NBA Championships... |
Jordan Farmar Jordan Farmar Jordan Robert Farmar is an American professional basketball point guard for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Super League and Euroleague. He is also under contract with the New Jersey Nets, and is expected to return to the team after the 2011 NBA lockout ends.In high school, he was the... |
Season summary
When the Lakers made it all the way to the finals without starter Andrew BynumAndrew Bynum
Andrew Bynum is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was drafted 10th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005. Bynum became the youngest player ever to play an NBA game later that year, breaking Jermaine...
, they were seen as the favorites from the Western Conference to make the trip in 2009. The team's original starting lineup was:
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
- Andrew Bynum
Andrew Bynum
Andrew Bynum is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was drafted 10th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005. Bynum became the youngest player ever to play an NBA game later that year, breaking Jermaine...
PF
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
- Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol Sáez is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was born to Marisa Sáez and Agustí Gasol, and he spent his childhood in Spain...
SF
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
- Vladimir Radmanović
Vladimir Radmanovic
Vladimir Radmanović is a Serbian professional basketball player who last played for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association...
SG
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
- Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
PG
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
- Derek Fisher
Derek Fisher
Derek Lamar Fisher is an American professional basketball point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . His NBA career has spanned more than 14 years, during which he has won five NBA Championships...
Having Radmanović start at SF instead of Lamar Odom
Lamar Odom
Lamar Joseph Odom is an American professional basketball forward with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association.-Early life:...
was seen as a way to space out the offense since two 7-footers, Bynum and Gasol, were in the starting lineup.
With Bynum starting and swingman Trevor Ariza
Trevor Ariza
Trevor Anthony Ariza is an American basketball player in the National Basketball Association who plays for the New Orleans Hornets. Primarily a small forward, he is listed at tall and 210 pounds.-Biography:...
healthy, the team started off the season with a 7-0 record. A week later they tied the record for best start in franchise history. They were unable to break the record the next game, losing to the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
on the road. After peaking at a 21-3 record the Lakers played 4 games in 5 days on the road. They finished the road trip with a sub-par 2-2 record and were facing a rematch of last year's finals against the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
on Christmas Day. Under the national spotlight the two teams kept the game close well into the fourth quarter, where the Lakers finally pulled away in the last 2:48 of the game. Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
earned his 1,000th career win in the game. The Lakers went to win 10 of 11 games, before losing back to back against the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
and the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
.
The losses revealed how injuries to role players Luke Walton
Luke Walton
Luke Theodore Walton is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . His primary position is at small forward. After the 2010 NBA Finals, Walton and his father Hall of Famer Bill Walton became the first and only father and son to...
and Jordan Farmar
Jordan Farmar
Jordan Robert Farmar is an American professional basketball point guard for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Super League and Euroleague. He is also under contract with the New Jersey Nets, and is expected to return to the team after the 2011 NBA lockout ends.In high school, he was the...
could affect the Lakers. Jackson eventually benched the under-performing Radmanović and was replaced by Walton in the starting lineup. Walton was chosen as starter because of his good passing skills and Jackson wanted to emphasize ball movement in the offense. Andrew Bynum was also criticized for his poor play, including a one rebound performance against the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
on January 13. Bynum responded by going five straight games with a double-double including a career best 42 points against the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. Around the same time Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
also recorded two triple-doubles for the first and second time in his career since 2005.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
, Bynum left the game with an injured right knee after he was hit by Bryant driving to the basket. An MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging , nuclear magnetic resonance imaging , or magnetic resonance tomography is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structures...
scan revealed he had a tear of the medial collateral ligament
Medial collateral ligament
The medial collateral ligament of the knee is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. It is on the medial side of the knee joint in humans and other primates. It is also known as the tibial collateral ligament, or abbreviated as the MCL.- Structure :It is a broad, flat, membranous band,...
in his right knee and was expected to miss 8–12 weeks. To adjust to the injury Pau Gasol moved from power forward to center to replace Bynum and Lamar Odom was put into the starting lineup as power forward to replace Gasol. On February 7 the Lakers traded Vladimir Radmanović
Vladimir Radmanovic
Vladimir Radmanović is a Serbian professional basketball player who last played for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association...
to the Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte Bobcats
The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA...
for Adam Morrison
Adam Morrison
Adam John Morrison is an American basketball player who is currently free agent after being released from KK Crvena zvezda....
and Shannon Brown
Shannon Brown
Shannon Brown is an American professional basketball player who plays at the shooting guard and point guard positions. He last played in the National Basketball Association for the Los Angeles Lakers. Brown attended Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois, was named Illinois Mr...
. Radmanović saw his role decrease drastically with the Lakers when he was taken out of the starting lineup, often coming in behind Walton and Trevor Ariza
Trevor Ariza
Trevor Anthony Ariza is an American basketball player in the National Basketball Association who plays for the New Orleans Hornets. Primarily a small forward, he is listed at tall and 210 pounds.-Biography:...
.
In a road game against the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
on February 2, Bryant scored 61 points on 61% shooting in a 126–117 win. Bryant's scoring outburst set a record for the most points ever scored at the historic Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, breaking Bernard King
Bernard King
Bernard King is a retired American professional basketball player at the small forward position in the NBA...
's record. Bryant's performance was also the highest single game point total of the 2008–2009 season in the NBA.
Aside from the team record, another result of the team's success was Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol Sáez is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was born to Marisa Sáez and Agustí Gasol, and he spent his childhood in Spain...
and Phil Jackson being selected to play and coach in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game
2009 NBA All-Star Game
The 2009 NBA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball game played on February 15, 2009 at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the Phoenix Suns. The game was the 58th edition of the National Basketball Association All-Star Game and was played during the 2008–09 NBA season...
. Bryant was named the All-Star MVP along with former teammate Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal , nicknamed "Shaq" , is a former American professional basketball player. Standing tall and weighing , he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA...
. After the All-Star break, the Lakers won 17 of 19 games.
After playing 27 of their first 46 games at home (a league high) the Lakers were on the road for 22 of 31 games; which started with a six game road trip and ended with a seven game road trip. The Lakers won the first six games on the road, including wins against the top two teams in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
(Cleveland's first of two home losses of the season). After the All-Star break, the Lakers won six straight games, but then went 2-5 including going 0-3 on the road. The Lakers redeemed themselves by winning two road games in two days; including a win against the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
who were on a 12 game home winning streak and their Western rivals (and second seeded team in the West) the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
.
After spending the entire season with the best record in the Western Conference the Lakers clinched the top record in the Western Conference on March 27. Since then they were in a race with the Cleveland Cavaliers to finish with the best record in the league and secure home court advantage throughout the playoffs. With a loss to the Sixers on March 17, the Lakers fell to second place overall. They eventually conceded and locked up the second best record in the league in April. On April 9, Bynum returned to the Lakers after missing 31 games. His first game back he started and scored 16 points off of 7-11 shooting and grabbed 7 rebounds.
Utah Jazz
The Lakers went 65–17, and clinched the Pacific Division and home court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs. In the first round, the Lakers faced the eight-seeded Utah JazzUtah Jazz
The Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
. In Games 1 and 2 at Staples Center, the Lakers won both games. The Lakers would lose in Game 3, following a game winner from Deron Williams. All three games saw the Lakers give up big leads. After a 5-24 performance in Game 3, Kobe Bryant scored 38 points in Game 4 on 16 of 24 shooting in a win against the Utah Jazz. The Lakers won the series in Game 5 with a 107-96 win at home. Luke Walton injured himself and his out at least one week with a partial ligament tear in his left ankle.
Houston Rockets
In the second round the Lakers faced the Houston Rockets. In Game 1, the Lakers fell behind in the first quarter and never got into a rhythm. As a result they lost their first home game of the postseason. The Lakers rebounded in Game 2 behind Bryant's 40 point performance and a double double by Gasol and tied the series up at 1 win each. The game was very intense and physical as Derek Fisher of the Lakers and Ron ArtestRon Artest
Metta World Peace is an American professional basketball player and rapper who is currently with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. World Peace gained a reputation as one of the league's premier defenders as he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2004...
got ejected and technical fouls assessed to Bryant, Artest, Luis Scola
Luis Scola
Luis Alberto Scola Balvoa is an Argentine professional basketball player. The power forward-center for the Argentine national team is currently signed with the NBA's Houston Rockets. He formerly was a Euroleague star with the ACB's Saski Baskonia...
, Luke Walton and Lamar Odom. The series moved to Houston for Game 3 which the Lakers won 108-94 to retake home court advantage in the series. The Lakers went on to lose Game 4 87-99, despite Rockets center Yao Ming
Yao Ming
Yao Ming is a retired Chinese professional basketball player who last played for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association...
missing the game (and rest of the series) with an injury. In Game 5 the Lakers blew out the Rockets by 40 points, tying the Rockets worst loss in franchise history. Game 6 in Houston was decisively won by the Rockets 95-80. The Rockets jumped out to a 17-1 lead to start the game and were up at half time by 16. Game 6 was the most watched basketball game ever on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
. The final game of the series was played in Los Angeles on May 17. The Lakers routed the Rockets and won the game 89-70. With 2:30 left in the game the Lakers were up 89-58 and Bryant sat out for most of the 4th quarter. Kobe Bryant scored 14 points his lowest amount of playoff points. In each game of the series the team that led at the first quarter won the game.
Denver Nuggets
In the third round the Lakers faced the Denver Nuggets. In Game 1, the Lakers fell behind in the first quarter by as many as 13. In the second quarter the Lakers found their rhythm and took a 55-54 lead at halftime. In the fourth quarter the game was close and Kobe BryantKobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
scored 18 of his 40 points in that quarter to lead the Lakers to a 105-103 to take a 1-0 series lead. In Game 2, the Lakers took a 41-27 lead in the second quarter. In the final minutes of the second quarter the Nuggets went on a 14-2 run to get themselves within 1. Ever since that the game was close. The Nuggets were able to get a win at Staples Center 106-103 which gave the Lakers their second home loss of the postseason. In Game 3, there was another close game which the winner was not decided until the Lakers pulled away at 12 seconds when Bryant made 2 free throws. The Lakers stole homecourt advantage back from the Nuggets with a 41 point performance from Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
(13 of them in the 4th quarter). The Lakers were able to stop Denver's 16 home game winning streak by defeating the Nuggets 103-97 to take a 2-1 series lead. The Denver Nuggets would even the series by defeating the Lakers 120-101, thanks in part to 49 free throw attempts. The Lakers allowed 120 points the most in franchise history, also allowing Denver to score 43 points in the 4th quarter. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets at Staples Center 103-94 in Game 5. Game 6 was a blowout in which the Lakers defeated the Nuggets 119-92 to advance to its franchise's 30th NBA Finals
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association . The series was named the NBA World Championship Series until 1986....
appearance.
Orlando Magic
While the Lakers were making their NBA record 30th Finals appearance, the Magic were entering only their second in franchise history. The Lakers had home court advantage due to having the better regular season record. The Lakers earned a blowout win in Game 1, defeating the Magic by 25 points. Game 2 was a tighter contest, with Magic guard Courtney Lee missing a game lay-up off an inbounds lob at the end of regulation. Instead, the game went into overtime and the Lakers prevailed. The series switched to Orlando for games 3, 4, and 5. In Game 3 the Magic shot 75% in the first half and 62.5% in the game, both NBA Finals records, to win by 4 and bring the series to 2-1. Game 4 was another close game. Derek Fisher hit two key 3-pointers, one with 4.6 seconds left in regulation to tie the game, and the other with 31.3 seconds to go in overtime. The Lakers moved within one win of their 15th championship by beating the Orlando Magic 99-91 to open a 3-1 series lead. The Lakers defeated the Magic in Game 5 to clinch their 15th NBA Championship with a 99-86 win, winning two consecutive games in Orlando.
Season
|-|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 82 || 20 || 24.4 || .460 || .319 || .710 || 4.3 || 1.8 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 1.67 || 0.29 || 8.9
|-
| *
| 18 || 0 || 7.6 || .524 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | .667 || .889 || 1.1 || 0.6 || 0.22 || 0.11 || 3.2
|-
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 82 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 82 || 36.1 || .467 || .351 || .856 || 5.2 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 4.9 || 1.46 || 0.45 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 26.8
|-
|
| 50 || 50 || 28.9 || .560 || .000 || .707 || 8.0 || 1.4 || 0.36 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 1.80 || 14.3
|-
|
| 65 || 0 || 18.3 || .391 || .336 || .584 || 1.8 || 2.4 || 0.88 || 0.15 || 6.4
|-
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 82 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 82 || 29.8 || .424 || .397 || .846 || 2.3 || 3.2 || 1.16 || 0.07 || 9.9
|-
|
| 81 || 81 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 37.0 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | .567 || .500 || .781 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 9.6 || 3.5 || 0.64 || 1.00 || 18.9
|-
|
| 23 || 0 || 7.9 || .474 || .000 || .875 || 1.3 || 0.4 || 0.43 || 1.04 || 2.7
|-
| †
| 18 || 0 || 5.8 || .375 || .000 || .857 || 1.9 || 0.6 || 0.06 || 0.33 || 2.0
|-
| *
| 8 || 0 || 5.5 || .333 || .250 || .500 || 1.0 || 0.4 || 0.00 || 0.00 || 1.3
|-
|
| 78 || 32 || 29.7 || .492 || .320 || .623 || 8.2 || 2.6 || 0.99 || 1.26 || 11.3
|-
|
| 60 || 1 || 11.7 || .444 || .000 || .760 || 2.9 || 0.5 || 0.15 || 0.28 || 4.2
|-
| †
| 46 || 28 || 16.8 || .444 || .441 || .852 || 2.5 || 0.8 || 0.61 || 0.15 || 5.9
|-
|
| 10 || 0 || 2.8 || .273 || .000 || .000 || 0.0 || 0.2 || 0.10 || 0.10 || 0.6
|-
|
| 80 || 0 || 16.2 || .387 || .363 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | .921 || 1.7 || 1.4 || 0.96 || 0.09 || 5.8
|-
|
| 65 || 34 || 17.9 || .436 || .298 || .719 || 2.8 || 2.7 || 0.49 || 0.15 || 5.0
|}
†Stats before being traded from the Lakers.
Playoffs
|-|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || 31.4 || .497 || .476 || .563 || 4.2 || 2.3 || 1.57 || 0.43 || 11.3
|-
|
| 21 || 0 || 13.1 || .434 || .480 || .792 || 1.2 || 0.6 || 0.48 || 0.10 || 4.9
|-
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 40.9 || .457 || .349 || .883 || 5.3 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 5.5 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 1.65 || 0.91 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 30.2
|-
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || 18 || 17.4 || .457 || .000 || .651 || 3.7 || 0.4 || 0.35 || 0.91 || 6.3
|-
|
| 20 || 1 || 13.0 || .391 || .308 || .737 || 1.4 || 1.7 || 0.45 || 0.15 || 4.7
|-
|
| 22 || 22 || 28.9 || .394 || .284 || .861 || 2.0 || 2.2 || 0.95 || 0.05 || 8.0
|-
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || 40.5 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | .580 || .000 || .714 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 10.8 || 2.5 || 0.83 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 1.96 || 18.3
|-
|
| 7 || 0 || 2.3 || .167 || .000 || .000 || 0.4 || 0.0 || 0.00 || 0.29 || 0.3
|-
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || 5 || 32.0 || .524 || .514 || .613 || 9.1 || 1.8 || 0.70 || 1.35 || 12.3
|-
|
| 14 || 0 || 5.2 || .423 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 1.000 || style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 1.000 || 1.2 || 0.3 || 0.00 || 0.07 || 2.1
|-
|
| style="background:#ffcd35;color:#6137ad;" | 23 || 0 || 10.9 || .264 || .314 || .833 || 1.4 || 0.5 || 0.43 || 0.17 || 3.0
|-
|
| 21 || 0 || 15.8 || .427 || .313 || .611 || 2.5 || 2.1 || 0.67 || 0.14 || 3.8
|}
Awards
- The Los Angeles Lakers won the 2009 NBA Championship.
- Kobe BryantKobe BryantKobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
was named the 2009 NBA Finals MVP.
All-Star
- Phil JacksonPhil JacksonPhilip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
was named the Western Conference coach for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game2009 NBA All-Star GameThe 2009 NBA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball game played on February 15, 2009 at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, home of the Phoenix Suns. The game was the 58th edition of the National Basketball Association All-Star Game and was played during the 2008–09 NBA season...
. It was his fourth time coaching an All-Star team and second time with the Los Angeles Lakers. - Kobe BryantKobe BryantKobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
was voted to his 11th consecutive NBA All-Star Game as a starter. - Pau GasolPau GasolPau Gasol Sáez is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was born to Marisa Sáez and Agustí Gasol, and he spent his childhood in Spain...
was selected to his second NBA All-Star Game. - Kobe BryantKobe BryantKobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
was named the 2009 NBA All-Star MVP with former teammate Shaquille O'NealShaquille O'NealShaquille Rashaun O'Neal , nicknamed "Shaq" , is a former American professional basketball player. Standing tall and weighing , he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA...
.
Weekly/Monthly
- Phil JacksonPhil JacksonPhilip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
was named Western ConferenceWestern Conference (NBA)Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
Coach of the Month for games played in October and November. - Kobe BryantKobe BryantKobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
was named Western ConferenceWestern Conference (NBA)Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
Player of the Week for games played from December 22 to December 28. - Kobe BryantKobe BryantKobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
was named Western ConferenceWestern Conference (NBA)Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
Player of the Month for December 2008. - Kobe BryantKobe BryantKobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
was named Western ConferenceWestern Conference (NBA)Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
Player of the Week for games played from January 5 to January 11. - Andrew BynumAndrew BynumAndrew Bynum is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was drafted 10th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005. Bynum became the youngest player ever to play an NBA game later that year, breaking Jermaine...
was named Western ConferenceWestern Conference (NBA)Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
Player of the Week for games played from January 19 to January 25. - Kobe BryantKobe BryantKobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
was named the Western ConferenceWestern Conference (NBA)Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
Player of the Month for January 2009. - Pau GasolPau GasolPau Gasol Sáez is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was born to Marisa Sáez and Agustí Gasol, and he spent his childhood in Spain...
was named Western ConferenceWestern Conference (NBA)Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
Player of the Week for games played from February 2 to February 8. - Pau GasolPau GasolPau Gasol Sáez is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was born to Marisa Sáez and Agustí Gasol, and he spent his childhood in Spain...
was named Western ConferenceWestern Conference (NBA)Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
Player of the Week for games played from February 16 to February 27. - Pau GasolPau GasolPau Gasol Sáez is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was born to Marisa Sáez and Agustí Gasol, and he spent his childhood in Spain...
was named Western ConferenceWestern Conference (NBA)Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
Player of the Month for February. - Kobe BryantKobe BryantKobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
was named Western ConferenceWestern Conference (NBA)Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
Player of the Week for games played from March 9 to March 15.
Records
- Phil JacksonPhil JacksonPhilip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
reached 1,000 career wins on December 25, 2008 against the Boston CelticsBoston CelticsThe Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
. With 1,423 games coached, he became the fastest coach in NBA history to reach 1,000 wins, surpassing former Lakers coach Pat RileyPat RileyPatrick James "Pat" Riley is an American professional basketball executive, and a retired coach and player in the NBA. Currently, he is team president of the Miami Heat. Widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time, Riley has served as the head coach of five championship teams...
. - With a 17–2 season start, the Lakers tied their record for best opening in franchise historyHistory of the Los Angeles LakersThe Los Angeles Lakers franchise has a long and storied history, predating the formation of the National Basketball Association .Founded in 1947, the Lakers are one of the NBA's most famous and successful franchises. As of summer 2010, the Lakers hold the all-time records for wins , winning...
. - On February 2, Kobe BryantKobe BryantKobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
scored 61 points against the New York KnicksNew York KnicksThe New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, making it the most points scored at Madison Square GardenMadison Square GardenMadison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
ever. - On February 8, the Lakers became the first team in NBA history to win back-to-back games on the road (Boston and Cleveland), against teams with .800-plus win percentage at least 40 games into the season.
- Vladimir RadmanovićVladimir RadmanovicVladimir Radmanović is a Serbian professional basketball player who last played for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association...
set a record for highest three-point field goal percentage in franchise history. - On February 10, at 30 years, 171 days of age, Kobe Bryant surpassed Wilt ChamberlainWilt ChamberlainWilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA...
(30 years, 176 days) as the youngest player to score 23,000 points in his career. - On February 22, Kobe BryantKobe BryantKobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
moved past Elgin BaylorElgin BaylorElgin Gay Baylor is a retired Hall of Fame American basketball player and former NBA general manager who played 13 seasons as a forward for the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers/Los Angeles Lakers....
into 20th place on the NBA's career scoring list. - On February 24, Kobe BryantKobe BryantKobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
moved past Adrian DantleyAdrian DantleyAdrian Delano Dantley is a retired American basketball player who played 15 seasons in the NBA, including seven as a member of the Utah Jazz. A forward/guard and six-time NBA All-Star, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008...
into 19th place on the NBA's career scoring list. - On March 6, Kobe BryantKobe BryantKobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
moved past Robert ParishRobert ParishRobert Lee Parish is a retired American basketball center. He was known for his strong defense and jump shooting, and was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003...
into 18th place on the NBA's career scoring list. - On March 27 Phil JacksonPhil JacksonPhilip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
coached 728 games for the Los Angeles Lakers, surpassing the franchise record set by Pat RileyPat RileyPatrick James "Pat" Riley is an American professional basketball executive, and a retired coach and player in the NBA. Currently, he is team president of the Miami Heat. Widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time, Riley has served as the head coach of five championship teams...
. - On April 10, Kobe BryantKobe BryantKobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
moved past Charles BarkleyCharles BarkleyCharles Wade Barkley is a former American professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Sir Charles" and "The Round Mound of Rebound", Barkley established himself as one of the National Basketball Association's most dominating power forwards...
into 17th place on the NBA's career scoring list. - On June 7, Phil JacksonPhil JacksonPhilip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
coached his 42nd Finals game, surpassing Red AuerbachRed AuerbachArnold Jacob "Red" Auerbach was an American basketball coach of the Washington Capitols, the Tri-Cities Blackhawks and the Boston Celtics. After he retired from coaching, he served as president and front office executive of the Celtics until his death...
for most NBA Finals games coached. - On June 14, Phil JacksonPhil JacksonPhilip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
won his 10th NBA title as a head coach, surpassing Red AuerbachRed AuerbachArnold Jacob "Red" Auerbach was an American basketball coach of the Washington Capitols, the Tri-Cities Blackhawks and the Boston Celtics. After he retired from coaching, he served as president and front office executive of the Celtics until his death...
for most all-time.
Trades
| February 7, 2009 |
To Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association... Adam Morrison Adam Morrison Adam John Morrison is an American basketball player who is currently free agent after being released from KK Crvena zvezda.... , Shannon Brown Shannon Brown Shannon Brown is an American professional basketball player who plays at the shooting guard and point guard positions. He last played in the National Basketball Association for the Los Angeles Lakers. Brown attended Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois, was named Illinois Mr... |
To Charlotte Bobcats Charlotte Bobcats The Charlotte Bobcats is a professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Bobcats were established in 2004 as an expansion team, two seasons after Charlotte's previous NBA... Vladimir Radmanović Vladimir Radmanovic Vladimir Radmanović is a Serbian professional basketball player who last played for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association... |
| February 18, 2009 |
To Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association... Conditional second round draft pick in 2013 |
To Memphis Grizzlies Memphis Grizzlies The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's... Chris Mihm Chris Mihm Christopher Steven Mihm is a 7 ft , 265 pound American professional basketball player currently a free agent. He was drafted with the 7th overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.-Early life:... |
Additions
{| cellspacing="0"| valign="top" |
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
| style="width:140px"|Player || style="width:70px"|Signed || style="width:210px"|Former team
|- style="height:40px"
|Josh Powell
Josh Powell
Josh Powell is an American professional basketball player.-Early life:While playing at NC State, Powell averaged 12.4 ppg and 5.2 rpg in his sophomore year . He was not selected in the 2003 NBA Draft and played in Europe...
|| style="font-size: 80%"| August 14 || Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
|}
Subtractions
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"|- align="center" bgcolor="#dddddd"
| style="width:140px"|Player || style="width:70px"|Left || style="width:210px"|New team
|- style="height:40px"
|Ronny Turiaf
Ronny Turiaf
Ronny Turiaf is a French professional basketball player for the New York Knicks of the NBA. Turiaf has been a member of the French national basketball team....
|| style="font-size: 80%"| July 18 || Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
|- style="height:40px"
|Coby Karl
Coby Karl
Coby Joseph Karl is an American professional basketball player. He is the son of George Karl, head coach of the Denver Nuggets.-High school career:...
|| style="font-size: 80%"| July 1 || free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
|- style="height:40px"
|Ira Newble
Ira Newble
Ira Newble is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs, the Atlanta Hawks, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Seattle SuperSonics, and the Los Angeles Lakers.-College career:After graduating from Southfield...
|| style="font-size: 80%"| July 1 || free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
|}
See also
- 2008–09 NBA season2008–09 NBA seasonThe 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...