Kobe Bryant has played 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and he has been a part of five championship rosters. Over the years, Bryant has made some great memories and has been a integral part in winning five NBA titles. However, after the loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Bryant revealed the team in which he had the most fun during his illustrious career.
The 2008-2009 team was a very talented roster spearheaded by Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. However, that championship team also featured the versatile Lamar Odom, fan favorite Trevor Ariza, the consummate professional in Derek Fisher and of course, Phil Jackson. Following his final appearance in Portland, Bryant talked about what it was like being on that team via Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Kobe: "That '08-09 team, I think that's the most fun I've ever had playing on a team. We hung out all day…Just a fun season" (on TWC)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) January 24, 2016
The Lakers suffered a devastating loss to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals the season prior, so this team was determined to reclaim the franchise’s championship glory. That season saw the Lakers dominate their 2009 Finals matchup against the Orlando Magic as they won the title in just five games. Los Angeles was clearly the best team in the series and they claimed the franchise’s 15 title in Orlando.
That season, Kobe Bryant added a fourth championship to his collection and was the first time he won Finals MVP. Bryant finally got over the hump in terms of winning a championship without Shaquille O’Neal and it was great seeing him rebound after a tough loss the previous year.
Even though the team replaced Trevor Ariza in the offseason for Ron Artest, the core of the roster stayed intact and the Lakers were able to get their revenge on the Celtics in 2010.
