When Kobe Bryant was foiled last year by the Boston Celtics in his first attempt to get an NBA championship ring without Shaquille O’Neal, the Big Cactus apparently found pleasure in his inability by making a rap asking Kobe how his ass tastes. In his twitter today, Shaq has this to say (unedited):

Congratualtions kobe, u deserve it. You played great . Enjoy it my man enjoy it. And I know what yur sayin rt now “Shaq how my ass taste “

Haha, the big fella never fails to put a smile on my face.

In this NBA Finals, Kobe has metamorphosed into a team leader.

In timeout huddles, he always let his voice be heard by team mates. And they listen. After all, Kobe was the one facilitating the Lakers offense and keeping everyone involved. His own play also encourages his team mates. He keep throwing  shots even if they were not falling. And when he is in the zone, he is simply unguardable. Mickael Pietrus, Rafer Alston and company look like kindergarteners defending him.

After averaging 32 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists in the series, Kobe got his first NBA Finals MVP.

He also finally stepped out of Shaq’s big shadow. At last.

Please read my related posts:

1. 2009 NBA Finals Lakers vs Magic Game 1 | Kobe Scores 40 in a 100-75 Rout Before the Mickey Mouse series has started, the prevailing question was — who can defend Superman Dwight Howard? After one game, the question should now be — who can defend Kobe Bryant? Dwight Howard finished with 12 points but got...
2. 2010 NBA Finals | Kobe Bryant Named MVP With the ultimate NBA champion Bill Russell personally giving him the trophy named in his honor, Kobe Bryant took home his second consecutive NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award after leading the Los Angeles Lakers in becoming just the seventh...
3. 2009 NBA Finals Lakers vs Magic Game 3 | Orlando Shoots a Finals Record 63% In First Ever Win Now we have a series. At home and at a place where they feel comfortable, away from the limelight of Hollywood, the Magic finally snapped their six-game winless streak in the NBA Finals dating back to 1995 when the team...
4. 2009 NBA Finals | Kobe Bryant vs Dwight Howard Preview The date was November 12, 2006. It was Dwight Howard’s 6th game as a rookie and his team the Orlando Magic is facing the Los Angeles Lakers and its superstar, Kobe Bryant. In the 3rd quarter with the Magic leading...
5. Kobe Bryant Grabs Fourth NBA All-Star Game MVP Award Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers was named as the MVP of the 2011 NBA All-Star Game to tie Bob Pettit’s NBA record with his fourth MVP award in just 10 years. The Black Mamba scored 37 points and...
6. 2009 NBA Finals Lakers vs Magic Game 4 | Derek Fisher Makes Two Clutch 3-Pointers LA Lakers veteran point guard Derek Fisher has been doing this all his playoff career. That is, hit three-point shots. In fact in the history of the NBA Finals, he is third all-time in most treys made behind Robert Horry...
7. 2009 NBA Finals Lakers vs Magic Game 2 | Courtney Lee Misses Alley-oop Shot It was an exciting Game 2 and close all throughout. With seconds remaining and the game tied at 88-all, Kobe Bryant has the ball for the Lakers’ final shot. Going straight to the basket for another heroic moment, Kobe’s shot...
8. 2010 NBA Finals Game 5 | Paul Pierce Wins Duel With Kobe Bryant Kobe Bryant had his best game of the series netting 19 of his 38 points in the 3rd quarter and scoring 23 straight Laker points between the 4:23 mark of the second quarter until there was 2:16 left in the...
9. 2010 NBA Finals Game 6 | Lakers Rout Celtics to Force Do-or-Die Game 7 With their backs against the wall, the Lakers played with a sense of urgency in blowing out the Celtics, 89-67. LA’s defense held Boston to shot a series-low 33.3% and only Utah’s infamous 54-point performance against Chicago in 1998 was...
10. 2009 NBA Finals | The Black Mamba vs Superman This embarrassing welcome-to-the-NBA-I’m-the-black-mamba dunk did not happen. But this one’s not too shabby either. It happened during the 3rd quarter of the series-clinching Game 5 last June 15, 2009 at the Amway Arena, Orlando where the LA Lakers captured its...

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Tags: 2009 NBA finals, kobe bryant, la lakers, orlando magic, shaquille o'neal, twitter