2009–10 Los Angeles Lakers season

The Lakers came into training camp with no serious injuries. All players were expected to be healthy enough to play in the season opener. After having surgery on his knee last season, Andrew Bynum was told that he has ligamentous laxity, which required him to wear a knee brace for the entire season.[7]

During training camp, D. J. Mbenga was not able to participate fully in practice due to a "malalignment of his hips/hip flexors". The imbalance was causing him pain in his abdominal, groin and hip flexor areas.[8] He made a full recovery and played on opening night. Pau Gasol injured his hamstring during a preseason game and missed the first 12 games of the season. In December, Ron Artest revealed that he suffered a shoulder injury during the Lakers' opening exhibition game. He kept the injury quiet so it wouldn't seem like he was making excuses, telling neither the media nor his coaches.[9]

Trevor Ariza chose not to sign when the Los Angeles Lakers offered the Mid-Level Exception (approximately $6 million per year).[10] When the Lakers looked towards other free agents, Ariza agreed to sign with the Houston Rockets for slightly more money. The Lakers had a team option on Sun Yue to pick up his contract for one year paying him $736,000.[11] But the Lakers decided to release him to keep the roster to 13 players.[12] Sun eventually signed with the New York Knicks.

Assistant coach Kurt Rambis left the Lakers to pursue a head-coaching position with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Rambis was believed to be the potential replacement to Phil Jackson if Jackson was to leave in the offseason.[13]

The Lakers had team options to exercise contracts on Josh Powell and D. J. Mbenga. The Lakers decided to bring both Powell and Mbenga back, paying them $959,000 each.[14] Kobe Bryant also had an option to terminate his contract this offseason, which would pay him approximately $23,000,000 for the season and $24,800,000 for the season after. He chose not to opt out of his contract and signed a 3-year contract extension.[15]

The Los Angeles Lakers (Artest and Mbenga pictured) at the Luxor Las Vegas after a pre-season game.

Ron Artest was the first player from another team to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason. On July 2, Artest told CBSSports.com that he has agreed to a contract with the Lakers. He decided not to pursue a more lucrative contract from his former team (the Rockets) and signed a 5-year deal worth $33 million on July 8.[16] The Lakers used their Mid-Level Exception to sign Artest. Artest has long wanted to play for the Lakers and was looking forward to playing with Kobe Bryant and childhood friend Lamar Odom. Artest changed his jersey number from 96 to 37 in honor of Michael Jackson's album Thriller which was the #1 selling album for 37 weeks.[17] Jackson died 13 days earlier.

Shannon Brown agreed to a contract with the Lakers on July 6. Brown turned down a more expensive offer from the Indiana Pacers and agreed to a 2-year $4.2 million deal.[18] The Lakers used the Bi-annual exception to sign Brown. He has a player option to terminate his contract after the 2009–10 season.[19]

Lamar Odom was the last Lakers free agent to resign with the team. Before the previous season ended, Odom said he was willing to take a pay cut from the $11.4 million he made in his final year of his contract (which was $14.1 million under the Lakers salary cap because the difference was paid upfront as a "trade-kicker" when he joined the Lakers). Early in July, the Lakers presented two offers to Odom:[20]

• A four-year deal for $9 million a season, worth up to $36 million, but only three years and $27 million was guaranteed, with the Lakers' buyout in the fourth year worth $3 million.
• A three-year, $30-million deal that would have paid Odom $10 million a season.

When Odom and his agent did not respond quickly enough, owner Jerry Buss pulled both deals off the table. At the same time, the Miami Heat actively pursue Odom. Heat President Pat Riley and Dwyane Wade met with Odom in Los Angeles in an attempt to get Odom to return to Miami.[20] Afterwards, Odom spoke with Jerry Buss, and Odom's agent and Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak kept an open dialogue. On July 30, Lamar Odom agreed to a four-year deal, reportedly for $33 million, with a team option for the final year. Odom said he did not want to leave Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Derek Fisher and the rest of the Lakers, especially Kobe Bryant.[20]

On September 28, the Lakers signed four players to non-guaranteed contracts: Tony Gaffney, Srdjan Pejicic, David Monds, Mickaël Gelabale and Michael Fey.[21] On September 30, the Lakers also signed Thomas Kelati to a non-guaranteed contract,[22] bring their total player roster to 18 players. By the beginning of the season, they had to reduce their roster to a maximum of 15 players. On October 10, the Lakers cut Mickaël Gelabale, David Monds, and Michael Fey, bringing the roster to 15 players.[23] On October 21, Thomas Kelati was cut from the team.[24] On October 24, the Lakers cut Gaffney.[25]

The Lakers traded their first round draft pick (#29) to the New York Knicks for $3,000,000 and the Knicks 2011 second round draft pick.[26] The Lakers traded their second pick (originally from the Charlotte Bobcats for the Kareem Rush trade) for cash.

The Lakers originally had three picks entering the Draft. Their 29th pick was used to pick Toney Douglas from Florida State, and chose Patrick Beverley from Arkansas with their 42nd pick, a pick which they got from a previous trade with Charlotte.[27] The Lakers traded both each for a 2011 second-round draft pick and cash. They kept their final pick and selected Chinemelu Elonu.[28] The Texas A&M center earned All-Big 12 honors last season after averaging 9.8 points and a team-best 7.3 rebounds and 53 blocked shots. He set a school record by making 66.5 percent from the field and was named the Big 12's most improved player.[29]

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	School/Club Team
1	29	Toney Douglas	Guard	United States	Florida State
2	42	Patrick Beverley	Guard	United States	Arkansas
2	59	Chinemelu Elonu	Power Forward	Nigeria/ United States	Texas A&M

Andrew Bynum shoots a free throw against the Thunder in game 5.

The Lakers played the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs. Both Bryant and Bynum returned from injury to start in the first game. In game one, the Lakers outscored the Thunder 27-13 in the first quarter. The Thunder attempted to close in on the lead, but the Lakers held on in the 2nd half, matching the Thunder's point total in the 3rd and 4th quarter. Although Bryant led the Lakers in points scored (21), Gasol had the most impressive night statically, collecting 19 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. The series went to Oklahoma City for games three and four. The Thunder won both games including a 21-point win in game 4. Kevin Durant averaged 30.5 points in the two games to lead the Thunder. During the two games, the Thunder used their speed to run on the Lakers which translated into 24 fast-break points and 23 second-chance points in game 4.[52] In game 5 in L.A., Gasol and Bynum combined for 46 points, 22 rebounds, and six assists in a 111-87 win.[53] Game six saw the Lakers returning to Oklahoma City where they could clinch the series with the win. The Lakers' bench outscored the Thunder's 30-16, however the Thunder claimed a one-point lead with 3:04 to play.[54] With time winding down, Gasol caught an offensive rebound off of a missed jump shot by Bryant and scored a layup with 0.5 seconds remaining in the game for the win.[54]

The Lakers next opponent was the Utah Jazz who advanced to the second round of the playoffs by defeating the Denver Nuggets 4-2. This was the third straight year the two teams met in the playoffs. The Lakers started off the first quarter shooting 79.8% from the field,[55] and leading by 10 at half time.[56] The Lakers gave up the lead in the 4th quarter before Bryant scored 11 points in the final four minutes to lead the Lakers to a 104-99 victory.[56] Although Bryant had the most successful night in game 2, it was the Lakers front court of Gasol, Bynum, and Odom who dominated the game.[57] Each had at least 11 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks while the team outrebounded the Jazz 58-40 to a 111-103 victory.[57] Andrei Kirilenko returned in game 3 from more than a month out with a strained left calf. While the Lakers' big men were dominate in the first two games, they had to rely on their backcourt in game 3 with Bynum and Odom being held in check.[58] Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said the Jazz's effort to keep the Lakers out of the middle opened up some 3-point shots and Los Angeles capitalized.[58] Artest scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half while overcoming his three-point range slump in the playoffs.[58] The fourth quarter had 12 lead changes, including Bryant and Fisher making back-to-back 3-pointers during an 8-2 run in the final minute.[58] In the final four seconds, Deron Williams missed a shot and Wesley Matthews rebound and tip missed just before the end of the game.[58] The Lakers won 111-110 and were on the verge of sweeping the Jazz. In game four, the Lakers jumped ahead and led by 22 points in the first half. The Jazz opened the third quarter with an 11-2 run and were able to cut the lead to 70-65, but the Lakers responded by finishing the period on a 10-2 run and led 80-67 at the end of the third quarter.[59] The Lakers led by 10 for most of the 4th quarter. Coach Phil Jackson called it "the first really consistent game we have played...We controlled the game and forced our will on our opponent."[59] Bryant scored at least 30 points in all four games and the Lakers swept the series 4-0.

The Lakers then faced the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals. In game 1, the Lakers blew out the Suns 128-107 led by Bryant's 40 points including 23 in the third quarter.[60] Odom came off the bench to tally 19 points, 19 rebounds, and three assists.[60] In game 2 Bryant played the role of facilitator, putting up 13 assists, while Gasol recorded 29 points, 9 rebounds, and five assists.[61] The teams were tied at 90-90 heading into the fourth quarter, but Bryant and Gasol led the fourth quarter rally and the Lakers won the game 124-112.[61] Game 3 was played in Phoenix, where the Suns used their big men and physical play to win the game.[62] Amar'e Stoudemire scored 42 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while Robin Lopez 20 points.[62] Odom and Bynum, however, both picked up fouls early and were ineffective for the Lakers for most of the game. The Lakers only scored 15 points in the second quarter and were down 86-84 in after three quarters. The Lakers were able to take the lead 90-89 with 8:47 to play, but the Suns rallied back to win 118-109. After battling each other in game 4 and slugging out a 23-23 first quarter, the Suns erupted for a 41 points in the second quarter, shooting 74%.[63] Early in the 4th quarter the Lakers led 87-85. However, the Suns reserve players (who outscored the Lakers reserves 54-20) produced and 18-3 run in the 4th which the Lakers never recovered from despite Bryant's 38 points and 10 assists.[63] In game 5, the Lakers surged to a 16-point lead in the first half including a 21-4 run and led by 18 points by half time. Steve Nash, who had 29 points and 11 assists in the game, led the Suns to a 16-4 rally in the third quarter to trim the lead to six by the end of the period and one with 2:52 left in the game.[64] Jason Richardson made a three pointer with 3.5 seconds left in the game to tie the score 101-101.[64] On the next possession, Bryant, who had 30 points and 11 assists in the game, air-balled a three, but Artest offensively rebounded and made a game winning layup as time expired.[64] In game 6 in Phoenix, the Lakers had the lead for most of the game. Los Angeles outscored the Suns 23-10 over the last eight minutes of the second quarter to lead 65-53 at the break and were up by 17 entering the fourth. However the Suns went on a 16-4 run and cut the Lakers lead to 95-90 with 6:09 remaining in the game.[65] Artest scored 25 in the game and Bryant had a 37-point performance including nine points in the final two minutes to win the game 111-103 and clinch the series 4-2.[65]

[66] The Los Angeles Lakers took game one against the Boston Celtics, winning by 13 (102 - 89). Kobe Bryant scored game high 30 points. Pau Gasol lead game high of rebounds (14). Celtics took game two to tie the series (1-1), with a victory of (103 - 94). Ray Allen scored 32 points with Rajon Rondo lead in rebounds (12). In game three, it was a close fought game, Lakers came out with a (91 - 84) victory with a 29 point performance by Kobe Bryant in Boston to take (2-1) lead in the series. Game four in Boston, the Celtics out rooted the Lakers with a (96 - 89), performance to tie the series again (2-2). Kobe Bryant still lead the game high points of 33. Celtics took advantage of home court in game five with a (92-86)victory. Paul Pierce scored 27 points to lead the Celtics to a (3-2) lead in the series. With a crucial game six, the Lakers put on a dominant performance at the Staples Center with a 19 point victory (89-67) to tie the series 3 games a piece (3-3). In a pivotal game seven, the rivalry of the Lakers and the Celtics once again met in a game seven. The Lakers struggled the first half as the Celtics had control of the game for the most of the three quarters. Within five minutes left in the game, Kobe Bryant made crucial plays to lead the Lakers to the 16th NBA title and also making Kobe Bryant a 5 time NBA Champion.

• Kobe Bryant was named to the All-NBA First Team
• Pau Gasol was named to the All-NBA Third Team
• Kobe Bryant was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team
• The Los Angeles Lakers won the 2010 NBA Championship.
• Kobe Bryant was named the 2010 NBA Finals MVP.

• Kobe Bryant was voted to his 12th consecutive NBA All-Star Game as a starter.
• Pau Gasol was selected to his third NBA All-Star Game.

• Kobe Bryant was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from November 16 through November 22.[67]
• Kobe Bryant was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from December 14 to December 20.[68]
• Kobe Bryant was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from December 21 to December 27.[69]
• Kobe Bryant was named Western Conference Player of the Month for December.[70]
• Pau Gasol was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from March 15 to March 21.[71]

• On November 6, Kobe Bryant moved past Allen Iverson into 16th place on the NBA's career scoring list.[72]
• On November 6, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player (31 years, 75 days) in NBA history to score 24,000 points.[72]
• On November 19, Kobe Bryant passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (24,276) for second place on the Lakers' career scoring list.[73]
• On December 1, the Lakers tied the NBA record for most consecutive games (7) scoring at least 100 points and holding their opponent below 100, matching the mark set by the Milwaukee Bucks in January 2001.[74]
• On January 5, Kobe Bryant moved past Patrick Ewing into 15th place on the NBA's career scoring list.[75]
• On January 13, the Lakers became the first franchise in NBA history to win 3,000 games.[76]
• On January 21, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player in NBA history to score 25,000 points.
• On February 1, Kobe Bryant moved past Jerry West into 14th place on the NBA's career scoring list. He also surpassed West to become the Lakers franchise scoring leader.[77]
• On February 23, Kobe Bryant became the youngest player, at 31 years and 184 days, to play 1,000 games.[78]
• On February 24, Kobe Bryant moved past Reggie Miller into 13th place on the NBA's career scoring list.[79]
• On March 25, Kobe Bryant moved past Alex English into 12th place on the NBA's career scoring list.[80]
• On May 2, Phil Jackson won his 103rd playoff game with the Lakers, passing Pat Riley for the franchise lead.[56]
• On May 29, Kobe Bryant, with his 10th 30-point performance in his last 11 postseason games, moved ahead of Jerry West and into a tie with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second-most 30-point playoff games at 75.[65]
• On May 29, Kobe Bryant extended his NBA record to eight straight 30-point closeout games on the road.[65]
• On May 29, the Los Angeles Lakers extended their NBA record of most finals appearances to 31.
• On June 7, the Lakers set an NBA Finals record by blocking 14 shots in a game.[81] Andrew Bynum had seven blocks and Pau Gasol had six as they became the first teammates in Finals history to each have five or more blocks in a game.[81]
• Kobe Bryant became the first player to score 600 points in three consecutive playoff seasons.[82]