Ranking every Kobe Bryant season with the Lakers: 9. 2009-10
2009-10 defined Bryant as a player, he would win his fifth championship and put him solely ahead of O’Neal. The teammate that he had for so long that turned sour and into a feud. It put him only one behind Michael Jordan and he would ultimately stay behind him as this would be his last championship.
The duo of Bryant and Gasol continued to have its troubling moments. But they proved to be very good still together, leading the team to its second straight title. They defeated the Boston Celtics in seven games and Bryant proved as he had so many years before his talent on both ends.
For the year Bryant was phenomenal, he averaged 27 points, 5.4 rebounds and five assists per game. He shot splits of 45.6/32.9/81.1 while playing in 73 games on the year. His offensive rating was 109.9 and his defensive rating landed at 101.8 good for a +8.1 net-rating.
As a result, Bryant would land on the All-NBA first team and All-Defensive first team lists. He would turn it up another level in the playoffs averaging 29.2 points, six rebounds and 5.5 assists per night. His shooting splits went up to 45.8/37.4/84.8 to help carry the load of the team.
The All-Star selection marked the 12th of his career, including his 11th straight. The season was capped off ultimately by another championship and his second straight finals MVP.