Los Angeles Lakers: Greatest conference semifinals in franchise history

SALT LAKE CITY - MAY 08: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers is defended by Wesley Matthews #23 of the Utah Jazz during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2010 at Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY - MAY 08: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers is defended by Wesley Matthews #23 of the Utah Jazz during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2010 at Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

Right now, the NBA season is currently on hiatus and NBA fans are not even sure if they will get to see the 2019-2020 season finish. In a perfect world, where the season was still going, we would be deep into the conference semifinals right now, eying the possibility of a Los Angeles Lakers-Los Angeles Clippers Western Conference Finals.

That probably would have been the most intriuging Conference Finals from a pure NBA fan standpoint. Instead, we are stuck waiting.

Like we did with the first round of the NBA Playoffs, we want to bring you some sort of conference semifinals coverage, even if that means taking a retrospective look into the past.

Here are the greatest conference semifinals in Los Angeles Lakers history:

5. 2010 sweep over the Utah Jazz

Number five on our list comes from the last season in which the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Championship and showcases both Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol at their best.

Sweeping the second round of the playoffs is no easy feat and while the Lakers did not dominant their opposition as much as some other entries on this list, this series included an incredible showing from both Kobe and Gasol that is absolutely worth mentioning.

Kobe averaged 32 points on 52.3 percent shooting in this series. He was absolutely lethal in this series and there was seemingly nothing the Utah Jazz could do to stop him.

Gasol played tremendous as well. The 2010 playoffs showcased prime Pau Gasol and this may have been his best series as he averaged 23.5 points, 14.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game.

Thirteen games later and the Los Angeles Lakers were NBA Champions for the 16th time.