Anthony's road from rookie to weekly MVP Nov 7, 2009
" After five flawless games, Anthony feels just right. Anthony was the 3rd pick of the 2003 NBA draft by the Nuggets, behind LeBron James and Darko Millicic. In his rookie season he turned the Denver Nuggets from a mediocre team to a playoff one. He lead the team in scoring with 21.0 points per game and is the only second player in history to lead his team in scoring as a rookie since David Robinson of San Antonio Spurs during the 1989-1990 season. He led his team to the playoffs with a 43-39... (Xinhuanet, China)
Best even better after free agency Jul 11, 2009
In landing Ron Artest, the Lakers have an even stronger starting lineup than the unit that strutted out of Amway Arena last month with the Larry O'Brien Trophy. L.A. finished atop the West last season. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Lakers celebrate 15th NBA championship Jun 18, 2009
Players and team brass packed onto double-decker buses draped with championship banners as fans ran alongside the sometimes brisk procession down Figueroa Street hoping to catch a glimpse of the Larry O'Brien Trophy hoisted by Kobe Bryant. Bryant, named the MVP of the championship series, captured his fourth title and first without the help of Shaquille O'Neal, while coach Phil Jackson notched a record 10th NBA title, surpassing the legendary Red Auerbach. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Lakers celebrate NBA title Jun 18, 2009
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant holds up the Larry O'Brien trophy as the Lakers' NBA basketball world championship parade gets underway in Los Angeles, Wednesday, June 17, 2009 (AP Photo/Reed Saxon). . (Florida Today)
Jackson, Bryant put Lakers back on top Jun 17, 2009
" As for Bryant, he may be just hitting his stride. Now that he silenced all those who said he couldn't win it all without former teammate Shaquille O'Neal, Bryant can take aim at loftier goals. He has become a true leader, hardly the "uncoachable" player as he was once labeled in a book by Jackson when their relationship was on the rocks. Bryant is driven to win championships, and just this side of his 31st birthday, he is just two away from matching Jordan. Could Bryant eclipse Jordan as the... (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Around the USA: Champagne and history Jun 16, 2009
Even in Sunday's triumph there was weirdness, as Joey Buss, a front-office worker and one of Jerry's younger sons, accepted the Larry O'Brien trophy with a nod to. the Lakers' most hated rival. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Jackson, Bryant enjoy Lakers' journey Jun 16, 2009
If Bryant stays healthy and hungry, the Larry O'Brien Trophy could be settling out West for a while. Bryant has two years remaining on a $136 million contract he can option out of beginning next month. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Full circle with this ring Jun 16, 2009
Considered a pushover in the 2008 NBA Finals, Pau Gasol turned soft again - this time to embrace the Larry O'Brien Trophy after the Lakers won the championship. (Hans Deryk/Reuters). (Boston Globe)
Lakers beat Magic to win 15th NBA title Jun 16, 2009
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (L) holds the MVP trophy as teammate Derek Fisher holds the Larry O'Brien Championship trophy after the Lakers beat the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their NBA Finals basketball game in Orlando, Florida June 14, 2009. (Xinhua Photo). (People's Daily Online, China)
Arash MarkaziINSIDE THE NBA Jun 3, 2009
As much as this current Lakers team hangs on Fisher's every word like a preacher giving a sermon, he confesses he was a different person the last time the Lakers held up the Larry O'Brien trophy, in 2002. Back then, Fisher was a 27-year-old bachelor with no kids, coming off three straight championship seasons. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- NBA)
King dethroned May 31, 2009
They have broken huddles all season with the championship" cry and pictures of the Larry O'Brien trophy were strategically placed throughout the team's practice facility. The Magic quietly had "NBA CHAMPIONS" T-shirts printed up before the season and team staffers have worn lapel pins of the title trophy throughout the year.But the Magic are here after taking a wild, bumpy ride through the playoffs. They won in the first round after falling into a 2-1 hole against Philadelphia. They survived a... (Florida Today)
STYLE POINTS: Magic find playoff success in a unique way May 29, 2009
Curvature of the Earth, even, between them and the glint way beyond the horizon of the golden Larry O'Brien Trophy. Coach Stan Van Gundy and his crew are smart to soft-sell such suggestions and stamp down any premature giddiness, because they would face a frothing Western Conference opponent in the best-of-seven Finals even if they manage to survive 48, 96 or 144 more minutes against and the. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Clippers win draft lottery May 20, 2009
For the four teams still remaining in the playoffs, an appearance in the NBA final, and maybe a chance to hoist the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, are tangible goals. The rest of the league is busy getting a head start on preparations for the June 25 entry draft a planning process that got a lot clearer last night at the draft lottery for the 14 teams that missed the postseason, the Toronto Raptors among them. (Globe and Mail -- Sports)
MARKAZI:Sloan knew this could happen Apr 20, 2009
Just as Sloan had feared, Jazz appear to be no match for mighty Lakers - Arash Markazi - SI.com. Posted: Sunday April 19, 2009 9:26PM; Updated: Monday April 20, 2009 1:34AM. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
An NBAchampion in the making Apr 19, 2009
And, after watching James' performance in Game 1, they've got the superstar with Larry O'Brien on the brain. It's going to happen for James. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Pistons face Cavaliers: Will familiarity breed contempt? Apr 18, 2009
About to enter his fourth postseason, and this time fully confident he and his Cleveland teammates will finish what has been a season of seasons with the shiny Larry O'Brien Trophy in their grasp, James has learned the playoffs can turn the best of friends into the worst of enemies. "You're playing the same team over and over," he said. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Steve AschburnerINSIDE THE NBA Apr 15, 2009
The NBA soon will tabulate, announce and present its annual awards, which are shiny and nice enough, but pale in comparison to the Larry O'Brien and Bill Russell trophies given to the champions and Finals MVP, respectively. This season more than most -- maybe because times are tough all over, imposing a half-empty, best-of-the-worst outlook on so many of us -- seems to cry out for some alternative awards, parallel (and clearly bogus) versions to capture some less illustrious achievements from... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- NBA)
Budget uncertainties prompt delays in Town Meetings Apr 6, 2009
"We're building a budget on a sandbar that could get washed away quickly," said Larry O'Brien, chairman of Sudbury's Board of Selectmen. "It's so fluid that every couple of days you get a different story.". (Boston Globe)
Jazz evokes memories of 30 years ago Apr 5, 2009
All of the league's power rested with the Board of Governors, who were the team owners, while Commissioner Larry O'Brien was essentially powerless to intercede, regardless of how ludicrous was the reasoning for a franchise shift. CONTINUED 1. (Nola.com -- Sports)
ROUNDTABLE: Is adding Marbury a good move for the Celtics? Feb 26, 2009
Are Boston Celtics making a mistake adding Stephon Marbury. Posted: Wednesday February 25, 2009 12:29PM; Updated: Wednesday February 25, 2009 5:56PM. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- NBA)
Honoring a valued presence Feb 16, 2009
"While the Lakers, Cavaliers, and Spurs beg to differ, the Celtics seem to have just as much of a chance to win the NBA title as a year ago. Remember how emotional Pierce was when John Havlicek, Bob Cousy, and several other Celtics legends handed him the Larry O'Brien Trophy during the ring ceremony in the season opener? Well, the Celtics might have to get a box of tissues ready for a potentially even more emotional Pierce or Allen or Garnett if the Celtics not only win an 18th championship but... (Boston Globe)
Suns' exec had slam-dunk vision Feb 13, 2009
Welts pitched a second event day with an old-timers game and slam dunk contest to Stern, who in turn pitched the idea to outgoing commissioner Larry O'Brien. "It did not go over very well," Welts said. (AZCentral -- Sports)
SILVER SALUTE Feb 7, 2009
That was toward the end of the reign of Larry O'Brien as NBA commissioner. The league was hemorrhaging red ink, its public image was poor, its players rather frugally paid, its franchises potential vagabonds at the whims of capricious owners who practically did what they wanted with O'Brien powerless to stop them. (Nola.com -- Sports)
