Bryant wins NBA Finals MVP award en route to fourth ring

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Kobe Bryant has the NBA title he needed most: the one without Shaq.

Bryant's seven-year chase for an NBA championship is over. He's got his fourth. One year after failing in the finals to Boston, Bryant and the L.A. Lakers have redemption.

They earned their 15th title as Bryant contributed 30 points, six rebounds, five assists and four blocks in the Lakers' clinching 99-86 win that eliminated Orlando in five games.

It took longer than Bryant expected, but he finally stepped out of former teammate Shaquille O'Neal's enormous shadow -- at last. His fourth championship secured a strong case can be made for Bryant being the league's best player since Michael Jordan hung up his sneakers in 2003.

After the final horn, Bryant leaped into the air and was quickly engulfed by his teammates, who bounced around the floor of Amway Arena. Bryant then gave a long, heartfelt hug and shared a few words with coach Phil Jackson before sweeping up his daughters, both wearing gold Lakers dresses, into his arms.