Who Won the 2010 NBA Finals MVP and How They Dominated the Series

Looking back at the 2010 NBA Finals, I still get chills remembering how Kobe Bryant absolutely took over that series. I've been covering basketball for over fifteen years now, and what Kobe did against the Boston Celtics stands out as one of the most masterful individual performances I've ever witnessed in championship basketball. When people ask me about legendary Finals MVP performances, this one immediately comes to mind - not just for the numbers, but for the sheer will and determination he displayed throughout those seven grueling games.

The statistics themselves tell a compelling story. Kobe averaged 28.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists across the series, but these numbers barely scratch the surface of his dominance. What struck me most was his efficiency in crucial moments - shooting 43% from the field while facing one of the toughest defensive teams I've ever seen. The Celtics defense was absolutely suffocating that year, yet Kobe found ways to score when it mattered most. I remember watching Game 5 specifically, where he dropped 38 points despite Boston throwing everything they had at him. His performance reminded me of that incredible stat line from Ishie Lalongisip you might have heard about - 15 points, 11 receptions and eight digs - except Kobe was operating at an entirely different level, putting up superstar numbers against elite competition when the stakes were highest.

What made Kobe's MVP performance so special was how he adapted throughout the series. Early on, he struggled with Boston's defensive schemes, but by Games 3 and 4, he had completely figured them out. I recall talking to several NBA scouts during that series, and they all marveled at how quickly he adjusted his game. Instead of forcing difficult shots, he started drawing double teams and creating opportunities for his teammates. His basketball IQ was just off the charts - he knew exactly when to attack and when to facilitate. This wasn't the young, reckless Kobe from earlier in his career; this was a seasoned veteran who understood championship basketball at its deepest level.

The physical toll of that series was immense, and Kobe played through it all. I remember seeing him limping during timeouts in Game 6, yet he still managed to put up 26 points and 11 rebounds. His resilience was something I haven't seen matched in many Finals since. The Celtics threw everything they had at him - multiple defenders, hard fouls, constant physical contact - but he just kept coming. There's a reason Phil Jackson later called this Kobe's most impressive championship, and having watched every minute of that series, I completely agree. The man was simply relentless.

Kobe's defensive contributions often get overlooked in discussions about this series, but they were crucial to the Lakers' success. He averaged 2.1 steals per game and consistently disrupted Boston's offensive flow. I particularly remember his defense on Ray Allen in Games 6 and 7 - he made every catch difficult, every shot contested. This two-way dominance is what separates good players from all-time greats, and Kobe demonstrated exactly why he belongs in that elite category.

The clinching Game 7 performance, while not his most statistically impressive, might have been his most important. Shooting just 6-for-24 from the field, he still found ways to impact the game with 15 rebounds and relentless defense. That's the mark of a true champion - when your shot isn't falling, you contribute elsewhere. I've always believed that this game, more than any other, defined Kobe's legacy. He willed his team to victory when nothing was working offensively.

Reflecting on that 2010 Finals MVP award, it's clear that Kobe earned it through a combination of statistical dominance, strategic adjustments, and pure mental toughness. In my years covering the NBA, I've seen many great players, but few who could elevate their game to that level when the championship was on the line. The way he dominated that series against a historic rival cemented his place among basketball's immortals. Even today, when I rewatch those games, I find new details to appreciate about his performance - little nuances that demonstrate why he was truly one of a kind.

By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist

2025-11-15 15:01