ORLANDO, Fla. --- The coach stood to the side and watched as his team executed its final play of the NBA season to perfection. It's the one that had worked nine previous times. This wasn't his famed triangle offense; this was the celebration circle.
Phil Jackson smiled as his Los Angeles Lakers, each armed with a champagne bottle, popped corks and doused each other with bubbly late Sunday after winning their 15th title -- and first since 2002 -- with a 99-86 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 5.
United all year, the Lakers screamed as one.
Kobe Bryant then dragged Jackson into the frothy fray.
"It's been a long time since he had a champagne bath," said Bryant, who enriched his legacy as one of the game's all-time greats with a fourth title and Finals MVP award. "I knew that, so I made sure he became part of our circle and we got him pretty good."
The Zen Master had his 10th title, one more than Red Auerbach.
The Lakers, who drifted between disinterested and divine during stretches this season, put it all together in their final game, a rout sealed with a 16-0 spurt in the second quarter that showcased the club's depth, versatility and Bryant's sheer will.
Jackson, who has been vague about his plans beyond this season, delighted in his teams' development. Borrowing one of the mantras of his meditative training, he preached to them about staying in the moment. Don't look back. Don't look too far ahead. Don't waste opportunity. Enjoy the journey.
The Lakers listened and learned.
"They came together this year and were self-motivated, and for a coach that's a positive sign," said Jackson, who won six titles in Chicago before taking over the Lakers in 1999. "When a team is ready, they're aggressive, their learning curve is high and they wanted to win."
Though he might not have shown it, Jackson wanted it, too.
"You can see it in his eyes," Bryant said.
"I've always felt as a coach you have to push your team," Jackson said, "and I told them they had to push themselves."
Bryant can't imagine playing for anyone but Jackson, his coach for nine seasons in Los Angeles. After Game 5, guard Derek Fisher, who won his fourth ring, couldn't picture the Lakers without Jackson.
"I know it's part of the business and it can happen, but to take away the chef who stirs the pot -- it'll be a different batch of stew, I'll tell you that much," Fisher said. "I have no idea what his plans are, and how tonight makes him feel, or where he feels he wants to go from here. I know for a fact that I want to play for him, next season and for as long as I'm capable of playing.
"That's who I want to play for."
PARADE STILL ON AFTER ROWDY CROWDS
Looting and vandalism that broke out after the Lakers' championship win won't keep the city from celebrating the team's victory: City officials and the Lakers are planning a victory parade they hope will overshadow unrest the police chief blames on a mob of "knuckleheads."
Police reviewed security video and media images Monday to identify suspects who caused damage downtown the night before. Police Chief William Bratton said many known gang members were in the crowd.
A parade was being planned for Wednesday. City officials were meeting Monday afternoon to plan for security and a rally at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the Lakers and the city will kick in about $1 million apiece for the party. Citing the city's financial crisis, unions representing police, traffic officers and street and sanitation workers demanded the Lakers or other private groups pay for it.
Bratton said he didn't know how much it will cost to provide security for the parade, but he said the team and members of the business community planned to provide financial assistance.
After Sunday's win, fires were set, objects were thrown at police officers, businesses were looted and vehicles were vandalized.
Eight police officers were injured and 18 people were arrested Sunday. Two more people were arrested Monday when neighbors of a looted shoe store alerted authorities to two residents of an adjacent building, and police found shoeboxes inside.
-- Associated Press
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"Hey, the Lakers won. I must go steal something!" Must be a California tradition!