Clearly, Lakers Possess Champion DNA

ORLANDO -- This is what true champions do. Somehow, when it matters most, they forget their recent ugliness, and they remember their past glory. Mostly, they discover ways in a hurry to overcome their opponents and themselves.

So the eternal doubters of these Los Angeles Lakers should consider this: Even before they make it official against the Orlando Magic, either on Sunday at Amway Arena during Game 5 or next week inside Staples Center for a possible Game 6 or an unlikely Game 7, these Lakers are true champions. They have the stuff of their predecessors, ranging from Jerry West to Magic Johnson to Shaquille O'Neal.

It just took a while to show it.

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There were those three other playoff rounds for these Lakers that featured spurts of lethargy against inferior foes, from Utah, Houston and Denver. Still, they survived back then, just as they did a botched Orlando layup at the end of Game 2 that led to an overtime victory instead of a defeat in regulation play. They clobbered the Magic in the opener, but they were victims of the most prolific shooting team in Finals history in Game 3.

Then came Thursday night at Amway Arena, where the Lakers' 99-91 victory in overtime for a 3-1 lead in this best-of-seven series made no sense.

Trevor Ariza was doing nothing.

"Yeah, it was a struggle for him tonight on defense and offense," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson, nodding, while recalling how Ariza shot and missed all six of his shots during the first half. Not only that, with Ariza theoretically guarding him across the way, Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu went nuts (5-for-6 from the floor on the way to 15 points by intermission).

Just like that, Ariza did everything. With the Lakers needing energy and points after starting the second half trailing 49-37, he gave them both. He finished with 16 points. In fact, his three-pointer midway through the third quarter pulled the Lakers to within one of the Magic at 54-53, and a potential blowout became a squeaker.

"No, I don't put no pressure on myself," said Ariza, sounding like most true champions. "I just go out and play the game. That's when you start messing up when you put too much pressure on yourself. Just come into the game clear and just try to play hard."

Kobe Bryant was playing hard, but he also was doing nothing -- at least compared to his usually prolific self. For the second consecutive time against the Magic, The Best Closer In The Game was a mess in the fourth quarter. He tried to split a double team (again) and turned the ball over (again). He missed shots from long and medium range. He blew a couple in the lane. Worse, he was evolving into a one-man act (again) with his teammates serving as spectators with the rest of the assembled 17,461.

Just like that, Bryant did everything. Remember this name: Derek Fisher. I'll mention it several more times, because he is the essence of what I'm talking about here, and let's start with this: Near the end of regulation play, the Magic led 87-84, and the Lakers called timeout with 10.8 seconds left.

"I'm sure you know who the play was designed for," said Fisher, the Lakers' elder statesman as a massive grin slid across his 34-year-old face. "So the ball will always be in Kobe's hands down the stretch, unless the defense does something to take it away."

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ORLANDO,FL - JUNE 11: Head Coach Stan Van Gundy of the Orlando Magic speaks to the media after Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals at Amway Arena on June 11, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Stan Van Gundy

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Los Angeles Lakers Pau Gasol (C) grabs a rebound in front of Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard (R) and Jameer Nelson during Game 4 of their NBA Finals basketball game in Orlando, Florida, June 11, 2009. REUTERS/Larry W. Smith/Pool (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL IMAGES OF THE DAY)

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes after the ball in front of a diving (L) Jameer Nelson #14 of the Orlando Magic in Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. 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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Derek Fisher;Jameer Nelson

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Head coach Stan Van Gundy of the Orlando Magic reacts on the side line in Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. 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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Stan Van Gundy

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Jameer Nelson #14 of the Orlando Magic dives for the ball underneath Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. 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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jameer Nelson;Derek Fisher

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers is guarded by Jameer Nelson #14 of the Orlando Magic in Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. 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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Derek Fisher;Jameer Nelson

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Jameer Nelson #14 of the Orlando Magic moves the ball out in front of Derek Fisher #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. 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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jameer Nelson;Derek Fisher

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Head coach Phil Jackson of the Los Angeles Lakers discusses a call with referee Scott Foster in the second half against the Orlando Magic in Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. 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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Phil Jackson;Scott Foster

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Hedo Turkoglu #15 of the Orlando Magic runs up court in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. 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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Hedo Turkoglu

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Dwight Howard #12 listens to head coach Stan Van Gundy of the Orlando Magic in Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. 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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dwight Howard;Stan Van Gundy

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The Magic defense did just that, with a quick double team in the back court, but such a thing hadn't kept Bryant before from trying to do too much (see the entire game up to that point). This time, he took the inbounds pass and fired a perfect throw to Ariza, who delivered the ball across the way to Fisher.

You've guessed it. Fisher was doing nothing, especially from three-point territory, where he was 0-for-5.

Guess what the Lakers needed?

You know what they got.

"[It was] just recognizing why I was missing the ones that I missed in the first half and earlier in that second half and continuing to understand that I'm capable," said Fisher, who eventually nailed the three-pointer from Tampa.

He's been around for 13 NBA seasons, including nine with the Lakers. He was there for their three-peat to world championships into the summer of 2002. Added Fisher, "You know, I have a responsibility to my team that if I'm going to be on the floor, then I have to make a difference. None of us can continue at times to just expect that Kobe is going to save us."

Even so, Kobe contributed more than that pass at the close of regulation. He hit the Lakers' first couple of shots in overtime to keep the Lakers moving toward more drama from Fisher near the end. Inside the final minute, with the game tied at 91-91, Kobe battled through a double team, slugged Orlando's Jameer Nelson in the face with an elbow (accidentally, of course) and passed to Fisher.

Another three-pointer for Fisher, and it was over.

The game and the series.