Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to the franchise’s 15th championship last season, averaging close to 27 points a game. He was named the playoff MVP after winning his fourth NBA title. (Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times)
Michael Jordan averaged more than 30 points a game as the Bulls captured their fourth NBA title following a 72-win season in 1995-96. It would be the start of a second run of three championship in a row -- six in eight seasons -- for the Bulls. (Brian Bahr / AFP / Getty Images)
Pau Gasol, center, averaged nearly 20 points a game and led the Lakers in rebounding last season with an average of 9.6. The eight-year veteran from Spain, acquired in the 2007-08 season from Memphis, was the final piece to the Lakers’ championship puzzle. (Jeff Lewis / Associated Press)
Ron Artest, who played with the Houston Rockets last season, was acquired by the Lakers in the off-season. Artest, who averaged more than 17 points and five rebounds a game last season, is a defensive standout who gives the Lakers as good a perimeter one-two punch as any duo in the league. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
Advertisement
Forward Dennis Rodman, in his first season with the Bulls, averaged nearly 15 rebounds a game in 57 starts. He was a perfect fit for team that had some plodding big men on the front line and had lost power forward Horace Grant to the Magic via free agency. (Brian Bahr / Allsport)
Guard Derek Fisher started every game for the Lakers last season, averaging 9.9 points, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals a game. The 13-year veteran is playoff tested, having won four rings along with Kobe Bryant, and not afraid to take the big shot with the game on the line. (Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times)
Forward Toni Kukoc played in 81 games for the Bulls during the 1995-96 season, averaging 13.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists. After starting in 55 games the season before, he primarily came off the bench. Like the Lakers’ Lamar Odom, this versatile forward fit well with the starting and second units. (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)
Forward Lamar Odom averaged 11.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 blocked shots and one steal a game for the Lakers during the 2008-09 championship season. His ability to play multiple positions and fit in well with the starting and second units make him all the more valuable. (Dave Einsel / EPA)
Advertisement
Ron Harper, center, averaged 7.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 80 games for the Bulls during the 1995-96 season. The veteran floor leader was a prototypical Phil Jackson point guard -- 6-foot-6 with solid defensive abilities. (Michael Conroy / Associated Press)
Center Andrew Bynum, right, averaged 14.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.8 blocked shots and 1.2 assists a game despite missing a large portion of the 2008-09 season with a knee injury. The 7-footer gave the Lakers a much-needed defensive presence in the lane. (Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
Center Luc Longley averaged more than nine points and five rebounds in 62 games for the Bulls during the 1995-96 season. Although not a big offensive force, he made 48% of his shots from the field and 78% of his free throws. (Beth A. Keiser / Associated Press)
Jordan Farmar goes up for a shot against the Clippers’ Baron Davis. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
Advertisement
Chicago guard Steve Kerr, right, played an important role for the Bulls coming off the bench during the 1995-96 season, averaging 8.1 points and and 2.3 assists while shooting 50.5% from the field, 51.5% from three-point range and 92.9% from the free-throw line. (Todd Rosenberg / Allsport)
Bulls Coach Phil Jackson celebrates with Michael Jordan after winning his fourth NBA title as a coach. Jackson was named the NBA Coach of the Year following Chicago’s 72-win season in 1995-96. (Beth A. Keiser / Associated Press)
Phil Jackson, who guided the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles in the 1990s, won his fourth championship with the Lakers last season, giving the coach an unprecedented 10 titles. (Gabriel Bouys / AFP/Getty Images)