2009 YEARENDER: Bryant, Iverson at opposite ends of the basketball world

Dec 31, 2009, 14:52 GMT

Los Angeles - Separated by just 12 picks in the 1996 draft, Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson are an NBA world apart.

Both players have won scoring titles, MVP awards and the adoration of fans around the globe. Both are headed for basketball immortality in the Hall of Fame.

But in 2009, Bryant's ascent to the top of the basketball world was mirrored by Iverson's descent to the bottom.

While Bryant is the game's best player on its best team, Iverson is unemployed, petulantly painting himself into a professional corner.

The year also saw Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic turn the Boston Celtics into former champions and LeBron James into a poor sport. Shaquille O'Neal was traded again, Yao Ming's season ended early again and the Los Angeles Clippers had the top pick in the draft again.

Those were mere sidebars to Bryant, who won scoring titles in 2006 and 2007 and MVP in 2008 but had not won a championship as the leader of the Los Angeles Lakers. He put that criticism to rest, avenging last year's loss to Boston by dispatching Orlando in five games and winning the Finals MVP.

'It was like Chinese water torture, just keep dropping a drop of water on your temple,' Bryant said. 'It was just annoying.'

The path to the title was made easier by Pau Gasol. After being pushed around by Boston the previous year, the Spanish star answered critics by adding force to his finesse.

'I think the thing that helped us get to this level was the improvements that (Gasol) made defensively,' Bryant said.

'Last year's experience, I think it made us tougher, it made us grow as a team, and we all were hurt by it,' Gasol said.

The title was the 15th for the Lakers and record 10th for coach Phil Jackson, who surpassed the legendary Red Auerbach. They are favored to repeat as champions.

While Bryant was climbing to the mountaintop, Iverson was plummeting. The top pick in the 1996 draft, 2001 MVP and four-time scoring champion was forced to come off the bench in Detroit. Sitting did not sit well with him.

'I'd rather retire before I do this again,' he boldly declared.

A back injury - and perhaps a bruised ego - ended his season. In free agency he discovered there was little interest for a 34-year-old set in his ways.

The woeful Memphis Grizzlies came calling, looking to capitalize on his popularity and sell tickets. But they could not sell Iverson on being a reserve. Iverson came off the bench for three games before leaving the team for personal reasons.

'I don't think it has anything to do with me being selfish,' he said. 'It's just who I am. I don't want to change what gave me all the success that I've had since I've been in this league. I'm not a sixth man. And that's that.'

The Grizzlies waived Iverson, who waits by the phone for a call that may never come. With no takers, the frustrated star sadly announced on November 25 plans to call it quits.

'I always thought that when I left the game, it would be because I couldn't help my team the way that I was accustomed to,' Iverson said on a website. 'However, that is not the case.'

The play-offs had plenty of drama. The Celtics - minus injured superstar Kevin Garnett - outlasted the Chicago Bulls in seven games that featured seven overtimes and the coming-out party for Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose.

But the Celtics ran out of gas against the Howard and the Magic, who became just the fourth team to win a Game Seven in Boston. They used that momentum to upset James' Cleveland Cavaliers and reach the Finals for the first time since 1995.

It was a disappointing finish for James, who led the Cavs to a league-best 66 wins and won MVP honours. He did not shake hands with Magic players and blew off the media afterward, drawing criticism.

With James a free agent next summer, the Cavs made a bold move in trading for the 37-year-old O'Neal, hoping he will neutralize Howard, bring a title to Cleveland and keep James in his home state.

The Celtics added forward Rasheed Wallace and the Magic traded for guard Vince Carter as the Eastern Conference's elite loaded up.

Yao's Houston Rockets challenged the Lakers until the unlucky Chinese superstar went down with a fractured left foot that knocked him out for the 2009-2010 campaign.

The Clippers always seem to be playing for the future. After losing 63 games, they won the draft lottery and used the first pick on forward Blake Griffin, whom many regard as a future All-Star.

But the 'Clipper Curse' struck again as Griffin broke his kneecap in the preseason, delaying his debut until late December. At least that will be a nice way to end the year.