In the Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, when Yao Ming scored a crucial "Second Attack" bucket over Tim Duncan with 3 minutes and 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter and earned a chance for an additional free throw, Kobe was the first one to rush over and threw a punch toward Yao's tightly clenched fists against his chest.
He really wanted to shout, "I have the best teammate in the world!"
After that "and-one," the Lakers sealed a 10-point lead and eventually eliminated the Spurs with a 97 to 86 victory.
A buzz rose from the crowd, and the DJ shouted immediately, "The Finals, The Purple Gold Dynasty is back. Pacers, are you ready? Kobe and Yao Ming are bringing the Lakers!"
Kobe and Yao embraced, celebrating their Western Conference Championship in their first year of forming the "replica OK". Kobe silently whispered to himself,
I'm back in the Finals!
From the summer of '04 to the summer of '07, Kobe had made it back to the Finals stage once again.
