Brilliant Bryant breathes sigh of relief

Kobe Bryant admitted “a big old monkey” was off his back after winning his fourth NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, his first without the help of former team-mate Shaquille O’Neal.

Bryant led the Lakers with 30 points to their 15th NBA championship with a 99-86 win over the Orlando Magic in game five of the NBA finals at Orlando’s Amway Arena, to seal the best-of-seven series 4-1.