How did the Lakers regain their status as world champions of basketball after flopping so badly in the NBA Finals the previous season?

Leading Scorers (12 or more points per game): Shooting guard Kobe Bryant (30), center Pau Gasol (18), power forward Lamar Odom (15) and Trevor Ariza (11.3)

Leading Rebounders (5 or more rebounds/game): Gasol (11), Odom (9) and Bryant (5)

Assists' Leader (5 or more assists/game): Bryant (5.5; Bryant's willingness to involve his teammates was the difference)

Leading Shot Blockers (1 or more blocks per game): Backup center Andrew Bynum (1.8), Odom (1.3) and Gasol (1)

NBA Finals' Game 5 Recap: The Lakers' beat the Orlando Magic fairly convincingly (99-86) led by superstar Kobe Bryant (30 points on 10-23 shooting from the field in 43 minutes, 6 rebounds, 5 assists), power forward Lamar Odom (17 points on 5-12 shooting in 32 minutes, 10 rebounds), small forward Trevor Ariza (15 points on 5-12 shooting in 41 minutes, 5 rebounds), center Pau Gasol (14 points on 5-9 shooting in 42 minutes, 15 rebounds) and point guard Derek Fisher (13 points on 4-7 shooting in 33 minutes, 4 rebounds). The Lakers' other center Andrew Bynum (6 points, 5 personal fouls) was the only Laker to play poorly as the team shot approximately 44% from the field (35-80) and 75% (21-28) from the free throw line. Why did the Magic lose this game? Rashard Lewis scored 18 points, but was only 6-19 from the field, Jameer Nelson was only 2-7 from the field (he had major shoulder surgery that he rushed back from and the impact of the long, injury-induced layoff was plain for all to see) and 3 STARTERS (Turkoglu, Howard & Alston) were in serious foul trouble picking up 5 fouls apiece, allowing the Lakers to get to the basket with increasing ease as time wore on. The best thing about the Lakers winning their 15th title in 2008-09? According to Bryant "I don't have to hear that idiotic criticism anymore" (i.e. the "Can he win it without Shaq" criticism) 

Why the Lakers' Won The 2009 NBA Title: Kobe Bryant knew that he needed his teammates. He was 11-23 from the field (about 48%), but he also had 5 rebounds and most importantly, 5 assists. In the 2008 NBA Finals, Kobe was throwing up bricks (7-22; less than 33%) and he only had 1 assist in a 29-point drubbing by Boston Celtics (remember that alley-oop pass attempt to Gasol that was too high and ended in a Rajon Rondo to Leon powe slam dunk? That was one of the few passes that Bryant was actually WILLING to make last year). So, we can see how this guy has transformed into a much more complete player as opposed to being merely a pure scorer who can't do much else.

Key Acquisition: Ron Artest for Trevor Ariza; this is definitely a good get for the Lakers. Artest brings production (17 points 5 rebounds) as they chase title #16 while Ariza, who is still developing his game (9 points, 4 rebounds) joins a rebuilding Rockets team which, will, in all likelihood be without center Yao Ming, who is out indefinitely with a broken foot, an injury that could potentially end his career. Ariza has yet to average double figures in scoring in 5 NBA seasons.