Kobe Bryant grabbed my outstretched arm and pulled me in. My head rested against the Larry O'Brien Trophy he clutched in his other arm. For a split-second it almost made me feel like I had helped win the championship.

"How do you like that?" he asked. Before I could answer, champagne showered down on us, courtesy of Ron Harper. We weren't wet enough, so Devean George emptied a bottle of water on us.

I could see Rick Fox holding court on the other side of the locker room, standing on his chair with 15 cameras and as many mikes pointed at him. His eyes were red from a combination of champagne and tears.

When the champagne was gone, Harp broke out a case of Miller Lite that he and BShaw promptly emptied in about five minutes. Robert Horry's dad took as many pictures as he could with a disposable camera.

For years I had watched celebrations exactly like this on TV. From Brent Musberger interviewing Magic (back when the NBA used to be on CBS), to David Stern presenting MJ the championship trophy. Those images are ingrained in my mind forever.

Now I was right in the middle of it.

On the way out of the locker room I picked up a cork from one of the champagne bottles. It still had the sweet smell of success on it. I tucked it away in my pocket. It's my reminder that on June 15, 2001, it almost felt like I won a championship.

Chris Palmer covers The NBA Life for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at christopher.palmer@espnmag.com.