LOS ANGELES  Maybe it was something Jerry West said after all.

The former Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer, who was responsible for the franchise acquiring Kobe Bryant 13 years ago, recently said that the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James had surpassed the Lakers guard as pro basketball's premier player.

GAME 1 REPORT: Lakers 100, Magic 75

In one of the most dominating openers to the NBA Finals, the strictly business Bryant invigorated the Lakers with 40 points in a crushing 100-75 triumph Thursday against the Orlando Magic.

"I think the best thing we can do is forget about it," said Bryant, who added eight assists, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots. "This is a resilient Orlando Magic team."

It was the Magic's worst loss in these playoffs, and it was their lowest point total since Feb. 11. They defeated the Lakers in both regular-season games.

"As a team, they kicked our butts on the board," said Dwight Howard, league defensive player of the year, held to one field goal and 12 points.

Bryant, providing a momentum burst, scored 30 points during a 16-minute span from the second quarter into the third.

The Lakers pounded the Magic, outscoring them 56-22 in the paint and outrebounding them 55-41. "We're going to have to pick up our competitive nature," Magic guard Rafer Alston said.

And put down the history books.

The Magic, heading into Sunday's Game 2 in Los Angeles, face an ominous deficit even after one game.

Orlando must stare down history to overcome the favored Lakers: Phil Jackson-coached teams have a 43-0 record after winning the first of a best-of-five- or seven-game series.

"We've just got to keep our foot on the gas and keep our head down and just keep on working," Bryant said.

The last time the Lakers were seen in the Finals, they were heading toward their locker room in Boston last June and summer break after being drubbed by 39 points in a series-ending Game 6 by the Celtics. The renewed rivalry between the league's superpowers never panned out.

Bryant and his teammates have used that humiliation to motivate them all season and throughout these playoffs.

They are on a mission.

The Magic, who went 2-0 against the Lakers in the regular season, appeared a touch overwhelmed in their first Finals appearance since 1995. Not even the return of All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson from a four-month layoff after shoulder surgery could help the Eastern Conference champions.

Orlando center Howard was engulfed by two and three Lakers every time he touched the ball and scored 12 points — 10 on free throws — on just 1-of-6 shooting.

"We did a good job on him, but he'll be ready to go Game 2," Bryant said. "We worked very hard on the perimeter, keeping those guys out of rhythm, then we did a good job on him inside — giving him different looks."

And the Magic's outside shooters, so deadly while eliminating MVP James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference finals, were off the mark. The Magic went just 8-of-23 on threes and shot only 30% overall.

"We've never had a shooting night this bad," Howard said. "We've just got to come out and give a better effort than we put out tonight."

Bryant slithered around Magic defenders with ease. Bryant scored an effortless 18 points in the first half and then took over in the third quarter, scoring 18 of L.A.'s 29 points with an assortment of jumpers, fadeaways and layups.

"He was great. He was tremendous," said Van Gundy, who felt his team did a poor job defending the Lakers' pick and roll. "We were giving him too much space on his pull-up jumpers and he did a good job of attacking us. I know this: We are a lot better than we showed."

With the 24-second shot clock running down on one possession, he froze Mickael Pietrus with a head fake and then sliced between Howard and Rashard Lewis, who looked as if they might applaud him, too. Moments later, Bryant whipped a pass to teammate Trevor Ariza, who buried a three-pointer to make it 80-58.

Bryant pumped both fists and yelled toward Ariza. But this time, Bryant, who can be demanding of those around him, was offering support. Accused of being aloof and selfish, he has become a better teammate and a better leader.

Nelson sat the first quarter as he has throughout the playoffs, but Van Gundy started him in the second quarter and the healed guard made an immediate impact.

Nervously chomping on his black mouthpiece and darting as always, he made a sweet bounce pass to Marcin Gortat for a dunk on Orlando's first possession in the period. Nelson then set up Lewis for a three before making his first basket in four months on a short baseline jumper.

Nelson was back and the Magic, who dethroned the champion Celtics and toppled King James, looked as if they'd give the Lakers a run.

Bryant, though, outran them by himself.

Notes: Bryant's 40 were a career high in the finals, and it was the 10th time he has scored 40 or more in the playoffs. ... Van Gundy said the toughest part of his decision to play Nelson was telling guard Tyronn Lue he would be inactive. ... Bryant is ranked as the world's 10th biggest celebrity by Forbes. Bryant was the second highest ranked athlete, trailing only Tiger Woods, who was No. 5. According to the magazine, Bryant made $45 million in salary and endorsements this year. ... With 206 playoff wins, Jackson trails only Hall of Fame hockey coach Scotty Bowman (223) for the most wins in postseason history.

Contributing: The Associated Press