It was 1996 when the Lakers were looking to build a super team. They wanted to bring a championship back to LA. Well, this is how they did it. Enjoy!
First, the Lakers were looking to bring Shaq on the team. They signed him on July 18, 1996, on a 7 year $120 million dollar deal. Next, the Lakers wanted another young star to help Shaq. At the time their GM, Jerry West, made one of the best moves ever. He invited Kobe Bryant to an NBA court. There, he had Kobe play a 1v1 against one of the best defenders in Lakers history, Michael Cooper. Jerry West said after the 1v1 that Kobe just “marched over him”. After this Jerry West was eager to get Kobe, so he traded away Vlade Divac. Well, that was a great move and you’ll see why. They also drafted D-Fish or Derek Fisher, who in my opinion, is one of the most clutch players in Lakers History.
Let’s go to the final month where the Lakers record is 56-26 with the 4th seed in the West. In the first round, they defeat the Portland Trailblazers, but however, they fell to the Utah Jazz in 5 games, who eventually went to the Finals falling to Michael Jordan and the Bulls. Well, it was a good try, but they needed to try better. Also, Shaq and Eddie Jones went to the All-star game, while Kobe won the Dunk Contest.
Let’s fast-forward to the 1999-2000 season where the Lakers hired the Bulls head coach, Phil Jackson, who helped the Bulls get 6 championships with 2 three-peats. Now with Phil Jackson on the team, you would think that Kobe & Shaq would have the best relationship ever right, WRONG. Apparently, Kobe and Shaq hated each other. Well, the Lakers still made the playoffs that year. So it’s the Playoffs, and the Lakers start well defeating the Houston Rockets in the Finals. But they were swept by the eventual champions, the San Antonio Spurs.
Alright, it’s 2000, and the Lakers are not joking this season. They finished with a 67-15 record and the 1st seed in the West. Shaq won his first MVP averaging 29.7 points per game. In the first round of the Playoffs, the Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings in 5 games. Then they defeated the Phoenix Suns in 5 games. Okay, it’s serious now. One more series until the Finals. They were facing the Portland Trailblazers. The Lakers led 3-1 in the series. But after they lost game 5 at home, they went to play game 6 in Portland where they lost again. Okay, it’s game 6 now. The Lakers were down by 15 points, and then they went on a 25-4 run to take the lead. Then one of the most iconic moments in NBA history happened, the lob from Kobe to Shaq to secure the game. So the Lakers have made the Finals. The Lakers were able to defeat the Pacers to get their first championship.
They ended up winning the Finals in 2001 and 2002, to get a three-peat. But Kobe Bryant and Shaq started to disagree on things. Even though Kobe and Shaq were playing their best basketball, they argued a lot. The Lakers finished with the 5th seed in the Wets. In the 2003 Playoffs they defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in 6 games, but lost to the eventual champions, the Spurs. Let’s move on.
It’s 2004 and the Lakers signed veterans Karl Malone and Gary Payton. The Lakers were the favorites to win the Finals. They finished with a 56-26 record with the 2nd seed in the West. Well after diving through the Playoffs, they were back in the Finals. This time they were facing the Detroit Pistons. People thought the Lakers would crush them, but after 5 games, the Lakers lost. This was very disappointing, considering they added two veterans. This is where Kobe and Shaq hate each other the most. They criticized each other on little things and eventually Shaq got traded. People say if they stayed they could have won 5 championships. Well, near the end of their careers, they became friends. They discussed their feud. Unfortunately, Kobe Bryant passed away on January 26, 2020, with his daughter Gianna Bryant.
Well, that’s it for this one. Hope you al enjoyed!
Sam's Best Blog 