The LA Lakers were one of the most dominant teams in the early 2000s. The franchise, led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant instilled fear in all their opponents.
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The duo together won three championships in their eight seasons. They even left some players in tears with their one-two punch.
Like Jermaine O’Neal. The 6’11” forward cried when Shaq and Kobe ran through him, Scottie Pippen, and the Blazers in the Western Conference Finals.
Kobe Bryant and Shaq made Jermaine O’Neal and the Trail Blazers cry
The 2000 NBA Playoffs were a heck of a watch. The post-season had some thrilling series, including a Western Conference Finals between the LA Lakers and the Portland Trailblazers.
The Blazers had a heck of a team, featuring the likes of Scottie Pippen, Rasheed Wallace, and Jermaine O’Neal. A great team indeed, but a team that suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Lakers led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
It was a close series, but Shaq and Kobe were too much, as they defeated Portland in seven, leaving Jermaine O’Neal and Rip City in tears.
Shaquille O’Neal left Kobe and LA in 2004 ending the Laker’s dynasty
In 2004, the feared Lakers dynasty came to an end. After eight seasons of dominance, Shaquille O’Neal decided to leave Kobe Bryant and LA for the Miami Heat. Multiple contract disputes and the Lakers’ indecision on committing to Shaq led to his departure.
On this date in 2004: Shaquille O’Neal was traded by the Lakers to the Heat for 3 players and a future 1st-rd choice, marking the official end to the Shaq-Kobe era in L.A. after 3 NBA titles.
After their split, Shaq went on to win one more ring, while Kobe won two more. pic.twitter.com/1uk7SLCxPE
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 14, 2020
It certainly was a shocking trade. But all’s well that ends well, seeing as both men went on to find great success.
Also Read: “You Never Think Superheroes Die”: Kobe Bryant’s Death Froze Matt Barnes in Disbelief
