Basketball

“I Cried”: Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal’s 15-point Comeback in WCF Game 7 Broke Jermaine O’Neal, Scottie Pippen and Blazers fans’ Hearts

Nithin Joseph
|PublishedDec 20, 2022

“I Cried”: Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal’s 15-point Comeback in WCF Game 7 Broke Jermaine O’Neal, Scottie Pippen and Blazers fans' Hearts

Credits: USA TODAY SPORTS & Twitter

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.

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.

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Also Read: “Shaquille O’Neal Wanted to End Kobe Bryant’s Life”: Big Diesel Would Have Violently Harmed Mamba Is 6ft 11” Sonic’s Center Hadn’t Stepped In

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.

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“Bruh it was one of the 20 times I cried in my life. I remember sitting on the bench, literally tears coming out of my eyes because…bro you put so much into it and as a young player I knew these opportunities don’t come around. I’m just hearing all the OGs talk about it and to have the opportunity to play in the NBA Finals. Bro you grew up watching that. The Jordans, the Magics, the Isiah Thomas’, the Larry Birds. It was a hard pill to swallow. But the good part about it is that it helped me understand what it took to be a pro and have the opportunity to get there!”

It truly was a difficult time for Jermaine, but the combo of Diesel and the Black Mamba was unstoppable. Until they broke up in 2004.

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.

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

About the author

Nithin Joseph

Nithin is a content writer at The SportsRush. Like his favorite athlete Kobe Bryant, the company has helped Nithin elevate his writing skills to a whole new level, especially as an NBA content writer. With over 1500 articles to his name, Nithin's love for the sport knows no bounds. And, as he continues to watch the sport on a daily basis, he hopes his fascination with the NBA, especially the Miami Heat will inspire more and more readers to give the sport a chance. Perhaps, one day making basketball in India as big as it is in the United States.