“Lakers Brought Their Own Referees?”: Charles Barkley Questions Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal’s 2002 NBA Champion on National Television

Shaquille O’Neal won 4 championships during his career in the NBA. And while we see that it is a well-known fact, we bring it up because one of the championships he won during a three-peat with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers is once again under a bit of scrutiny. You see, the Sacramento Kings have made it to a game 7 in the playoffs for the first time since 2002. This was their Western Conference Finals series against the Shaq and Kobe Lakers. And when it was brought up, Charles Barkley made a serious allegation against Shaq and Kobe’s third championship, perhaps questioning its very existence.

 

Charles Barkley believes Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant brought their own people to officiate Lakers vs Sacramento in 2002

There is nothing more on the face of the Earth that Charles Barkley loves more than teasing Shaquille O’Neal in any way possible. Unfortunately, most times he does this, the Lakers legend has the beating of him. However, on this occasion, the script was flipped on its head. Take a look at the tweet below by ‘Oh no he didn’t’, to find out what happened next on Inside the NBA.

Ernie Johnson: “The first Game 7 at home for the Kings since 2002 against the Lakers.”

Kenny Smith: “What happened then?”

Charles Barkley: “The Lakers bought their own referees?”

Shaq: “No they didn’t.”

😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/2YFrEZ8t83

— Oh no he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) April 30, 2023

“The Lakers brought their own referees?”

Charles Barkley has gotten under the skin of Shaquille O’Neal on plenty of occasions in the past. However, the difference during this one was that the former Lakers big man had no scathing blows to deliver in return. In other words, this was Charles Barkley’s flawless victory. We congratulate him on a performance more perfect, than perhaps even LeBron James’s in the 2016 NBA Finals.

 

What happened in the Kings vs Lakers Finals in 2002?

There is a reason Chuck said that the Lakers brought their own referees. Disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy did not officiate during game 6, but has publicly said that the officials were actively trying to make the Lakers go to the through. To be clear here, ahead of the 6th game, the Kings were up 3-2, making this a do-or-die game for the Lakers. It is believed that the NBA would enjoy far more revenue from the 2002 NBA Finals if that were to be the case.

Further, the Lakers shot 27 free throws in just the 4^th quarter during game 6, something that is beyond fishy, all attributed to a number of questionable calls by the officials. You can check out the worst ones in the YouTube video below by ‘Gametime Highlights’.

Every call just got worse with time, which was the only reason the Lakers came back in a game that would have otherwise resulted in their elimination. Frankly, while the history books say that Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant were 2002 NBA champions, with all due respect, this one perhaps shouldn’t stand after all.