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Dynasty

Kobe and Shaq: the brilliant, volatile Lakers three-peat

The NBA’s most overwhelming interior force and its most ambitious young guard learned to win together, dominated three postseasons and then came apart.

The story in one sentence

The NBA’s most overwhelming interior force and its most ambitious young guard learned to win together, dominated three postseasons and then came apart.

01

Dominant partnerships do not have to be harmonious.

02

A single comeback can unlock a dynasty.

03

The way a team ends changes how its success is remembered.

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. 1996

    Two arrivals

    The Lakers signed Shaquille O’Neal and traded for teenage draft pick Kobe Bryant in the same summer. Talent was obvious; hierarchy, trust and postseason maturity took longer.

    Western ConferenceFinals
    1998
    LOS ANGELESLAKERS
    UTAHJAZZ
    COMPLETE SERIES

    Western finals · growing pains

    Los Angeles Lakers vs Utah Jazz

    03TradeJuly 11, 1996To LALLALBRYANT8To CHACHADIVAC12Kobe's draft-night tradeLAL receives Rights: Kobe Bryant · No. 13CHA receives Vlade Divac2 original assets · 1 outcomes tracedOpen trade →

  2. 1999

    Phil Jackson supplies a structure

    Jackson brought the triangle offense and championship expectations. Shaq produced an MVP season, while Kobe became an elite two-way perimeter star.

    Western ConferenceFinals
    2000
    LOS ANGELESLAKERS
    PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
    COMPLETE SERIES

    Western finals · first true test

    Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers

  3. 2000

    The Portland escape

    Down 15 in the fourth quarter of Western Conference finals Game 7, Los Angeles completed a comeback capped by Kobe’s lob to Shaq. The play became the emotional beginning of the three-peat.

    Western ConferenceFinals
    2000
    LOS ANGELESLAKERS
    PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
    COMPLETE SERIES

    Western finals · the escape

    Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers

    NBA Finals
    2000
    LOS ANGELESLAKERS
    INDIANAPACERS
    COMPLETE SERIES

    NBA Finals · first title

    Los Angeles Lakers vs Indiana Pacers

  4. 2001

    The highest level

    The defending champions went 15–1 in the playoffs. Shaq controlled the paint, Kobe devastated Western opponents, and only Allen Iverson’s overtime masterpiece prevented a perfect postseason.

    NBA Finals
    2001
    LOS ANGELESLAKERS
    PHILADELPHIA76ERS
    COMPLETE SERIES

    NBA Finals · 15–1

    Los Angeles Lakers vs Philadelphia 76ers

  5. 2002–04

    Three-peat, tension and collapse

    The Lakers survived Sacramento in seven and swept New Jersey to win a third title. Internal strain never disappeared; after a 2004 Finals loss to Detroit, Shaq was traded and the partnership ended.

    Western ConferenceFinals
    2002
    LOS ANGELESLAKERS
    SACRAMENTOKINGS
    COMPLETE SERIES

    Western finals · seven-game survival

    Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings

    NBA Finals
    2004
    LOS ANGELESLAKERS
    DETROITPISTONS
    COMPLETE SERIES

    NBA Finals · the collapse

    Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons

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Defining games

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