Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant Three-Peat
Lakers championships: NBL, BAA, and NBA.
1946, Detroit. The Gems get going in the National Basketball League (NBL), and by 1947 the team has packed up and moved to Minneapolis, playing as the Lakers. From there, that franchise wins championships in both the NBL and the Basketball Association of America (BAA) before the 1949 merger creates the National Basketball Association (NBA). So the Lakers didn't just pop up out of thin air in '49—they'd already been building a championship résumé across two leagues for a couple of years.
Quick Facts
- Championships won
- 3 (2000, 2001, 2002)
- Head coach
- Phil Jackson
- Finals mvps
- Shaquille O'Neal (3x)
Lore & Background
The Lakers are one of the NBA's most famous and successful franchises. As of August 2024, the Lakers are second in the NBA's all-time records for wins (3,550) and winning percentage (.591), and hold the all-time record for most NBA Finals appearances (32). They are second in NBA championship wins with 17, just behind the Boston Celtics with 18 NBA titles, and with nine more Finals appearances than the Celtics, their biggest rival. Their team has had many NBA legends, including George Mikan, Jim Pollard, Clyde Lovellette, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Gail Goodrich, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jamaal Wilkes, James Worthy, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.
Reader's Guide
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Did You Know?
- The team was renamed 'Lakers' after moving to Minneapolis, referencing Minnesota's nickname 'The Land of 10,000 Lakes'.
- George Mikan is described by the NBA's official website as the 'first superstar' in league history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What defines the Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant Three-Peat?
It refers to the three consecutive NBA championships secured by Los Angeles between 2000 and 2002. This era paired the league's most imposing center with its top young scorer to build a championship machine.
Who was the head coach during this dynasty?
Phil Jackson led the team, utilizing his triangle offense to balance the scoring between Shaq and Kobe. His guidance helped manage their relationship while achieving three straight titles.
What was their postseason record during these years?
The Lakers finished with an incredible 40-6 record across the three playoff runs, showcasing their dominance against top competition. Shaquille O'Neal claimed Finals MVP honors in every one of those championship victories.
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