Shaq and Kobe First Championship 2000 Finals

Lore & Background

The Lakers led the series 2–0 behind O'Neal's dominating presence. The Lakers lost Game 3, which Bryant missed with an ankle injury. After O'Neal fouled out in overtime of Game 4, Jackson spread the floor and had Bryant take over the offense and lead the team to victory. Leading 110–109 with 1:32 remaining in Game 6, Jackson again spread the offense—even with O'Neal on the floor—and again allowed Bryant to take over; the Lakers won the game, 116–111, and the championship. In the ensuing celebration, Bryant was the first person to embrace O'Neal.

In Their Own Story

The noise inside the Staples Center reached a fever pitch as the final seconds ticked away. Shaquille O'Neal stood near the center circle, sweat dripping from his brow, knowing the work was done. Kobe Bryant jogged over, raising the trophy high above his head as confetti rained down on the hardwood.

Reader's Guide

The season was not without confrontation, as O'Neal in one team meeting said, 'I have something to say. I think Kobe is playing too selfishly for us to win.' O'Neal felt pressure to be leader of the team and was upset with Bryant's shot selection. Teammate Ron Harper helped mediate the differences between O'Neal and Bryant. According to Jackson, 'Kobe didn't have a selfish agenda; he just felt that the way he had been playing was the best way he could contribute. Gradually, he's seen there is a different way to contribute that incorporates more of the team.' Upon arriving at the Lakers that season, Winter said he was stunned to discover the level of hatred O'Neal expressed toward Bryant. 'There was a lot of hatred in [O'Neal's] heart ... Kobe just took it and kept going.' O'Neal regularly expressed to management that he did not believe the team could win a championship with Bryant.

Did You Know?

• O'Neal was the NBA Finals MVP in each of the Lakers' three consecutive championships (2000, 2001, 2002).