Kobe Bryant vs Shaquille O'Neal
A star-studded Lakers season derailed by distractions and a Pistons upset.
The 2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers season was the Lakers' 56th season in the NBA and 44th in Los Angeles. The Lakers entered the season after a disappointing second-round loss to the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs in the 2003 playoffs. During the offseason, the Lakers signed star free agents Karl Malone and Gary Payton and re-signed Horace Grant, becoming instant title favorites.
- Team
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Era
- 1996–2004
- Championships Together
- 3 (2000, 2001, 2002)
- Status
- Retired / Reconciled
- Dynamic
- Mentor turned Rivals
- Notable Achievement
- Three-peat Dynasty
Lore & Background
Despite major acquisitions, the Lakers faced setbacks. Kobe Bryant was accused of sexual assault in Colorado, causing media distraction and missed games. Bryant's feud with Shaquille O'Neal peaked as both criticized each other in the media. Payton struggled with Phil Jackson's triangle offense, and Malone missed significant time due to injuries. The Lakers finished 56–26, clinching the second seed. In the playoffs, they defeated the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Minnesota Timberwolves to reach the NBA Finals for the 28th time. They faced the Detroit Pistons, who won in five games. After the season, Jackson and the team mutually parted ways, and O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat.
In Their Own Story
The arena lights hummed above the hardwood as practice ended late at night. Shaq sat on the bench, towel draped over his shoulders, watching Kobe shoot free throws alone near the sideline. The silence between them was heavier than any crowd noise they had faced during the playoffs. No words were exchanged, yet the history of three rings and countless arguments hung in the air like smoke from a spent match.
Reader's Guide
The Lakers' star-studded lineup included offseason acquisitions Karl Malone and Gary Payton, along with mainstays Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. Malone and Payton were perennial All-Stars who had previously lost to Michael Jordan's Bulls in the Finals. Both took pay cuts to sign with the Lakers. The Finals used a 2-3-2 format. The Lakers won only Game 2, in overtime after Bryant hit a tying three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left. The Pistons' defense held the Lakers to under 90 points in four of five games. After the series, Jackson stepped down (returning for 2005–06), O'Neal was traded to Miami, Payton and Rick Fox were traded to Boston, and Malone retired the following February after knee surgery.
Did You Know?
- The Lakers' 68 points in Game 3 set a franchise record for fewest points in a playoff game.
- Karl Malone sprained his knee in Game 3 and did not dress for Game 5.
- The Pistons won their first championship since 1990.
- Larry Brown won his first title as an NBA coach.
More in Great Rivalries & Feuds
Elsewhere in the Los Angeles Lakers universe
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