Regardless of what has transpired within the last week, as Laker fans, it would be just as much of an atrocity if we completely denied the three championships and Finals MVP campaigns that The Diesel led for the city of L.A.
Granted, things did not initially pan out the way that we had all envisioned with Shaq as the centerpiece of our team in the late 1990’s, especially on the heels of back to back sweep exits from the postseason in 1998 (to Utah) and 1999 (to San Antonio). However, no one can say that Del Harris was by any means, a championship caliber coach.
Enter Phil Jackson. Phil, as has been the case throughout his 11 title winning seasons, still remains as the only head coach who has ever been able to successfully manage Shaq’s excessive ego, and during his prime at that.
Obviously, Pat Riley won a championship as his coach too, but if there is anyone who would say he was the primary figure during that postseason, is out of his or her mind.
Flash. Enough said.
The point is that Phil got the very best out of Shaq when it was the ripest for picking. It’s no coincidence that in Phil’s first season (1999-2000), Shaq was able to capture his first and only league MVP trophy while averaging 29.7 ppg, 13.6 rpg and 3.0 bpg. Without question , the most important trophy attained that year was the one named after Larry O’Brien. How much of the Lakers dynasty that followed had to do with The Diesel?
Everything.
Don’t get me wrong now, I’ve been a proponent of Kobe Bryant from day one, and while it’s ultimately true that neither could have won those three rings together without the other by their side, we’re talking about Shaq in his prime here. Mamba was still coming up.
Shaq was so dominant that nearly every team in the league resorted to implementing the Hack-a-Shaq technique in the waning moments of close games – a cheap tactic devised by then Portland coach, Mike Dunleavy.
Sure, The Diesel’s playing shape became a problem and one of the seeds that sprouted the mega feud between him and Kobe, but at that time, he was the most important player on the squad and Mamba was not quite ready to be the central figure on a championship team. As much of a super Kobe fan I am, I also have no problem acknowledging his growing pains.
In eight seasons wearing the purple and gold, Shaq led the Lakers to four NBA Finals appearances, three consecutive championships, won his only league MVP and simply put, eclipsed the league’s other big men without remorse.
The Diesel undoubtedly punched his ticket into the Basketball Hall of Fame a long time ago and his Laker credentials, on paper, qualify him for the honor of having his number 34 jersey hang next to legendary purple and gold knights: Magic, Kareem, Wilt, Jerry, Gail, Elgin and James.
Right?
On paper, sure, but this is sports. It’s not only about what you’ve done on the court, field, or ice. There are certain acts of treason that can effectively overshadow and for the most part, negate everything you’ve ever accomplished as a player for whatever team. While playing for the arch rival may not exactly be as much of an abomination as placing bets for and against your own team, or using performance enhancing drugs, in Lakerland, the crime is punishable by death.
Not literally, just to be clear. Death in our Laker hearts.
NEXT: The Verdict