Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > The Case to Hang No. 34 From the Rafters
Lakers News

The Case to Hang No. 34 From the Rafters

Nadya Avakian
Published: 01/27/2011
3 Min Read
SHARE

Things weren’t always peachy-keen for the Shaq and Kobe duo. The team would struggle early on en route to winning a championship, or two or three. During the 1999-00’ season, when the Lakers signed Phil Jackson, the tides turned and O’Neal finally buckled down and started focusing on winning a championship. Sure, O’Neal benefitted from Bryant showing signs of potential greatness as his game continued to develop, a well-rounded supporting cast and a six-time championship winning coach, but O’Neal was the driving force of this team.

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMX1FGwyr38&feature=related

Without Shaq there would be no three-peat.

Try and think back to all the great memories you had during the Lakers’ dominance in the earlier part of the last decade. You’d be pressed to find one that didn’t involve Shaq in some way.

Take the 01’ playoffs for instance. The Lakers were one overtime win away from going a perfect 16-0 in the postseason. In game one of the second round, O’Neal went nuts going 17-of-32 for 44 points, 21 rebounds and 7 blocks in a (get this), three-point win over a 55-win Sacramento Kings team.  In game two he registered 43 points, 20 rebounds and three blocks in a six-point win over the Shaq-dubbed “Queens.”

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFCSM419CBU&feature=related

Kids, I know what you’re thinking. A 55-win Kings team? It happened. They Kings were even better in 2002 when they were one game away from eliminating the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals—twice. If you have the time, do yourself a favor and watch game 6.

Next: Retiring the jersey isn’t up for debate, how long the Lakers will wait is the question

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
12Next Page
ByNadya Avakian
Nadya is a staff writer for Lakers Nation after joining the staff in 2010. To read more of Nadya's work click here. Follow Nadya on Twitter @NadyAvak.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?