Shaq & Kobe: 2001 Postseason Highlights

After winning it all the previous year, the LA Lakers went into the 2000-01 season trying to repeat. Shaquille O'Neal was ordered by Phil Jackson to take it easy during the offseason so his body could rest and he'd be ready to go the following year. Shaq was never known for having a great work ethic so this was certainly detrimental to the start of the season as he came into training camp out of shape. Kobe on the other hand had been working all offseason to become a better player and wanted to show off his talents. The two stars had had their rifts ever since becoming teammates back in 1996 when Bryant was nicknamed "showboat" due to his perceived selfish playing style but now things were really coming to a head. It was clear that Kobe wanted to be the #1 option but Shaq wasn't willing to give up his position. Understandable considering he'd just come off of arguably the most dominant season and playoff run in the history of the league.

The feud would continue through the season and as a result the Lakers' chemistry and record suffered. Some people were calling Kobe the best player in the game, while others were calling him selfish due his high volume shooting. To make matters worse Shaq missed some games in February and in the same month, during an interview, Phil revealed information from a private conversation he'd had with Kobe which affected their player/coach relationship.

In mid February Shaq returned but a few weeks later Kobe missed some games after sustaining multiple injuries. This became the turning point of the season. With Shaq carrying more of the load offensively, he was finally able to get in shape and with Kobe out the team's offense ran more fluidly. A win in San Antonio which saw 7 different Lakers score in double digits made Kobe realize he needed to become more of a team player when he returned. The Lakers' chances of repeating started to look better towards the end of the season as they ran off a season high 8 straight victories.

As the Lakers entered the postseason, Shaq picked up where he'd left off in the 2000 playoffs by destroying opposing frontlines and Kobe became a superstar. Commentators like John Thompson and Doug Collins marveled at Kobe's balance and efficient scoring. Instead of forcing the issue, he was now letting the game come to him, trusting his teammates more and hitting clutch shots. The team would get also get an extra boost from it's supporting cast as Derek Fisher returned to the lineup after missing 62 games due to a stress fracture in his right foot. While Shaq & Kobe dominated on offense, the team pulled together on defense and stifled the Blazers, Kings, Spurs and Sixers by forcing them to shoot a combined .408%. They ended up going 15-1 which still stands as the best postseason record in history. Shaq and Kobe also averaged a combined 59.8 ppg which is the highest scoring average in playoff history by a duo on a championship team.

Видео Shaq & Kobe: 2001 Postseason Highlights канала LakersDynasty42