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Head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers Phil Jackson (R) talks with Shaquille O’Neal (L) 05 June, 2001, during practice for the NBA Finals at the Staples Arena in Los Angeles. The Lakers will face the Philadelphia 76ers in game one starting 06 June, 2001. (Photo: JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)
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Head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers Phil Jackson (R) talks with Shaquille O’Neal (L) 05 June, 2001, during practice for the NBA Finals at the Staples Arena in Los Angeles. The Lakers will face the Philadelphia 76ers in game one starting 06 June, 2001. (Photo: JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)
Shaquille O’Neal is among the most dominant superstars in NBA history. In fact, many even claim him to be the most dominant. Regardless, he was a freak of nature. Possessing massive speed, size, and strength, he crushed his opponents in the post for easy baskets and rebounds. He was really difficult to defend and induced a fear factor in the eyes of his opponents. This allowed him to have a successful 19 year NBA career where he won 4 championships.
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Lakers Kobe Bryant bumps chests with Shaquille O’Neal after O’Neal got fouled scoring in the first half during the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs at Staples Center Sunday April 21, 2002.Trailblazer Damon Stoudamire looks on from the left. Lakers won 9587. (Photo by Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Among his 4 titles, 3 of them came with the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant. The duo formed an incredible pairing that made LA into an offensive and defensive powerhouse. Moreover, all 3 of the titles would arrive consecutively. However, Shaq’s physicality led him to be fouled in the paint often. And on some occasions, he would get heated up. One such event would take place in the 2001 NBA Finals where he squared off against 76ers 7 ft big man, Matt Geiger.
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Shaquille O’Neal and Matt Geiger
It was in game 5 of the 2001 NBA Finals that the heated exchange between Shaq and Geiger took place. With the Lakers having a 5 point lead in the 3rd quarter, Shaq received the ball in the paint and attempted to score a basket. However, he missed and Shaq was fouled in an attempt to score again after gaining the rebound.
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It was after this foul that both Shaq and Geiger would engage in a heated argument. Clearly, Shaq appears to be angered by the foul and got into it with the opposing big man. However, the referee would separate the two and award double technical fouls to both players.
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Shaq in the 2001 NBA Finals
As he has always proven, Shaq was a dominant force in the 2001 NBA finals. Despite having a big man like Geiger, the 76ers were unable to stop Shaq as he dominated the interior. Despite dropping the first game, Shaq would lead Kobe and the Lakers to a championship win by taking the next 4 games.
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In this 4 game run, he would average slightly 30 points a game and nearly 15 rebounds. These numbers are extraordinary for any big man! Moreover, Shaq would also prove to be a defensive presence. He had a total of 17 blocks in the series, 8 of which came in Game 2 alone. Clearly, his performances were a major reason behind the championship win, and hence he was awarded the Finals MVP for his dominance.
