23 Years After ?Savior? Kobe Bryant?s Ultimate Takeover, Shaquille O?Neal Reminisces Rise of the Lakers Dynasty

NBA legends Shaquille O?Neal and Kobe Bryant are one of the best duos the league has ever seen. Despite their well-documented beef, the duo helped the Los Angeles Lakers win three straight titles. As an experienced superstar, O’Neal was the main man of the Purple & Gold. However, Bryant still held his own night in and night out and rose to the occasion whenever the team needed him. Shaq recently reminisced about one such incident when the Black Mamba took over.

A three-peat was an achievement that even the iconic Showtime Lakers led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were not able to achieve. It would not have been possible for LA without Kobe’s clutch performance at the biggest stage.

Shaquille O?Neal looked back at Kobe Bryant’s clutch performance

Shaquille O?Neal signed a huge deal when he signed with the Lakers in 1996. O’Neal was already a superstar who dominated the league during his time with the Orlando Magic. He had already led his former team to the NBA Finals. So, there were massive expectations when he joined the Lakers. Given the stature of the franchise, there was a humongous pressure on the team to deliver. Especially, O’Neal because of his contract and superstardom.

After being swept in two straight seasons, there were reports that the Lakers could look to rebuild. Amidst this, the team finally broke free and reached the 1999-2000 NBA Finals.

At this make-or-break juncture, Kobe Bryant was huge in game 4 of the series to give the Lakers an all-important 3-1 lead against the Indiana Pacers. Shaq recently shared a video clip of the late great’s iconic performance on his Instagram story.

READ MORE – 9 Days After Mocking Ben Simmons? $177,243,360 Contract, Shaquille O?Neal Endorses 3x All-Star?s Vow

Shaq was unstoppable throughout the series and deserved the Finals MVP award averaging a mindboggling 38 points, and 16.7 rebounds as per Basketball Reference.

However, Kobe’s clutch performance in a crucial game 4 helped the team massively as well, as Shaq’s story testified. Despite averaging 15.6 points (only behind O’Neal) in the series, Bryant erupted for 28 points that game. Furthermore, he took over in the final minutes and helped the Lakers win the close game 120-118.

The team then cruised to the title and without needing a game 7. The first of three straight ring and the rise of a dynasty.

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O?Neal’s arrival

It was a major headline when NBA legend Shaquille O?Neal joined the in 1996. Given his exploits with the Orlando Magic, everyone expected him to take the Lakers to new heights.

But the Lakers made another important addition to the squad that year that went under the radar a little bit. It was none other than Kobe Bryant but there was not much hype about it compared to Shaq’s arrival. However, Jerry West understood the young star’s potential. Interestingly, both incomings were intertwined.

To accommodate The Big Diesel, the front office was looking to free some cap space. This led to the Lakers trading their star center Vlade Divac to the Sacramento Kings in return for the Kings’ 13th pick, one Kobe Bryant.

WATCH THIS STORY – Shaquille O?Neal?s Near-Death Equestrian Saga With a Vengeful Horse