Kobe-Shaq Break Through; Iconic Moment
Before winning five NBA Championships, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers had their fair share of trouble breaking through, even with the addition of the best big man in all of basketball. Shaquille O’Neal signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, teaming up with Kobe Bryant, in 1996 but it took them four tries to finally break through to the NBA Finals.
The Kobe-Shaq combination fell short of making the Finals in each of their first three seasons together. The fourth time was the charm, which culminated in a huge Game 7 moment between Kobe and Shaq. We know it as “The alley-oop.”
Not only did that play clinch their first NBA Finals appearance together, but it also signaled the start of a dynasty – and two legendary careers.
Kobe and Shaq would go on to win their first of three titles after knocking off the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Finals.
Next: Kobe Wins First Title