Content deleted Content added
Line 52:
The next season, the Lakers hired [[Phil Jackson]] as head coach with this team the Lakers compiled a 67-15 record. Shaquille got All-Star MVP, season MVP, then Finals MVP. In the playoffs they beat the [[Sacramento Kings]] 3-2 and the [[Phoenix Suns]] 4-1. In the Western Conference Finals the [[Portland Trailblazers]] gave the Lakers all they could handle but [[LA]] won 4-3. The Lakers were able to make it back to the Finals when [[Shaquille O'Neal]], [[Kobe Bryant]], and [[Phil Jackson]] proved to be the winning combination, stopping the Indiana Pacers 4-2. The next season, the Lakers compiled a 56-26 record. In the playoffs they defeated Portland 3-0, Sacramento 4-0, San Antonio 4-0. In the Finals, Philadelphia ended their playoff win streak. After a game 1 loss, LA stormed back to win the series 4-1. In 2002 the Lakers compiled a 58-24 record. In the playoffs the Lakers beat Portland 3-0, San Antonio 4-1. In the Western Conference Finals, they narrowly beat the Sacramento Kings 4-3. In the Finals they swept the [[New Jersey Nets]] 4-0.
==The Reign is Over==
The next season the Lakers compiled a 50-32 record. In the playoffs they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2, then lost to San Antonio 4-2.After missing out in 2003, a retooled Lakers team featuring newcomers [[Karl Malone]] and [[Gary Payton]] roared into the 2003-2004 NBA season compiling a 56-26. In the playoffs, the Lakers beat Houston 4-1, then San Antonio 4-2. In the Western Conference Finals they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2. In the Finals they were heavily favored to win,
==Rebuilding Stage 2004-2005==
| |||