It all seems like a distant memory now, but once upon a time, there were questions about whether or not Shaquille O’Neal would ever win a championship, and if his pairing with Kobe Bryant could work. The Lakers were unceremoniously bounced in the Western Conference Playoffs in 1997, 1998, & 1999, including consecutive sweeps by the Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs.
As the Lakers took their lumps, Bryant was developing into the second superstar that Shaq needed. Kobe’s talent was always obvious, but the Lakers had championship aspirations and an All-Star at his eventual position (Eddie Jones), so he was brought along slowly.