The 2000 NBA season was a crowning one for the Los Angeles Lakers. Shaquille O’Neal was at his most dominant form and Kobe Bryant was just beginning to realize his vast potential. The season would end with the Lakers raising the Larry O’Brien trophy, and there were some excellent moments along the way.
One of the best came March 12, 2000, against one of their biggest rivals of this era, the Sacramento Kings. Kobe scored 40 points, his first career 40-point game, while also nearly notching a triple-double with 10 rebounds and eight assists as well.
Meanwhile, Shaq was just as dominant with 39 points and 20 rebounds as the Lakers defeated the Kings 109-106.