Lakers: Greatest Individual Performances in Franchise History

Lakers: 20 Greatest Individual Performances in Franchise History

By Eric Yee | Dec 14, 2015

Shaquille O'Neal (L) and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers talk during the 1st quarter of game two of the NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets 07 June 2002 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. AFP PHOTO/Lucy NICHOLSON (Photo by LUCY NICHOLSON / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images) /

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17. Shaq Drops 61 on His Birthday

The legend goes that during the game, Shaq became upset after he saw his idol Kareem Abdul-Jabaar giving tips to opponent Keith Closs on how to stop him and that is what ignited his stellar performance.

Not only did Shaq score 61 on the helpless Los Angeles Clippers, but he did so on his 28th birthday, on what he considered his “night off.”

In his hilarious recollection of what he calls his best game ever, Shaq revealed:

"That night it was my birthday, and we had a party… Usually I go home, eat lunch, take a nap and get ready for the game, but we playing against ‘The Great Keith Closs and the LA Clippers,’ so I’m taking the night off. I got to get ready for the party… So, we get out there and they’re killing us, and everybody’s looking at me. . . I look over to the bench and I see one of my idols telling Keith Closs how to stop me. I see Kareem saying, ‘You gotta do this, you gotta do that.’ Now I’m pissed."

Shaq may be remembered for his outgoing personality, but when he was locked in, he was virtually unstoppable, just ask Keith Closs. Further, if scoring 61 points in a contest was not enough, Shaq also went on to pull down 23 rebounds the very same night.

Next: Kobe Scores 56 Points in Only Three Quarters

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