Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers’ dynasty teams mirror today’s potential dynasties

By Leandre Ochoa

LOS ANGELES - APRIL 17: Shaquille O'Neal #34 and Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers wait for play to resume in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Houston Rockets during the 2004 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on Aril 17, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 72-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - APRIL 17: Shaquille O'Neal #34 and Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers wait for play to resume in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Houston Rockets during the 2004 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on Aril 17, 2004 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 72-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /

Young Dynasty

It’s not so far in the past that the previous Lakers are ghosts, but the “three-peat” era-champs along with the ’08-’10 champs had their struggles en route to their spot in NBA history.

The “three-peat” Lakers mowed down the competition with ease. The exceptions, of course, were two seven-game series (2000 WCF – POR vs. LA & 2002 WCF – SAC vs. LA) that tested the once untapped-turned-tapped championship mettle of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal led teams.

The road to that third championship included the task of pushing through injuries to O’Neal and Derek Fisher. Shaq was dealing with a toe deformity, causing him to miss 15 games at the beginning of the season. Fisher’s injury caused him to miss 12 games, and started in only 35 games all season.

These injuries, including the public feud between Bryant and O’Neal, were overlooked once the TV screen showed Bryant joyously holding up three fingers at the end of the 2002 NBA Finals. The Lakers beat the breaks off the New Jersey Nets, securing that dynasty-clinching 3rd straight title.

The 2008-09 and 2009-10 Lakers experienced similar highs and lows. Kobe, Pau Gasol, and integral role players had much to prove after their loss to the Boston Celtics the previous year, and improve they did. Not only did they make it back to the NBA Finals, but pummeled Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic for their first championship in seven years.

The Lakers’ bid to the Finals in 2010 marked the third straight year that core made it to the final round. Although there was a slight change in personnel, the immediate core of which Lakers fans remember was still intact, but with significant injuries on their plate.

Pau Gasol missed time because of a hamstring injury early in the season, and an injured Kobe Bryant missed 10 games that season, marking the first time Bryant missed a game since 2007. On top of the injuries to their superstars, other important role players missed games, including injuries to Andrew Bynum (17), Sasha Vujacic (15), and Luke Walton (53).

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