Los Angeles Lakers: Greatest conference semifinals in franchise history

By Jason Reed | May 3, 2020

SALT LAKE CITY - MAY 08: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers is defended by Wesley Matthews #23 of the Utah Jazz during Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2010 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2010 at Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

2 of 5

(Photo by HECTOR MATA/AFP via Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

4. 1998 surprise series win over the Supersonics

The 1997-98 Los Angeles Lakers were not supposed to be as good as they were. In a year that is now in the spotlight during ESPN’s ‘The Last Dance’, the Lakers gave NBA fans a teaser of what was to come in the coming years.

The Lakers were the next dynasty after Michael Jordan‘s Bulls and this was the prologue to the Lakers’ eventually winning three championships in a row.

The Lakers were the third seed in the Western Conference this season with a 61-21 record. This was Shaq’s first season in the purple and gold and his impact was immediately felt as the Lakers were able to get past the conference semifinals for the first time since 1991, the season where Michael Jordan won his first championship.

The Lakers did not beat any ordinary team, though, as they thoroughly defeated the second-seeded Seattle Supersonics. Granted, as a third seed there was not a massive difference in record, but with the likes of Gary Payton, Vin Baker, Sam Perkins and Detlef Schrempf, the Supersonics were the favored team.

The Lakers went on to get swept in the Western Conference Finals against the Utah Jazz but this series against Seattle was just another example of the team overachieving.

Home/Lakers News