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Los Angeles Lakers: Greatest conference semifinals in franchise history

By Jason Reed

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)
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) /
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(Photo credit should read Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo credit should read Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. 2001 sweep over the Sacramento Kings

One year before the Los Angeles Lakers would have one of the most intense Conference Finals of all-time against the Sacramento Kings, they disposed of the very same Kings in four games as part of a bigger narrative around the 2000-2001 season.

More from Lake Show Life

This was not just the second of three championship seasons for the Kobe-Shaq Lakers, it represented one of the most dominant teams in NBA history and one of the best runs in the playoffs that we have ever seen.

The Lakers were one game away from being a perfect 15-0 in the playoffs, something that has never been done and was almost done by the Golden State Warriors in 2017.

After going 11-0 in the first three rounds of the playoffs, the Lakers lost Game 1 to the Philadelphia 76ers behind one of the greatest games in NBA Finals history where Allen Iverson put Philly on his back, which he tended to do, dropping 48 points.

Two rounds prior, though, the Lakers made quick work of their biggest rival at the time. After two nail-biting games to start the series, the Lakers thoroughly defeated the Kings by 24 points before putting them away in a high-scoring Game 4.

This series is not as iconic as the following year’s Western Conference Finals, but because of its part in a bigger narrative, it makes the list at number 2.

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