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Lakers Kobe Bryant bumps chests with Shaquille O’Neal after O’Neal got fouled scoring in the first half during the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs at Staples Center Sunday April 21, 2002.Trailblazer Damon Stoudamire looks on from the left. Lakers won 9587. (Photo by Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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Lakers Kobe Bryant bumps chests with Shaquille O’Neal after O’Neal got fouled scoring in the first half during the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs at Staples Center Sunday April 21, 2002.Trailblazer Damon Stoudamire looks on from the left. Lakers won 9587. (Photo by Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and the late Kobe Bryant were one of the best duos the league has ever seen. During their time together for the Los Angeles Lakers, the duo won three titles. And it was a three-peat from 2000 to 2002. Furthermore, the Lakers are the last team ever to three-peat. The only team to come close to a three-peat is Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors when they won back-to-back in 2017 and 2018. They also reached the finals in 2019 and had the chance at a three-peat. However, Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors shocked the world by winning the title.
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Because of their dominance, the 2017 Warriors and the 2001 Lakers are always compared with each other. Fans and players alike indulge in finding a winner between the two sides. Recently, Stephen Curry claimed that his 2017 Warriors would beat the 2001 Lakers. And Shaq responded that his Lakers would indeed beat the Warriors.
I’m watching the 98 Bulls vs Utah in the Finals… I can’t help but notice our 2017 team would’ve beaten these Bulls by a dub and these Jazz by 40 if they’re going to play these brands of basketball. And that’s why it’s dumb to compare Era’s
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) July 25, 2022
Now, Draymond Green has taken to Twitter to share that the Warriors team would beat the 1998 NBA finalists Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz. He has taken the example of Michael Jordan and the Bulls to say comparing eras is not ideal.
Shaquille O’Neal believes the 2001 Lakers are better than the 2017 Warriors
Shaq in his podcast claimed that the Warriors will have to double him every time. He said, “They’re gonna have to double me. If they don’t double me, I’m going for 60 without the free throws.”
The 2017 Warriors are one of the strongest teams in recent times. The trio of Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson took care of the scoring. And Green did what he usually does. While Curry took a back seat, Durant took care of business. KD was crucial in the Warriors’ title wins in 2017 and 2018. And he also won the Finals MVP on both occasions.
Also, his injury setback during the 2019 playoffs is also a huge factor in losing the Finals that year against the Raptors. Durant came back in game-5 when the Warriors were down 3-1. However, his comeback was short-lived after he left the game with a ruptured Achilles.
The 2001 Lakers are one of the best teams ever. In the 2001 playoffs, the Lakers made the Finals without losing a single game. They dismantled every team on their way and swept them comfortably. Even in the Finals, they were expected to win the title without losing a game.
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Surprisingly, Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers knicked game-1. Shaquille O’Neal had a monstrous game with 44 points and 20 rebounds. However, AI willed his team to the win with 48 points. Then the Lakers took care of business in the next 4 games and won the title comfortably.
