From 1999 to 2002, the Lakers were the team to beat in the NBA. Led by Shaquille O’Neal and his up-and-coming co-star, Kobe Bryant, the Lakers wreaked havoc as they won 3 titles in a row. Although they would lose to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2003 playoffs, the Lakers made a comeback the following year. And what a comeback it was. The franchise added accomplished veterans like Karl Malone and Gary Payton to the mix.

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With the veterans in the mix, the Lakers made it back to the finals, where they would face off against the Detroit Pistons. However, they would fall short of the title here. One of the factors was Kobe himself. The events in Kobe’s life off the court did not allow him to be fully immersed in basketball. In a recent interview, former Laker super team member Gary Payton shed light on Kobe’s mindset during that year’s finals.

Gary Payton on Kobe Bryant

In a recent interview with ‘VLAD TV,’ Gary Payton explained how Kobe’s mind was distracted in the 2004 NBA finals.

“He wasn’t talking to anybody. He was really all to himself and I still thought he was still into that moment with what he was going through,” said Payton.

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“I think that hurt us too, because I think his mind wasn’t into basketball. I don’t really think his mind was in basketball,” he explained.

As it is known, Kobe and Shaq were the Lakers’ primary players. With Kobe being distracted, it was a major blow for the Lakers. Following the loss, they traded Shaq to the Miami Heat. Furthermore, head coach Phil Jackson also parted ways with the organization. It was clearly not a time to remember in Los Angeles.

Kobe’s Redemption

Following the championship loss, the Lakers entered rebuilding mode and centered the team around Kobe. It would take them four years to build a championship team once again. From 2008 to 2010, the Lakers went to the finals thrice and won the title two times.

This time, Kobe was the major reason for the team’s success. He would be awarded the 2009 and 2010 finals MVP awards along with the regular-season MVP award in 2008. With the 2010 title in hand, the Lakers had championship number 16 and Kobe’s legacy was cemented as one of the greatest ever.