NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and the late Kobe Bryant were one of the best duos in the NBA. During their time together for the Los Angeles Lakers, they won 3 straight NBA titles from 2000 to 02. They were a dominant force and were running the league. The 2001-02 Lakers team is considered one of the best teams ever. In the playoffs, the Lakers didn’t lose a single game on their way to the finals. And many expected them to win the title without losing a game. The Lakers faced Allen Iverson, and the Philadelphia 76ers in the Finals.

Iverson and the 76ers shocked the world as they won game-1 in front of the Lakers’ fans. And we all get to witness the iconic Iverson step over. The 76ers reminded the Lakers that they were no pushover. However, the Lakers were not done. They started playing as well as they can and won the next 4 games to seal the three-peat.

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After another season, the 76ers fired head coach Larry Brown in 20003. NBA fans don’t need a reminder about the issues between Iverson and coach Brown. However, the coach was not done. He then signed with the Detroit Pistons in 2003.

Larry Brown wins against Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and the Lakers

Coach Larry Brown led the Pistons to the title against Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and the Lakers. The Pistons won their first title in more than a decade by defeating the Lakers 4-1. And their head coach, Larry Brown, was a huge reason behind the win.

Now, Richard Hamilton spoke about the influence of Brown on NBA Radio. He said, “You gotta remember, in that Pistons team we had a long strong personality type of guys. When you have that, you can’t have a pushover coach. You need somebody that is gonna hold you accountable on everything… So with him, we needed him. We needed coach, his attitude, his swagger. Yeah, he yelled and cussed us out, you know. I thought my name was motherf***er at times rite. But again that’s what we needed at the time.”

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The Pistons were already a playoff team. But they lacked a superstar. However, 4 out of 5 starters scored in double-digits in the 2001-02 playoffs. Then in 2002, they added a much-needed star in Richard Hamilton and veteran Chauncey Billups. They were the #1 seed and were expected to reach the Finals. However, the #2 seed, New Jersey Nets, swept them in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Then came Larry Brown to help the talented roster of the Pistons. And they also added veteran Rasheed Wallace to the squad. Bryant, Shaq, and the Lakers wanted to make a statement after losing the Western Conference Finals in the 2002-03 season. And they made the 2003-04 finals against the Pistons.

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Fans around the world expected the superstar duo of Bryant and O’Neal would comfortably win. However, the Pistons had other plans. The Lakers couldn’t score with ease against one of the best defensive teams. Not just Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace, who were great defenders, the whole team played great defense and suffocated the Lakers to win the title.