Among the battles that the Los Angeles Lakers had to go through during their three-peat campaign at the turn of the century, Sacramento Kings were amongst the fiercest rivals they had to face. It was a period in the NBA when the Lakers were at the top. Just when the Chicago Bulls dynasty ended, the Lakers threatened to start one with Phil Jackson joining them to coach Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.

They probably had their own dynasty but for a much shorter period. With Kobe and Shaq, the Lakers were nearly unstoppable when they won three consecutive championships in 200, 2001, and 2002. But the one team that many believed was their toughest competitors was the Sacramento Kings. But for Shaquille O’Neal and his teammate throughout the three-peat run, Robert Horry Portland Trail Blazers were their toughest opponents.

“It’s probably the best team I’ve ever faced playing basketball, period,” Robert Horry said during his conversation with Bleacher Report.

“They were the toughest team,” Shaq agreed, “and they were the only team that wasn’t scared of us.”

It is surprising considering the Trail Blazers were in a rebuilding phase. Although they were a relatively strong unit, they were unstable in that period. Their roster saw a series of player movements in 2000. During the three seasons that the Lakers had made won the titles, the Trail Blazers were among the last teams to qualify for the playoffs. And on all three occasions, they were eliminated in the first round, twice by Lakers.

Shaquille O’Neal  after ending his partnership with Kobe Bryant at Los Angeles Lakers

Two years after their three-peat, the partnership of Kobe and Shaq came to an end. The big man moved to Miami Heat. He formed another partnership with Dwyane Wade in Miami and won another championship in 2006. He finished his career after a year each at Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics.

As for the Lakers, it didn’t look very good immediately after O’Neal’s trade but recovered soon under Bryant’s leadership. They went on to win two more titles in 2009 and 2010.

Trending

Billionaire Michael Jordan’s $61 Million Arrival in Talladega Saw Unusual Absence of Wife Yvette Prieto

April 22, 2024 03:36 PM EDT

What Happened to Kenny Smith’s Legs? Unfolding the Sad Truth Behind TNT Host’s Dodgy Knees

April 22, 2024 08:05 PM EDT

Anthony Davis Storms Out Of Press Conference While De’Angelo Russell Takes NBA Refs To Task Online

April 23, 2024 07:51 AM EDT

“So Rigged”: All Hell Breaks Loose as Jamal Murray Forces LeBron James’ Lakers Into Bitter Embarrassment

April 23, 2024 06:21 AM EDT

“Mom Was On Her Death Bed”: Mavs Star Dereck Lively Narrates Painful Aftermath Of Late Mother’s Demise

April 23, 2024 09:33 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Meanwhile, Robert Horry finished as a seven-time NBA Champion winning titles with three teams including the Lakers.