**DYNASTY IN MOTION: Shaq and Kobe Grace Sports Illustrated Cover as Lakers Dominate 2001 Finals—Add Key Pieces, Start 16-1, and Complete Iconic Three-Peat with 2002 Sweep of the Nets**
The image of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant side by side on the June 25, 2001, cover of Sports Illustrated wasn’t just symbolic—it was prophetic. Less than two weeks earlier, the dominant duo had led the Los Angeles Lakers to their second consecutive NBA Championship by overpowering the Philadelphia 76ers in a five-game series. The Lakers closed out the Finals with a commanding 108–96 victory on June 15, a performance that not only sealed the title but affirmed their place at the apex of the basketball world. While many questioned whether the intense relationship between Shaq and Kobe could sustain itself over the long term, there was no doubting the results on the court. The Lakers were a juggernaut, and their journey was far from over.
Having now cemented back-to-back championships, the Lakers turned their attention to solidifying their supporting cast in the 2001 offseason. The organization understood that while Shaq and Kobe were the heart and soul of the team, depth would be crucial for another championship run. The front office went to work quickly, bringing in seasoned veterans who could provide both skill and stability. One of the most notable additions was All-Star shooting guard Mitch Richmond. Though past his prime, Richmond brought leadership, outside shooting, and a high basketball IQ to the roster. Additionally, the Lakers signed free agent forward Samaki Walker, who would bring toughness and rebounding presence inside. In a quieter but strategic move, they acquired Lindsey Hunter from the Milwaukee Bucks—another smart, reliable backcourt presence who could handle the ball and play tough defense.
The Lakers stormed into the 2001–02 season with the confidence of a team that had found its rhythm. With Phil Jackson continuing to weave his Zen-like influence on the roster and his triangle offense operating like a well-oiled machine, Los Angeles roared out of the gates by winning 16 of their first 17 games. It was a blistering pace that immediately sent a message to the rest of the NBA: the road to the championship still ran through Los Angeles. Kobe Bryant, entering his sixth NBA season, was evolving into a true superstar—not just in skill, but in command and leadership. His offensive arsenal expanded by the day, and his defensive intensity added to the Lakers’ suffocating presence on both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, Shaquille O’Neal remained the most physically imposing force in the league, overwhelming any opponent in his path.
The early season dominance was a direct result of the chemistry between Shaq and Kobe, something that had often been scrutinized but rarely derailed. Their complementary styles—Shaq’s raw power in the paint and Kobe’s finesse and perimeter prowess—gave defenses nightmares. Teams couldn’t double-team one without being burned by the other. While whispers of friction continued to follow them, the results left little room for doubt: this was the NBA’s most lethal one-two punch.
As the season progressed, injuries and the typical grind of an 82-game schedule created some bumps along the way. The Lakers eventually finished with a 58–24 record, placing them second in the Pacific Division. It was a slight step back from their 2000–01 record of 56–26, but they remained among the league’s elite. Both Kobe and Shaq were once again selected to the NBA All-Star Game, a clear acknowledgment of their dominance. That year, Kobe took center stage in the midseason showcase and captured MVP honors, a symbolic gesture of his rising stature in the league and his growing importance to the Lakers’ long-term success.
The postseason arrived with the Lakers fully aware that history was within reach. A third straight championship would mark the franchise’s first three-peat since the Minneapolis Lakers did it in the early 1950s, and it would be the first based in Los Angeles. The playoffs, however, would not be without challenges. The Western Conference had grown tougher, with contenders like the Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, and Dallas Mavericks all eager to dethrone the champions. But when the stakes rose, so did the Lakers. Each round presented different obstacles, but the combination of Shaq’s playoff dominance and Kobe’s clutch performances proved too much for their opponents.
One of the most iconic moments of the postseason came during the Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings. It was a series filled with controversy, drama, and unforgettable performances. In Game 4, Robert Horry etched his name into Lakers lore with a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer. That shot helped the Lakers tie the series and eventually take it in seven games, setting the stage for a return to the NBA Finals.
Their opponents in the 2002 Finals were the New Jersey Nets, led by the electrifying Jason Kidd. The Nets had sprinted through the Eastern Conference, but they were stepping into an entirely different realm against the battle-tested Lakers. From the opening tip of Game 1, it became clear that Los Angeles was in a different league. The Lakers dismantled New Jersey with clinical precision, taking control of the series and never letting go. Shaquille O’Neal was unstoppable, averaging over 36 points and 12 rebounds per game, while Kobe contributed with his usual scoring flair and perimeter defense. The sweep was completed with a 113–107 victory in Game 4, and the Lakers stood atop the basketball world once again.
With the 2002 championship, the Lakers had done what so few franchises could—achieve greatness and sustain it. Their three-peat was the first since Michael Jordan’s Bulls had pulled it off twice in the 1990s, and it placed them firmly in the dynasty conversation. The trio of titles also solidified the legacies of both Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. For Shaq, it was a period of dominance rarely seen in the modern NBA. He had been named Finals MVP in all three championship runs, putting up video-game numbers and overpowering every defender placed in front of him. For Kobe, it was proof that he wasn’t just a co-star but a transcendent talent on his own trajectory toward all-time greatness.
While the Lakers basked in their success, the basketball world couldn’t help but wonder how long this dominance would last. Cracks, albeit minor ones, were already forming beneath the surface. The tension between Shaq and Kobe—rooted in ego, contrasting personalities, and differing work ethics—was beginning to bubble more visibly. Phil Jackson’s coaching wizardry had held it together thus far, but many insiders sensed that the equilibrium might not last forever.
Still, in that moment, none of it mattered. The Lakers had authored one of the most dominant stretches in NBA history. Their three straight titles, including the 2001 postseason run where they lost just one game, were a testament to the sheer talent, willpower, and championship DNA coursing through the franchise. The moves made in the 2001 offseason proved critical—not because they added stars, but because they reinforced a core that already believed in itself. Mitch Richmond got his long-awaited ring. Samaki Walker played valuable minutes in the trenches. Lindsey Hunter brought backcourt poise when it was needed most.
The Lakers’ success also reflected the broader vision of the organization. Jerry Buss’s willingness to spend, Mitch Kupchak and Jerry West’s roster maneuvers, and Phil Jackson’s calm leadership all contributed to creating a winning culture. Every piece mattered. Every role player had their moment. And at the top stood Shaq and Kobe—two of the greatest to ever do it, united for a time in pursuit of something bigger than their personal legacies.
In the years that followed, the Lakers’ empire would eventually fracture. The tension between the two stars grew too great to ignore, and the team’s inability to adapt to changing dynamics led to the end of the dynasty. But the three-peat from 2000 to 2002 remained untouched—a golden chapter in Lakers history that no future conflict could erase.
