--A couple years ago the Lakers had 4 all-stars includin Shaq and Kobe but still did not get to the Finals. Then they had several seasons with over 60 wins and still did not advance to the finals.
After those dissapointments they lost players such as Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones and Elden Cambell. But the Lakers were not to give up. They tryed to make changes in there coaching staff and personel. Finally in this season the Lakers aquired the 6 time champion
coach Phil Jackson. With him he brought his point gaurd form the championships years,Ron Harper. With critism coming every way because of the dissapointing years which the Lakers had they did not budge. They finished the season with the best record in the NBA
of 67 wins. And believe it or not Shaq was named MVP of the league for the fist time in his career. So the Lakers went into the playoff with hopes of bringin home the gold. But they ran into an obstical in there way, the Trailblazers. With game 7 going into the 4th quarter
and the Lakers trailing by 16 they needed to step up. With the great efforts of Kobe,Shaq and Horry they won the game and for the fist time since 1990 advanced to the finals. But it wasnt over the Pacers were not the best team to face in the Finals.
The Lakers started the series strong but then they lost to games. But Kobe and Shaq would not be robed there rings and they did it again to bring the gold back home. And with no dought Shaq was named the MVP of the Finals and became one of the few players to have 3 MVP's in one season.
So the LAkers were back.- by Ilya L.