By 2001, the Lakers had won six NBA titles under owner Jerry Buss. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times / June 4, 2001) |
1987-88
FINALS
Lakers 4, Detroit Pistons 3
A fine grind as fifth title brings curtain down on Showtime
With Abdul-Jabbar 41 and in his next-to-last season, Worthy and Byron Scott stepped up, combining to average 41.4 points in the regular season, with a boost from Johnson's 11.9 assists. The playoffs were arduous, the Lakers going the full seven games in the last three rounds before securing the first consecutive titles in the NBA since Boston in 1968 and '69.
The Team: Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Kurt Rambis, Byron Scott, Jeff Lamp, Milt Wagner, Wes Matthews, Michael Cooper, A.C. Green, Billy Thompson, Ray Tolbert, Tony Campbell, Mychal Thompson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Mike Smrek.
The Coach: Pat Riley
Season record: 62-20
Playoff record: 15-9
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1999-2000
FINALS
Lakers 4, Indiana Pacers 2
Shaq, Kobe and Phil: Zen and the art of sacred hoops
Four years after signing with the Lakers as a free agent, Shaquille O'Neal delivered the first of his three titles. He averaged 29.7 points and 13.6 rebounds in the regular season. Kobe Bryant chipped in with 22.5 points, and Phil Jackson took home his seventh NBA title as a coach. The Lakers' 67-15 record led the West and they were 15-8 in the playoffs.
The Team: Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Robert Horry, A.C. Green, Glen Rice, Ron Harper, Rick Fox, Derek Fisher, Travis Knight, Brian Shaw, Devean George, John Salley, Tyronn Lue, John Celestand.
The Coach: Phil Jackson
Season record: 67-15
Playoff record: 15-8
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