Features:
Description:
When Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 1996-97 season, expectations were high that they would form the backbone of the next great Laker championship team. Unfortunately, spectacular talent doesn't always yield spectacular results, and after the team was swept out of the 1998 and 1999 playoffs, Lakers management brought in the ultimate coach: Phil Jackson, who won six championships with the Chicago Bulls. Once again the Lakers were expected to win it all. This official NBA championship video follows the Lakers' exciting 1999-2000 season as they overcame an early injury to Bryant to post the most wins (67) in the NBA. Under Jackson's guidance, O'Neal improved his focus, conditioning, and maturity to become the dominant player in the game and win the MVP award. In the playoffs, the Lakers struggled a bit against the Sacramento Kings, the Phoenix Suns, and the deep and talented Portland Trail Blazers, but they survived and moved on to the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers. The second half of the video covers this "Hoosiers against Hollywood" series, with game film as well as glimpses of postgame press conferences and the Lakers' locker room and training room. Also included are footage of the Lakers' victory celebrations in the locker room and back in L.A., and a music video of Bon Jovi's "It's My Life." Laker fans will find this a memorable souvenir of what may be merely the first step of the next basketball dynasty. --David Horiuchi
| 
