The legacies of Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson are now part of the common lore of NBA history. This is the story of their first title, and all they had to overcome to get there. How crushing was their defeat in the previous playoffs that caused them to hire Jackson? (And why did a VCR bear the brunt of the blame?) How did the season almost go off the rails from the beginning? What grudge does Shaquille O’Neal still hold from that season (and surprise, it’s not towards Kobe)? What evidence immediately following their title told us the Lakers two big stars could stick around & make it work for awhile? And what story will Kobe Bryant likely hear for the first time surrounding his season of breakthrough stardom…and romance?

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