Wednesday, June 04, 2025

A Quarter Century Ago: The Lakers Clinched Their Spot in the 2000 NBA Finals...

Kobe Bryant attempts to block a shot during Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals...on June 4, 2000.
Getty Images

25 years ago today, the Lakers made an epic comeback against the Portland Trail Blazers after Los Angeles was down by 15 points in the 4th quarter. In a run that included the famous alley oop from Kobe Bryant to Shaquille O'Neal that resulted in a decisive dunk (see tweet below), the Lakers finally put an end to three straight disappointing postseasons that included two defeats by the Utah Jazz (in 1997 and a sweep in '98), and a sweep by the San Antonio Spurs in 1999. And this run to the championship took place during the Lake Show's first NBA season at their new home, the STAPLES Center.

All I can say is, this was a classic game! Though I'll admit, I was so infuriated by the Lakers losing badly coming out of the 3rd quarter, that I pondered about becoming a Raptors fan had L.A. lost Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals. Don't forget— Air Canada himself, Vince Carter, was still playing in Toronto at the time. Happy Hump Day!

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