According to the 2004 NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups, the Detroit Pistons used the lack of unity between them to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2004 NBA Finals.
During an appearance on ALL THE SMOKE, Billups shared that despite being a lesser talented team, the Pistons played into the Lakers’ locker room issues:
Billups continued to discuss the Pistons strategy, adding:
The 2004 Finals remains one of the most surprising upsets in NBA history. Besides Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, the Los Angeles Lakers had Gary Payton and Karl Malone going into the season. While the two players were past their prime, many felt the Lakers were the overwhelming favorites.
Watch Chauncey Billups discuss Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and the 2004 NBA Finals below (starting at the 37:10 mark):
Are Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal the best duo ever?
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal spent eight seasons as teammates, appearing in four championships and winning three. Bryant would make six All-Star teams in this span, while O’Neal would make seven. Bryant was also named in six All-NBA teams, while O’Neal was named in the All-NBA team in all his eight years with the Lakers. Kobe would also make five All-Defensive teams, while O’Neal made three. O’Neal would also win an MVP award.
Despite their long list of accomplishments, many questions remain regarding what could have been. Had the duo remained together, they potentially could have surpassed fellow Lakers duo Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson as the greatest duo of all-time.
Relive the Lakers’ Western Conference Finals Game 7 run against the Portland Trail Blazers, which culminated in Kobe Bryant’s legendary alley-oop to Shaquille O’Neal:
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