Depending on the era they were playing in, your Los Angeles Lakers have had a variety of distinct play styles that have resulted in championships. The 1980s, when the Showtime Lakers debuted with Magic Johnson running the fast break and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar guarding the low block, were unquestionably one of the most famous decades.
Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, though, were two new faces for the purple and gold when LA needed new vitality in the 2000s. O’Neal changed dramatically from one of the league’s most athletic and quick big players to one of the most powerful forces in history when he left the Orlando Magic and moved to Los Angeles.
He was unstoppable down low thanks to his size and basketball IQ, and LA’s investment was well worth it as he won three straight titles and Finals MVP awards for the team.
John Salley discussed how effective Big Shaq was
Even though it was near the conclusion of his career, veteran guard John Salley saw The Big Diesel up close and personal while playing for the Lakers in their 2000 Finals victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Salley discussed how effective Shaq was in Phil Jackson’s triangle offence during a recent interview on ‘KG Certified’ with NBA star Kevin Garnett. “He would blast and then that changed,” “It became like a one-on-one for Shaq. When Shaq wanted the ball, when he wanted to rest, he’d do the rest of the plays. Out of all the players I played with, I always talk about skill of Scottie Pippen, the greatness of Michael Jordan, the unbelievable laser focus of Kobe but Shaq was the most phenomenal specimen of a human being.”
Everyone needs to pay attention when a former teammate like this speaks out about Shaq’s supremacy because it’s obvious that he is respected throughout the league.