Ringer NBA Lore: The 1999-2000 Champion Los Angeles Lakers

Welcome to a Real Ones special edition series we’re calling Ringer NBA Lore, where we remember iconic teams and moments in NBA history. Today, Logan Murdock is joined by Howard Beck and Tim Kawakami to dive deep into the first championship run of the Lakers' 2000s three-peat. Howard and Tim both covered the team that season, so they share their stories and behind-the-scenes insights on the friction between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, Phil Jackson’s mind games, Jerry West’s influence, and how this team defined the NBA at the turn of the century.

(00:00) Intro

(7:56) Lakers trade for Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal

(18:56) Phil Jackson arrives

(28:44) Regular season

(38:56) Media wars

(50:44) Playoffs and Shaq wins MVP

(54:46) Lakers-Blazers playoff series

(1:11:28) Finals

(1:24:03) Covering the championship

(1:30:26) Biggest what-ifs

Hosts: Logan Murdock and Howard Beck