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10 Recent NBA Dynasties That Never Were

By Jamal Williams

Basketball: Orlando Magic Shaquille O'Neal (C) happy and pointing with Anfernee Penny Hardaway (R) on bench during game vs Denver Nuggets at Orlando Arena. Orlando, FL 12/14/1994 CREDIT: Ben Van Hook (Photo by Ben Van Hook /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X47547 )
Basketball: Orlando Magic Shaquille O'Neal (C) happy and pointing with Anfernee Penny Hardaway (R) on bench during game vs Denver Nuggets at Orlando Arena. Orlando, FL 12/14/1994 CREDIT: Ben Van Hook (Photo by Ben Van Hook /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X47547 ) /
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AUBURN HILLS, MI – JUNE 13: (L-R) Shaquille O’Neal
AUBURN HILLS, MI – JUNE 13: (L-R) Shaquille O’Neal /

7. Los Angeles Lakers  (2003-04)

They were the darlings of the league, seemingly owning the early part the new millennium. Winning three straight titles is no tough task and the Los Angeles Lakers definitely knew that. With the unstoppable duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant combined with the tutelage of the zen master Phil Jackson, the Lakers were destined for title runs almost every season.

Unfortunately, winning so much can also go your head and tempers can start to flare, as was the case for Bryant and O’Neal as they were constantly in disagreement with one another. And with the San Antonio Spurs winning the title in 2003, the Lakers seemed desperate to get back that winning formula that brought them so much joy.

Insert Karl Malone and Gary Payton, two players destined for Springfield, Massachusetts, but vying for that ever lasting Finals victory. Both had been thwarted in the 90s at the hands of Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, so they figured why not join the Lakers in an attempt to go out with a fairy tale ending?

Through much drama consisting of Bryant’s legal battles and inner turmoil with the team, the Lakers eventually got back to the Finals and captured a championship once more. In their way stood a confident Detroit Pistons team with a balanced attack that seemed to remind many of their glory days back in the early 90s (more on that in a later slide). Led by head coach Larry Brown, the Pistons seemingly did the unthinkable and trounced the super team in five games.

The aftermath of the series found Karl Malone retiring after battling injuries during the season. Gary Payton moved on to another squad to play with and the once dominant duo of Kobe and Shaq split up, causing Phil Jackson to leave the broken group as well. Sure they both would eventually win titles without the other, but many were left wondering about the many titles two of greatest players in the NBA left on the table.

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