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Los Angeles Lakers: Shaquille O’Neal’s Top 5 Finals Performances

By James D. Tillman III

AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: Shaquille O'Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers challenges long-time basketball fan James Goldstein during questions prior to practicing for game five of the NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons 14 June 2004 at The Palace in Auburn Hills, MI. O'Neal said he would cut Goldstein's hair if the Lakers win the best-of-seven series which the Pistons lead 3-1. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: Shaquille O'Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers challenges long-time basketball fan James Goldstein during questions prior to practicing for game five of the NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons 14 June 2004 at The Palace in Auburn Hills, MI. O'Neal said he would cut Goldstein's hair if the Lakers win the best-of-seven series which the Pistons lead 3-1. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Shaquille O’Neal (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers works against Dikembe Mutombo (R) of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter of game two of the NBA Finals 08 June 2001 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The 76ers lead the best of seven game series 1-0. AFP PHOTO/ MIKE NELSON (Photo credit should read MIKE NELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Shaquille O’Neal (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers works against Dikembe Mutombo (R) of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter of game two of the NBA Finals 08 June 2001 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The 76ers lead the best of seven game series 1-0. AFP PHOTO/ MIKE NELSON (Photo credit should read MIKE NELSON/AFP/Getty Images) /

4. June 8, 2001: Lakers vs Philadelphia 76ers (Game 2)

The Lakers were fresh off a stunning home loss in Game 1 (more on that in a bit) and they could ill afford to go on the road facing an 0-2 deficit, even if it was against the underdog Sixers.

As was the case more times than not during their championship reign, O’Neal and the Lakers responded in appropriate fashion following a postseason loss. While Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 31 points, it was O’Neal who had the best all-around performance of any player on the court.

In the pivotal Game 2, O’Neal scored 28 points; pulled down a whopping 20 rebounds, handed out nine assists to go along with eight blocks. Simply put, it doesn’t get much better than that.

As a result of O’Neal’s phenomenal outing, the Lakers tied the series at 1-1. Even more important, they sent a message to the Sixers that their win in Game 1 was nothing more than an aberration.

Next: No. 3

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