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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, CA – JUNE 7: Shaquille O’Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball during Game One of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers on June 7, 2000 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 7: Shaquille O’Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball during Game One of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers on June 7, 2000 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images) /

June 7, 2000: Lakers vs. Indiana Pacers (Game 1)

The Finals series between these two teams was one of firsts. For starters, it was the first year Jackson returned to the coaching sidelines after guiding the Chicago Bulls to six titles. And it was only fitting that he picked up where he left off by helping the Lakers reach the Finals in his first year with the team.

On the other side of the equation, the Pacers had finally broken through the Eastern Conference, ending years of postseason disappointment. But as good as the Pacers were behind the trio of Reggie Miller, Rik Smits and Mark Jackson, they were not in the same stratosphere as the Lakers.

That fact was evident from the series opener. In Game 1, Shaq pounded the Pacers to the tune of 43 points, 19 boards and four dimes. Meanwhile, Miller produced seven points while converting just one of his 16 attempts.

Taking that into consideration, it should come as no surprise that the Lakers rolled to a 104-87 victory.

To put O’Neal’s dominant performance into perspective, it is worth noting that the Pacers’ starting five scored a total of just 58 points. Food for the thought to say the least.

Both the regular season and the playoffs would prove to be a banner year for O’Neal.

He was the co-MVP of the All-Star game along with Tim Duncan. He was the near-unanimous league MVP and was the unanimous NBA Finals MVP as the Lakers defeated the Pacers in six games, giving the team its first championship since 1988.

During the series, O’Neal averaged an eye-popping 38.0 points, 16.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per contest on 61 percent shooting.

More hoops habit: 50 Most Underrated Players In NBA History

Although he may not be remembered as the greatest Laker of all time, O’Neal was certainly an unstoppable force that no team had an answer for during those memorable title runs.

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