Shaquille O'Neal looks back at alley-oop from Kobe Bryant that defined the Lakers dynasty

Twenty years ago today, Los Angeles Lakers won Western Conference Finals against Portland Trail Blazers with an 89-84 score at Staples Center. y won Game 7 with a Kobe to Shaq alley-oop pass, which went on to shape  Lakers' dominant years. Lakers advanced to NBA Finals, where y defeated Indiana Pacers 4-2 to win ir first NBA title since 1988.

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Shaquille O'Neal on Kobe to Shaq alley-oop pass from 2000 WCF vs Trail Blazers

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During an interview with Bleacher Report, Shaquille O'Neal recalled that alley-oop pass is what defined ir dominant run. As per O'Neal, it 'solidified' him and Bryant as 'most enigmatic, most controversial, most dominant one-two punch ever created'. O'Neal added that he knew he would have ended up as 'scapegoat' and would be gone from team if y lost that game.

Shaquille O'Neal furr detailed how he felt while dunking that shot, aware that he could slack off and had to jump at right moment. Lakers great revealed that he knew he had to play well, but he did t do so even though y had time to let down ir guards. He added that y were tired of waiting, and wanted a win desperately.

O'Neal also admitted that he was scared, as it would all be 'over' if y lost game. However, he started scoring in final period and told Bryant he was wide open at rim. Shaq was t expecting a shot during final play but realised on time that Kobe was t aiming for basket. 

Kobe to Shaq alley-oop pass and how it shaped Lakers dynasty

Looking back, that particular dunk from Shaquille O'Neal in  2000 WCF Game 7 went on to craft Lakers' dynasty and also cemented Phil Jackson's status as one of NBA's greatest coaches. Lakers initially had a 3-1 lead in series, but n lost two games to set up a nervy Game 7. That game went on to shape  Lakers dynasty.

y went on two win a three-peat, while Trail Blazers are yet to reach NBA Finals since that game. n-Lakers forward Glen Rice stated that team gave it 'everything' y had, but also remembered t to panic. ir head coach Phil Jackson also stated that while Game 7s are always interesting, he had never seen anything like that game before. 

During fourth quarter, Lakers were 13 points behind Trail Blazers before scoring back-to-back points and overtaking m. As per ESPN, it is currently 'largest start-of-fourth-quarter deficit overcome in a Game 7 NBA playoff victory'. During fourth quarter, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal combined for 43 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists, while Trail Blazers missed close to 13 straight opportunities to cut deficit. Interestingly, Phil Jackson's Bulls favourite Scottie Pippen featured for Trail Blazers on night. 

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Kobe to Shaq alley-oop: 2000 Los Angeles Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers Western Conference Finals

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During an interview, Bryant stated that pass was 'very symbolic' for his relationship with Shaquille O'Neal. It indicated how ir relationship progressed for m to 'have that connection at that moment in time'. Bryant added that he threw him ball, O'Neal 'got it' and 'rest is history'. In ar interview, Bryant said that y were both like-minded people, and matter what people asked and thought about ir relationship, respect would never be lost. 

Bryant and O'Neal went on to win two more championships toger before O'Neal was traded to Miami Heat in 2004 after ir Finals loss against Detroit Pistons. Shaq won an NBA title with Heat in 2006, and Kobe won two back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. O'Neal retired with Boston Celtics in 2011, and Bryant with Lakers in 2016 after playing 20 NBA seasons. This January, Kobe Bryant passed away in a tragic helicopter crash with his daughter Gianna and seven ors who were on board.