Shaquille O"Neal weighing at about 340 pounds and with skyscraping height of seven feet and one inch, he terrorized the Nets throughout the entire series and collected 34 points and 10 rebounds in the clincher (NBA.com). Shaq averaged 28.5 points per game with total blocks and assists of 48 and 54 respectively during the 2002 Finals (Sportsline.com). "I just knew I had to hit them," O'Neal said. "In any part of this series, if I were to start missing them, they probably would go into the Hack-a-Shaq as a strategy. I didn't feel like going through that." Shaq's enormous size and his ability to dunk, post-up, and shoot on the perimeter, it was almost impossible to guard him. However, at times Shaq would get frustrated because of the fouls and missed shots. When the team goes into timeout, coach Phil uses his motivational skills to work on underachieving Shaq. During an interview Shaq humbles himself and compliments Phil Jackson. He says:.
He knows if he blasts me in the paper, I won't respond but, I will go out and try to dominate the next game. He's been doing that the last couple of years. Every now and then I say something back and people think we have a problem. We don't have a problem. It's total respect. I realize if it wasn't for Phil, I wouldn't have any championships (NBA.com).
Phil's positive message to the team reinforces them and motivates them to work harder. Shaq is an incredible player with aggressive offense and defense tactic that no one in the NBA can imitate. .
On the other side of the court, there stood Kobe Bryant. Kobe is a shooting guard for the Lakers (Sportsline.com) and has led the team with ability to execute shots like Michael Jordan did in his era. Kobe Bryant skipped college and went on to the pro after high school (Sportsline.com). At a young age, he began to learn about the higher game plans of the L.A Lakers. His career started to fame when he won the Slam-Dunk contest during his rookie year.
