The Lakers were rampant yet again in 2001, winning their second straight championship with ease to complete the finest playoff run in NBA history.
They swept aside Portland, Sacramento and San Antonio on their way to a finals showdown against Philadelphia, which they won 108-96 in game five. Shaquille O’Neal led the way as the Lakers finished the playoffs with an astonishing record of 15-1, the best ever.
O'Neal averaged 30.4 points and 15.4 rebounds during the playoff run to earn his second straight Finals MVP award. He reached double figures in points and rebounds in every game to help his team finish the year with the best post-season winning percentage (.938) in NBA history.
