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2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers season

The 2003–04 NBA season was the Lakers' 56th season in the National Basketball Association and 44th in the city of Los Angeles.[1]

2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers season
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachPhil Jackson
General managerMitch Kupchak
Owner(s)Jerry Buss
ArenaStaples Center
Results
Record56–26 (.683)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Pacific)
Conference: 2nd (Western)
Playoff finishNBA Finals
(lost to Pistons 1–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionFox Sports Net West, KCAL
RadioAM 570 KLAC
< 2002–03 2004–05 >
Horace Grant battles for a jump ball versus future Laker Pau Gasol in November 2003.

The Lakers entered the season following a disappointing second-round loss to the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs in the 2003 playoffs. During the offseason, the Lakers signed star free agents Karl Malone and Gary Payton and re-signed free agent power forward Horace Grant.[2][3] Following these acquisitions, the Lakers became the instant favorites to win the NBA title.[4][5]

Despite major acquisitions, key moves, and becoming overnight title favorites, the Lakers would run into major setbacks to begin the season. During the 2003 off-season, superstar guard Kobe Bryant had been accused of sexual assault in Colorado. Media attention surrounding the case would prove to be an ongoing distraction for the team, and Bryant missed games during his trial. In addition, Bryant's feud with superstar center Shaquille O'Neal reached a peak during the season, as both players criticized each other in the media.[6] Payton struggled with coach Phil Jackson's triangle offense, and Malone missed significant time due to injuries.[7][8][9]

Despite the setbacks, the Lakers finished the season with a 56–26 overall record, good enough to clinch the second seed in the Western Conference en route to the playoffs.[10] In the playoffs, they defeated the Houston Rockets, the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, and the Minnesota Timberwolves to earn the franchise its 28th appearance in the NBA Finals. The Lakers entered the Finals against the Detroit Pistons as favorites.[11][12]This was the third meeting between the Lakers and the Pistons in the NBA Finals, after both franchises met in 1988 and 1989. However, the underdog Pistons' strong defense and teamwork propelled them to their third championship in franchise history, and the star-studded Lakers would collapse in five games.[13][14] After the season, Jackson and the team mutually agree to part ways[15] and O'Neal (who requested a trade) was dealt to the Miami Heat.[16]

Draft picks edit

Main article: 2003 NBA draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalityCollege
124Brian CookF  United StatesIllinois
232Luke WaltonF  United StatesArizona

Roster edit

2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G8Bryant, Kobe6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)205 lb (93 kg)1978-08-23Lower Merion HS (PA)
C7Cook, Brian6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)234 lb (106 kg)1980-12-04Illinois
G2Fisher, Derek6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)210 lb (95 kg)1974-08-09Little Rock
F17Fox, Rick6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)230 lb (104 kg)1969-07-24North Carolina
F3George, Devean6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)235 lb (107 kg)1977-08-29Augsburg
F54Grant, Horace6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)245 lb (111 kg)1965-07-04Clemson
F11Malone, Karl6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)250 lb (113 kg)1963-07-24Louisiana Tech
F14Medvedenko, Slava6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)253 lb (115 kg)1979-04-04Ukraine
C34O'Neal, Shaquille7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)325 lb (147 kg)1972-03-06LSU
G20Payton, Gary6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)180 lb (82 kg)1968-07-23Oregon State
G21Rush, Kareem6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)200 lb (91 kg)1980-10-30Missouri
F9Russell, Bryon6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)225 lb (102 kg)1970-12-31Long Beach State
C31Sampson, Jamal6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)235 lb (107 kg)1983-05-13California
F4Walton, Luke6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)235 lb (107 kg)1980-03-28Arizona
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: January 30, 2004

Regular season edit

Season standings edit

By division edit

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers5626.683–34–722–1915–9
x-Sacramento Kings5527.671134–721–2016–8
Portland Trail Blazers4141.5001525–1616–2513–11
Seattle SuperSonics3745.4511921–2016–2511–13
Golden State Warriors3745.4511927–1410–3112–12
Phoenix Suns2953.3542718–2311–309–15
Los Angeles Clippers2854.3412818–2310–318–16

By conference edit

#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1c-Minnesota Timberwolves5824.707–
2y-Los Angeles Lakers5626.6832
3x-San Antonio Spurs5725.6951
4x-Sacramento Kings5527.6713
5x-Dallas Mavericks5230.6346
6x-Memphis Grizzlies5032.6108
7x-Houston Rockets4537.54913
8x-Denver Nuggets4339.52415
9Utah Jazz4240.51216
10Portland Trail Blazers4141.50017
11Seattle SuperSonics3745.45121
12Golden State Warriors3745.45121
13Phoenix Suns2953.35429
14Los Angeles Clippers2854.34130

Record vs. opponents edit

2003-04 NBA Records
TeamATLBOSCHICLEDALDENDETGSWHOUINDLACLALMEMMIAMILMINNJNNOHNYKORLPHIPHOPORSACSASSEATORUTAWAS
Atlanta–3–13–11–32–02–01–30–20–20–40–21–10–21–32–21–11–32–20–31–31–21–10–20–21–11–11–30–22–2
Boston1–3–1–23–11–12–00–32–01–11–30–20–21–12–21–31–12–20–41–33–13–11–10–21–10–21–13–11–13–1
Chicago1–32–1–2–20–20–20–41–10–21–31–10–20–20–41–30–20–32–22–23–10–41–10–20–20–20–24–01–11–3
Cleveland3–11–32–2–0–20–22–20–20–21–31–10–20–22–22–20–21–23–14–02–13–10–21–10–21–12–01–31–12–2
Dallas0–21–12–02–0–2–21–13–13–10–22–22–22–21–11–12–22–02–02–02–01–13–13–13–13–13–11–12–21–1
Denver0–20–22–02–02–2–0–23–12–20–22–21–32–21–12–01–30–21–11–11–12–04–04–02–21–32–20–23–12–0
Detroit3–13–04–02–21–12–0–1–11–11–32–01–12–04–03–10–22–21–33–13–12–22–02–00–21–11–13–11–13–0
Golden State2–00–21–12–01–31–31–1–2–20–22–21–31–31–11–12–20–20–22–01–11–12–22–22–22–23–11–12–21–1
Houston2–01–12–02–01–32–21–12–2–1–14–02–21–31–12–02–21–12–02–02–02–01–33–10–40–41–31–12–22–0
Indiana4–03–13–13–12–02–03–12–01–1–2–01–11–13–01–31–13–12–23–13–14–02–01–10–21–12–04–02–02–1
L.A. Clippers2–02–01–11–12–22–20–22–20–40–2–1–30–40–22–00–40–21–11–12–01–13–12–20–41–30–41–11–30–2
L.A. Lakers1–12–02–02–02–23–11–13–12–21–13–1–2–22–02–01–32–01–12–02–01–13–12–21–33–13–12–03–12–0
Memphis2–01–12–02–02–22–20–23–13–11–14–02–2–1–11–11–32–01–11–12–02–02–22–22–23–11–32–01–32–0
Miami3–12–24–02–21–11–10–41–11–10–32–00–21–1–1–20–23–23–11–34–01–31–10–21–10–22–02–11–14–0
Milwaukee2–23–13–12–21–10–21–31–10–23–10–20–21–12–1–0–23–11–32–23–12–11–11–11–11–10–23–11–13–1
Minnesota1–11–12–02–02–23–12–02–22–21–14–03–13–12–02–0–1–12–01–12–01–14–01–33–12–23–12–02–22–0
New Jersey3–12–23–02–10–22–02–22–01–11–32–00–20–22–31–31–1–2–13–14–03–11–10–21–10–22–02–21–14–0
New Orleans2–24–02–21–30–21–13–12–00–22–21–11–11–11–33–10–21–2–1–24–02–21–12–00–21–10–21–31–13–1
New York3–03–12–20–40–21–11–30–20–21–31–10–21–13–12–21–11–32–1–3–13–11–11–11–10–21–13–10–24–0
Orlando3–11–31–31–20–21–11–31–10–21–30–20–20–20–41–30–20–40–41–3–2–21–10–20–20–20–21–21–14–0
Philadelphia2–11–34–01–31–10–22–21–10–20–41–11–10–23–11–21–11–32–21–32–2–1–11–10–22–01–11–30–22–2
Phoenix1–11–11–12–01–30–40–22–23–10–21–31–32–21–11–10–41–11–11–11–11–1–2–21–30–42–20–21–31–1
Portland2–02–02–01–11–30–40–22–21–31–12–22–22–22–01–13–12–00–21–12–01–12–2–3–10–42–21–12–21–1
Sacramento2–01–12–02–01–32–22–02–24–02–04–03–12–21–11–11–31–12–01–12–02–03–11–3–2–23–12–03–11–1
San Antonio1–12–02–01–11–33–11–12–24–01–13–11–31–32–01–12–22–01–12–02–00–24–04–02–2–4–02–04–02–0
Seattle1–11–12–00–21–32–21–11–33–10–24–01–33–10–22–01–30–22–01–12–01–12–22–21–30–4–1–11–31–1
Toronto3–11–30–43–11–12–01–31–11–10–41–10–20–21–21–30–22–23–11–32–13–12–01–10–20–21–1–1–11–3
Utah2–01–11–11–12–21–31–12–22–20–23–11–33–11–11–12–21–11–12–01–12–03–12–21–30–43–11–1–1–1
Washington2–21–33–12–21–10–20–31–10–21–22–00–20–20–41–30–20–41–30–40–42–21–11–11–10–21–13–11–1—

Game log edit

Pre-season edit

2003 preseason game log
Total: 3–5
Preseason
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1October 7Golden StateW 107-89Shaquille O'Neal (16)Devean George (7)Gary Payton (7)Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, HI)
10,300		1-0
2October 8Golden StateL 83-99Gary Payton (11)Shaquille O'Neal (8)Shaquille O'Neal (5)Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, HI)
10,300		1-1
3October 14PhoenixL 86-104Derek Fisher (14)3 players tied (6)Gary Payton (4)San Diego Sports Arena (San Diego, CA)
13,144		1-2
4October 16ClevelandW 86-78Karl Malone (18)Karl Malone (13)Malone & Payton (7)Staples Center
18,997		2-2
5October 17PhoenixW 91-84Derek Fisher (18)Eric Chenowith (7)Luke Walton (4)Staples Center
18,997		3-2
6October 19ClevelandL 87-102Shaquille O'Neal (20)Shaquille O'Neal (6)Luke Walton (5)Centennial Garden (Bakersfield, CA)
9,772		3-3
7October 23L.A. ClippersL 101-107Shaquille O'Neal (18)Shaquille O'Neal (9)Gary Payton (7)Arrowhead Pond (Anaheim, CA)
18,298		3-4
8October 24SacramentoL 87-93Shaquille O'Neal (19)Shaquille O'Neal (14)Malone & O'Neal (5)Thomas & Mack Center (Las Vegas, NV)
18,234		3-5
2003–04 season schedule

Regular season edit

2003–04 game log
Total: 56–26 (home: 34–7; road: 22-19)
October: 1–0 (home: 1–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1October 28DallasW 109–93Gary Payton (21)Karl Malone (10)Malone & Payton (9)Staples Center
18,997		1–0
November: 13–3 (home: 9–0; road: 4–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
2November 1@ PhoenixW 103–99Shaquille O'Neal (24)3 players tied (12)Gary Payton (9)American West Arena
18,422		2–0
3November 2Golden StateW 87–72Kobe Bryant (21)Shaquille O'Neal (14)Gary Payton (11)Staples Center
18,997		3–0
4November 4@ MilwaukeeW 113–107Kobe Bryant (31)Shaquille O'Neal (14)Kobe Bryant (8)Bradley Center
18,717		4–0
5November 6@ San AntonioW 120–117 (2OT)Kobe Bryant (37)Shaquille O'Neal (20)O'Neal & Payton (6)SBC Center
18,717		5–0
6November 7@ New OrleansL 95–114Shaquille O'Neal (21)Malone & O'Neal (6)Gary Payton (11)New Orleans Arena
18,717		5–1
7November 10@ MemphisL 95–105Shaquille O'Neal (20)Shaquille O'Neal (12)Kobe Bryant (5)Pyramid Arena
19,351		5–2
8November 12TorontoW 94–79Shaquille O'Neal (23)Shaquille O'Neal (14)Gary Payton (6)Staples Center
18,997		6–2
9November 14DetroitW 94–89O'Neal & Payton (21)Shaquille O'Neal (15)Shaquille O'Neal (8)Staples Center
18,997		7–2
10November 16MiamiW 99–77Kobe Bryant (27)Karl Malone (10)Gary Payton (8)Staples Center
18,997		8–2
11November 18@ DetroitL 96–106Malone & O'Neal (20)Shaquille O'Neal (10)3 players tied (5)The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		8–3
12November 19@ New YorkW 104–83Shaquille O'Neal (23)Karl Malone (14)Bryant & Malone (4)Madison Square Garden
19,763		9–3
13November 21ChicagoW 101–94Kobe Bryant (28)Karl Malone (18)Bryant & Payton (4)Staples Center
18,997		10–3
14November 23MemphisW 121–89Kobe Bryant (28)Slava Medvedenko (11)Gary Payton (10)Staples Center
18,997		11–3
15November 26WashingtonW 120–99Kobe Bryant (22)Horace Grant (6)Malone & Payton (5)Staples Center
18,997		12–3
16November 28San AntonioW 103–87Devean George (19)Karl Malone (11)Karl Malone (10)Staples Center
18,997		13–3
17November 30IndianaW 99–77Shaquille O'Neal (23)Karl Malone (15)Kobe Bryant (7)Staples Center
18,997		14–3
December: 7–4 (home: 5–2; road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
18December 3@ San AntonioW 90–86Kobe Bryant (21)Shaquille O'Neal (16)Gary Payton (6)SBC Center
18,841		15–3
19December 4@ DallasW 114–103Kobe Bryant (32)Shaquille O'Neal (19)Gary Payton (8)American Airlines Center
20,596		16–3
20December 7UtahW 94–92Bryant & O'Neal (19)Shaquille O'Neal (15)Shaquille O'Neal (8)Staples Center
18,997		17–3
21December 9New YorkW 98–90Kobe Bryant (21)Shaquille O'Neal (15)Kobe Bryant (9)Staples Center
18,997		18–3
22December 12DallasL 93–110Shaquille O'Neal (25)Shaquille O'Neal (14)Kobe Bryant (6)Staples Center
18,997		18–4
23December 13@ PortlandL 108–112Kobe Bryant (35)Shaquille O'Neal (10)Kobe Bryant (6)Rose Garden
20,630		18–5
24December 19DenverW 101–99Shaquille O'Neal (26)Shaquille O'Neal (11)Gary Payton (11)Staples Center
18,997		19–5
25December 21PhoenixW 107–101George & Payton (19)Shaquille O'Neal (18)Gary Payton (7)Staples Center
18,997		20–5
26December 23@ Golden StateL 98–107Kobe Bryant (23)Devean George (9)Gary Payton (13)The Arena in Oakland
20,310		20–6
27December 25HoustonL 87–99Kobe Bryant (23)Horace Grant (11)Gary Payton (7)Staples Center
18,997		20–7
28December 28BostonW 105–82Shaquille O'Neal (22)Shaquille O'Neal (16)Bryant & Payton (6)Staples Center
18,997		21–7
January: 6–9 (home: 5–2; road: 1–7)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
29January 2@ SeattleL 109–111Kobe Bryant (32)Bryant & Grant (6)Kobe Bryant (6)KeyArena
17,072		21–8
30January 4@ L.A. ClippersL 98–101Kobe Bryant (44)Kobe Bryant (10)Payton & Russell (4)Staples Center
19,653		21–9
31January 6@ MinnesotaL 90–106Kobe Bryant (20)Kobe Bryant (10)Derek Fisher (5)Target Center
20,095		21–10
32January 7@ DenverL 91–113Kobe Bryant (27)Brian Cook (8)Kobe Bryant (6)Pepsi Center
19,739		21–11
33January 9AtlantaW 113–67Bryant & Medvedenko (26)Slava Medvedenko (11)Gary Payton (7)Staples Center
18,997		22–11
34January 12ClevelandW 89–79Cook & Payton (13)Devean George (12)Fisher & Payton (4)Staples Center
18,997		23–11
35January 14DenverW 97–71Slava Medvedenko (22)Horace Grant (11)Gary Payton (6)Staples Center
18,997		24–11
36January 16@ SacramentoL 83–103Kareem Rush (30)Medvedenko & Sampson (9)Luke Walton (5)ARCO Arena
17,317		24–12
37January 17L.A. ClippersW 91–89Slava Medvedenko (20)Medvedenko & Sampson (10)Gary Payton (15)Staples Center
18,997		25–12
38January 19PhoenixL 85–88Kareem Rush (18)Payton & Sampson (8)Gary Payton (9)Staples Center
18,997		25–13
39January 21@ MemphisL 82–88Gary Payton (24)Slava Medvedenko (12)Kareem Rush (5)Pyramid Arena
19,351		25–14
40January 22@ DallasL 87–106Devean George (24)Luke Walton (7)Gary Payton (5)American Airlines Center
20,512		25–15
41January 24@ UtahW 93–86Slava Medvedenko (26)Slava Medvedenko (12)Bryant & Payton (6)Delta Center
19,911		26–15
42January 28SeattleW 96–82Gary Payton (24)Horace Grant (10)Gary Payton (5)Staples Center
18,997		27–15
43January 30MinnesotaL 84–97Shaquille O'Neal (22)Shaquille O'Neal (9)Gary Payton (9)Staples Center
18,997		27–16
February: 11–4 (home: 2–1; road: 9–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
44February 1@ TorontoW 84–83Shaquille O'Neal (36)Horace Grant (9)Shaquille O'Neal (5)Air Canada Centre
20,116		28–16
45February 2@ IndianaL 72–85Slava Medvedenko (14)Gary Payton (8)Gary Payton (7)Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345		28–17
46February 4@ ClevelandW 111–106 (OT)Shaquille O'Neal (37)Grant & O'Neal (12)O'Neal & Payton (6)Gund Arena
20,562		29–17
47February 5@ PhiladelphiaL 73–96Shaquille O'Neal (17)Shaquille O'Neal (8)Fisher & Walton (5)Wachovia Center
20,965		29–18
48February 8@ OrlandoW 98–96Shaquille O'Neal (20)Shaquille O'Neal (10)Luke Walton (7)TD Waterhouse Centre
17,283		30–18
49February 10@ MiamiW 98–83Shaquille O'Neal (25)Devean George (11)Fisher & Payton (6)American Airlines Arena
16,500		31–18
50February 11@ HoustonL 87–102Shaquille O'Neal (24)Shaquille O'Neal (9)Shaquille O'Neal (4)Toyota Center
18,218		31–19
All-Star Break
51February 17PortlandW 89–86Kobe Bryant (31)Shaquille O'Neal (11)Kobe Bryant (10)Staples Center
18,997		32–19
52February 18@ Golden StateW 100–99Kobe Bryant (35)Shaquille O'Neal (16)Kobe Bryant (8)The Arena in Oakland
20,252		33–19
53February 20PhiladelphiaW 116–88Shaquille O'Neal (29)Shaquille O'Neal (13)Bryant & Fisher (7)Staples Center
18,997		34–19
54February 22@ PhoenixW 104–92Kobe Bryant (40)Bryant & Fox (7)3 players tied (5)American West Arena
18,422		35–19
55February 25@ DenverW 112–111Kobe Bryant (35)Shaquille O'Neal (8)Kobe Bryant (10)Pepsi Center
19,812		36–19
56February 26SacramentoL 101–103Kobe Bryant (35)Kobe Bryant (11)Bryant & Payton (6)Staples Center
18,997		36–20
57February 28@ WashingtonW 122–110Shaquille O'Neal (19)Kobe Bryant (14)Kobe Bryant (10)MCI Center
20,173		37–20
58February 29@ New JerseyW 100–83Shaquille O'Neal (19)Shaquille O'Neal (14)Kobe Bryant (10)Continental Airlines Arena
19,968		38–20
March: 13–3 (home: 9–0; road: 4–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
59March 2@ AtlantaL 93–94O'Neal & Payton (23)Shaquille O'Neal (14)Gary Payton (10)Philips Arena
19,445		38–21
60March 3@ HoustonW 96–93Shaquille O'Neal (28)Kobe Bryant (8)Kobe Bryant (13)Toyota Center
18,172		39–21
61March 5SeattleW 99–91Shaquille O'Neal (32)Luke Walton (9)Fox & Payton (7)Staples Center
18,997		40–21
62March 7New JerseyW 94–88Shaquille O'Neal (32)O'Neal & Payton (9)Rick Fox (5)Staples Center
18,997		41–21
63March 8@ UtahL 83–88Gary Payton (21)Shaquille O'Neal (10)Gary Payton (7)Delta Center
19,911		41–22
64March 10@ BostonW 117–109Shaquille O'Neal (28)Shaquille O'Neal (17)Kobe Bryant (10)FleetCenter
18,624		42–22
65March 12@ MinnesotaL 86–96Shaquille O'Neal (24)Shaquille O'Neal (13)Fox & Payton (6)Target Center
20,391		42–23
66March 13@ ChicagoW 88–81Kobe Bryant (35)Shaquille O'Neal (15)Karl Malone (7)United Center
23,067		43–23
67March 15OrlandoW 113–110 (OT)Kobe Bryant (38)Shaquille O'Neal (23)Bryant & Malone (4)Staples Center
18,997		44–23
68March 17@ L.A. ClippersW 106–103Kobe Bryant (27)Shaquille O'Neal (11)Gary Payton (7)Staples Center
19,668		45–23
69March 19L.A. ClippersW 106–100Kobe Bryant (27)Shaquille O'Neal (10)Fox & O'Neal (6)Staples Center
18,997		46–23
70March 21MilwaukeeW 104–103 (OT)Shaquille O'Neal (31)Shaquille O'Neal (26)Gary Payton (6)Staples Center
18,997		47–23
71March 24SacramentoW 115–91Kobe Bryant (36)Shaquille O'Neal (16)Bryant & O'Neal (6)Staples Center
18,997		48–23
72March 26MinnesotaW 90–73Kobe Bryant (35)Shaquille O'Neal (18)Kobe Bryant (5)Staples Center
18,997		49–23
73March 28UtahW 91–84Kobe Bryant (34)Shaquille O'Neal (14)Kobe Bryant (4)Staples Center
18,997		50–23
74March 30New OrleansW 107–88Kobe Bryant (23)Shaquille O'Neal (9)Karl Malone (9)Staples Center
18,997		51–23
April: 5–3 (home: 3–2; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
75April 1HoustonW 93–85Kobe Bryant (26)Karl Malone (14)Karl Malone (6)Staples Center
18,997		52–23
76April 2@ SeattleW 97–86Kobe Bryant (25)Shaquille O'Neal (14)Rick Fox (6)KeyArena
17,072		53–23
77April 4San AntonioL 89–95Kobe Bryant (28)Malone & O'Neal (9)Malone & O'Neal (4)Staples Center
18,997		53–24
78April 6PortlandL 80–91Shaquille O'Neal (17)Shaquille O'Neal (12)Kobe Bryant (8)Staples Center
18,997		53–25
79April 9MemphisW 103–95Kobe Bryant (33)Shaquille O'Neal (12)Bryant & Payton (7)Staples Center
18,997		54–25
80April 11@ SacramentoL 85–102Gary Payton (15)Karl Malone (11)Fisher & George (5)ARCO Arena
17,317		54–26
81April 13Golden StateW 109–104Kobe Bryant (45)Shaquille O'Neal (13)Kobe Bryant (8)Staples Center
18,997		55–26
82April 14@ PortlandW 105–104 (2OT)Kobe Bryant (37)Medvedenko & O'Neal (14)Fisher & Payton (6)Rose Garden
20,609		56–26
2003–04 season schedule

Playoffs edit

2004 playoff game log
Total: 13–9 (home: 10–1; road: 3–8)
First round: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1April 17HoustonW 72–71Shaquille O'Neal (20)Shaquille O'Neal (17)Kobe Bryant (6)Staples Center
18,997		1–0
2April 19HoustonW 98–84Kobe Bryant (36)Karl Malone (8)Gary Payton (7)Staples Center
18,997		2–0
3April 23@ HoustonL 91–102Shaquille O'Neal (25)Malone & O'Neal (11)Gary Payton (7)Toyota Center
18,226		2–1
4April 25@ HoustonW 92–88 (OT)Karl Malone (30)Karl Malone (13)Gary Payton (7)Toyota Center
18,219		3–1
5April 28HoustonW 97–78Kobe Bryant (31)Malone & O'Neal (9)Kobe Bryant (10)Staples Center
18,997		4–1
Conference Semi-finals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1May 2@ San AntonioL 78–88Kobe Bryant (31)Shaquille O'Neal (13)Karl Malone (5)SBC Center
18,797		0–1
2May 5@ San AntonioL 85–95Shaquille O'Neal (32)Shaquille O'Neal (15)Kobe Bryant (8)SBC Center
18,797		0–2
3May 9San AntonioW 105–81Shaquille O'Neal (28)Shaquille O'Neal (15)Gary Payton (7)Staples Center
18,997		1–2
4May 11San AntonioW 98–90Kobe Bryant (42)Shaquille O'Neal (14)Karl Malone (6)Staples Center
18,997		2–2
5May 13@ San AntonioW 74–73Kobe Bryant (22)Karl Malone (12)Gary Payton (7)SBC Center
18,797		3–2
6May 15San AntonioW 88–76Kobe Bryant (26)Shaquille O'Neal (19)Bryant & Payton (7)Staples Center
18,997		4–2
Conference finals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1May 21@ MinnesotaW 97–88Shaquille O'Neal (27)Shaquille O'Neal (18)Bryant & Fisher (6)Target Center
19,552		1–0
2May 23@ MinnesotaL 71–89Kobe Bryant (27)Shaquille O'Neal (16)Kobe Bryant (6)Target Center
19,707		1–1
3May 25MinnesotaW 100–89Bryant & O'Neal (22)Shaquille O'Neal (17)Gary Payton (9)Staples Center
18,997		2–1
4May 27MinnesotaW 92–85Kobe Bryant (31)Shaquille O'Neal (19)Kobe Bryant (8)Staples Center
18,997		3–1
5May 29@ MinnesotaL 96–98Kobe Bryant (23)Shaquille O'Neal (13)Kobe Bryant (7)Target Center
20,109		3–2
6May 31MinnesotaW 96–90Shaquille O'Neal (25)Shaquille O'Neal (11)Gary Payton (8)Staples Center
18,997		4–2
NBA Finals: 1–4 (home: 1–1; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1June 6DetroitL 75–87Shaquille O'Neal (34)Malone & O'Neal (11)Kobe Bryant (4)Staples Center
18,997		0–1
2June 8DetroitW 99–91 (OT)Kobe Bryant (33)Karl Malone (9)Luke Walton (8)Staples Center
18,997		1–1
3June 10@ DetroitL 68–88Shaquille O'Neal (14)Medvedenko & O'Neal (8)Gary Payton (7)The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		1–2
4June 13@ DetroitL 80–88Shaquille O'Neal (36)Shaquille O'Neal (20)Rick Fox (6)The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		1–3
5June 15@ DetroitL 87–100Kobe Bryant (24)Shaquille O'Neal (8)Luke Walton (5)The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		1–4
2004 schedule
The Lakers playing against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the 2004 Western Conference Semi-finals at the SBC Center.

NBA Finals edit

See also: 2004 NBA Finals

Series summary edit

Team/Game12 (OT)345Wins
Los Angeles (West)75996880871
Detroit (East)879188881004
  • (OT) denotes a game that required overtime.

The Finals were played using a 2-3-2 site format, where the first two and last two games are held at the team with home court advantage. This is only used in the Finals, all other playoff games are held in a 2-2-1-1-1 format (the team with home court advantage starts).[17]

Background edit

The Lakers had a star-studded lineup that included offseason acquisitions Karl Malone and Gary Payton as well as mainstays Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. Malone and Payton were perennial All-Stars; Payton had led the Seattle SuperSonics to the Finals in 1996, while Malone's Utah Jazz reached the Finals in 1997 and 1998.[18] However, both had been defeated by Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. By 2003, Malone and Payton were in the latter stages of their respective careers and were no longer playing on championship-contending teams.[18][19] Both Malone and Payton took pay cuts to sign with the Lakers in an effort to win a championship.[20]

Game One edit

Sunday, June 6, 2004, 14:30 at the Staples Center.

Considered to be a stunning upset by most of the NBA world, the Detroit Pistons managed to defeat the Lakers with imposing defense.[21] Defensively clamping down on everyone but Bryant and O'Neal, the Pistons managed to hold everyone else to a total of 16 points.

The Pistons trailed the Lakers 41–40 at halftime, but a 10–4 surge capped by Billups's 3-pointer gave the Pistons the lead. O'Neal's foul trouble furthered the scoring gap, with the Pistons leading by 13 points early in the fourth quarter.

Box Score

Team1st Qt.2nd Qt.3rd Qt.4th Qt.Total
Detroit2218242387
Los Angeles1922171775

Game Two edit

Tuesday, June 8, 2004, 15:04 at the Staples Center.

The second game was close throughout the first half, but in the third quarter Detroit would score 30 points, cutting the deficit 68–66. However, at the end of the fourth quarter, Kobe Bryant's 3-point shot at 2.1 seconds left tied the game at 89–89. The Lakers outscored the Pistons 10–2 in overtime.


Team1st Qt.2nd Qt.3rd Qt.4th Qt.OTTotal
Detroit16203023291
Los Angeles182624211099

Game Three edit

Thursday, June 10, 2004, 14:31 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

The Pistons beat Los Angeles by 20 in their first NBA Finals appearance together at The Palace of Auburn Hills since 1989[22] to take a 2–1 lead in the series. The 68 points scored by the Lakers set a franchise record for the fewest points scored in a playoff game. Previous night, a group of overzealous Pistons fans made it difficult for the Lakers to get their rest by harassing them until 4 am at their hotel in nearby Birmingham. Fans were screaming outside the building until management at the hotel called the police.[23]


Team1st Qt.2nd Qt.3rd Qt.4th Qt.Total
Los Angeles1616191768
Detroit2415242588

Game Four edit

Sunday, June 13, 2004, 14:49 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Again, the Pistons defeated the Lakers, although this time by eight, to take a 3–1 series advantage. Shaquille O'Neal scored 36 points on 16/21 shooting and grabbed 20 rebounds, but the rest of the Lakers team shot 17/57 from the field. [24]


Team1st Qt.2nd Qt.3rd Qt.4th Qt.Total
Los Angeles2217172480
Detroit2120153288

Game Five edit

Tuesday, June 15, 2004, 14:32 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

In Game 5, the Pistons won their first championship since 1990, and Larry Brown finally won his title. The Pistons defense had overcome the high-scoring Laker offense, winning the game by 13, winning the series 4-1, and also ending a long Laker dynasty that lasted for many years. The game saw the end of Phil Jackson's first run as the coach (he returned for the 2005-06 season), and saw O'Neal, Payton, and Malone's last games in Laker uniforms (O'Neal and Payton were both acquired by the soon-to-be NBA Champions Miami Heat and Malone retired).


Team1st Qt.2nd Qt.3rd Qt.4th Qt.Total
Los Angeles2421142887
Detroit25302718100

Player stats edit

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG% Field-goal percentage 3P% 3-point field-goal percentage FT% Free-throw percentage
 RPG Rebounds per game APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game
 BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per game

Regular season edit

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Kobe Bryant656437.6.438.327.8525.55.11.7.424.0
Maurice Carter4012.5.357.333.917.8.5.0.05.5
Brian Cook35212.6.475.000.7502.9.6.5.54.4
Derek Fisher82321.6.352.291.7971.92.31.3.07.1
Rick Fox383422.3.392.246.7332.72.6.8.14.8
Devean George824823.8.408.349.7604.01.41.0.57.4
Horace Grant551020.1.411.000.7224.21.3.4.44.1
Karl Malone424232.7.483.000.7478.73.91.2.513.2
Stanislav Medvedenko683821.2.441.000.7675.0.8.6.38.3
Shaquille O'Neal676736.8.584..49011.52.9.52.521.5
Jannero Pargo1304.8.375.500..5.8.2.01.1
Gary Payton828234.5.471.333.7144.25.51.2.214.6
Kareem Rush721517.3.440.348.5961.3.8.5.36.4
Bryon Russell72113.1.402.384.7692.01.0.4.24.0
Jamal Sampson10213.0.478..5835.2.7.2.42.9
Ime Udoka407.0.333.000.5001.3.5.5.32.0
Luke Walton72210.1.425.333.7051.81.6.4.12.4

Playoffs edit

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Kobe Bryant222244.2.413.247.8134.75.51.9.324.5
Brian Cook1303.5.333.1.000.9.1.1.0.9
Derek Fisher22023.0.405.418.6572.52.2.8.07.5
Rick Fox1639.1.400.143.5001.41.1.2.11.1
Devean George221921.4.430.373.6502.3.51.0.45.5
Karl Malone212138.0.450.000.6308.83.41.1.111.5
Stanislav Medvedenko21111.3.440..8102.5.5.2.24.0
Shaquille O'Neal222241.7.593..42913.22.5.32.821.5
Gary Payton222235.1.366.250.7503.35.31.0.27.8
Kareem Rush22014.3.385.400.667.7.8.5.13.7
Bryon Russell602.7.000.000..2.3.2.0.0
Luke Walton1707.9.345.385.7001.31.5.4.11.9

Award winners edit

Transactions edit

References edit

  1. ^ "2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "Lakers Sign Free Agents Gary Payton and Karl Malone". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. July 16, 2003. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
  3. ^ Lazenby, Roland (2006). The Show: The Inside Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers in the Words of Those Who Lived It. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Professional. p. 422. ISBN 978-0-07-143034-0.
  4. ^ Wise, Mike (October 4, 2003). "Pro Basketball; With Bryant Absent, Lakers Begin Practicing". The New York Times. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
  5. ^ May, Peter (October 28, 2003). "Lakers are a lock -- for turmoil". The Boston Globe. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
  6. ^ Buerge, Daniel. "A Complete Timeline of the Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant Feud". Lakers Nation. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  7. ^ DuPree, David (May 4, 2004). "Changing of guard not easy". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 18, 2014.
  8. ^ Adande, J. A. (November 6, 2012). "West Side: Mike Brown's O is working". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012.
  9. ^ Brown, Tim. "Malone Out for a While". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 29, 2004.
  10. ^ "Bryant, Lakers on the Rise". Los Angeles Times. April 15, 2004.
  11. ^ "Top Moments: Pistons shock NBA world, win championship in 2004". NBA.com.
  12. ^ "Billups: Pistons 'ready to shock the world'". ESPN.com. June 5, 2004.
  13. ^ "Youth and Defense Should Be Lakers' Mantra". Los Angeles Times. June 17, 2004.
  14. ^ Winderman, Ira. "PISTONS ARE A REAL CHAMPIONSHIP T-E-A-M". Sun-Sentinel.com.
  15. ^ "Coach could move to another Lakers job". ESPN. Associated Press. Retrieved June 21, 2004.
  16. ^ "Kobe remains with Lakers". ESPN. Associated Press. Retrieved July 16, 2004.
  17. ^ "Basketball: NBA Playoffs 2007 preview". betinf.com. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
  18. ^ a b "Utah Jazz". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
  19. ^ "Seattle Supersonics". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on August 26, 2007. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
  20. ^ "Lakers deal Payton, Fox to Celtics". Deseret News. Associated Press. August 7, 2004.
  21. ^ "Billups, Pistons Swipe Home-Court Advantage". NBA. Retrieved September 4, 2007. Led by their trademark daunting defense
  22. ^ "DETROIT PISTONS HISTORY". Basketball Tickets. Archived from the original on August 6, 2007. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
  23. ^ "Lakers Facing Uphill Battle". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 13, 2004. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  24. ^ "2004 NBA Finals Game 4: Lakers vs Pistons, June 13, 2004". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 9, 2023.

External links edit

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