How a broke rival ruled the historic Lakers 2002 Western Conference Finals

• The Lakers 2002 Western Conference Finals remain the most dramatic series in NBA history
• It pitted the reigning champion, the Los Angeles Lakers, against the then league-best Sacramento Kings in a brutal seven-game clash
• This showdown was more than a basketball faceoff between veterans and a little-known NBA team

The Lakers 2002 Western Conference Finals remain the most dramatic, fiercely contested, and controversially remembered series in NBA history. It pitted the reigning champion, the Los Angeles Lakers, against the Sacramento Kings in a brutal seven-game clash.

This showdown was more than a basketball faceoff between veterans and a little-known NBA team. It was a fierce NBA clash between the flashy Lakers from Los Angeles and the small-market Kings from Sacramento, who played a beautiful, unselfish game.

The depth of the 2002 Western Conference Finals was exciting, with every possession carrying the weight of a championship dream. It evolved into an overtime Game 7 that remains historic in NBA circles.

What Happened at the Lakers 2002 Western Conference Finals?

The series was a back-and-forth war from the outset. The Sacramento Kings, led by Chris Webber, Vlade Divac, and Mike Bibby, held home-court advantage and used it to push the Lakers to the brink.

After five games, the Kings led the series 3-2, needing just one win to advance to their first NBA Finals. The series is infamous for Game 6, a contest shrouded in controversy. The Lakers attempted a staggering 27 free throws in the fourth quarter alone, leading to widespread accusations of biased officiating aimed at extending the series.

Despite this, the Kings had a chance to win at the end of regulation, but a missed put-back sent the game to overtime, where the Lakers prevailed. This forced a decisive Game 7 in Sacramento, which also went to overtime.

The Lakers, showing that they were a championship team, won 112-106. This was one of the most stressful comebacks in playoff history.

Who was the MVP of the Western Conference Finals in 2002?

The official Most Valuable Player of the Lakers 2002 Western Conference Finals was Shaquille O’Neal. Kobe Bryant was great at times, but O’Neal’s dominance in the paint was the Lakers’ best and most reliable way to beat the Kings’ excellent frontcourt of Vlade Divac and Chris Webber.

O’Neal averaged a huge 30.3 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks throughout the seven games. He shot more than 50% from the floor. He was a physical force that couldn’t be stopped. He only needed double and triple teams to give his teammates chances.

His defence was just as important since he changed a lot of shots at the rim. He was the most important player for the Lakers’ three-peat dynasty and had the biggest impact on the team. This made it easy to choose him as the MVP of the Lakers 2002 Western Conference Finals.

What Happened at the 2002 NBA Finals?

The Lakers’ matchup against the Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets in the 2002 NBA Finals felt almost anti-climactic after their epic battle with the Kings. The Lakers swept the Nets in four games, showing that they were the better team.

O’Neal was named Finals MVP for the third year in a row, averaging 36.3 points and 12.3 rebounds in the series. The late Bryant also played well, averaging 26.8 points. The Nets, led by Jason Kidd, were outmatched by the Lakers’ experience, talent, and size.

The victory secured the Lakers’ third consecutive NBA championship, making the “Shaq and Kobe” era a modern dynasty. They provided a decisive conclusion to a playoff run defined by the struggle of the Lakers 2002 Western Conference Finals.

Who Guarded Kobe in the 2002 Finals?

Kenyon Martin, who was on the All-Defensive Team, was in charge of protecting Bryant for the New Jersey Nets in the 2002 NBA Finals. But it wasn’t a job for just one person.

The Nets also put their athletic small forward, Richard Jefferson, on Bryant. Their star point guard, Jason Kidd, took turns guarding him when he switched. The idea behind this committee approach was to give Bryant several defensive looks and fresh legs.

Even though they tried, Kobe scored 26.8 points per game in the series, proving that he could score against any defence.

Who won the 2002 WCF?

The Los Angeles Lakers won the Western Conference Finals in 2002. They beat the Sacramento Kings four games to three in the best-of-seven series. The Lakers won Game 6 at home after being down 3-2, but there was a lot of controversy.

They then won Game 7 on the road in Sacramento to end the series. This win put them in the NBA Finals, where they handily beat the New Jersey Nets to win their third straight title.