Led by Finals MVP Shaquille O’Neal, the Los Angeles Lakers captured their first NBA Championship in 12 years

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On June 19, 2000, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers, 116-111, in Game 6 of the NBA Finals to win the franchise’s first title since 1988. Shaquille O’Neal was named the series’ Most Valuable Player after averaging 38.0 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks.

This NBA Finals was also somewhat of a last hurrah for Pacers guard (and Future Hall of Famer) Reggie Miller, who had taken Indiana deep into the playoffs several times, but failed to win a championship. In the next few years, he would step back as being Indy’s top scoring threat, before eventually retiring in 2005.

As for the Lakers, the combination of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, along with Zen master head coach Phil Jackson, would repeat as title holders in 2001 by defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in five games. They then added a ‘three-peat’ when they swept the New Jersey Nets in 2002.

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