Shaquille O’Neal in Prime MVP Form Punishes Phoenix in 2000 2nd Round Playoff Matchup

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Shaquille O’Neal Full Series Highlights
2000 NBA Playoffs
Western Conference Semi-Finals
LA Lakers vs Phoenix Suns

30.2 pts, 16.2 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.6 blk / 56% fg, 49% ft

It’s been well documented, Shaquille O’Neal’s 1999-00 MVP season was everything that the words “dominant” and “legendary” stand for. Through his first 7 seasons, Shaq was Rookie of the Year, 6x All-Star and (‘95) Scoring Champion. He was recognized by all as a superstar - intelligent, physically superior and highly skilled center. Albeit this, many believed he was capable of more. A new arena and the arrival of Phil Jackson proved to ignite the flame needed for Shaquille to go from superstar to superhuman.

Shaq played 79 games during the 1999-00 season (most since ‘95), logging career high averages of 40.0 mpg, 29.7 points and 3.8 assists. He led the NBA in total points, field goals made, and field goal percentage while finishing 2nd in rebounds and 3rd in blocks. He collected 3 out of 7 possible Player of the Month Awards, and was selected to his 2nd All-NBA 1st team and 1st of 3 career All-Defensive 2nd teams. He won his 2nd scoring title, 1st All-Star Game MVP, and League MVP with a near-unanimous vote.

Shaq’s regular season was something to behold, but his postseason demonstration reached an even higher level. He opened the playoffs with a 46 pt, 17 reb, 5 blk showcase against the 8th seeded Kings. After beating Sacramento in 5, the Lakers faced Phoenix. Shaq averaged 37.3 pts and 17.0 reb through the series’ first 3 games, punishing Luc Longley, Rodney Rogers, Cliff Robinson and Corey Blount. He displayed his finely tuned and often overlooked offensive skills - drop steps, spins, turnarounds, baseline fades, jump-hooks middle, running hooks middle, and more.

Following a tough 7 game battle with Portland, the Lakers met Indiana in the Finals. Shaquille put together arguably the greatest individual championship-series performance in league history. In 6 games against the Pacers, he averaged 38 pts and 16.7 reb on 61% in nearly 46 min. Included were 3 separate 40+ pt games, at least 30 and 10 in all 6, and only the 5th 40-20 game in Finals history. He closed the series with 41 points in the clincher, claiming his first of 4 rings and first of 3 straight Finals MVP’s. 1999-00 was Shaquille at his best.

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