What a dumb thread Maybe the Laker's collapsed because The laker FO did not upgrade the talent around the duo. The supporting cast was getting old and many of them were suffering from naggling injuries. Teams were smashing us athletically while the FO kept on drafting guys who were "system fits" Shaq got out of shape and got injured which hurt our seeding in the playoffs. Shaq decided that he'd sit out on company time as he talked about it which hurt our playoff seeding. Had shaq had surgery earlier on we don't win 50 games and face the spurs in the 2nd round in 2003. Shaq missing games also meant that the supporting cast particularly horry in 2003 had to carry the load and by playoff time there legs were dead (horry couldn't make a basket from 3 land)
We did not collapse because of Kobe stopped deferring. Watch rubbish. That is the most ignorant statement i've heard of. Must have gone to the Church of Shaq and heard that. Anyone who actually followed the Laker's knew what went up . Management screwed the dynasty up.
