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2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers season

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

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 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 agreed to part ways[15] and O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat.[16]

Draft picks

[edit]
Main article: 2003 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 24 Brian Cook F  United States Illinois
2 32 Luke Walton F  United States Arizona

Roster

[edit]
2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G 8 Bryant, Kobe 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1978-08-23 Lower Merion HS (PA)
C 7 Cook, Brian 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 234 lb (106 kg) 1980-12-04 Illinois
G 2 Fisher, Derek 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1974-08-09 Little Rock
F 17 Fox, Rick 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1969-07-24 North Carolina
F 3 George, Devean 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1977-08-29 Augsburg
F 54 Grant, Horace 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1965-07-04 Clemson
F 11 Malone, Karl 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1963-07-24 Louisiana Tech
F 14 Medvedenko, Slava 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 253 lb (115 kg) 1979-04-04 Ukraine
C 34 O'Neal, Shaquille 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 325 lb (147 kg) 1972-03-06 LSU
G 20 Payton, Gary 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1968-07-23 Oregon State
G 21 Rush, Kareem 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1980-10-30 Missouri
F 9 Russell, Bryon 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1970-12-31 Long Beach State
C 31 Sampson, Jamal 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1983-05-13 California
F 4 Walton, Luke 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1980-03-28 Arizona
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: January 30, 2004

Regular season

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Season standings

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By division

[edit]
Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 56 26 .683 – 34–7 22–19 15–9
x-Sacramento Kings 55 27 .671 1 34–7 21–20 16–8
Portland Trail Blazers 41 41 .500 15 25–16 16–25 13–11
Seattle SuperSonics 37 45 .451 19 21–20 16–25 11–13
Golden State Warriors 37 45 .451 19 27–14 10–31 12–12
Phoenix Suns 29 53 .354 27 18–23 11–30 9–15
Los Angeles Clippers 28 54 .341 28 18–23 10–31 8–16

By conference

[edit]
#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Minnesota Timberwolves 58 24 .707 –
2 y-Los Angeles Lakers 56 26 .683 2
3 x-San Antonio Spurs 57 25 .695 1
4 x-Sacramento Kings 55 27 .671 3
5 x-Dallas Mavericks 52 30 .634 6
6 x-Memphis Grizzlies 50 32 .610 8
7 x-Houston Rockets 45 37 .549 13
8 x-Denver Nuggets 43 39 .524 15
9 Utah Jazz 42 40 .512 16
10 Portland Trail Blazers 41 41 .500 17
11 Seattle SuperSonics 37 45 .451 21
12 Golden State Warriors 37 45 .451 21
13 Phoenix Suns 29 53 .354 29
14 Los Angeles Clippers 28 54 .341 30

Record vs. opponents

[edit]
2003-04 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MEM MIA MIL MIN NJN NOH NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA WAS
Atlanta – 3–1 3–1 1–3 2–0 2–0 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 0–3 1–3 1–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–2 2–2
Boston 1–3 – 1–2 3–1 1–1 2–0 0–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–3 1–1 2–2 0–4 1–3 3–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 1–1 3–1
Chicago 1–3 2–1 – 2–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–3 2–2 2–2 3–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–1 1–3
Cleveland 3–1 1–3 2–2 – 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–2 0–2 1–2 3–1 4–0 2–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 2–2
Dallas 0–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 – 2–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 0–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–2 1–1
Denver 0–2 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 – 0–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 2–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 4–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 0–2 3–1 2–0
Detroit 3–1 3–0 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 – 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 2–2 1–3 3–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 3–0
Golden State 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–3 1–1 – 2–2 0–2 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 2–2 1–1
Houston 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 1–1 2–2 – 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–3 3–1 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–0
Indiana 4–0 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 – 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–0 1–3 1–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 2–0 2–1
L.A. Clippers 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–2 0–2 2–2 0–4 0–2 – 1–3 0–4 0–2 2–0 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 0–4 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–3 0–2
L.A. Lakers 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 3–1 – 2–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–3 3–1 3–1 2–0 3–1 2–0
Memphis 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–2 0–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 – 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–0 1–3 2–0
Miami 3–1 2–2 4–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–3 2–0 0–2 1–1 – 1–2 0–2 3–2 3–1 1–3 4–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–1 1–1 4–0
Milwaukee 2–2 3–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 3–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–1 – 0–2 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 2–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–1 1–1 3–1
Minnesota 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–2 2–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 – 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–3 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–2 2–0
New Jersey 3–1 2–2 3–0 2–1 0–2 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–3 1–3 1–1 – 2–1 3–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–2 1–1 4–0
New Orleans 2–2 4–0 2–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 3–1 0–2 1–2 – 1–2 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 3–1
New York 3–0 3–1 2–2 0–4 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 1–3 2–1 – 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 4–0
Orlando 3–1 1–3 1–3 1–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–3 – 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–2 1–1 4–0
Philadelphia 2–1 1–3 4–0 1–3 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 0–2 3–1 1–2 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–3 2–2 – 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 2–2
Phoenix 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 0–4 0–2 2–2 3–1 0–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 – 2–2 1–3 0–4 2–2 0–2 1–3 1–1
Portland 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–4 0–2 2–2 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 – 3–1 0–4 2–2 1–1 2–2 1–1
Sacramento 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–2 4–0 2–0 4–0 3–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 – 2–2 3–1 2–0 3–1 1–1
San Antonio 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 2–2 4–0 1–1 3–1 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 4–0 4–0 2–2 – 4–0 2–0 4–0 2–0
Seattle 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 2–2 1–1 1–3 3–1 0–2 4–0 1–3 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–3 0–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–3 0–4 – 1–1 1–3 1–1
Toronto 3–1 1–3 0–4 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–2 1–3 0–2 2–2 3–1 1–3 2–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 – 1–1 1–3
Utah 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–3 1–1 2–2 2–2 0–2 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–2 1–3 0–4 3–1 1–1 – 1–1
Washington 2–2 1–3 3–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–3 1–1 0–2 1–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 1–1 —

Game log

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Pre-season

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2003 preseason game log
Total: 3–5
Preseason
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 7 Golden State W 107-89 Shaquille O'Neal (16) Devean George (7) Gary Payton (7) Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, HI)
10,300 		1–0
2 October 8 Golden State L 83-99 Gary Payton (11) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Shaquille O'Neal (5) Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, HI)
10,300 		1-1
3 October 14 Phoenix L 86-104 Derek Fisher (14) 3 players tied (6) Gary Payton (4) San Diego Sports Arena (San Diego, CA)
13,144 		1–2
4 October 16 Cleveland W 86-78 Karl Malone (18) Karl Malone (13) Malone & Payton (7) Staples Center
18,997 		2-2
5 October 17 Phoenix W 91-84 Derek Fisher (18) Eric Chenowith (7) Luke Walton (4) Staples Center
18,997 		3–2
6 October 19 Cleveland L 87-102 Shaquille O'Neal (20) Shaquille O'Neal (6) Luke Walton (5) Centennial Garden (Bakersfield, CA)
9,772 		3-3
7 October 23 L.A. Clippers L 101-107 Shaquille O'Neal (18) Shaquille O'Neal (9) Gary Payton (7) Arrowhead Pond (Anaheim, CA)
18,298 		3–4
8 October 24 Sacramento L 87-93 Shaquille 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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 28 Dallas W 109–93 Gary Payton (21) Karl Malone (10) Malone & Payton (9) Staples Center
18,997 		1–0
November: 13–3 (home: 9–0; road: 4–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
2 November 1 @ Phoenix W 103–99 Shaquille O'Neal (24) 3 players tied (12) Gary Payton (9) America West Arena
18,422 		2–0
3 November 2 Golden State W 87–72 Kobe Bryant (21) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Gary Payton (11) Staples Center
18,997 		3–0
4 November 4 @ Milwaukee W 113–107 Kobe Bryant (31) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Kobe Bryant (8) Bradley Center
18,717 		4–0
5 November 6 @ San Antonio W 120–117 (2OT) Kobe Bryant (37) Shaquille O'Neal (20) O'Neal & Payton (6) SBC Center
18,717 		5–0
6 November 7 @ New Orleans L 95–114 Shaquille O'Neal (21) Malone & O'Neal (6) Gary Payton (11) New Orleans Arena
18,717 		5–1
7 November 10 @ Memphis L 95–105 Shaquille O'Neal (20) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Kobe Bryant (5) Pyramid Arena
19,351 		5–2
8 November 12 Toronto W 94–79 Shaquille O'Neal (23) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Gary Payton (6) Staples Center
18,997 		6–2
9 November 14 Detroit W 94–89 O'Neal & Payton (21) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Staples Center
18,997 		7–2
10 November 16 Miami W 99–77 Kobe Bryant (27) Karl Malone (10) Gary Payton (8) Staples Center
18,997 		8–2
11 November 18 @ Detroit L 96–106 Malone & O'Neal (20) Shaquille O'Neal (10) 3 players tied (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076 		8–3
12 November 19 @ New York W 104–83 Shaquille O'Neal (23) Karl Malone (14) Bryant & Malone (4) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		9–3
13 November 21 Chicago W 101–94 Kobe Bryant (28) Karl Malone (18) Bryant & Payton (4) Staples Center
18,997 		10–3
14 November 23 Memphis W 121–89 Kobe Bryant (28) Slava Medvedenko (11) Gary Payton (10) Staples Center
18,997 		11–3
15 November 26 Washington W 120–99 Kobe Bryant (22) Horace Grant (6) Malone & Payton (5) Staples Center
18,997 		12–3
16 November 28 San Antonio W 103–87 Devean George (19) Karl Malone (11) Karl Malone (10) Staples Center
18,997 		13–3
17 November 30 Indiana W 99–77 Shaquille O'Neal (23) Karl Malone (15) Kobe Bryant (7) Staples Center
18,997 		14–3
December: 7–4 (home: 5–2; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
18 December 3 @ San Antonio W 90–86 Kobe Bryant (21) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Gary Payton (6) SBC Center
18,841 		15–3
19 December 4 @ Dallas W 114–103 Kobe Bryant (32) Shaquille O'Neal (19) Gary Payton (8) American Airlines Center
20,596 		16–3
20 December 7 Utah W 94–92 Bryant & O'Neal (19) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Staples Center
18,997 		17–3
21 December 9 New York W 98–90 Kobe Bryant (21) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Kobe Bryant (9) Staples Center
18,997 		18–3
22 December 12 Dallas L 93–110 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center
18,997 		18–4
23 December 13 @ Portland L 108–112 Kobe Bryant (35) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Kobe Bryant (6) Rose Garden
20,630 		18–5
24 December 19 Denver W 101–99 Shaquille O'Neal (26) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Gary Payton (11) Staples Center
18,997 		19–5
25 December 21 Phoenix W 107–101 George & Payton (19) Shaquille O'Neal (18) Gary Payton (7) Staples Center
18,997 		20–5
26 December 23 @ Golden State L 98–107 Kobe Bryant (23) Devean George (9) Gary Payton (13) The Arena in Oakland
20,310 		20–6
27 December 25 Houston L 87–99 Kobe Bryant (23) Horace Grant (11) Gary Payton (7) Staples Center
18,997 		20–7
28 December 28 Boston W 105–82 Shaquille 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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
29 January 2 @ Seattle L 109–111 Kobe Bryant (32) Bryant & Grant (6) Kobe Bryant (6) KeyArena
17,072 		21–8
30 January 4 @ L.A. Clippers L 98–101 Kobe Bryant (44) Kobe Bryant (10) Payton & Russell (4) Staples Center
19,653 		21–9
31 January 6 @ Minnesota L 90–106 Kobe Bryant (20) Kobe Bryant (10) Derek Fisher (5) Target Center
20,095 		21–10
32 January 7 @ Denver L 91–113 Kobe Bryant (27) Brian Cook (8) Kobe Bryant (6) Pepsi Center
19,739 		21–11
33 January 9 Atlanta W 113–67 Bryant & Medvedenko (26) Slava Medvedenko (11) Gary Payton (7) Staples Center
18,997 		22–11
34 January 12 Cleveland W 89–79 Cook & Payton (13) Devean George (12) Fisher & Payton (4) Staples Center
18,997 		23–11
35 January 14 Denver W 97–71 Slava Medvedenko (22) Horace Grant (11) Gary Payton (6) Staples Center
18,997 		24–11
36 January 16 @ Sacramento L 83–103 Kareem Rush (30) Medvedenko & Sampson (9) Luke Walton (5) ARCO Arena
17,317 		24–12
37 January 17 L.A. Clippers W 91–89 Slava Medvedenko (20) Medvedenko & Sampson (10) Gary Payton (15) Staples Center
18,997 		25–12
38 January 19 Phoenix L 85–88 Kareem Rush (18) Payton & Sampson (8) Gary Payton (9) Staples Center
18,997 		25–13
39 January 21 @ Memphis L 82–88 Gary Payton (24) Slava Medvedenko (12) Kareem Rush (5) Pyramid Arena
19,351 		25–14
40 January 22 @ Dallas L 87–106 Devean George (24) Luke Walton (7) Gary Payton (5) American Airlines Center
20,512 		25–15
41 January 24 @ Utah W 93–86 Slava Medvedenko (26) Slava Medvedenko (12) Bryant & Payton (6) Delta Center
19,911 		26–15
42 January 28 Seattle W 96–82 Gary Payton (24) Horace Grant (10) Gary Payton (5) Staples Center
18,997 		27–15
43 January 30 Minnesota L 84–97 Shaquille 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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
44 February 1 @ Toronto W 84–83 Shaquille O'Neal (36) Horace Grant (9) Shaquille O'Neal (5) Air Canada Centre
20,116 		28–16
45 February 2 @ Indiana L 72–85 Slava Medvedenko (14) Gary Payton (8) Gary Payton (7) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,345 		28–17
46 February 4 @ Cleveland W 111–106 (OT) Shaquille O'Neal (37) Grant & O'Neal (12) O'Neal & Payton (6) Gund Arena
20,562 		29–17
47 February 5 @ Philadelphia L 73–96 Shaquille O'Neal (17) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Fisher & Walton (5) Wachovia Center
20,965 		29–18
48 February 8 @ Orlando W 98–96 Shaquille O'Neal (20) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Luke Walton (7) TD Waterhouse Centre
17,283 		30–18
49 February 10 @ Miami W 98–83 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Devean George (11) Fisher & Payton (6) American Airlines Arena
16,500 		31–18
50 February 11 @ Houston L 87–102 Shaquille O'Neal (24) Shaquille O'Neal (9) Shaquille O'Neal (4) Toyota Center
18,218 		31–19
All-Star Break
51 February 17 Portland W 89–86 Kobe Bryant (31) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Kobe Bryant (10) Staples Center
18,997 		32–19
52 February 18 @ Golden State W 100–99 Kobe Bryant (35) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Kobe Bryant (8) The Arena in Oakland
20,252 		33–19
53 February 20 Philadelphia W 116–88 Shaquille O'Neal (29) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Bryant & Fisher (7) Staples Center
18,997 		34–19
54 February 22 @ Phoenix W 104–92 Kobe Bryant (40) Bryant & Fox (7) 3 players tied (5) America West Arena
18,422 		35–19
55 February 25 @ Denver W 112–111 Kobe Bryant (35) Shaquille O'Neal (8) Kobe Bryant (10) Pepsi Center
19,812 		36–19
56 February 26 Sacramento L 101–103 Kobe Bryant (35) Kobe Bryant (11) Bryant & Payton (6) Staples Center
18,997 		36–20
57 February 28 @ Washington W 122–110 Shaquille O'Neal (19) Kobe Bryant (14) Kobe Bryant (10) MCI Center
20,173 		37–20
58 February 29 @ New Jersey W 100–83 Shaquille 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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
59 March 2 @ Atlanta L 93–94 O'Neal & Payton (23) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Gary Payton (10) Philips Arena
19,445 		38–21
60 March 3 @ Houston W 96–93 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Kobe Bryant (8) Kobe Bryant (13) Toyota Center
18,172 		39–21
61 March 5 Seattle W 99–91 Shaquille O'Neal (32) Luke Walton (9) Fox & Payton (7) Staples Center
18,997 		40–21
62 March 7 New Jersey W 94–88 Shaquille O'Neal (32) O'Neal & Payton (9) Rick Fox (5) Staples Center
18,997 		41–21
63 March 8 @ Utah L 83–88 Gary Payton (21) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Gary Payton (7) Delta Center
19,911 		41–22
64 March 10 @ Boston W 117–109 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (17) Kobe Bryant (10) FleetCenter
18,624 		42–22
65 March 12 @ Minnesota L 86–96 Shaquille O'Neal (24) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Fox & Payton (6) Target Center
20,391 		42–23
66 March 13 @ Chicago W 88–81 Kobe Bryant (35) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Karl Malone (7) United Center
23,067 		43–23
67 March 15 Orlando W 113–110 (OT) Kobe Bryant (38) Shaquille O'Neal (23) Bryant & Malone (4) Staples Center
18,997 		44–23
68 March 17 @ L.A. Clippers W 106–103 Kobe Bryant (27) Shaquille O'Neal (11) Gary Payton (7) Staples Center
19,668 		45–23
69 March 19 L.A. Clippers W 106–100 Kobe Bryant (27) Shaquille O'Neal (10) Fox & O'Neal (6) Staples Center
18,997 		46–23
70 March 21 Milwaukee W 104–103 (OT) Shaquille O'Neal (31) Shaquille O'Neal (26) Gary Payton (6) Staples Center
18,997 		47–23
71 March 24 Sacramento W 115–91 Kobe Bryant (36) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Bryant & O'Neal (6) Staples Center
18,997 		48–23
72 March 26 Minnesota W 90–73 Kobe Bryant (35) Shaquille O'Neal (18) Kobe Bryant (5) Staples Center
18,997 		49–23
73 March 28 Utah W 91–84 Kobe Bryant (34) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Kobe Bryant (4) Staples Center
18,997 		50–23
74 March 30 New Orleans W 107–88 Kobe Bryant (23) Shaquille O'Neal (9) Karl Malone (9) Staples Center
18,997 		51–23
April: 5–3 (home: 3–2; road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
75 April 1 Houston W 93–85 Kobe Bryant (26) Karl Malone (14) Karl Malone (6) Staples Center
18,997 		52–23
76 April 2 @ Seattle W 97–86 Kobe Bryant (25) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Rick Fox (6) KeyArena
17,072 		53–23
77 April 4 San Antonio L 89–95 Kobe Bryant (28) Malone & O'Neal (9) Malone & O'Neal (4) Staples Center
18,997 		53–24
78 April 6 Portland L 80–91 Shaquille O'Neal (17) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Kobe Bryant (8) Staples Center
18,997 		53–25
79 April 9 Memphis W 103–95 Kobe Bryant (33) Shaquille O'Neal (12) Bryant & Payton (7) Staples Center
18,997 		54–25
80 April 11 @ Sacramento L 85–102 Gary Payton (15) Karl Malone (11) Fisher & George (5) ARCO Arena
17,317 		54–26
81 April 13 Golden State W 109–104 Kobe Bryant (45) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Kobe Bryant (8) Staples Center
18,997 		55–26
82 April 14 @ Portland W 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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 17 Houston W 72–71 Shaquille O'Neal (20) Shaquille O'Neal (17) Kobe Bryant (6) Staples Center
18,997 		1–0
2 April 19 Houston W 98–84 Kobe Bryant (36) Karl Malone (8) Gary Payton (7) Staples Center
18,997 		2–0
3 April 23 @ Houston L 91–102 Shaquille O'Neal (25) Malone & O'Neal (11) Gary Payton (7) Toyota Center
18,226 		2–1
4 April 25 @ Houston W 92–88 (OT) Karl Malone (30) Karl Malone (13) Gary Payton (7) Toyota Center
18,219 		3–1
5 April 28 Houston W 97–78 Kobe 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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 2 @ San Antonio L 78–88 Kobe Bryant (31) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Karl Malone (5) SBC Center
18,797 		0–1
2 May 5 @ San Antonio L 85–95 Shaquille O'Neal (32) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Kobe Bryant (8) SBC Center
18,797 		0–2
3 May 9 San Antonio W 105–81 Shaquille O'Neal (28) Shaquille O'Neal (15) Gary Payton (7) Staples Center
18,997 		1–2
4 May 11 San Antonio W 98–90 Kobe Bryant (42) Shaquille O'Neal (14) Karl Malone (6) Staples Center
18,997 		2–2
5 May 13 @ San Antonio W 74–73 Kobe Bryant (22) Karl Malone (12) Gary Payton (7) SBC Center
18,797 		3–2
6 May 15 San Antonio W 88–76 Kobe 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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 21 @ Minnesota W 97–88 Shaquille O'Neal (27) Shaquille O'Neal (18) Bryant & Fisher (6) Target Center
19,552 		1–0
2 May 23 @ Minnesota L 71–89 Kobe Bryant (27) Shaquille O'Neal (16) Kobe Bryant (6) Target Center
19,707 		1–1
3 May 25 Minnesota W 100–89 Bryant & O'Neal (22) Shaquille O'Neal (17) Gary Payton (9) Staples Center
18,997 		2–1
4 May 27 Minnesota W 92–85 Kobe Bryant (31) Shaquille O'Neal (19) Kobe Bryant (8) Staples Center
18,997 		3–1
5 May 29 @ Minnesota L 96–98 Kobe Bryant (23) Shaquille O'Neal (13) Kobe Bryant (7) Target Center
20,109 		3–2
6 May 31 Minnesota W 96–90 Shaquille 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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 June 6 Detroit L 75–87 Shaquille O'Neal (34) Malone & O'Neal (11) Kobe Bryant (4) Staples Center
18,997 		0–1
2 June 8 Detroit W 99–91 (OT) Kobe Bryant (33) Karl Malone (9) Luke Walton (8) Staples Center
18,997 		1–1
3 June 10 @ Detroit L 68–88 Shaquille O'Neal (14) Medvedenko & O'Neal (8) Gary Payton (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076 		1–2
4 June 13 @ Detroit L 80–88 Shaquille O'Neal (36) Shaquille O'Neal (20) Rick Fox (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076 		1–3
5 June 15 @ Detroit L 87–100 Kobe 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/Game 1 2 (OT) 3 4 5 Wins
Los Angeles 75 99 68 80 87 1
Detroit 87 91 88 88 100 4
  • (OT) denotes a game that required overtime.

The Finals were played using a 2-3-2 format, where the first two and last two games are held at the venue of the team with home court advantage. This was only used in the Finals.

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.[17] 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.[17][18] Both Malone and Payton took pay cuts to sign with the Lakers in an effort to win a championship.[19]

Game One

[edit]

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

Detroit stunned Los Angeles with imposing defense.[20] They held the Lakers to 39% shooting. Outside of O'Neal and Bryant, the rest of the Lakers only managed to score 16 points.

The Pistons trailed the Lakers 41–40 at halftime, but a 10–4 surge in the third quarter gave them the lead and they never relinquished it. By the fourth quarter, their lead had increased to 13.

Box Score

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Detroit 22 18 24 23 87
Los Angeles 19 22 17 17 75

Game Two

[edit]

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

The Lakers led by eight after the first half. However, Detroit scored 30 points in the third quarter to keep the game close. With 2.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Kobe Bryant hit a three-point shot to tie the score at 89. The game went to overtime and the Lakers outscored the Pistons 10–2 to win their only game of the series.

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. OT Total
Detroit 16 20 30 23 2 91
Los Angeles 18 26 24 21 10 99

Game Three

[edit]

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

The Pistons beat the Lakers by 20 in their first NBA Finals appearance at The Palace of Auburn Hills since 1990[21] to take a 2–1 lead in the series. Karl Malone sprained his knee and was limited to 18 minutes. The 68 points scored by the Lakers set a franchise record for the fewest points scored in a playoff game. The previous night, a group of overzealous Pistons fans made it difficult for the Lakers to get their rest by harassing them until 4am at their hotel in nearby Birmingham. Fans were screaming outside the building until hotel management called the police.[22]

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Los Angeles 16 16 19 17 68
Detroit 24 15 24 25 88

Game Four

[edit]

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

The Pistons defeated the Lakers, this time by eight, to take a 3–1 series advantage. Shaquille O'Neal scored 36 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, but the rest of the Lakers shot 17/57 from the field.[23]

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Los Angeles 22 17 17 24 80
Detroit 21 20 15 32 88

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 won his first title as an NBA coach. The Pistons defense had overcome the high-scoring Lakers offense, winning the game by 13 and the series 4–1. In four of the five games, the Lakers were held to less than 90 points.

After the series, Phil Jackson stepped down as coach (he would return for the 2005–06 season). Shaquille O'Neal was traded to Miami. Gary Payton and Rick Fox were traded to Boston. Karl Malone, who did not dress for Game 5, would have surgery on his knee and eventually retired the following February.

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Los Angeles 24 21 14 28 87
Detroit 25 30 27 18 100

Player stats

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games 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]
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kobe Bryant 65 64 37.6 .438 .327 .852 5.5 5.1 1.7 .4 24.0
Maurice Carter 4 0 12.5 .357 .333 .917 .8 .5 .0 .0 5.5
Brian Cook 35 2 12.6 .475 .000 .750 2.9 .6 .5 .5 4.4
Derek Fisher 82 3 21.6 .352 .291 .797 1.9 2.3 1.3 .0 7.1
Rick Fox 38 34 22.3 .392 .246 .733 2.7 2.6 .8 .1 4.8
Devean George 82 48 23.8 .408 .349 .760 4.0 1.4 1.0 .5 7.4
Horace Grant 55 10 20.1 .411 .000 .722 4.2 1.3 .4 .4 4.1
Karl Malone 42 42 32.7 .483 .000 .747 8.7 3.9 1.2 .5 13.2
Stanislav Medvedenko 68 38 21.2 .441 .000 .767 5.0 .8 .6 .3 8.3
Shaquille O'Neal 67 67 36.8 .584 . .490 11.5 2.9 .5 2.5 21.5
Jannero Pargo 13 0 4.8 .375 .500 . .5 .8 .2 .0 1.1
Gary Payton 82 82 34.5 .471 .333 .714 4.2 5.5 1.2 .2 14.6
Kareem Rush 72 15 17.3 .440 .348 .596 1.3 .8 .5 .3 6.4
Bryon Russell 72 1 13.1 .402 .384 .769 2.0 1.0 .4 .2 4.0
Jamal Sampson 10 2 13.0 .478 . .583 5.2 .7 .2 .4 2.9
Ime Udoka 4 0 7.0 .333 .000 .500 1.3 .5 .5 .3 2.0
Luke Walton 72 2 10.1 .425 .333 .705 1.8 1.6 .4 .1 2.4

Playoffs

[edit]
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kobe Bryant 22 22 44.2 .413 .247 .813 4.7 5.5 1.9 .3 24.5
Brian Cook 13 0 3.5 .333 . 1.000 .9 .1 .1 .0 .9
Derek Fisher 22 0 23.0 .405 .418 .657 2.5 2.2 .8 .0 7.5
Rick Fox 16 3 9.1 .400 .143 .500 1.4 1.1 .2 .1 1.1
Devean George 22 19 21.4 .430 .373 .650 2.3 .5 1.0 .4 5.5
Karl Malone 21 21 38.0 .450 .000 .630 8.8 3.4 1.1 .1 11.5
Stanislav Medvedenko 21 1 11.3 .440 . .810 2.5 .5 .2 .2 4.0
Shaquille O'Neal 22 22 41.7 .593 . .429 13.2 2.5 .3 2.8 21.5
Gary Payton 22 22 35.1 .366 .250 .750 3.3 5.3 1.0 .2 7.8
Kareem Rush 22 0 14.3 .385 .400 .667 .7 .8 .5 .1 3.7
Bryon Russell 6 0 2.7 .000 .000 . .2 .3 .2 .0 .0
Luke Walton 17 0 7.9 .345 .385 .700 1.3 1.5 .4 .1 1.9

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. ^ a b "Utah Jazz". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
  18. ^ "Seattle Supersonics". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on August 26, 2007. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
  19. ^ "Lakers deal Payton, Fox to Celtics". Deseret News. Associated Press. August 7, 2004.
  20. ^ "Billups, Pistons Swipe Home-Court Advantage". NBA. Retrieved September 4, 2007. Led by their trademark daunting defense
  21. ^ "DETROIT PISTONS HISTORY". Basketball Tickets. Archived from the original on August 6, 2007. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
  22. ^ "Lakers Facing Uphill Battle". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 13, 2004. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  23. ^ "2004 NBA Finals Game 4: Lakers vs Pistons, June 13, 2004". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
[edit]
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