1996-97 Season
Record: 56-26, second place in Pacific Division
The Lakers made two huge additions in the off-season, signing free-agent center Shaquille O'Neal from the Orlando Magic and drafting Kobe Bryant out of high school. O'Neal led the Lakers to their best record since the 1990-91 season, averaging 26.2 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, while Bryant was mainly a reserve in his first season, though he did win the slam-dunk contest at the All-Star break.
The Lakers also added an important piece of future titles by acquiring Robert Horry during the season from Phoenix for Cedric Ceballos.
Playoffs: The Lakers advanced to the Western Conference semifinals before losing to Utah in the semifinals.
Playoff Results
Western Conference first round
- at Lakers 95, Portland 77
- at Lakers 107, Portland 93
- at Portland 98, Lakers 90
- Lakers 95, at Portland 91
Western Conference semifinals
- at Utah 93, Lakers 77
- at Utah 103, Lakers 101
- at Lakers 104, Utah 84
- Utah 110, at Lakers 95
- at Utah 98, Lakers 93 (OT)
Enjoy more stories like this for 