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
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 superstar center 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 agree to part ways[15] and O'Neal (who requested a trade) was dealt to the Miami Heat.[16]

Draft picks

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 24 Brian Cook F  United States Illinois
2 32 Luke Walton F  United States Arizona

Roster

2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G 8 Bryant, Kobe (C) 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 (C) 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 Injured 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 (C) 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 Injured 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
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: January 30, 2004

Regular season

Season standings

By division

Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Los Angeles Lakers 5626.683–34–722–1915–9
x-Sacramento Kings 5527.671134–721–2016–8
Portland Trail Blazers 4141.5001525–1616–2513–11
Seattle SuperSonics 3745.4511921–2016–2511–13
Golden State Warriors 3745.4511927–1410–3112–12
Phoenix Suns 2953.3542718–2311–309–15
Los Angeles Clippers 2854.3412818–2310–318–16

By conference

#
Western Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Minnesota Timberwolves5824.707–
2 y-Los Angeles Lakers5626.6832
3 x-San Antonio Spurs5725.6951
4 x-Sacramento Kings5527.6713
5 x-Dallas Mavericks5230.6346
6 x-Memphis Grizzlies5032.6108
7 x-Houston Rockets4537.54913
8 x-Denver Nuggets4339.52415
9 Utah Jazz4240.51216
10 Portland Trail Blazers4141.50017
11 Seattle SuperSonics3745.45121
12 Golden State Warriors3745.45121
13 Phoenix Suns2953.35429
14 Los Angeles Clippers2854.34130

Record vs. opponents

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 –3–13–11–32–02–01–30–20–20–40–21–10–21–32–21–11–32–20–31–31–21–10–20–21–11–11–30–22–2
Boston 1–3–1–23–11–12–00–32–01–11–30–20–21–12–21–31–12–20–41–33–13–11–10–21–10–21–13–11–13–1
Chicago 1–32–1–2–20–20–20–41–10–21–31–10–20–20–41–30–20–32–22–23–10–41–10–20–20–20–24–01–11–3
Cleveland 3–11–32–2–0–20–22–20–20–21–31–10–20–22–22–20–21–23–14–02–13–10–21–10–21–12–01–31–12–2
Dallas 0–21–12–02–0–2–21–13–13–10–22–22–22–21–11–12–22–02–02–02–01–13–13–13–13–13–11–12–21–1
Denver 0–20–22–02–02–2–0–23–12–20–22–21–32–21–12–01–30–21–11–11–12–04–04–02–21–32–20–23–12–0
Detroit 3–13–04–02–21–12–0–1–11–11–32–01–12–04–03–10–22–21–33–13–12–22–02–00–21–11–13–11–13–0
Golden State 2–00–21–12–01–31–31–1–2–20–22–21–31–31–11–12–20–20–22–01–11–12–22–22–22–23–11–12–21–1
Houston 2–01–12–02–01–32–21–12–2–1–14–02–21–31–12–02–21–12–02–02–02–01–33–10–40–41–31–12–22–0
Indiana 4–03–13–13–12–02–03–12–01–1–2–01–11–13–01–31–13–12–23–13–14–02–01–10–21–12–04–02–02–1
L.A. Clippers 2–02–01–11–12–22–20–22–20–40–2–1–30–40–22–00–40–21–11–12–01–13–12–20–41–30–41–11–30–2
L.A. Lakers 1–12–02–02–02–23–11–13–12–21–13–1–2–22–02–01–32–01–12–02–01–13–12–21–33–13–12–03–12–0
Memphis 2–01–12–02–02–22–20–23–13–11–14–02–2–1–11–11–32–01–11–12–02–02–22–22–23–11–32–01–32–0
Miami 3–12–24–02–21–11–10–41–11–10–32–00–21–1–1–20–23–23–11–34–01–31–10–21–10–22–02–11–14–0
Milwaukee 2–23–13–12–21–10–21–31–10–23–10–20–21–12–1–0–23–11–32–23–12–11–11–11–11–10–23–11–13–1
Minnesota 1–11–12–02–02–23–12–02–22–21–14–03–13–12–02–0–1–12–01–12–01–14–01–33–12–23–12–02–22–0
New Jersey 3–12–23–02–10–22–02–22–01–11–32–00–20–22–31–31–1–2–13–14–03–11–10–21–10–22–02–21–14–0
New Orleans 2–24–02–21–30–21–13–12–00–22–21–11–11–11–33–10–21–2–1–24–02–21–12–00–21–10–21–31–13–1
New York 3–03–12–20–40–21–11–30–20–21–31–10–21–13–12–21–11–32–1–3–13–11–11–11–10–21–13–10–24–0
Orlando 3–11–31–31–20–21–11–31–10–21–30–20–20–20–41–30–20–40–41–3–2–21–10–20–20–20–21–21–14–0
Philadelphia 2–11–34–01–31–10–22–21–10–20–41–11–10–23–11–21–11–32–21–32–2–1–11–10–22–01–11–30–22–2
Phoenix 1–11–11–12–01–30–40–22–23–10–21–31–32–21–11–10–41–11–11–11–11–1–2–21–30–42–20–21–31–1
Portland 2–02–02–01–11–30–40–22–21–31–12–22–22–22–01–13–12–00–21–12–01–12–2–3–10–42–21–12–21–1
Sacramento 2–01–12–02–01–32–22–02–24–02–04–03–12–21–11–11–31–12–01–12–02–03–11–3–2–23–12–03–11–1
San Antonio 1–12–02–01–11–33–11–12–24–01–13–11–31–32–01–12–22–01–12–02–00–24–04–02–2–4–02–04–02–0
Seattle 1–11–12–00–21–32–21–11–33–10–24–01–33–10–22–01–30–22–01–12–01–12–22–21–30–4–1–11–31–1
Toronto 3–11–30–43–11–12–01–31–11–10–41–10–20–21–21–30–22–23–11–32–13–12–01–10–20–21–1–1–11–3
Utah 2–01–11–11–12–21–31–12–22–20–23–11–33–11–11–12–21–11–12–01–12–03–12–21–30–43–11–1–1–1
Washington 2–21–33–12–21–10–20–31–10–21–22–00–20–20–41–30–20–41–30–40–42–21–11–11–10–21–13–11–1—

Game log

Pre-season

2003 preseason game log
Total: 3–5
Preseason
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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

2003–04 game log
Total: 56–26 (home: 34–7; road: 22-19)
October: 1–0 (home: 1–0; road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
2 November 1 @ Phoenix W 103–99 Shaquille O'Neal (24) 3 players tied (12) Gary Payton (9) American 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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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) American 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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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

2004 playoff game log
Total: 13–9 (home: 10–1; road: 3–8)
First round: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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

Series summary

Team/Game 1 2 (OT) 3 4 5 Wins
Los Angeles (West) 75996880 871
Detroit (East) 87918888 1004
  • (OT) denotes a game that required overtime.

The Finals were played using a 2-3-2 site format, where the first two and last two games are held at the team with home court advantage. This is only used in the Finals, all other playoff games are held in a 2-2-1-1-1 format (the team with home court advantage starts).[17]

Background

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.[18] 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.[18][19] Both Malone and Payton took pay cuts to sign with the Lakers in an effort to win a championship.[20]

Game One

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

Considered to be a stunning upset by most of the NBA world, the Detroit Pistons managed to defeat the Lakers with imposing defense.[21] Defensively clamping down on everyone but Bryant and O'Neal, the Pistons managed to hold everyone else to a total of 16 points.

The Pistons trailed the Lakers 41–40 at halftime, but a 10–4 surge capped by Billups's 3-pointer gave the Pistons the lead. O'Neal's foul trouble furthered the scoring gap, with the Pistons leading by 13 points early in the fourth quarter.

Box Score

Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Detroit 221824 2387
Los Angeles 192217 1775

Game Two

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

The second game was close throughout the first half, but in the third quarter Detroit would score 30 points, cutting the deficit 68–66. However, at the end of the fourth quarter, Kobe Bryant's 3-point shot at 2.1 seconds left tied the game at 89–89. The Lakers outscored the Pistons 10–2 in overtime.


Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. OT Total
Detroit 162030 23291
Los Angeles 182624 211099

Game Three

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

The Pistons beat Los Angeles by 20 in their first NBA Finals appearance together at The Palace of Auburn Hills since 1989[22] to take a 2–1 lead in the series. The 68 points scored by the Lakers set a franchise record for the fewest points scored in a playoff game. Previous night, a group of overzealous Pistons fans made it difficult for the Lakers to get their rest by harassing them until 4 am at their hotel in nearby Birmingham. Fans were screaming outside the building until management at the hotel called the police.[23]


Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Los Angeles 161619 1768
Detroit 241524 2588

Game Four

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

Again, the Pistons defeated the Lakers, although this time by eight, to take a 3–1 series advantage. Shaquille O'Neal scored 36 points on 16/21 shooting and grabbed 20 rebounds, but the rest of the Lakers team shot 17/57 from the field. [24]


Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Los Angeles 221717 2480
Detroit 212015 3288

Game Five

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 finally won his title. The Pistons defense had overcome the high-scoring Laker offense, winning the game by 13, winning the series 4-1, and also ending a long Laker dynasty that lasted for many years. The game saw the end of Phil Jackson's first run as the coach (he returned for the 2005-06 season), and saw O'Neal, Payton, and Malone's last games in Laker uniforms (O'Neal and Payton were both acquired by the soon-to-be NBA Champions Miami Heat and Malone retired).


Team 1st Qt. 2nd Qt. 3rd Qt. 4th Qt. Total
Los Angeles 242114 2887
Detroit 253027 18100

Player stats

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

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kobe Bryant 656437.6.438.327.8525.55.11.7.424.0
Maurice Carter 4012.5.357.333.917.8.5.0.05.5
Brian Cook 35212.6.475.000.7502.9.6.5.54.4
Derek Fisher 82321.6.352.291.7971.92.31.3.07.1
Rick Fox 383422.3.392.246.7332.72.6.8.14.8
Devean George 824823.8.408.349.7604.01.41.0.57.4
Horace Grant 551020.1.411.000.7224.21.3.4.44.1
Karl Malone 424232.7.483.000.7478.73.91.2.513.2
Stanislav Medvedenko 683821.2.441.000.7675.0.8.6.38.3
Shaquille O'Neal 676736.8.584..49011.52.9.52.521.5
Jannero Pargo 1304.8.375.500..5.8.2.01.1
Gary Payton 828234.5.471.333.7144.25.51.2.214.6
Kareem Rush 721517.3.440.348.5961.3.8.5.36.4
Bryon Russell 72113.1.402.384.7692.01.0.4.24.0
Jamal Sampson 10213.0.478..5835.2.7.2.42.9
Ime Udoka 407.0.333.000.5001.3.5.5.32.0
Luke Walton 72210.1.425.333.7051.81.6.4.12.4

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kobe Bryant 222244.2.413.247.8134.75.51.9.324.5
Brian Cook 1303.5.333.1.000.9.1.1.0.9
Derek Fisher 22023.0.405.418.6572.52.2.8.07.5
Rick Fox 1639.1.400.143.5001.41.1.2.11.1
Devean George 221921.4.430.373.6502.3.51.0.45.5
Karl Malone 212138.0.450.000.6308.83.41.1.111.5
Stanislav Medvedenko 21111.3.440..8102.5.5.2.24.0
Shaquille O'Neal 222241.7.593..42913.22.5.32.821.5
Gary Payton 222235.1.366.250.7503.35.31.0.27.8
Kareem Rush 22014.3.385.400.667.7.8.5.13.7
Bryon Russell 602.7.000.000..2.3.2.0.0
Luke Walton 1707.9.345.385.7001.31.5.4.11.9

Award winners

Transactions

References

  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. ↑ "Basketball: NBA Playoffs 2007 preview". betinf.com. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
  18. 1 2 "Utah Jazz". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
  19. ↑ "Seattle Supersonics". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on August 26, 2007. Retrieved September 4, 2007.
  20. ↑ "Lakers deal Payton, Fox to Celtics". Deseret News. Associated Press. August 7, 2004.
  21. ↑ "Billups, Pistons Swipe Home-Court Advantage". NBA. Retrieved September 4, 2007. Led by their trademark daunting defense
  22. ↑ "DETROIT PISTONS HISTORY". Basketball Tickets. Archived from the original on August 6, 2007. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
  23. ↑ "Lakers Facing Uphill Battle". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 13, 2004. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  24. ↑ "2004 NBA Finals Game 4: Lakers vs Pistons, June 13, 2004". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
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