2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers season

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

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 @ Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionFox Sports Net West, KCAL
RadioAM 570 KLAC
Horace Grant battles for a jump ball versus Memphis Grizzlies Pau Gasol in November 2003.

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 once again 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, with each winning in both years respectively. 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 was fired[15] and O'Neal (who requested a trade) was dealt to the Miami Heat.[16]

Draft picks
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
Roster listing
2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY-MM-DD)From
SG 8 Bryant, Kobe 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1978–08–23 Lower Merion HS
F/C 7 Cook, Brian 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 234 lb (106 kg) 1980-12-04 Illinois
PG 2 Fisher, Derek 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1974-08-09 Arkansas-Little Rock
SF 17 Fox, Rick 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1969-07-24 North Carolina
SF 3 George, Devean 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1977-08-29 Augsburg
PF 54 Grant, Horace  6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1965-07-04 Clemson
PF 11 Malone, Karl 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1963-07-24 Louisiana Tech
PF 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
PG 20 Payton, Gary 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1968-07-23 Oregon State
SG 21 Rush, Kareem 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1980-10-30 Missouri
SF 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
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

Roster
Last transaction: 2004–01–30

Regular season

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

Game log
2003–04 game log
Total: 56–26 (Home: 34–7; Road: 22-19)
October: 1–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–0)
November: 13–3 (Home: 9–0; Road: 4–3)
December: 7–4 (Home: 5–2; Road: 2–2)
January: 6–9 (Home: 5–2; Road: 1–7)
February: 11–4 (Home: 2–1; Road: 9–3)
March: 13–3 (Home: 9–0; Road: 4–3)
April: 5–3 (Home: 3–2; Road: 2–1)
2003–04 season schedule

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—

Playoffs

West First Round

(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (7) Houston Rockets: Lakers win series 4–1

Last Playoff Meeting: 1999 Western Conference First Round (Los Angeles won 3-1)

West Conference Semifinals
The Lakers playing against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the 2004 Western Conference Semifinals at the SBC Center.

(2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) San Antonio Spurs: Lakers win series 4–2

Last Playoff Meeting: 2003 Western Conference Semifinals (San Antonio won 4-2)

West Conference Finals

(1) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (2) Los Angeles Lakers: Lakers win series 4–2

Last Playoff Meeting: 2003 Western Conference First Round (Los Angeles won 4-2)

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 to go would tie the game at 89–89. The Lakers and Pistons would then go to overtime, with the Lakers outscoring the Pistons 10–2.

Box Score

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 4am at their hotel in nearby Birmingham. Fans were screaming outside the building until management at the hotel called the police.[23]

Box Score

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.

Box Score

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).

Box Score

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
Rich 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

See also

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 2 April 2013.
  7. DuPree, David (May 4, 2004). "Changing of guard not easy". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012.
  8. Adande, J. A. (November 6, 2012). "West Side: Mike Brown's O is working". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012.
  9. Brown, Tim. "Malone Out for a While". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 29 January 2004.
  10. "Bryant, Lakers on the Rise". Los Angeles Times. April 15, 2004.
  11. Staff, NBA com. "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. Writer, Ira Winderman Staff. "PISTONS ARE A REAL CHAMPIONSHIP T-E-A-M". Sun-Sentinel.com.
  15. "Coach could move to another Lakers job". ESPN. Associated Press. Retrieved 21 June 2004.
  16. "Kobe remains with Lakers". ESPN. Associated Press. Retrieved 16 July 2004.
  17. "Basketball: NBA Playoffs 2007 preview". betinf.com. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  18. "Utah Jazz". CBS Sports. Retrieved 2007-09-04.
  19. "Seattle Supersonics". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on 26 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-04.
  20. "Lakers deal Payton, Fox to Celtics". Deseret News. Associated Press. August 7, 2004.
  21. "Billups, Pistons Swipe Home-Court Advantage". NBA. Retrieved 2007-09-04. Led by their trademark daunting defense
  22. "DETROIT PISTONS HISTORY". Basketball Tickets. Archived from the original on 2007-08-06. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  23. Press, From Associated (2004-06-13). "Lakers Facing Uphill Battle". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.