1 00:00:03,420 --> 00:00:05,130 [Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock's "It Takes Two"] 2 00:00:05,130 --> 00:00:07,382 DJ E-Z ROCK: ♪ Right about now ♪ 3 00:00:07,382 --> 00:00:09,510 ♪ You're about to be possessed ♪ 4 00:00:09,510 --> 00:00:13,180 ♪ By the sounds of MC Rob Base ♪ 5 00:00:13,180 --> 00:00:16,391 ♪ And DJ E-Z Rock ♪ 6 00:00:16,391 --> 00:00:17,601 ♪ Hit it ♪ 7 00:00:17,601 --> 00:00:19,019 PERSON: Who are you here to see? 8 00:00:19,019 --> 00:00:20,270 - Shaq. - Shaq? 9 00:00:20,270 --> 00:00:21,480 What did you think about him? 10 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:23,982 - [chuckles] He's big. - He's big. 11 00:00:23,982 --> 00:00:27,444 ♪ ♪ 12 00:00:27,444 --> 00:00:29,696 SINGER: ♪ It takes two to make a thing go right ♪ 13 00:00:29,696 --> 00:00:31,865 ♪ ♪ 14 00:00:31,865 --> 00:00:33,492 ♪ It takes two to make it out of sight ♪ 15 00:00:33,492 --> 00:00:36,245 - Who'd you come here to see? - Kobe Bryant. 16 00:00:36,245 --> 00:00:37,996 - Came here for Shaq and Kobe Bryant. 17 00:00:37,996 --> 00:00:39,289 REPORTER: Do you like the Lakers? 18 00:00:39,289 --> 00:00:40,541 - Oh, yeah. Big Lakers fan. REPORTER: Good. 19 00:00:40,541 --> 00:00:42,793 Hopefully, they will win this year, right? 20 00:00:42,793 --> 00:00:44,795 FAN: You got that right. DJ E-Z ROCK: ♪ Hit it ♪ 21 00:00:44,795 --> 00:00:46,296 ROB BASE: ♪ I wanna rock right now ♪ 22 00:00:46,296 --> 00:00:48,090 ♪ I'm Rob Base and I came to get down ♪ 23 00:00:48,090 --> 00:00:50,592 REPORTER: In the '90s, you haven't won a NBA title yet. 24 00:00:50,592 --> 00:00:52,344 Do you think this team might do it? 25 00:00:52,344 --> 00:00:53,845 DEL: This is certainly our goal. 26 00:00:53,845 --> 00:00:56,598 This is, um, what we're here for. 27 00:00:56,598 --> 00:00:58,141 - It's good when you have a lot of new faces. 28 00:00:58,141 --> 00:01:00,227 That means that there's a change coming. 29 00:01:00,227 --> 00:01:01,270 - We're very young. 30 00:01:01,270 --> 00:01:02,562 We got mixtures of everything. 31 00:01:02,562 --> 00:01:04,106 We got a couple of veterans, 32 00:01:04,106 --> 00:01:05,857 and we got a guy that he ain't went to college. 33 00:01:05,857 --> 00:01:09,111 BUSS: Well, you can never tell how a team's gonna jell. 34 00:01:09,111 --> 00:01:11,738 Sometimes it comes together immediately, 35 00:01:11,738 --> 00:01:13,699 sometimes it takes two or three years. 36 00:01:13,699 --> 00:01:16,451 So we know we have a lot of talent, 37 00:01:16,451 --> 00:01:19,288 but we don't know how much teamwork we have yet. 38 00:01:19,288 --> 00:01:21,164 ♪ ♪ 39 00:01:21,164 --> 00:01:23,208 SHAQ: How about five guys playing their roles? 40 00:01:23,208 --> 00:01:26,545 Everybody don't have their own agenda, yeah. 41 00:01:26,545 --> 00:01:27,754 We should be fine. 42 00:01:32,634 --> 00:01:35,262 ROGER TROUTMAN: ♪ California love ♪ 43 00:01:35,262 --> 00:01:37,472 [2Pac's "California Love"] 44 00:01:37,472 --> 00:01:43,020 ♪ California knows how to party ♪ 45 00:01:43,020 --> 00:01:45,897 ♪ California knows how to party ♪ 46 00:01:45,897 --> 00:01:48,025 CHICK HEARN: There he is. His first shot as an owner. 47 00:01:48,025 --> 00:01:49,109 You think he likes it? [commentator laughs] 48 00:01:49,109 --> 00:01:50,777 ROGER: ♪ California ♪ 49 00:01:50,777 --> 00:01:52,946 ♪ ♪ 50 00:01:52,946 --> 00:01:54,823 - At this moment, I can't believe it. 51 00:01:54,823 --> 00:01:56,325 ROGER: ♪ California ♪ 52 00:01:56,325 --> 00:01:57,534 PERSON: What's the future? 53 00:01:57,534 --> 00:01:59,036 Want to replace your father at the top? 54 00:01:59,036 --> 00:02:01,121 - Yeah. [laughs] 55 00:02:01,121 --> 00:02:03,081 ROGER: ♪ In the city ♪ 56 00:02:03,081 --> 00:02:04,750 BUSS: Between my daughters and my sons, 57 00:02:04,750 --> 00:02:07,544 there are certainly enough sports teams to go around. 58 00:02:07,544 --> 00:02:10,005 ♪ ♪ 59 00:02:10,005 --> 00:02:11,590 ROGER: ♪ In the city ♪ 60 00:02:11,590 --> 00:02:13,383 PERSON: Are you and the rest of the family, 61 00:02:13,383 --> 00:02:14,635 are you guys all on the same page? 62 00:02:14,635 --> 00:02:17,137 ♪ ♪ 63 00:02:17,137 --> 00:02:18,388 PERSON: The Lakers caught in the middle 64 00:02:18,388 --> 00:02:20,015 of a family power struggle. 65 00:02:20,015 --> 00:02:24,269 ♪ ♪ 66 00:02:24,936 --> 00:02:27,064 BUSS: I think I've really left them with something. 67 00:02:32,903 --> 00:02:34,780 [indistinct chatter] 68 00:02:34,780 --> 00:02:36,698 CHICK: Aloha and a very pleasant good evening 69 00:02:36,698 --> 00:02:38,033 to you, ladies and gentlemen. 70 00:02:38,033 --> 00:02:39,910 I'm Chick Hearn. Stu Lantz is with me again. 71 00:02:39,910 --> 00:02:41,912 And we're so happy to be with you 72 00:02:41,912 --> 00:02:47,376 in this new chapter of Laker basketball, '96-'97. 73 00:02:47,376 --> 00:02:49,920 DEREK: I grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, 74 00:02:49,920 --> 00:02:52,130 which is a long way away from LA. 75 00:02:52,130 --> 00:02:53,674 CHICK: Derek Fisher, 6'1", 76 00:02:53,674 --> 00:02:56,051 a 200-pound rookie out of Arkansas. 77 00:02:56,051 --> 00:02:58,470 - To be drafted by the Lakers in 1996 was 78 00:02:58,470 --> 00:03:00,430 more than a dream come true. 79 00:03:00,430 --> 00:03:03,141 You know, we obviously had Nick Van Exel 80 00:03:03,141 --> 00:03:07,562 and Eddie Jones, Elden Campbell. 81 00:03:07,562 --> 00:03:10,315 Byron Scott came back and played. 82 00:03:10,315 --> 00:03:12,442 But yeah, ah, there was no question 83 00:03:12,442 --> 00:03:15,070 whose team it was at that time. 84 00:03:15,070 --> 00:03:16,279 ANNOUNCER: And now here he comes, 85 00:03:16,279 --> 00:03:19,282 the big fella, Shaquille O'Neal. 86 00:03:19,282 --> 00:03:21,201 [cheers and applause] 87 00:03:21,201 --> 00:03:22,494 - I think it's a new start for you 88 00:03:22,494 --> 00:03:23,954 and an opportunity to travel the road 89 00:03:23,954 --> 00:03:25,914 to a championship ring. 90 00:03:25,914 --> 00:03:27,249 - That's what it's all about. 91 00:03:27,249 --> 00:03:29,918 - Shaq was gonna turn the franchise around. 92 00:03:29,918 --> 00:03:32,546 Shaq was gonna give us an opportunity 93 00:03:32,546 --> 00:03:35,632 to get back to winning championships. 94 00:03:35,632 --> 00:03:38,427 - He's dominant. You know, he's just physically dominant. 95 00:03:38,427 --> 00:03:41,513 And he is a great basketball player. 96 00:03:41,513 --> 00:03:43,515 JOHNNY: He was already a celebrity at that point. 97 00:03:43,515 --> 00:03:46,560 And I think my dad was a little more excited 98 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:49,521 about having Shaq as a sports fan 99 00:03:49,521 --> 00:03:53,066 than he was as the owner of the team. 100 00:03:53,066 --> 00:03:55,360 SHAQ: I'm coming in. [basket rattles] 101 00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:57,946 If this was a mafia movie, I'm taking over all territory. 102 00:03:57,946 --> 00:03:59,531 If this was a gang movie, 103 00:03:59,531 --> 00:04:00,949 I'm taking over all neighborhoods. 104 00:04:00,949 --> 00:04:03,869 You don't have to tell me. Trust me. I'm telling you. 105 00:04:03,869 --> 00:04:05,162 [Shaquille O'Neal's "(I Know I Got) Skillz)"] 106 00:04:05,162 --> 00:04:06,746 ♪ You want to fight, come fight me ♪ 107 00:04:06,746 --> 00:04:09,040 ♪ I'll hit you with the wa-psh-psh-psh-psh-psh! ♪ 108 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:11,168 ♪ See? See? I get dirty ♪ 109 00:04:11,168 --> 00:04:12,586 BUSS: He's bigger than life. 110 00:04:12,586 --> 00:04:14,463 Literally the man, when he walks in the room, 111 00:04:14,463 --> 00:04:17,883 commands all the attention of everybody in the room. 112 00:04:17,883 --> 00:04:20,469 - I am Kazaam! 113 00:04:20,469 --> 00:04:23,346 - Shaq was the ultimate showman. 114 00:04:23,346 --> 00:04:26,683 You know, him and LA just went together perfect. 115 00:04:26,683 --> 00:04:28,602 - I used to blow his ass up to get free tickets. 116 00:04:28,602 --> 00:04:29,895 "Shaq, it's the Dogg. What's happening?" 117 00:04:29,895 --> 00:04:32,647 I used to hit him on the pager and the SkyTel. 118 00:04:32,647 --> 00:04:34,357 "It's Snoop Dogg. I need nine tickets, nigga. 119 00:04:34,357 --> 00:04:36,985 Leave them at the gate." [laughs] 120 00:04:36,985 --> 00:04:39,488 BUSS: You had to have a real superstar 121 00:04:39,488 --> 00:04:42,073 in order to have a credible franchise, 122 00:04:42,073 --> 00:04:44,159 especially in a city like Los Angeles. 123 00:04:44,159 --> 00:04:46,953 [cheers and applause] 124 00:04:46,953 --> 00:04:50,290 But regardless of how charming a personality is, 125 00:04:50,290 --> 00:04:52,959 eventually, the fans want a win. 126 00:04:52,959 --> 00:04:54,753 SHAQ: The first thing Jerry West did 127 00:04:54,753 --> 00:04:56,963 when I got there, he sat me down and he said, 128 00:04:56,963 --> 00:04:58,131 "Look up." 129 00:04:58,131 --> 00:05:00,008 And as I look up, 130 00:05:00,008 --> 00:05:02,594 he says, "Son, if you can come here 131 00:05:02,594 --> 00:05:04,262 "and win multiple championships, 132 00:05:04,262 --> 00:05:06,389 your name will be up there one day." 133 00:05:06,389 --> 00:05:08,391 He said, "It ain't gonna take long. 134 00:05:08,391 --> 00:05:10,060 "I just signed this kid. 135 00:05:10,060 --> 00:05:13,188 You and him are gonna win a lot of championships." 136 00:05:13,188 --> 00:05:15,607 [soft dramatic music] 137 00:05:15,607 --> 00:05:17,359 KURT: When Kobe was drafted, 138 00:05:17,359 --> 00:05:21,446 you could see the young kid's talent level. 139 00:05:21,446 --> 00:05:23,949 It wasn't like you had to strain to find it. 140 00:05:23,949 --> 00:05:25,200 It was there. 141 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:26,827 I mean, it just popped right off the court. 142 00:05:28,161 --> 00:05:29,788 You're gonna forget real quick, 143 00:05:29,788 --> 00:05:31,456 and everybody has to keep that in the back of your mind, 144 00:05:31,456 --> 00:05:33,208 that he's just 18. 145 00:05:33,208 --> 00:05:35,961 SHAQ: He was loved from day one. 146 00:05:35,961 --> 00:05:38,255 The fans are going, "Kobe! Kobe!" 147 00:05:38,255 --> 00:05:39,714 ALL: [chanting] Kobe! Kobe! Kobe! 148 00:05:39,714 --> 00:05:43,343 CHICK: And they're calling "Kobe, Kobe, Kobe." 149 00:05:43,343 --> 00:05:45,679 NICK: I can see Kobe right now. 150 00:05:45,679 --> 00:05:49,307 Like, his swag and confidence was through the roof. 151 00:05:49,307 --> 00:05:50,934 - College is great competition. 152 00:05:50,934 --> 00:05:52,936 But in the NBA, it's the best players in the world, 153 00:05:52,936 --> 00:05:56,022 and I love to play against the best players in the world. 154 00:05:56,022 --> 00:05:59,526 - He was so intense on being like Michael, 155 00:05:59,526 --> 00:06:01,653 being better than Michael. 156 00:06:01,653 --> 00:06:03,822 - Everything that MJ did, Kobe did. 157 00:06:03,822 --> 00:06:06,324 Like the chewing of the gum, the walking, 158 00:06:06,324 --> 00:06:09,160 the moves, the footwork. 159 00:06:10,620 --> 00:06:13,248 I used to have VHS tapes back in the day 160 00:06:13,248 --> 00:06:15,625 full of highlights of Michael Jordan. 161 00:06:15,625 --> 00:06:18,128 Kobe asked to borrow them. 162 00:06:18,128 --> 00:06:20,380 And I have never seen those tapes again. 163 00:06:20,380 --> 00:06:22,048 [laughing] He was just like, 164 00:06:22,048 --> 00:06:23,800 "No, motherfucker, I want my tapes." 165 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:25,218 [laughs] 166 00:06:25,218 --> 00:06:26,303 [cheers and applause] 167 00:06:26,303 --> 00:06:27,846 KURT: When Kobe came in, 168 00:06:27,846 --> 00:06:31,141 he had all the components to be a great ball player. 169 00:06:31,141 --> 00:06:34,352 But what he didn't have was experience. 170 00:06:34,352 --> 00:06:38,356 - Would he be capable of waiting his time? 171 00:06:38,356 --> 00:06:42,235 And there's no question his time was gonna come soon. 172 00:06:42,235 --> 00:06:43,361 PERSON: You are the youngest player 173 00:06:43,361 --> 00:06:44,446 for the Lakers right now. 174 00:06:44,446 --> 00:06:45,697 Do you feel any pressure 175 00:06:45,697 --> 00:06:46,865 coming straight out of high school? 176 00:06:46,865 --> 00:06:48,074 - Not really. 177 00:06:48,074 --> 00:06:49,743 No, it's more excitement more than anything. 178 00:06:49,743 --> 00:06:51,202 You know, I just can't wait to go out there 179 00:06:51,202 --> 00:06:52,454 and just play a little. 180 00:06:52,454 --> 00:06:54,956 - You know, I knew he had greatness in him 181 00:06:54,956 --> 00:06:56,708 from day one of watching him in practice. 182 00:06:56,708 --> 00:06:58,251 And then to have Shaq. 183 00:06:58,251 --> 00:07:00,003 You know, if they could jell, I was like, 184 00:07:00,003 --> 00:07:01,796 man, the sky's the limits for them. 185 00:07:01,796 --> 00:07:04,591 My main man, Showboat, coming in here. 186 00:07:04,591 --> 00:07:05,634 This is my man, this is my man. 187 00:07:05,634 --> 00:07:07,052 This is Showboat. 188 00:07:07,052 --> 00:07:08,678 We call him Showboat, but y'all know him as Kobe Bryant. 189 00:07:08,678 --> 00:07:11,097 This is my main man. 190 00:07:11,097 --> 00:07:13,183 I feel like a father to him. I mean, this is my boy. 191 00:07:13,183 --> 00:07:14,351 I mean, we play together, 192 00:07:14,351 --> 00:07:15,644 we sit on the bench by each other. 193 00:07:15,644 --> 00:07:17,020 We're always talking. 194 00:07:17,020 --> 00:07:18,438 Then when I look at-- 195 00:07:18,438 --> 00:07:20,231 you know how you go down in the locker room 196 00:07:20,231 --> 00:07:22,108 and they list everybody's age? 197 00:07:22,108 --> 00:07:23,443 Not their age, but they date of birth? 198 00:07:23,443 --> 00:07:25,487 - Mm-hmm. - And I see '78. 199 00:07:25,487 --> 00:07:27,113 - '78. - [laughs] 200 00:07:27,113 --> 00:07:29,699 And I'm like, "I'm twice as old as the kid," you know? 201 00:07:29,699 --> 00:07:31,451 - So I've been living in LA 202 00:07:31,451 --> 00:07:32,911 since I was, like, in third grade. 203 00:07:32,911 --> 00:07:37,248 - This young man was so respectful. 204 00:07:37,248 --> 00:07:38,958 Because I was like, "Kobe," you know, 205 00:07:38,958 --> 00:07:40,293 "Nice to meet you. My name is Byron." 206 00:07:40,293 --> 00:07:41,836 "I know who you are, Mr. Scott." 207 00:07:41,836 --> 00:07:43,046 That's exactly how you-- 208 00:07:43,046 --> 00:07:44,172 "I know who you are, Mr. Scott." 209 00:07:44,172 --> 00:07:45,799 I was like, "Okay, well, 210 00:07:45,799 --> 00:07:47,509 you don't have to call me Mr. Scott." 211 00:07:47,509 --> 00:07:48,843 - You know, 212 00:07:48,843 --> 00:07:51,513 what have your biggest challenges been this year? 213 00:07:51,513 --> 00:07:53,348 - The hardest thing, I would say, 214 00:07:53,348 --> 00:07:55,809 has been moving away from my family. 215 00:07:55,809 --> 00:07:57,602 - You didn't have the opportunity that we had 216 00:07:57,602 --> 00:07:59,938 as far as we were able to adjust a little bit 217 00:07:59,938 --> 00:08:02,440 because we went to college, so we had a chance to adjust. 218 00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:04,317 And you coming straight out of high school. 219 00:08:04,317 --> 00:08:06,695 ROBERT: You know, I've never played with anybody 18, 220 00:08:06,695 --> 00:08:08,488 19, since college. 221 00:08:08,488 --> 00:08:10,615 Sports are all about tradition. 222 00:08:10,615 --> 00:08:13,660 And after the game, the beers were in the locker room. 223 00:08:13,660 --> 00:08:15,245 We always crack open a brew. 224 00:08:15,245 --> 00:08:17,372 [laughter] - [indistinct] 225 00:08:17,372 --> 00:08:18,873 ROBERT: Once we got Kobe on the team, 226 00:08:18,873 --> 00:08:22,502 someone comes in and says, "You have a minor in here." 227 00:08:22,502 --> 00:08:23,962 [laughing] Yeah, there's a couple guys 228 00:08:23,962 --> 00:08:26,965 that kind of got upset at Kobe about that. 229 00:08:26,965 --> 00:08:29,092 We would go out somewhere, and they'll look at him like, 230 00:08:29,092 --> 00:08:30,385 "Dude, I can't let you in." 231 00:08:30,385 --> 00:08:32,137 [laughing] "You're not even 21 yet." 232 00:08:32,137 --> 00:08:33,263 [indistinct clamoring] 233 00:08:33,263 --> 00:08:34,472 SHAQ: Oh, I can get him in, 234 00:08:34,472 --> 00:08:36,558 but if you ask somebody something 235 00:08:36,558 --> 00:08:38,560 and they say no twice, 236 00:08:38,560 --> 00:08:40,395 you know, someone's gonna be on top. 237 00:08:40,395 --> 00:08:42,397 How can you live in Southern California 238 00:08:42,397 --> 00:08:45,316 and just go to practice and go home? 239 00:08:45,316 --> 00:08:47,068 SNOOP: He really wasn't the club type. 240 00:08:47,068 --> 00:08:49,070 You know, he dibbled and dabbled a little bit, 241 00:08:49,070 --> 00:08:51,156 but then he would get on his basketball shit 242 00:08:51,156 --> 00:08:52,949 and he would be, like, locked up. 243 00:08:52,949 --> 00:08:54,075 He just was different. 244 00:08:54,075 --> 00:08:55,785 - I always keep people arm-distant. 245 00:08:55,785 --> 00:08:58,872 You know, I'm very outgoing and I'll talk to anybody. 246 00:08:58,872 --> 00:09:01,207 But there's a certain limit. 247 00:09:01,207 --> 00:09:03,460 I'm not gonna let just anybody into my family circle. 248 00:09:03,460 --> 00:09:07,213 - He never really smiled. He was always serious. 249 00:09:07,213 --> 00:09:11,259 - They were, you know, opposites. 250 00:09:11,259 --> 00:09:16,181 Kobe was, you know, focused, driven, and 18 years old. 251 00:09:16,181 --> 00:09:18,266 - Kobe would kill us in practice. 252 00:09:18,266 --> 00:09:21,019 And we was like, "Man, slow your ass down." 253 00:09:21,019 --> 00:09:22,645 Like, "God damn, we in walkthrough." 254 00:09:22,645 --> 00:09:24,773 - And Shaq wanted to have fun. 255 00:09:24,773 --> 00:09:26,024 [whistle blows] 256 00:09:26,024 --> 00:09:27,567 NICK: We in practice waiting on him. 257 00:09:27,567 --> 00:09:30,361 All of a sudden he comes out the locker room butt naked, 258 00:09:30,361 --> 00:09:32,489 does a lap, and goes back in. 259 00:09:32,489 --> 00:09:34,783 - [laughs] That is indeed frightening. 260 00:09:34,783 --> 00:09:37,077 SHAQ: I don't know what you're talking about. 261 00:09:37,077 --> 00:09:39,370 And they need to understand that snitches get stitches. 262 00:09:39,370 --> 00:09:40,622 So when I see you, 263 00:09:40,622 --> 00:09:42,707 got something for you, D-Fish and Rob. 264 00:09:42,707 --> 00:09:44,417 JIM: So there was conflict, 265 00:09:44,417 --> 00:09:48,129 and Kobe worked his tail off to be the greatest. 266 00:09:48,129 --> 00:09:50,673 Shaq had the natural talent to be the greatest. 267 00:09:50,673 --> 00:09:54,594 But it didn't seem like he worked as hard to get beyond. 268 00:09:54,594 --> 00:09:57,305 - From a distance, you could see 269 00:09:57,305 --> 00:10:00,141 that these two guys were gonna be butting heads. 270 00:10:00,141 --> 00:10:03,144 [cheers and applause] 271 00:10:08,108 --> 00:10:11,236 [soft dramatic music] 272 00:10:11,236 --> 00:10:13,154 NEWSCASTER: Women's basketball goes big time 273 00:10:13,154 --> 00:10:15,907 with a new league backed by the NBA. 274 00:10:15,907 --> 00:10:18,660 - 'Bout time that the women take the court 275 00:10:18,660 --> 00:10:20,286 and show their stuff. 276 00:10:20,286 --> 00:10:23,039 JOHNNY: When I got the call from my dad to run the Sparks, 277 00:10:23,039 --> 00:10:24,707 of course, my head was spinning again, 278 00:10:24,707 --> 00:10:28,378 going, "Okay, now I'm older, I'm more mature. 279 00:10:28,378 --> 00:10:30,088 I'm running another sports team." 280 00:10:30,088 --> 00:10:33,925 But I already went through this with the Lazers. 281 00:10:33,925 --> 00:10:36,386 You know, you don't expect to win. 282 00:10:36,386 --> 00:10:38,138 You just build yourself up 283 00:10:38,138 --> 00:10:41,057 and you get there as quickly as you possibly can. 284 00:10:41,057 --> 00:10:42,183 But it's the same business. 285 00:10:42,183 --> 00:10:44,269 You're trying to grow something. 286 00:10:44,269 --> 00:10:45,854 COMMENTATOR: Welcome to the Great Western Forum, 287 00:10:45,854 --> 00:10:49,858 and it is a sellout crowd of some 12,000 people. 288 00:10:49,858 --> 00:10:51,317 JOHNNY: It was so much fun 289 00:10:51,317 --> 00:10:54,487 to try out this new age of basketball that was happening. 290 00:10:54,487 --> 00:10:56,656 MICHAEL: When I moved into coaching, 291 00:10:56,656 --> 00:10:58,950 Johnny, I mean, was just like his dad-- 292 00:10:58,950 --> 00:11:02,871 not being too involved, but involved enough. 293 00:11:02,871 --> 00:11:04,080 Coop, I don't care what you do. 294 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:06,082 Is it best for the team? 295 00:11:06,082 --> 00:11:07,458 [cheers and applause] 296 00:11:07,458 --> 00:11:08,960 COMMENTATOR: Here's the tip. 297 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:10,587 And the Sparks control. 298 00:11:10,587 --> 00:11:12,797 JOHNNY: The Lakers have Shaq to grow on. 299 00:11:12,797 --> 00:11:15,175 We had Lisa Leslie. 300 00:11:15,175 --> 00:11:17,343 - Los Angeles has been known for its Showtime 301 00:11:17,343 --> 00:11:18,678 with the Los Angeles Lakers, 302 00:11:18,678 --> 00:11:20,221 and I think it will be continued 303 00:11:20,221 --> 00:11:22,015 with the WNBA's team. 304 00:11:22,015 --> 00:11:24,392 - If it wasn't for the physicality, 305 00:11:24,392 --> 00:11:26,936 Lisa could have played in the NBA. 306 00:11:26,936 --> 00:11:29,689 COMMENTATOR 1: Leslie, who starred at USC, 307 00:11:29,689 --> 00:11:31,858 grew up just a few blocks away from the Forum. 308 00:11:31,858 --> 00:11:33,443 COMMENTATOR 2: That's Lisa Leslie with those long arms. 309 00:11:33,443 --> 00:11:34,736 She just knocks it out. 310 00:11:34,736 --> 00:11:36,613 JOHNNY: She was the great player, 311 00:11:36,613 --> 00:11:41,201 and we knew that we were going to have a great first step 312 00:11:41,201 --> 00:11:42,619 when we started this team. 313 00:11:42,619 --> 00:11:45,246 Could she do it alone? Of course not. 314 00:11:45,246 --> 00:11:46,247 COMMENTATOR: And that'll do it here 315 00:11:46,247 --> 00:11:47,665 at the Great Western Forum. 316 00:11:47,665 --> 00:11:50,084 It's the New York Liberty over the LA Sparks. 317 00:11:50,084 --> 00:11:51,502 JOHNNY: Just like any other team, 318 00:11:51,502 --> 00:11:54,297 it might not have been an immediate success. 319 00:11:54,297 --> 00:11:57,926 But my dad said, "You're going in the right direction." 320 00:11:57,926 --> 00:12:00,929 [soft dramatic music] 321 00:12:00,929 --> 00:12:03,723 ♪ ♪ 322 00:12:03,723 --> 00:12:06,434 You know, Jimmy wanted to prove himself 323 00:12:06,434 --> 00:12:08,019 just like I wanted to prove myself 324 00:12:08,019 --> 00:12:10,647 or anybody wants to prove themselves. 325 00:12:10,647 --> 00:12:14,359 - Everything I know about basketball and scouting, 326 00:12:14,359 --> 00:12:16,069 I learned from Jerry West. 327 00:12:17,528 --> 00:12:19,781 My dad knew I would come in with, 328 00:12:19,781 --> 00:12:22,992 "Please just feed me everything you got, Mr. West." 329 00:12:22,992 --> 00:12:25,161 [laughing] Who's, I mean, there's a legend right there 330 00:12:25,161 --> 00:12:26,454 and I'm working with him. 331 00:12:26,454 --> 00:12:29,832 ♪ ♪ 332 00:12:29,832 --> 00:12:32,669 He took me on my first scouting job. 333 00:12:32,669 --> 00:12:35,088 Of course, that was Hawaii, which was great, you know. 334 00:12:35,088 --> 00:12:36,339 [laughs] 335 00:12:38,174 --> 00:12:40,760 When you're traveling with horses in trailers, 336 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:42,178 you're getting pretty dirty. 337 00:12:42,178 --> 00:12:45,098 So when we went first class to Hawaii with Jerry West, 338 00:12:45,098 --> 00:12:47,225 I'm sitting there going, "This is a dream." 339 00:12:47,225 --> 00:12:50,770 You know, I can't believe I'm sitting next to him. 340 00:12:50,770 --> 00:12:52,438 - I thought he was shy. 341 00:12:52,438 --> 00:12:55,149 Um, always very courteous. 342 00:12:55,149 --> 00:12:58,736 Uh, he would go to these big scouting things with us. 343 00:12:58,736 --> 00:13:02,532 - He'd see games. Uh, he'd send reports in. 344 00:13:02,532 --> 00:13:05,994 Stuff you kind of do when you're starting out. 345 00:13:05,994 --> 00:13:09,414 JEANIE: My dad felt that Jimmy had a good eye. 346 00:13:09,414 --> 00:13:13,376 That, given time, Jimmy could really understand 347 00:13:13,376 --> 00:13:15,962 what you look for in a great player. 348 00:13:15,962 --> 00:13:18,214 - I thought he was fine. I really did. 349 00:13:18,214 --> 00:13:21,968 Obviously, I had great respect for Jerry and for his kids. 350 00:13:21,968 --> 00:13:25,555 But my only question was, you know, the owner's son-- 351 00:13:25,555 --> 00:13:27,890 are you hiring him to, uh-- 352 00:13:27,890 --> 00:13:30,435 just to give him something to do? 353 00:13:30,435 --> 00:13:33,396 Was he going to, you know, be dedicated enough to do it? 354 00:13:33,396 --> 00:13:36,649 ♪ ♪ 355 00:13:36,649 --> 00:13:38,609 JEANIE: When I was, you know, 356 00:13:38,609 --> 00:13:41,487 named as the general manager of the Forum 357 00:13:41,487 --> 00:13:43,656 and started running the venue, 358 00:13:43,656 --> 00:13:47,118 there really wasn't much crossover between anything 359 00:13:47,118 --> 00:13:50,329 my brothers were doing and what I was doing. 360 00:13:50,329 --> 00:13:51,789 [soft upbeat music] 361 00:13:51,789 --> 00:13:54,000 NEWSCASTER: Jeanie Buss is a woman with a plan. 362 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:56,294 She wants to make the Great Western Forum 363 00:13:56,294 --> 00:13:58,171 the best arena it can be-- 364 00:13:58,171 --> 00:14:00,798 at least until a new arena is built in LA. 365 00:14:00,798 --> 00:14:04,677 - The ambitious part of me jumped at the opportunity. 366 00:14:04,677 --> 00:14:08,181 I wanted to learn and grow. 367 00:14:08,181 --> 00:14:11,267 JANIE: My father took our personalities 368 00:14:11,267 --> 00:14:15,563 and kind of helped place us where we excelled. 369 00:14:15,563 --> 00:14:19,692 And Jeanie has always been a perfectionist. 370 00:14:19,692 --> 00:14:22,570 - I liked the challenge. 371 00:14:22,570 --> 00:14:24,822 When you are in a position like that, 372 00:14:24,822 --> 00:14:28,785 you have to be at work in the morning. 373 00:14:28,785 --> 00:14:31,037 And then you have to stay that night 374 00:14:31,037 --> 00:14:33,706 for whatever event is in the building 375 00:14:33,706 --> 00:14:35,166 'cause it's your building. 376 00:14:35,166 --> 00:14:37,168 ♪ ♪ 377 00:14:37,168 --> 00:14:40,004 - I told Jerry, she doesn't have to be here 378 00:14:40,004 --> 00:14:41,881 for every concert. 379 00:14:41,881 --> 00:14:44,967 But she was very devoted. 380 00:14:44,967 --> 00:14:47,053 JEANIE: I wanted to do whatever I could 381 00:14:47,053 --> 00:14:48,971 in the family business. 382 00:14:48,971 --> 00:14:50,890 But as time went on, you know, 383 00:14:50,890 --> 00:14:55,895 I really realized how much I was missing of a dating life, 384 00:14:55,895 --> 00:14:58,064 a social life. 385 00:14:58,064 --> 00:14:59,440 In the divorce, 386 00:14:59,440 --> 00:15:04,028 I ended up with a house that was on the beach. 387 00:15:04,028 --> 00:15:07,448 My girlfriends would literally call me from my house 388 00:15:07,448 --> 00:15:11,536 while I was at work saying, "Hey, it's a great beach day. 389 00:15:11,536 --> 00:15:13,788 Wish you were here." 390 00:15:13,788 --> 00:15:15,873 Those years, those three or four years, 391 00:15:15,873 --> 00:15:18,417 really, I had no free time. 392 00:15:18,417 --> 00:15:20,545 ♪ ♪ 393 00:15:20,545 --> 00:15:24,006 Especially when Shaq and Kobe came to the Lakers, 394 00:15:24,006 --> 00:15:25,716 my phone was ringing off the hook. 395 00:15:25,716 --> 00:15:29,637 People requesting tickets, celebrities coming again. 396 00:15:29,637 --> 00:15:30,888 - There's some hope now. 397 00:15:30,888 --> 00:15:32,390 People really believe in the Lakers again. 398 00:15:32,390 --> 00:15:33,599 You know, they watched them, 399 00:15:33,599 --> 00:15:34,851 but they really didn't believe in them. 400 00:15:34,851 --> 00:15:37,562 Now they're watching them at a record number. 401 00:15:37,562 --> 00:15:39,605 [Montell Jordan's "This Is How We Do It"] 402 00:15:39,605 --> 00:15:42,817 SINGERS: ♪ This is how we do it ♪ 403 00:15:42,817 --> 00:15:44,652 - That era that got ushered in, 404 00:15:44,652 --> 00:15:46,404 the Lake Show--[chuckles] 405 00:15:46,404 --> 00:15:48,656 It was not so much for him. 406 00:15:48,656 --> 00:15:52,577 And it wasn't for even us as a family. 407 00:15:52,577 --> 00:15:55,955 It was really, it'll help our fans. 408 00:15:55,955 --> 00:15:57,623 MONTELL: ♪ This is how we do it ♪ 409 00:15:57,623 --> 00:15:59,125 ♪ It's Friday night ♪ 410 00:15:59,125 --> 00:16:01,252 NICK: You talking about expectations through the roof. 411 00:16:01,252 --> 00:16:03,713 Everywhere we went, it was sold out. 412 00:16:03,713 --> 00:16:05,506 Like, it was crazy. 413 00:16:05,506 --> 00:16:07,466 JEANIE: We were ecstatic 414 00:16:07,466 --> 00:16:09,594 that we had what you would call a big two. 415 00:16:09,594 --> 00:16:10,720 [kids screaming] 416 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:12,096 And they were everywhere. 417 00:16:12,096 --> 00:16:13,514 MONTELL: ♪ The honeys in the street say ♪ 418 00:16:13,514 --> 00:16:15,892 ♪ Monty, yo, we made it, it feels so good ♪ 419 00:16:15,892 --> 00:16:18,311 - Hey, you're Kobe Bryant. 420 00:16:18,311 --> 00:16:21,147 - Oh, Kobe. [cheers and applause] 421 00:16:21,147 --> 00:16:23,024 - Look, Mom, it's about the SAT. 422 00:16:23,024 --> 00:16:24,775 I don't do well on big tests. I freeze up. 423 00:16:24,775 --> 00:16:26,944 ♪ ♪ 424 00:16:26,944 --> 00:16:28,696 - This was the Lake Show. 425 00:16:28,696 --> 00:16:30,698 We're not the team that's gonna come down and run plays. 426 00:16:30,698 --> 00:16:33,242 We're the team that's got lobs, dunks. 427 00:16:33,242 --> 00:16:35,620 MONTELL: ♪ I'm kind of buzzed and it's all because ♪ 428 00:16:35,620 --> 00:16:37,580 SINGERS: ♪ This is how we do it ♪ 429 00:16:37,580 --> 00:16:40,291 MONTELL: ♪ South Central does it like nobody does ♪ 430 00:16:40,291 --> 00:16:42,168 SINGERS: ♪ This is how we do it ♪ 431 00:16:42,168 --> 00:16:44,462 - So we got an arena filled with A-List stars. 432 00:16:44,462 --> 00:16:47,048 You know what I mean, they coming to watch you. 433 00:16:47,048 --> 00:16:49,425 SNOOP: Coming to sit courtside after becoming famous 434 00:16:49,425 --> 00:16:51,135 is probably the best thing that can happen 435 00:16:51,135 --> 00:16:52,720 for you in entertainment, 436 00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:55,306 because you know that you're an attraction at the attraction. 437 00:16:55,306 --> 00:16:56,807 You're watching the basketball game, 438 00:16:56,807 --> 00:16:58,893 but you know the basketball players are watching you. 439 00:17:00,186 --> 00:17:01,604 ICE CUBE: You know, at that time, 440 00:17:01,604 --> 00:17:03,189 I could afford season tickets. 441 00:17:03,189 --> 00:17:07,109 So being up in the Forum was great. 442 00:17:07,109 --> 00:17:09,946 Yelling at the refs, you know, where they can hear you now. 443 00:17:11,447 --> 00:17:13,574 FLEA: We just knew that we were gonna 444 00:17:13,574 --> 00:17:14,992 win a championship again. 445 00:17:14,992 --> 00:17:16,994 And to get into the Forum to watch them play 446 00:17:16,994 --> 00:17:20,623 was gonna be the golden ticket for the time of your life. 447 00:17:20,623 --> 00:17:22,917 ANDY: That place was on fire, you know. 448 00:17:22,917 --> 00:17:26,587 It was a magical time in LA sports. 449 00:17:26,587 --> 00:17:28,089 DYAN: We thought this is the beginning 450 00:17:28,089 --> 00:17:29,882 of ring after ring after ring. 451 00:17:29,882 --> 00:17:31,008 That's what we were hoping. 452 00:17:31,008 --> 00:17:33,469 ♪ ♪ 453 00:17:36,389 --> 00:17:37,890 J.A.: I grew up in Los Angeles. 454 00:17:37,890 --> 00:17:39,392 I was there for Showtime. 455 00:17:39,392 --> 00:17:41,602 And then there was this long period 456 00:17:41,602 --> 00:17:43,854 of wandering in the wilderness. 457 00:17:43,854 --> 00:17:46,566 But when I got to "the Times" in '97, the Lakers, 458 00:17:46,566 --> 00:17:49,026 the Shaq and Kobe era, was on the way up. 459 00:17:49,026 --> 00:17:50,152 I think people thought the Lakers 460 00:17:50,152 --> 00:17:52,863 could be championship contenders. 461 00:17:52,863 --> 00:17:56,200 It all felt, like, preordained in a way. 462 00:17:56,200 --> 00:18:00,955 Although Kobe still had some things to learn and work out. 463 00:18:00,955 --> 00:18:02,498 - There's gonna be a time through the playoffs 464 00:18:02,498 --> 00:18:04,417 where guys on the team are struggling. 465 00:18:04,417 --> 00:18:06,002 And we're gonna have to go in there and do our job 466 00:18:06,002 --> 00:18:08,754 and, you know, answer the call, answer that ultimate challenge. 467 00:18:08,754 --> 00:18:10,798 And I love it, man. I can't wait. 468 00:18:10,798 --> 00:18:12,758 - And we're playing Utah in Utah, 469 00:18:12,758 --> 00:18:14,594 and we were about to lose the series. 470 00:18:14,594 --> 00:18:16,095 [cheers and applause] 471 00:18:16,095 --> 00:18:18,723 EDDIE: We were down 3-1 in the playoffs. 472 00:18:18,723 --> 00:18:21,559 If we lose another game, we're going home. 473 00:18:21,559 --> 00:18:25,146 We knew it was all or nothing. 474 00:18:25,146 --> 00:18:26,647 KEVIN HARLAN: We're tied at 89. 475 00:18:26,647 --> 00:18:28,649 It's a timeout, Los Angeles 476 00:18:28,649 --> 00:18:31,485 with 11.3 to play in regulation. 477 00:18:31,485 --> 00:18:34,697 DEL: We were tied with Utah. 478 00:18:34,697 --> 00:18:37,575 What we've got to do is get a shot. 479 00:18:37,575 --> 00:18:39,410 This was the time. 480 00:18:39,410 --> 00:18:42,288 EDDIE: The play was for me, and I was open. 481 00:18:42,288 --> 00:18:45,916 And, um, Kobe decided he wanted to shoot the shot. 482 00:18:45,916 --> 00:18:47,585 KEVIN: Five seconds left, four. 483 00:18:47,585 --> 00:18:50,296 Bryant drives. Pull up, shot on the way-- 484 00:18:50,296 --> 00:18:51,631 no good. 485 00:18:51,631 --> 00:18:53,424 Karl Malone, rebound. We go to overtime. 486 00:18:53,424 --> 00:18:55,718 - And everybody always asked me this question about 487 00:18:55,718 --> 00:18:57,136 was you pissed off? 488 00:18:57,136 --> 00:18:59,430 Don't get me wrong. Yeah, at the time I was pissed. 489 00:18:59,430 --> 00:19:01,766 But when you think about it, you're like, 490 00:19:01,766 --> 00:19:03,351 he felt like he was open. 491 00:19:03,351 --> 00:19:04,769 - Now in the overtime, 492 00:19:04,769 --> 00:19:07,146 Utah got out in the lead 493 00:19:07,146 --> 00:19:10,107 and we were trying to catch up. 494 00:19:10,107 --> 00:19:12,860 - And Kobe shot two airballs in a row. 495 00:19:12,860 --> 00:19:15,446 KEVIN: Bryant for three. It's short again. Airball. 496 00:19:15,446 --> 00:19:18,658 Airball. Eight seconds, seven seconds-- 497 00:19:18,658 --> 00:19:19,742 here's a three-pointer. 498 00:19:19,742 --> 00:19:22,370 Airballed again by Kobe Bryant. 499 00:19:22,370 --> 00:19:25,164 It's over, it's over, it's all over. 500 00:19:25,164 --> 00:19:27,500 - Listen, if the play was drawn up for someone else, 501 00:19:27,500 --> 00:19:29,085 if I was open, I would've taken it. 502 00:19:29,085 --> 00:19:33,506 - I don't know if Kobe was ready for that moment. 503 00:19:33,506 --> 00:19:35,633 But he had the heart. 504 00:19:37,009 --> 00:19:39,595 SHAQ: I told him. I said, "Hey, man, we lost. 505 00:19:39,595 --> 00:19:42,473 But one day, everybody's gonna fear you." 506 00:19:42,473 --> 00:19:44,517 REPORTER: Didn't seem like you ever lost your confidence. 507 00:19:44,517 --> 00:19:46,394 - Well, you can't. You know, we came too far. 508 00:19:46,394 --> 00:19:48,938 Uh, once you have an open look, shoot it. 509 00:19:48,938 --> 00:19:50,648 And, uh, and unfortunately, they weren't falling. 510 00:19:50,648 --> 00:19:52,316 They weren't falling tonight, but... 511 00:19:52,316 --> 00:19:54,944 J.A.: You can see the makings of a Hall of Fame player here. 512 00:19:54,944 --> 00:19:56,529 Just his understanding of the game, 513 00:19:56,529 --> 00:19:58,114 his mastery of the fundamentals, 514 00:19:58,114 --> 00:20:01,450 all the tools to be a great, great player. 515 00:20:02,702 --> 00:20:04,036 KOBE: I had to take a shot. 516 00:20:04,036 --> 00:20:05,663 I rushed it and I came up a little short. 517 00:20:05,663 --> 00:20:06,914 Uh... 518 00:20:06,914 --> 00:20:09,375 this year, we learn from those mistakes. 519 00:20:09,375 --> 00:20:10,876 When I get put in that situation again, 520 00:20:10,876 --> 00:20:12,294 I'm not gonna miss them. 521 00:20:12,294 --> 00:20:13,629 BRYON: He looked at that as a learning experience, 522 00:20:13,629 --> 00:20:15,297 and he was gonna come back the next year 523 00:20:15,297 --> 00:20:17,633 with a vengeance, and he did. 524 00:20:17,633 --> 00:20:21,429 TUPAC: ♪ Bogart, Big Serge, y'all know how this go ♪ 525 00:20:21,429 --> 00:20:22,596 ♪ All eyes on me ♪ 526 00:20:22,596 --> 00:20:24,432 ♪ Motherfuckin' OG ♪ 527 00:20:24,432 --> 00:20:26,350 ♪ Roll up in the club and shit ♪ 528 00:20:26,350 --> 00:20:27,977 ♪ All eyes on me ♪ 529 00:20:27,977 --> 00:20:31,647 [2Pac's "All Eyez On Me"] 530 00:20:31,647 --> 00:20:34,525 - Are you basically now the basketball player 531 00:20:34,525 --> 00:20:35,860 you want and think you should be? 532 00:20:35,860 --> 00:20:37,653 - Still a long ways for me to go. 533 00:20:37,653 --> 00:20:39,071 I mean, this is just the beginning. 534 00:20:39,071 --> 00:20:40,197 You know, I'm just getting started. 535 00:20:40,197 --> 00:20:42,825 - He wasn't easy, okay? He was not. 536 00:20:42,825 --> 00:20:45,327 He thought there was one guy against the five. 537 00:20:45,327 --> 00:20:47,204 [basket rattles] [cheers and applause] 538 00:20:47,204 --> 00:20:48,789 ROBERT: When Kobe was in one of those moods, 539 00:20:48,789 --> 00:20:50,124 we wouldn't throw him the ball. [laughs] 540 00:20:50,124 --> 00:20:51,959 We'd be like, "Eh, we can't get it to you." 541 00:20:51,959 --> 00:20:53,002 We'd swing it the other way. 542 00:20:53,002 --> 00:20:54,920 And he would get so mad. 543 00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:57,882 - The players gave him the nickname "Showboat." 544 00:20:57,882 --> 00:20:59,216 And I told him, 545 00:20:59,216 --> 00:21:01,343 "That's the worst nickname you could ever have." 546 00:21:01,343 --> 00:21:04,430 RICK: I joined the Lakers in 1997. 547 00:21:04,430 --> 00:21:05,973 The friction between older players 548 00:21:05,973 --> 00:21:08,517 and Kobe as a young player was simply that. 549 00:21:08,517 --> 00:21:10,519 He wanted it too fast. 550 00:21:10,519 --> 00:21:13,689 The thought was maybe he didn't have to pay his dues. 551 00:21:13,689 --> 00:21:15,900 NEWSCASTER: Kobe Bryant, just 19 years old, 552 00:21:15,900 --> 00:21:17,401 he's been voted by the fans 553 00:21:17,401 --> 00:21:19,403 to start in next Sunday's All-Star Game. 554 00:21:19,403 --> 00:21:20,738 TUPAC: ♪ Live the life of a thug nigga ♪ 555 00:21:20,738 --> 00:21:21,947 ♪ Until the day I die ♪ 556 00:21:21,947 --> 00:21:23,240 ♪ Live the life of a boss player ♪ 557 00:21:23,240 --> 00:21:24,283 ♪ All eyes on me ♪ 558 00:21:34,084 --> 00:21:36,170 - Kobe was all business. 559 00:21:36,170 --> 00:21:38,005 - He just looked different from the rip. 560 00:21:38,005 --> 00:21:40,090 The moment cuz hit the floor, he look different. 561 00:21:40,090 --> 00:21:42,092 ICE CUBE: He's like a gunslinger. 562 00:21:42,092 --> 00:21:44,303 You know what I mean? Coming into town, 563 00:21:44,303 --> 00:21:46,305 take no prisoners. 564 00:21:46,305 --> 00:21:47,973 He's not there to be your friend. 565 00:21:47,973 --> 00:21:49,558 DEREK: That energy of, like, 566 00:21:49,558 --> 00:21:52,603 "Nah, no, I'm the alpha male here," started to come out. 567 00:21:52,603 --> 00:21:54,188 "This should be my team. 568 00:21:54,188 --> 00:21:55,314 Follow me." 569 00:21:56,482 --> 00:21:57,900 SHAQ: He wanted the spot. 570 00:21:57,900 --> 00:22:00,945 He wanted to be the guy, period. 571 00:22:00,945 --> 00:22:03,197 And we had to say, "There's this thing 572 00:22:03,197 --> 00:22:05,241 that's called pecking order here." 573 00:22:05,241 --> 00:22:08,619 Relax. I'm still in charge. 574 00:22:08,619 --> 00:22:09,954 KURT: When Kareem was here, 575 00:22:09,954 --> 00:22:11,914 Magic always said, "This is Kareem's team. 576 00:22:11,914 --> 00:22:13,541 I'm just here to help him out." 577 00:22:13,541 --> 00:22:15,543 And I talked to Kobe about that. 578 00:22:15,543 --> 00:22:18,337 You just say it's Shaq's team. Just say it. 579 00:22:18,337 --> 00:22:21,340 And that didn't go over too well. [laughs] 580 00:22:21,340 --> 00:22:24,051 You know, he used some, uh, choice words 581 00:22:24,051 --> 00:22:25,636 about, uh, about Shaq. 582 00:22:25,636 --> 00:22:27,930 "Fuck that motherfucker." [laughs] 583 00:22:27,930 --> 00:22:30,558 Can I say that? 584 00:22:30,558 --> 00:22:32,476 REPORTER: You guys had a fight, you and Shaq. 585 00:22:32,476 --> 00:22:34,228 What was that all about? What happened? 586 00:22:34,228 --> 00:22:35,396 KOBE: Like I say, we're very similar 587 00:22:35,396 --> 00:22:37,064 because we're both competitive. 588 00:22:37,064 --> 00:22:39,441 So you have two competitive guys going head-to-head, 589 00:22:39,441 --> 00:22:40,609 you're gonna have fights. 590 00:22:40,609 --> 00:22:42,278 - Did he connect on the punch he threw? 591 00:22:42,278 --> 00:22:43,863 - No. [laughs] 592 00:22:43,863 --> 00:22:45,155 No, no, no. 593 00:22:45,155 --> 00:22:47,074 I was swift on the duck, you know? 594 00:22:47,074 --> 00:22:48,951 REPORTER: You ducked out of it? Did you throw one back? 595 00:22:48,951 --> 00:22:50,411 - Yeah, well, we just kind of got into, like, 596 00:22:50,411 --> 00:22:52,913 a pushing and shoving match. 597 00:22:52,913 --> 00:22:54,540 - We, uh, touched it up a little bit, 598 00:22:54,540 --> 00:22:56,584 but it wasn't a fight. 599 00:22:56,584 --> 00:22:59,086 I don't fight. 600 00:22:59,086 --> 00:23:01,380 JOHNNY: The clash between Kobe and Shaq 601 00:23:01,380 --> 00:23:03,966 was a little greater than anticipated. 602 00:23:03,966 --> 00:23:06,051 It's not surprising that the Lakers 603 00:23:06,051 --> 00:23:07,803 went through dysfunction. 604 00:23:07,803 --> 00:23:10,556 Dysfunction is part of the job. 605 00:23:10,556 --> 00:23:12,308 It's part of the business. 606 00:23:12,308 --> 00:23:14,226 REPORTER: Can Kobe and Shaq co-exist? 607 00:23:14,226 --> 00:23:15,936 Can they make it work together? 608 00:23:15,936 --> 00:23:17,563 MAGIC: What they have to understand, 609 00:23:17,563 --> 00:23:20,983 it takes two stars to win an NBA championship. 610 00:23:20,983 --> 00:23:21,984 You gotta have two. 611 00:23:21,984 --> 00:23:24,987 [soft dramatic music] 612 00:23:24,987 --> 00:23:26,822 ♪ ♪ 613 00:23:26,822 --> 00:23:28,949 - How well do these guys have to get along 614 00:23:28,949 --> 00:23:30,367 for the Lakers to win a title? 615 00:23:30,367 --> 00:23:31,911 - Well, they have to be in sync on the court. 616 00:23:31,911 --> 00:23:33,996 And off the court, they really don't have to get along. 617 00:23:33,996 --> 00:23:36,749 - I think the expectations continued to grow, 618 00:23:36,749 --> 00:23:40,252 uh, every year internally for us 619 00:23:40,252 --> 00:23:43,505 as well as, you know, media, fans, et cetera. 620 00:23:43,505 --> 00:23:45,758 - You don't have Batman and Robin. 621 00:23:45,758 --> 00:23:47,843 You have Batman and Superman. [chuckles] 622 00:23:47,843 --> 00:23:51,263 You know what I'm saying? You got two alphas. 623 00:23:51,263 --> 00:23:53,682 And they gotta treat each other with respect. 624 00:23:53,682 --> 00:23:56,060 Or not, it's gonna be a problem. 625 00:23:56,060 --> 00:23:57,853 - Just creates this feeling of yearning. 626 00:23:57,853 --> 00:23:59,313 If they can just pull it out, 627 00:23:59,313 --> 00:24:01,815 like, bring it together for this game, you know. 628 00:24:01,815 --> 00:24:03,943 ♪ ♪ 629 00:24:03,943 --> 00:24:06,278 J.A.: Every little thing becomes magnified 630 00:24:06,278 --> 00:24:07,529 because it could be the difference 631 00:24:07,529 --> 00:24:08,906 between a championship or not. 632 00:24:08,906 --> 00:24:11,700 It could be the difference between a dynasty or not. 633 00:24:11,700 --> 00:24:13,369 JEANIE: When you have a player like Shaq, 634 00:24:13,369 --> 00:24:16,997 you should be winning championships. 635 00:24:16,997 --> 00:24:18,749 And we were losing in the playoffs. 636 00:24:19,959 --> 00:24:22,920 SHAQ: '97, we lost. 637 00:24:22,920 --> 00:24:25,464 '98, I think swept. 638 00:24:27,007 --> 00:24:29,677 Dr. Buss never even talked about the pressure, 639 00:24:29,677 --> 00:24:31,178 but I knew. 640 00:24:31,178 --> 00:24:33,722 "Shaq, we just gave you 120 million. 641 00:24:33,722 --> 00:24:35,516 You got to step up." 642 00:24:35,516 --> 00:24:37,935 REPORTER: The criticism of you is that you have too much fun 643 00:24:37,935 --> 00:24:40,729 doing other things and that basketball is not your focus. 644 00:24:42,356 --> 00:24:44,733 SHAQ: Dr. J did a movie, Kareem did a movie. 645 00:24:44,733 --> 00:24:46,568 "Shaq, you're doing too much." 646 00:24:46,568 --> 00:24:47,945 "Shaq's not ready." 647 00:24:47,945 --> 00:24:49,196 It's all my fault. 648 00:24:49,196 --> 00:24:51,573 Which I accept, I understand. 649 00:24:51,573 --> 00:24:54,994 But what I'm realizing is, everybody, 650 00:24:54,994 --> 00:24:59,081 when it comes to coaching, is thinking just like I am. 651 00:24:59,081 --> 00:25:01,291 - Del Harris would have been a great coach 652 00:25:01,291 --> 00:25:02,751 for that team in the mid-'90s. 653 00:25:02,751 --> 00:25:05,838 But now the standards and expectations change 654 00:25:05,838 --> 00:25:08,173 when you get the likes of a Shaquille O'Neal. 655 00:25:08,173 --> 00:25:10,009 [indistinct chatter] 656 00:25:10,009 --> 00:25:11,427 KURT: Del was a teacher. 657 00:25:11,427 --> 00:25:15,472 And that was one of the issues that developed over time. 658 00:25:18,475 --> 00:25:20,561 He let the players run, you know, 659 00:25:20,561 --> 00:25:22,271 and then there was something to be taught, 660 00:25:22,271 --> 00:25:26,066 so then everyone would have to come to a standstill. 661 00:25:26,066 --> 00:25:27,776 - You know, shootarounds a lot of times 662 00:25:27,776 --> 00:25:31,238 would end up being a Del lecture session. 663 00:25:31,238 --> 00:25:34,491 And then you'd just see players just go sit down. 664 00:25:34,491 --> 00:25:37,161 ROBERT: He was on the verge of losing everybody. 665 00:25:37,161 --> 00:25:40,456 And once you lose a guy, it's hard to get him back. 666 00:25:40,456 --> 00:25:42,499 - He had already lost Nick. 667 00:25:42,499 --> 00:25:46,837 - I think we lost each other. Del and I lost each other. 668 00:25:46,837 --> 00:25:49,381 EDDIE: Del was calling plays from the sideline. 669 00:25:49,381 --> 00:25:51,633 And Nick, he hated that. 670 00:25:51,633 --> 00:25:54,386 But then the next day, it kind of erupted. 671 00:25:54,386 --> 00:25:56,722 We had to pull Nick away, pull Del away. 672 00:25:56,722 --> 00:25:58,390 I mean, they got in each other's face. 673 00:25:58,390 --> 00:26:03,645 - You got 70-year-old Del ready to physically fight. 674 00:26:03,645 --> 00:26:05,439 - Del was like, "Come on. 675 00:26:05,439 --> 00:26:06,523 "You're gonna walk over here, 676 00:26:06,523 --> 00:26:07,858 but you're gonna crawl back." 677 00:26:07,858 --> 00:26:09,735 - [laughs] 678 00:26:09,735 --> 00:26:10,986 Next thing you know, they're gonna say 679 00:26:10,986 --> 00:26:12,112 Del did like this to me. 680 00:26:12,112 --> 00:26:13,614 [laughs] No, man. 681 00:26:13,614 --> 00:26:16,158 I had a ball in my hand and he slapped it out of my hand. 682 00:26:16,158 --> 00:26:19,995 So to me, it wasn't a big deal. 683 00:26:19,995 --> 00:26:22,790 EDDIE: And Del and Shaq, they had their conflict. 684 00:26:22,790 --> 00:26:25,834 Once Shaquille feels, though, you're not capable, 685 00:26:25,834 --> 00:26:27,211 he wants you out of there. 686 00:26:28,754 --> 00:26:30,464 SHAQ: My thing with all the coaches was, 687 00:26:30,464 --> 00:26:32,508 if you haven't been to the mountaintop... 688 00:26:32,508 --> 00:26:34,843 ♪ ♪ 689 00:26:34,843 --> 00:26:37,763 - My dad's like, "I've got to keep Shaq happy." 690 00:26:37,763 --> 00:26:41,475 He was gonna find whatever it took 691 00:26:41,475 --> 00:26:43,393 to make Shaq successful 692 00:26:43,393 --> 00:26:46,647 and take him back to the promised land. 693 00:26:46,647 --> 00:26:47,773 WEST: I was sitting in my office, 694 00:26:47,773 --> 00:26:49,149 and I get a call from Jerry Buss. 695 00:26:49,149 --> 00:26:50,400 [phone ringing] 696 00:26:50,400 --> 00:26:52,945 He said, "I just let Del go." 697 00:26:52,945 --> 00:26:55,197 And I'm--whoa. 698 00:26:55,197 --> 00:26:56,198 [cheers and applause] 699 00:26:56,198 --> 00:26:57,699 He was my friend. 700 00:26:59,159 --> 00:27:00,661 - West is coming into the room, guys. 701 00:27:00,661 --> 00:27:02,538 - We just feel at this point in time 702 00:27:02,538 --> 00:27:05,499 that, um, uh, we're not going in the right direction. 703 00:27:05,499 --> 00:27:08,252 We felt a coaching change was necessary. 704 00:27:08,252 --> 00:27:12,464 - I was surprised when I was let go, as a matter of fact. 705 00:27:12,464 --> 00:27:16,176 This is being like a guy having three bad days on the market 706 00:27:16,176 --> 00:27:17,970 and selling everything. 707 00:27:17,970 --> 00:27:19,138 PRODUCER: Doesn't seem fair. 708 00:27:19,138 --> 00:27:20,889 - Well, I don't care about fair. 709 00:27:20,889 --> 00:27:22,641 It's just not sensible. 710 00:27:22,641 --> 00:27:25,936 ANNOUNCER: Head coach, first time we've ever said that, 711 00:27:25,936 --> 00:27:27,771 is Kurt Rambis. 712 00:27:27,771 --> 00:27:31,024 KURT: You know, this was a very difficult season. 713 00:27:31,024 --> 00:27:32,109 I'm a young coach. 714 00:27:32,109 --> 00:27:33,902 I'm trying to deal with all of this. 715 00:27:33,902 --> 00:27:38,532 And there was so much pressure to win a championship. 716 00:27:38,532 --> 00:27:40,158 So that didn't really-- [chuckles] 717 00:27:40,158 --> 00:27:43,453 You know, bode well for me, either. 718 00:27:43,453 --> 00:27:46,540 JEANIE: We needed to be successful. 719 00:27:46,540 --> 00:27:49,459 There was a big financial crush 720 00:27:49,459 --> 00:27:52,087 because we were moving into a new arena. 721 00:27:53,547 --> 00:27:55,924 Staples Center was gonna open, 722 00:27:55,924 --> 00:27:58,176 this era was gonna end. 723 00:27:58,176 --> 00:28:00,804 The Forum was gonna end. 724 00:28:00,804 --> 00:28:02,598 CHICK: Halfway up to the ceiling at the Forum 725 00:28:02,598 --> 00:28:03,932 here in Los Angeles. 726 00:28:03,932 --> 00:28:05,434 Lakers moving from our right to our left. 727 00:28:05,434 --> 00:28:06,977 And the tip between... 728 00:28:06,977 --> 00:28:08,812 INTERVIEWER: Dr. Buss, let me ask you, first of all, 729 00:28:08,812 --> 00:28:12,065 why would you want to buy the Forum? 730 00:28:12,065 --> 00:28:15,903 - The Forum is a magnificent piece of real estate. 731 00:28:15,903 --> 00:28:20,198 So it's a combination of economics and, uh, fun. 732 00:28:21,617 --> 00:28:23,744 JEANIE: The Forum was his home. 733 00:28:23,744 --> 00:28:27,372 And he loved that building, he really did. 734 00:28:27,372 --> 00:28:28,790 BUSS: I didn't want to go. 735 00:28:28,790 --> 00:28:30,959 I don't think anybody wanted to go, really. 736 00:28:30,959 --> 00:28:34,046 It was just kind of like a mom-and-pop operation. 737 00:28:34,046 --> 00:28:36,465 I mean, everybody there knew everybody else. 738 00:28:36,465 --> 00:28:37,925 - All the employees at the Forum, 739 00:28:37,925 --> 00:28:41,261 all the ushers, everybody, we were all family basically. 740 00:28:41,261 --> 00:28:44,139 JOHNNY: But, uh, the Forum was getting older, 741 00:28:44,139 --> 00:28:47,726 and he was worried about that it was going to cost him money 742 00:28:47,726 --> 00:28:49,519 to keep the maintenance up. 743 00:28:49,519 --> 00:28:51,438 ♪ ♪ 744 00:28:51,438 --> 00:28:54,816 - You're watching the Detroit Pistons opening up 745 00:28:54,816 --> 00:28:58,236 the Palace in Auburn Hills-- 746 00:28:58,236 --> 00:29:01,198 luxury seating and suites. 747 00:29:01,198 --> 00:29:04,660 All these things that we just couldn't do at the Forum. 748 00:29:04,660 --> 00:29:07,621 We didn't have the space. 749 00:29:07,621 --> 00:29:10,457 So the world was changing, 750 00:29:10,457 --> 00:29:14,920 and my dad wasn't interested in building a new arena. 751 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:17,381 He didn't want to take on that task. 752 00:29:17,381 --> 00:29:20,133 - And there was just not enough money to do it. 753 00:29:20,133 --> 00:29:21,635 ♪ ♪ 754 00:29:21,635 --> 00:29:24,846 JEANIE: My dad sold the Kings in 1987. 755 00:29:24,846 --> 00:29:26,848 And the new owner sold the team 756 00:29:26,848 --> 00:29:28,850 to Phil Anschutz in the '90s. 757 00:29:28,850 --> 00:29:33,230 And he was looking to build an arena in LA. 758 00:29:33,230 --> 00:29:36,984 - Well, I'd never met, uh, Dr. Buss before. 759 00:29:36,984 --> 00:29:39,945 We had only had, I think, two meetings 760 00:29:39,945 --> 00:29:43,323 before we consummated the deal. 761 00:29:43,323 --> 00:29:44,992 JEANIE: And Phil said, 762 00:29:44,992 --> 00:29:47,869 "I'm taking a lot of risk to build this arena. 763 00:29:47,869 --> 00:29:51,456 "Your team is going to benefit and go up in value, 764 00:29:51,456 --> 00:29:54,793 and I should get a piece of your upside." 765 00:29:54,793 --> 00:29:57,879 - My dad had to basically sell a piece of the team, 766 00:29:57,879 --> 00:29:59,339 which he didn't want to do. 767 00:29:59,339 --> 00:30:02,467 - I wanted to buy more of the Lakers, 768 00:30:02,467 --> 00:30:05,053 and he wanted to sell me less. 769 00:30:05,053 --> 00:30:09,516 But like much of life, all things are compromises. 770 00:30:09,516 --> 00:30:14,146 - And we knew that when we came to Staples that this was now, 771 00:30:14,146 --> 00:30:17,983 uh, entering into the corporate century. 772 00:30:17,983 --> 00:30:21,194 - My dad made an agreement that the Lakers would 773 00:30:21,194 --> 00:30:23,739 move into that new arena 774 00:30:23,739 --> 00:30:25,490 in downtown Los Angeles. 775 00:30:26,742 --> 00:30:31,830 GOLDSTEIN: 20 years ago, downtown LA was very sad. 776 00:30:31,830 --> 00:30:37,252 I rarely went downtown. Maybe once or twice a year. 777 00:30:37,252 --> 00:30:38,587 - Wasn't very pretty. 778 00:30:38,587 --> 00:30:40,964 And it wasn't someplace you'd like to walk alone. 779 00:30:40,964 --> 00:30:43,592 Well, frankly, it still isn't. 780 00:30:43,592 --> 00:30:47,137 ANDY: It was an adult dose. Be careful where you walk. 781 00:30:47,137 --> 00:30:50,057 Be in good company and watch your back. 782 00:30:50,057 --> 00:30:52,350 - Our season ticket holders were, 783 00:30:52,350 --> 00:30:53,977 "I don't want to drive downtown. 784 00:30:53,977 --> 00:30:57,481 Nobody goes downtown. It's too dangerous." 785 00:30:58,690 --> 00:31:01,276 Now you're talking about a lot more risk, 786 00:31:01,276 --> 00:31:03,445 a lot more money that could be lost. 787 00:31:03,445 --> 00:31:06,948 ♪ ♪ 788 00:31:06,948 --> 00:31:11,161 As we got closer and closer to Staples Center opening, 789 00:31:11,161 --> 00:31:13,497 there was just a lot of anxiety 790 00:31:13,497 --> 00:31:16,166 about what the future was gonna hold. 791 00:31:16,166 --> 00:31:17,667 - Jerry Buss tells me all the time 792 00:31:17,667 --> 00:31:20,087 that he wants a championship-caliber team. 793 00:31:20,087 --> 00:31:24,341 JEANIE: He made a big investment in Shaq and Kobe 794 00:31:24,341 --> 00:31:25,759 right out of high school. 795 00:31:25,759 --> 00:31:29,054 Did we miscalculate on what he's gonna be? 796 00:31:29,054 --> 00:31:32,307 And you know, it just wasn't working. 797 00:31:32,307 --> 00:31:37,604 ♪ ♪ 798 00:31:37,604 --> 00:31:40,357 There was no longer a reason for me 799 00:31:40,357 --> 00:31:42,400 to be general manager of the Forum, 800 00:31:42,400 --> 00:31:44,945 and my dad gave me the title 801 00:31:44,945 --> 00:31:48,281 executive vice president of business operations. 802 00:31:48,281 --> 00:31:51,076 That meant that I was an executive 803 00:31:51,076 --> 00:31:53,995 on the Lakers side of things. 804 00:31:56,164 --> 00:31:59,376 You know, I wasn't aware of any hard feelings 805 00:31:59,376 --> 00:32:02,671 from my siblings when I moved in that position. 806 00:32:02,671 --> 00:32:07,259 That was something that my dad had been grooming me towards. 807 00:32:07,259 --> 00:32:08,593 I've learned from the best, 808 00:32:08,593 --> 00:32:12,139 and that gives instant recognition and respect. 809 00:32:12,139 --> 00:32:14,391 [soft tense music] 810 00:32:14,391 --> 00:32:16,351 I, like, was at the office every day, 811 00:32:16,351 --> 00:32:18,812 and that wasn't something that either of them 812 00:32:18,812 --> 00:32:20,772 really wanted to be at the office every day. 813 00:32:22,149 --> 00:32:24,234 JOHNNY: I mean, I was proud of my sister 814 00:32:24,234 --> 00:32:27,154 taking over the Laker job. 815 00:32:27,154 --> 00:32:30,532 And I was proud to be involved in women's sports. 816 00:32:30,532 --> 00:32:32,617 During the building of the Staples Center, 817 00:32:32,617 --> 00:32:34,327 I was excited about it, 818 00:32:34,327 --> 00:32:37,998 but it was bittersweet at that time. 819 00:32:37,998 --> 00:32:39,916 The Lakers and Kings were asked to go 820 00:32:39,916 --> 00:32:42,586 to the Staples Center 821 00:32:42,586 --> 00:32:45,130 and the Sparks were not. 822 00:32:45,130 --> 00:32:48,592 ♪ ♪ 823 00:32:48,592 --> 00:32:50,510 It was just hurtful, you know? 824 00:32:50,510 --> 00:32:52,596 It was like, why weren't we asked to come over? 825 00:32:54,055 --> 00:32:55,473 MICHAEL: I felt the same, 826 00:32:55,473 --> 00:32:57,142 that the Staples Center should have invited us. 827 00:32:57,142 --> 00:32:59,352 Because the WNBA, the Sparks and the Lakers, 828 00:32:59,352 --> 00:33:00,854 were a whole entity. 829 00:33:02,480 --> 00:33:04,149 JOHNNY: It was like, "Wow, okay. 830 00:33:04,149 --> 00:33:08,153 Women's basketball is second-class citizens again." 831 00:33:08,153 --> 00:33:10,030 - But before you get too excited about the new 832 00:33:10,030 --> 00:33:11,448 additions to the league, remember, 833 00:33:11,448 --> 00:33:13,742 all of the players are still women. 834 00:33:13,742 --> 00:33:16,912 - It was hurtful to hear, 835 00:33:16,912 --> 00:33:18,705 you know, people make the jokes. 836 00:33:18,705 --> 00:33:20,624 And I could relate to it 837 00:33:20,624 --> 00:33:22,626 'cause I'd heard it for so many years 838 00:33:22,626 --> 00:33:26,880 about everything about a woman being involved in sports. 839 00:33:26,880 --> 00:33:29,424 - You know, I mean, it makes me second-guess. 840 00:33:29,424 --> 00:33:33,970 Well, what am I really doing? Am I doing something good here? 841 00:33:33,970 --> 00:33:37,766 Or is it just to comfort me, uh, for a job? 842 00:33:37,766 --> 00:33:42,229 Am I just being appeased by my father and my family? 843 00:33:45,190 --> 00:33:46,524 - It has been well-documented, 844 00:33:46,524 --> 00:33:48,693 a tumultuous year for the Laker organization. 845 00:33:48,693 --> 00:33:51,655 The firing of coach Del Harris 12 games into the season 846 00:33:51,655 --> 00:33:54,241 and now, finally, the playoffs have arrived 847 00:33:54,241 --> 00:33:57,077 for a team that had such high expectations 848 00:33:57,077 --> 00:33:59,162 at the beginning of the year. 849 00:33:59,162 --> 00:34:01,790 [suspenseful music] 850 00:34:01,790 --> 00:34:04,292 ANNOUNCER: San Antonio sweeps. 851 00:34:04,292 --> 00:34:05,543 What does the future hold 852 00:34:05,543 --> 00:34:09,089 for the Lakers and for Kurt Rambis? 853 00:34:09,089 --> 00:34:11,466 SHAQ: I already had a grace period. 854 00:34:11,466 --> 00:34:14,261 We know you're not gonna win this year--you're close. 855 00:34:14,261 --> 00:34:17,597 But around the third time getting swept, 856 00:34:17,597 --> 00:34:19,057 now it's time to make moves. 857 00:34:19,057 --> 00:34:22,727 And then finally, I went upstairs and said, uh, 858 00:34:22,727 --> 00:34:25,814 "Hey, man, Phil Jackson is available." 859 00:34:25,814 --> 00:34:28,817 [Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like an Eagle"] 860 00:34:28,817 --> 00:34:30,610 ♪ ♪ 861 00:34:30,610 --> 00:34:32,112 STEVE MILLER: ♪ Tick tock tick ♪ 862 00:34:32,112 --> 00:34:33,738 ♪ Doo doo doo-doo ♪ 863 00:34:33,738 --> 00:34:35,907 [hawk shrieks] 864 00:34:35,907 --> 00:34:39,703 ♪ Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' ♪ 865 00:34:39,703 --> 00:34:42,038 PHIL: In June of that year, 866 00:34:42,038 --> 00:34:45,917 I was in Montana to spend my summer. 867 00:34:45,917 --> 00:34:49,254 From having played 14 years in the NBA, 868 00:34:49,254 --> 00:34:52,549 I just know that you spend a lot of time on the road, 869 00:34:52,549 --> 00:34:54,801 a lot of time away from family. 870 00:34:54,801 --> 00:34:58,305 and you needed to have a spot to recreate. 871 00:34:58,305 --> 00:35:00,348 STEVE MILLER: ♪ To the sea ♪ 872 00:35:00,348 --> 00:35:01,725 ♪ Fly like an eagle ♪ 873 00:35:01,725 --> 00:35:03,518 PHIL: I was a fly fisherman, 874 00:35:03,518 --> 00:35:05,478 did a lot of motorcycle riding, 875 00:35:05,478 --> 00:35:08,523 all stuff that really coordinated 876 00:35:08,523 --> 00:35:11,735 with the great outdoors, the Rocky Mountains. 877 00:35:13,194 --> 00:35:16,740 - We had to "interview" Phil. 878 00:35:16,740 --> 00:35:18,783 They sent me out. 879 00:35:18,783 --> 00:35:20,118 Phil said, "Before you come in, 880 00:35:20,118 --> 00:35:22,245 I need you to move this log out the lake." 881 00:35:22,245 --> 00:35:24,372 [soft hopeful music] 882 00:35:24,372 --> 00:35:26,541 And I'm saying to myself, 883 00:35:26,541 --> 00:35:27,917 "I'm not moving no motherfucking log 884 00:35:27,917 --> 00:35:29,628 out no motherfucking lake." 885 00:35:29,628 --> 00:35:32,297 And then I said, "It's a test, I know." 886 00:35:32,297 --> 00:35:34,424 'Cause it's stuff my father used to do. 887 00:35:34,424 --> 00:35:37,761 And Phil Jackson is a white version of my father. 888 00:35:37,761 --> 00:35:39,596 My father was a drill sergeant. 889 00:35:39,596 --> 00:35:41,556 He demanded respect. 890 00:35:41,556 --> 00:35:43,725 Because Phil had a great résumé, 891 00:35:43,725 --> 00:35:46,394 he also demanded respect. 892 00:35:46,394 --> 00:35:48,146 PHIL: I always felt like Shaq had so many 893 00:35:48,146 --> 00:35:53,234 other things going on, films, music, appearances, 894 00:35:53,234 --> 00:35:55,987 that basketball wasn't his first priority. 895 00:35:55,987 --> 00:35:58,573 And I just encouraged him to really, 896 00:35:58,573 --> 00:36:01,159 you know, give basketball your full attention. 897 00:36:01,159 --> 00:36:04,037 - You say don't go out, no more clubs for me. 898 00:36:04,037 --> 00:36:06,498 You say no more movies, no more movies for me. 899 00:36:06,498 --> 00:36:09,709 No more rapping, no more nothing for me. 900 00:36:09,709 --> 00:36:11,628 What do you want me to do? 901 00:36:11,628 --> 00:36:13,254 All right, I'm doing it. 902 00:36:13,254 --> 00:36:15,465 Shaq, go move the log in the cold-ass water. 903 00:36:15,465 --> 00:36:17,258 Yes, sir. [loud splash] 904 00:36:19,260 --> 00:36:20,762 And he gives me a towel. 905 00:36:20,762 --> 00:36:23,139 He says, "Hey, go in here and get changed." 906 00:36:23,139 --> 00:36:24,641 I open the door... 907 00:36:24,641 --> 00:36:27,811 ♪ ♪ 908 00:36:27,811 --> 00:36:32,023 And the sun is hitting these gold balls perfectly. 909 00:36:32,023 --> 00:36:34,526 It was like... [imitates angelic choir] 910 00:36:36,945 --> 00:36:40,865 I felt like King Arthur who just passed his last test 911 00:36:40,865 --> 00:36:42,659 and he's about to become a knight. 912 00:36:42,659 --> 00:36:45,578 And then he said, "If you listen to me, 913 00:36:45,578 --> 00:36:47,831 I'll make you MVP this year." 914 00:36:47,831 --> 00:36:50,166 So I shake his hand and say, "Deal." 915 00:36:50,166 --> 00:36:51,918 [seagulls cawing] 916 00:36:51,918 --> 00:36:53,878 JIM: I was meeting with my dad. 917 00:36:53,878 --> 00:36:55,964 You know, he said, "Well, we can get Phil, 918 00:36:55,964 --> 00:36:57,382 but he's gonna cost us." 919 00:36:57,382 --> 00:36:59,384 And I said, "Well, you know the numbers. 920 00:36:59,384 --> 00:37:01,177 "And you get this, you've got a hell of a chance 921 00:37:01,177 --> 00:37:02,971 of winning some championships." 922 00:37:02,971 --> 00:37:06,975 - After an agreement was made, Dr. Buss said, 923 00:37:06,975 --> 00:37:10,103 "Really, all I want is to win another championship." 924 00:37:10,103 --> 00:37:11,688 I said, "Well, I came here 925 00:37:11,688 --> 00:37:14,399 because I think we can win more than one championship." 926 00:37:14,399 --> 00:37:16,693 NEWSCASTER: In six of the last eight NBA Finals, 927 00:37:16,693 --> 00:37:18,570 Phil Jackson was on the winning sideline 928 00:37:18,570 --> 00:37:20,321 as coach of the Chicago Bulls. 929 00:37:20,321 --> 00:37:22,449 Today, Jackson is back in the spotlight, 930 00:37:22,449 --> 00:37:25,410 named head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. 931 00:37:25,410 --> 00:37:27,120 J.A.: They did the press conference in the same room 932 00:37:27,120 --> 00:37:28,955 where they had the Golden Globes Awards. 933 00:37:28,955 --> 00:37:31,249 [laughs] Welcome to Hollywood. 934 00:37:31,249 --> 00:37:33,918 And Phil seemed to embrace it. [cheers and applause] 935 00:37:33,918 --> 00:37:36,546 PHIL: This is a team that, uh, is talented. 936 00:37:36,546 --> 00:37:39,799 It's young, it's on the verge. It's been on the verge. 937 00:37:39,799 --> 00:37:42,510 And yet, it hasn't quite gotten over the top. 938 00:37:42,510 --> 00:37:44,471 J.A.: The arrival of Phil Jackson meant 939 00:37:44,471 --> 00:37:46,681 that there were no more excuses. 940 00:37:46,681 --> 00:37:50,894 Something goes awry, they're not gonna fire the coach. 941 00:37:50,894 --> 00:37:53,271 There's gonna be changes made to the roster. 942 00:37:53,271 --> 00:37:55,648 It upped the pressure on Kobe and Shaq. 943 00:37:55,648 --> 00:37:57,650 - Shaq says he wants to win a championship. 944 00:37:57,650 --> 00:37:59,903 REPORTER: Mm-hmm. - That's what he said. 945 00:37:59,903 --> 00:38:01,446 Kobe says the same thing. 946 00:38:01,446 --> 00:38:02,989 Well, okay, we're gonna find out 947 00:38:02,989 --> 00:38:04,783 if all that's true right now. 948 00:38:04,783 --> 00:38:06,075 - I'm gonna ask them to get in the best shape 949 00:38:06,075 --> 00:38:07,619 they can be in, because come October, 950 00:38:07,619 --> 00:38:08,953 they're gonna be working. 951 00:38:08,953 --> 00:38:11,122 ♪ ♪ 952 00:38:11,122 --> 00:38:12,874 JEANIE: At the press conference, 953 00:38:12,874 --> 00:38:14,709 I'm standing next to Magic, 954 00:38:14,709 --> 00:38:17,462 and you literally see me roll my eyes 955 00:38:17,462 --> 00:38:19,380 at like, "Oh, my gosh, 956 00:38:19,380 --> 00:38:22,050 this guy is gonna bring a circus to town." 957 00:38:22,050 --> 00:38:23,843 What are we doing? 958 00:38:23,843 --> 00:38:25,386 - A village coming off a river, 959 00:38:25,386 --> 00:38:26,513 and we got to the fishing site-- 960 00:38:26,513 --> 00:38:28,223 JEANIE: I already was worried 961 00:38:28,223 --> 00:38:30,433 that Phil was gonna be a bigger personality 962 00:38:30,433 --> 00:38:31,935 than Shaq or Kobe. 963 00:38:31,935 --> 00:38:35,188 And you know, now we're at the Beverly Hills Hotel 964 00:38:35,188 --> 00:38:38,650 doing these special press conferences. 965 00:38:38,650 --> 00:38:42,529 And of course, Phil's, like, man of the hour. 966 00:38:42,529 --> 00:38:44,906 There was no way I was gonna, like, 967 00:38:44,906 --> 00:38:48,159 wait in line to meet him. 968 00:38:48,159 --> 00:38:51,204 So I finally met him in September 969 00:38:51,204 --> 00:38:54,374 in Vancouver at the league meeting. 970 00:38:54,374 --> 00:38:56,417 PHIL: It was raining in Vancouver, of course, 971 00:38:56,417 --> 00:38:58,294 the end of September. 972 00:38:58,294 --> 00:39:01,422 I got to the airport, and Jeanie was sitting 973 00:39:01,422 --> 00:39:03,299 where my plane was supposed to take off. 974 00:39:03,299 --> 00:39:05,260 I was like, "Are you on this flight?" 975 00:39:05,260 --> 00:39:06,970 And she said, "No, uh, 976 00:39:06,970 --> 00:39:08,304 "I was on the flight before this, 977 00:39:08,304 --> 00:39:10,348 "but that was canceled because of the rain. 978 00:39:10,348 --> 00:39:13,226 And they're putting us all on the same plane." 979 00:39:13,226 --> 00:39:14,727 I said, "Okay. 980 00:39:14,727 --> 00:39:16,437 Are you in first class? We can sit together." 981 00:39:16,437 --> 00:39:19,524 "No, I ride in coach." 982 00:39:19,524 --> 00:39:22,110 [soft dramatic music] 983 00:39:22,110 --> 00:39:24,028 So I was really impressed by that, because I said, 984 00:39:24,028 --> 00:39:26,614 okay, this is something entirely different. 985 00:39:26,614 --> 00:39:30,118 - And you know, of course, I'm reading "People" magazine. 986 00:39:30,118 --> 00:39:31,244 And he's like... 987 00:39:31,244 --> 00:39:32,871 [laughing] "What are you reading?" 988 00:39:32,871 --> 00:39:34,455 And I was embarrassed that I'm, like, 989 00:39:34,455 --> 00:39:39,168 reading just, you know, a regular old magazine. 990 00:39:39,168 --> 00:39:41,713 - So we had a conversation for an hour probably. 991 00:39:41,713 --> 00:39:43,047 The plane was delayed. 992 00:39:43,047 --> 00:39:48,303 ♪ ♪ 993 00:39:48,303 --> 00:39:50,722 - When I heard his voice, 994 00:39:50,722 --> 00:39:53,057 I don't know what it was about his voice, 995 00:39:53,057 --> 00:39:54,976 but it just--- 996 00:39:54,976 --> 00:39:57,812 it just, you know, stood me up straight 997 00:39:57,812 --> 00:40:02,734 like this jolt of electricity or, you know, 998 00:40:02,734 --> 00:40:06,905 when people talk about, like, love at first sight. 999 00:40:06,905 --> 00:40:09,908 I just fell for him hard. 1000 00:40:09,908 --> 00:40:12,744 ♪ ♪ 1001 00:40:12,744 --> 00:40:14,412 PHIL: The next workweek, 1002 00:40:14,412 --> 00:40:16,456 we were in the office together. 1003 00:40:16,456 --> 00:40:19,459 She sent over a piece of her birthday cake to my office. 1004 00:40:19,459 --> 00:40:22,086 And so I dropped by and thanked her for it and said, 1005 00:40:22,086 --> 00:40:23,796 you know, "You want to go out to dinner tonight?" 1006 00:40:23,796 --> 00:40:25,340 We did. 1007 00:40:25,340 --> 00:40:27,050 - At dinner that night, 1008 00:40:27,050 --> 00:40:31,971 we kind of talked about our-- the spark between us. 1009 00:40:31,971 --> 00:40:34,182 ♪ ♪ 1010 00:40:34,182 --> 00:40:36,184 PHIL: You know, I was establishing myself 1011 00:40:36,184 --> 00:40:38,603 as a, you know, individual person, 1012 00:40:38,603 --> 00:40:41,481 as a single man again. 1013 00:40:41,481 --> 00:40:46,402 I've got five children. I've been married twice. 1014 00:40:46,402 --> 00:40:49,447 You know, I'm coming out of a relationship for 25 years. 1015 00:40:49,447 --> 00:40:51,908 So we talked a little bit about that. 1016 00:40:51,908 --> 00:40:55,078 - I told him that I wanted to live in truth. 1017 00:40:55,078 --> 00:40:57,664 That was very different for me 1018 00:40:57,664 --> 00:41:01,292 in terms of the way I was brought up. 1019 00:41:01,292 --> 00:41:03,419 PHIL: She was like, "My dad kind of left us 1020 00:41:03,419 --> 00:41:06,506 "when I was seven, moved out. 1021 00:41:06,506 --> 00:41:08,424 "And when I went to school, I told all the kids 1022 00:41:08,424 --> 00:41:10,218 that my dad had died." 1023 00:41:10,218 --> 00:41:12,720 JEANIE: I got tired of my friends 1024 00:41:12,720 --> 00:41:15,515 asking where my dad was. 1025 00:41:15,515 --> 00:41:17,850 ♪ ♪ 1026 00:41:17,850 --> 00:41:21,354 Being real, like, about your emotions, 1027 00:41:21,354 --> 00:41:26,609 that's what attracted Phil to me. 1028 00:41:26,609 --> 00:41:29,862 You know, for what I thought he was gonna be 1029 00:41:29,862 --> 00:41:33,408 to what he was was so different. 1030 00:41:33,408 --> 00:41:36,703 I thought he was gonna be high demanding, 1031 00:41:36,703 --> 00:41:40,498 consumed by winning. 1032 00:41:40,498 --> 00:41:42,375 He is consumed by winning, 1033 00:41:42,375 --> 00:41:45,211 but he also knows he's consumed by winning 1034 00:41:45,211 --> 00:41:48,506 and is consumed with having a balance in his life. 1035 00:41:48,506 --> 00:41:50,341 And not only for himself, 1036 00:41:50,341 --> 00:41:53,469 but for the people surrounding him. 1037 00:41:53,469 --> 00:41:56,848 ♪ ♪ 1038 00:41:56,848 --> 00:42:00,268 I said, "You know, if we are gonna see each other, 1039 00:42:00,268 --> 00:42:03,104 "I'm not gonna do it behind anyone's back. 1040 00:42:03,104 --> 00:42:05,398 It has to come with full disclosure." 1041 00:42:05,398 --> 00:42:07,775 And so we had to go through that process 1042 00:42:07,775 --> 00:42:12,030 of letting people know, which was tough. 1043 00:42:12,030 --> 00:42:14,282 [phone ringing] 1044 00:42:14,282 --> 00:42:15,992 JIM: I think my dad called me. 1045 00:42:15,992 --> 00:42:19,078 He says, "You're not gonna believe who Jeanie's dating." 1046 00:42:19,078 --> 00:42:20,246 I said, "Well, who?" 1047 00:42:20,246 --> 00:42:23,041 You know, and I'm thinking Wayne Gretzky. 1048 00:42:23,041 --> 00:42:25,960 [laughing] Or, you know, something like that. 1049 00:42:25,960 --> 00:42:27,295 He goes, "No. Phil." 1050 00:42:31,007 --> 00:42:34,761 I go, "Are you kidding me? Phil-Phil?" 1051 00:42:34,761 --> 00:42:37,180 And he goes, "Yes. Phil-Phil." [laughs] 1052 00:42:37,180 --> 00:42:38,639 And that was the conversation. 1053 00:42:38,639 --> 00:42:40,808 - I remember when she told me, 1054 00:42:40,808 --> 00:42:42,101 and it was almost like, 1055 00:42:42,101 --> 00:42:43,895 "Oh, my gosh. Are you kidding me?" 1056 00:42:43,895 --> 00:42:46,105 Like "Ooh, you're dating that guy?" you know? 1057 00:42:46,105 --> 00:42:48,399 He was definitely older. 1058 00:42:48,399 --> 00:42:52,487 - I think my father was a little, uh, 1059 00:42:52,487 --> 00:42:54,447 taken back by it. 1060 00:42:54,447 --> 00:42:56,324 PRODUCER: Do you think that the age difference 1061 00:42:56,324 --> 00:42:57,450 bothered him at all? 1062 00:42:57,450 --> 00:42:58,576 - [chuckles] 1063 00:42:58,576 --> 00:43:00,495 He was living that age difference. 1064 00:43:02,038 --> 00:43:06,042 He just felt that there was a conflict of interest now. 1065 00:43:06,042 --> 00:43:08,169 Anything that he talked to Phil about 1066 00:43:08,169 --> 00:43:09,378 was gonna get to Jeanie. 1067 00:43:09,378 --> 00:43:10,922 Anything that he talked to Jeanie about 1068 00:43:10,922 --> 00:43:12,256 was gonna get to Phil. 1069 00:43:12,256 --> 00:43:15,885 So now he had to choose his words carefully, 1070 00:43:15,885 --> 00:43:19,013 and I don't think he liked that. 1071 00:43:19,013 --> 00:43:21,432 REPORTER: How do you react when they give him heat 1072 00:43:21,432 --> 00:43:23,768 for being in love with the boss's daughter? 1073 00:43:23,768 --> 00:43:25,144 JEANIE: [laughs] 1074 00:43:25,144 --> 00:43:27,230 We're not Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. 1075 00:43:27,230 --> 00:43:31,025 You know, we're two adults who have lived long lives 1076 00:43:31,025 --> 00:43:32,401 and had experiences. 1077 00:43:32,401 --> 00:43:34,737 I really don't understand the fascination. 1078 00:43:34,737 --> 00:43:37,240 - It did bug Jerry West. 1079 00:43:37,240 --> 00:43:38,741 WEST: You know, particularly with Jeanie, 1080 00:43:38,741 --> 00:43:41,661 who now was getting more involved with the team, 1081 00:43:41,661 --> 00:43:44,539 my concern in a small organization like that, 1082 00:43:44,539 --> 00:43:48,126 was that gonna permeate and divide people? 1083 00:43:48,126 --> 00:43:50,586 Didn't like it. Did not like it. 1084 00:43:56,425 --> 00:43:59,804 BRIAN: I come down to LA, '99-2000 season. 1085 00:43:59,804 --> 00:44:03,015 By that time, I was 11 years or so in the league. 1086 00:44:03,015 --> 00:44:06,602 And I had played with Shaq in Orlando. 1087 00:44:06,602 --> 00:44:08,396 But Phil was different. 1088 00:44:08,396 --> 00:44:10,690 In that first year in LA, 1089 00:44:10,690 --> 00:44:14,402 I think all of us collectively as a team were like, 1090 00:44:14,402 --> 00:44:16,404 "This dude is a little strange. 1091 00:44:16,404 --> 00:44:19,282 "Man, what does all this stuff that he has us doing 1092 00:44:19,282 --> 00:44:20,616 have to do with basketball?" 1093 00:44:20,616 --> 00:44:24,579 [soft upbeat music] 1094 00:44:24,579 --> 00:44:25,872 - He comes in the room, 1095 00:44:25,872 --> 00:44:27,707 and all of a sudden, we smelling this stuff. 1096 00:44:27,707 --> 00:44:29,125 We're like, "What the-- what is the-- 1097 00:44:29,125 --> 00:44:31,335 someone smoking weed?" 1098 00:44:31,335 --> 00:44:33,171 He's going to everybody's locker and, like, 1099 00:44:33,171 --> 00:44:34,463 he's, like, trying to, you know, 1100 00:44:34,463 --> 00:44:37,091 get out the demons and stuff. 1101 00:44:37,091 --> 00:44:38,092 REPORTER: And one last question. 1102 00:44:38,092 --> 00:44:39,594 Zen master, tell me about that. 1103 00:44:39,594 --> 00:44:41,053 - Well it's just something I taught 1104 00:44:41,053 --> 00:44:42,555 these, uh, players about. 1105 00:44:42,555 --> 00:44:44,932 Uh, you know, learning how to meditate, 1106 00:44:44,932 --> 00:44:47,894 learning how to put their mind, uh, at ease. 1107 00:44:47,894 --> 00:44:50,813 - I'm looking at him like... 1108 00:44:50,813 --> 00:44:52,190 "Stop talking back. 1109 00:44:52,190 --> 00:44:54,317 Michael and Scottie did the meditation." 1110 00:44:54,317 --> 00:44:57,069 A'ight. They did it, I'ma do it. 1111 00:44:57,069 --> 00:44:58,571 Every day he come in with the sage, 1112 00:44:58,571 --> 00:45:00,698 and we got a chance to meditate before practice. 1113 00:45:00,698 --> 00:45:02,950 [inhales deeply] Go to a more quiet place. 1114 00:45:02,950 --> 00:45:04,410 DEVEAN: It was my rookie year, 1115 00:45:04,410 --> 00:45:06,913 and I had the worst person sitting behind me. 1116 00:45:06,913 --> 00:45:09,123 Couldn't hold attention for more than five minutes. 1117 00:45:09,123 --> 00:45:12,251 And that's Shaq, kicking my chair the whole time. 1118 00:45:12,251 --> 00:45:14,795 - We sat there and hummed for about a half hour. 1119 00:45:14,795 --> 00:45:16,964 REPORTER: And you thought to yourself? 1120 00:45:16,964 --> 00:45:18,841 - Oh, this not too bad. [reporter laughs] 1121 00:45:18,841 --> 00:45:20,051 At least we're not floating. 1122 00:45:20,051 --> 00:45:21,969 - Zen is something that brings awareness, 1123 00:45:21,969 --> 00:45:23,721 and it's very much a part of what I believe 1124 00:45:23,721 --> 00:45:25,514 is the game's important key. 1125 00:45:25,514 --> 00:45:27,850 And if you're aware out there, it really helps your team. 1126 00:45:27,850 --> 00:45:30,228 - Understanding and learning meditation 1127 00:45:30,228 --> 00:45:32,980 helped us to slow ourselves down mentally, 1128 00:45:32,980 --> 00:45:34,899 emotionally, psychologically. 1129 00:45:34,899 --> 00:45:38,361 ♪ ♪ 1130 00:45:38,361 --> 00:45:40,738 - You know, Phil had this thing when he came in. 1131 00:45:40,738 --> 00:45:44,659 He'd interview all the players, and he'd make them read books. 1132 00:45:44,659 --> 00:45:46,744 - What kind of stuff would he bring in, Shaq? 1133 00:45:46,744 --> 00:45:50,998 - He bought me a book, uh, by a guy named Nietzsche. 1134 00:45:50,998 --> 00:45:52,083 Nietzsche. - Really? 1135 00:45:52,083 --> 00:45:54,043 - Yeah. [laughter and applause] 1136 00:45:54,043 --> 00:45:55,962 Nietzsche wrote a book called, uh, "Superman." 1137 00:45:55,962 --> 00:45:57,421 But I didn't want to read about myself, 1138 00:45:57,421 --> 00:46:01,342 so you know, I didn't read it. [laughter and applause] 1139 00:46:01,342 --> 00:46:03,886 By interviewing us and by handing out the books, 1140 00:46:03,886 --> 00:46:05,930 he knows what makes us go. 1141 00:46:05,930 --> 00:46:08,557 And if you challenge us, 1142 00:46:08,557 --> 00:46:10,184 most of the time, we step up. 1143 00:46:10,184 --> 00:46:13,187 ♪ ♪ 1144 00:46:13,187 --> 00:46:14,480 COMMENTATOR: The opening of Staples 1145 00:46:14,480 --> 00:46:15,856 for the Los Angeles Lakers, 1146 00:46:15,856 --> 00:46:18,276 and everybody excited about this new facility 1147 00:46:18,276 --> 00:46:20,903 and hoping that they'll get it with a win. 1148 00:46:20,903 --> 00:46:23,281 COMMENTATOR: If it goes, it'll go off the fingertips. 1149 00:46:23,281 --> 00:46:24,782 DEREK: You were young. 1150 00:46:24,782 --> 00:46:27,201 So I think that meditation 1151 00:46:27,201 --> 00:46:30,371 just started to help us connect with each other. 1152 00:46:30,371 --> 00:46:36,335 ♪ ♪ 1153 00:46:36,335 --> 00:46:39,672 BRIAN: We ran off 16 games in a row, 1154 00:46:39,672 --> 00:46:41,966 and then we won 19 games in a row. 1155 00:46:41,966 --> 00:46:46,220 And everybody started to kind of look at each other and say, 1156 00:46:46,220 --> 00:46:47,972 "This is working." 1157 00:46:49,432 --> 00:46:52,935 We quickly realized not only did we have 1158 00:46:52,935 --> 00:46:54,937 to apply meditation and use it 1159 00:46:54,937 --> 00:46:58,316 for the basketball side of things, 1160 00:46:58,316 --> 00:47:01,569 but also in dealing with Kobe. 1161 00:47:01,569 --> 00:47:03,988 [soft pensive music] 1162 00:47:03,988 --> 00:47:07,241 PHIL: With Kobe, he made a choice. 1163 00:47:07,241 --> 00:47:11,871 And the choice was to go it alone. 1164 00:47:11,871 --> 00:47:13,581 I do know on the road, most of the time, 1165 00:47:13,581 --> 00:47:15,082 he spends it in his room. 1166 00:47:15,082 --> 00:47:16,667 And most of the time, he asks us 1167 00:47:16,667 --> 00:47:18,836 for the tape of the game we played the night before, 1168 00:47:18,836 --> 00:47:20,546 the opponent we're playing the next night. 1169 00:47:20,546 --> 00:47:22,006 KOBE: You know, I would study the game. 1170 00:47:22,006 --> 00:47:23,799 I would think about our opponents. 1171 00:47:23,799 --> 00:47:26,385 And, uh, not every player was doing that. 1172 00:47:26,385 --> 00:47:28,971 PHIL: I said to him, you know, some of the players came to me 1173 00:47:28,971 --> 00:47:30,723 and said, you know, you don't even want to go down 1174 00:47:30,723 --> 00:47:33,392 and have, you know, a bite to eat with him. 1175 00:47:33,392 --> 00:47:35,561 - Kobe was extremely quiet. 1176 00:47:35,561 --> 00:47:37,897 Um, sat in the back of the bus. 1177 00:47:37,897 --> 00:47:40,066 - He has on headphones. 1178 00:47:40,066 --> 00:47:41,942 Bobbing his head like he's listening to music, 1179 00:47:41,942 --> 00:47:45,154 like he's not paying attention to anybody. 1180 00:47:45,154 --> 00:47:46,530 I go and sit next to him, 1181 00:47:46,530 --> 00:47:48,324 there's nothing in the headphones. 1182 00:47:48,324 --> 00:47:50,993 He just wants to hear what these guys are saying. 1183 00:47:50,993 --> 00:47:53,537 - At times it felt like, you know, 1184 00:47:53,537 --> 00:47:55,331 what, he doesn't want to be a part of this? 1185 00:47:55,331 --> 00:47:56,957 Or he feels like he's too good 1186 00:47:56,957 --> 00:47:59,126 to, you know, to hang out with the fellas? 1187 00:47:59,126 --> 00:48:01,212 ANNOUNCER: Kobe Bryant's coming in the ball game. 1188 00:48:01,212 --> 00:48:03,214 That's what all the noise is about. 1189 00:48:03,214 --> 00:48:05,049 PHIL: He saw himself as a star. 1190 00:48:05,049 --> 00:48:08,386 [basketball dribbling] 1191 00:48:11,263 --> 00:48:13,516 ANNOUNCER: And the coach is all over Kobe. 1192 00:48:13,516 --> 00:48:16,727 - He's saying, I want to be the best basketball player ever. 1193 00:48:16,727 --> 00:48:20,523 And if I'm restricted and not scoring points, 1194 00:48:20,523 --> 00:48:23,776 that's not how I'm gonna be seen. 1195 00:48:23,776 --> 00:48:26,487 Sometimes, players have to make a sacrifice 1196 00:48:26,487 --> 00:48:28,447 for the betterment of the team. 1197 00:48:28,447 --> 00:48:30,950 - We wanted, as a group, to kind of address 1198 00:48:30,950 --> 00:48:32,993 Kobe being selfish on the court. 1199 00:48:32,993 --> 00:48:34,620 KOBE: Something wasn't right. 1200 00:48:34,620 --> 00:48:36,372 Something wasn't right. I mean, I go to practice, 1201 00:48:36,372 --> 00:48:38,958 and I feel a little uncomfortable. 1202 00:48:38,958 --> 00:48:41,085 What the--what's this about? 1203 00:48:41,085 --> 00:48:44,672 PHIL: The mood in the locker room was not good. 1204 00:48:44,672 --> 00:48:47,633 So I asked the ball boys, the trainers, 1205 00:48:47,633 --> 00:48:50,803 Jerry West, Mitch Kupchak, to leave the room. 1206 00:48:50,803 --> 00:48:53,889 I want to talk to these players alone. 1207 00:48:53,889 --> 00:48:56,434 And then I started out on, what's going on out there? 1208 00:48:56,434 --> 00:48:58,519 What's going on with you guys? 1209 00:48:58,519 --> 00:49:00,896 They didn't want to talk. 1210 00:49:00,896 --> 00:49:02,857 Rick Fox finally said, 1211 00:49:02,857 --> 00:49:04,316 "You know, we've had trouble with Kobe. 1212 00:49:04,316 --> 00:49:08,112 Kobe sometimes gets into his individual act." 1213 00:49:08,112 --> 00:49:11,866 - Anything that doesn't drive the team agenda, 1214 00:49:11,866 --> 00:49:14,160 like, I have to cut out like it's cancer. 1215 00:49:14,160 --> 00:49:15,995 And so my communication I think was 1216 00:49:15,995 --> 00:49:18,330 a little probably more emotional 1217 00:49:18,330 --> 00:49:20,082 than people expected it to be. 1218 00:49:20,082 --> 00:49:22,585 - Rick got so emotional, I think he cried, 1219 00:49:22,585 --> 00:49:24,420 and he just kind of, like, went in and just like, 1220 00:49:24,420 --> 00:49:26,088 "That's bull, you know, you don't trust us. 1221 00:49:26,088 --> 00:49:27,465 You know, we're your brothers." 1222 00:49:27,465 --> 00:49:31,051 - If you don't trust us, we're not gonna trust you. 1223 00:49:31,051 --> 00:49:33,387 We're not gonna give you the ball. 1224 00:49:33,387 --> 00:49:35,097 SHAQ: The true definition of a great player 1225 00:49:35,097 --> 00:49:37,975 is one that makes players around you better. 1226 00:49:37,975 --> 00:49:40,853 You can't come in doing that all by yourself, 1227 00:49:40,853 --> 00:49:42,938 pissing everybody off. 1228 00:49:42,938 --> 00:49:45,483 Because now they don't want to play. 1229 00:49:45,483 --> 00:49:46,650 And we can't have that right now. 1230 00:49:46,650 --> 00:49:48,486 So yeah, I said what I had to say. 1231 00:49:48,486 --> 00:49:50,154 And I meant it. 1232 00:49:50,154 --> 00:49:51,864 ROBERT: That was the moment when everybody 1233 00:49:51,864 --> 00:49:53,782 got some stuff off their chest. 1234 00:49:53,782 --> 00:49:55,659 And when your teammates sit back and tell you 1235 00:49:55,659 --> 00:49:58,412 how they view you, are you able 1236 00:49:58,412 --> 00:50:01,290 to absorb that and understand that? 1237 00:50:01,290 --> 00:50:04,585 - It was about them thinking I was out for myself 1238 00:50:04,585 --> 00:50:07,838 and I was being selfish, and, um, 1239 00:50:07,838 --> 00:50:09,882 which was totally not the case. 1240 00:50:09,882 --> 00:50:12,301 - I talked to Jerry West about it at the time. 1241 00:50:12,301 --> 00:50:14,512 He said, you know, Kobe doesn't really 1242 00:50:14,512 --> 00:50:18,390 want to win if he wants it to be about him. 1243 00:50:18,390 --> 00:50:21,477 You know, maybe it'd be best to move him on. 1244 00:50:21,477 --> 00:50:25,314 [soft tense music] 1245 00:50:25,314 --> 00:50:28,484 - I always say teams emerge as championship contenders 1246 00:50:28,484 --> 00:50:30,110 by December or January. 1247 00:50:30,110 --> 00:50:32,279 Lakers were one of those teams. 1248 00:50:33,739 --> 00:50:34,865 They finished with the best record 1249 00:50:34,865 --> 00:50:36,116 in the league that year. 1250 00:50:36,116 --> 00:50:38,744 But in the postseason, we learned very early on 1251 00:50:38,744 --> 00:50:41,872 that you can show things in the regular season, 1252 00:50:41,872 --> 00:50:44,124 and it's a whole different story learning 1253 00:50:44,124 --> 00:50:46,252 how to win a championship. 1254 00:50:46,252 --> 00:50:47,962 [upbeat music] 1255 00:50:47,962 --> 00:50:50,297 ANNOUNCER: Tonight, it's the Portland Trail Blazers 1256 00:50:50,297 --> 00:50:52,675 versus the Los Angeles Lakers. 1257 00:50:52,675 --> 00:50:54,885 - I just think, you know, both teams are just gonna 1258 00:50:54,885 --> 00:50:56,220 come out and lay it on the line. 1259 00:50:56,220 --> 00:50:57,638 I mean, I think the pressure's on them 1260 00:50:57,638 --> 00:51:00,182 because everybody expected them to beat us 1261 00:51:00,182 --> 00:51:02,476 in this series, uh, so dominantly. 1262 00:51:02,476 --> 00:51:05,729 - Going into that game 7, we were tied-- 1263 00:51:05,729 --> 00:51:07,606 series was tied 3-3. 1264 00:51:07,606 --> 00:51:10,109 J.A.: Game 7 against Portland was so pivotal, 1265 00:51:10,109 --> 00:51:12,194 because I think if they don't win that game, 1266 00:51:12,194 --> 00:51:14,989 it's possible Shaq and Kobe get broken up. 1267 00:51:14,989 --> 00:51:16,323 This thing is gonna be over 1268 00:51:16,323 --> 00:51:18,158 before it even had a chance to start. 1269 00:51:18,158 --> 00:51:19,785 COMMENTATOR: The Lakers have to realize that 1270 00:51:19,785 --> 00:51:22,913 they've got 12 minutes to play with only a 13-point game. 1271 00:51:22,913 --> 00:51:24,456 COMMENTATOR: Not any more. [both laugh] 1272 00:51:24,456 --> 00:51:27,042 Steve Smith hits on the run and it's 15. 1273 00:51:27,042 --> 00:51:29,086 - I was at that game, man, 1274 00:51:29,086 --> 00:51:32,923 and we looked like our dog just died. 1275 00:51:32,923 --> 00:51:34,925 - They were blowing us out. I was so mad. 1276 00:51:34,925 --> 00:51:36,468 I was so mad. 1277 00:51:36,468 --> 00:51:38,679 I go, this is how we're going down again? 1278 00:51:38,679 --> 00:51:42,516 - In game 7, when you're down 15 points 1279 00:51:42,516 --> 00:51:44,602 in the fourth quarter, 1280 00:51:44,602 --> 00:51:47,479 when everything's about to crumble away, 1281 00:51:47,479 --> 00:51:49,773 Phil says what he says every day. 1282 00:51:49,773 --> 00:51:52,067 Go to your quiet place. 1283 00:51:52,067 --> 00:51:53,527 He ain't calling no plays. 1284 00:51:53,527 --> 00:51:55,029 Shut the hell up. 1285 00:51:55,029 --> 00:51:57,531 Go to your quiet place. 1286 00:51:57,531 --> 00:51:59,158 He used a little bit of reverse psychology. 1287 00:51:59,158 --> 00:52:00,826 "Oh, it's been a great year. 1288 00:52:00,826 --> 00:52:02,870 "Knew you pussies couldn't do it. 1289 00:52:02,870 --> 00:52:05,164 "We'll win next year, but we're not gonna win this year. 1290 00:52:05,164 --> 00:52:06,415 Good job, guys." 1291 00:52:06,415 --> 00:52:08,292 And then we looking at each other like, what? 1292 00:52:08,292 --> 00:52:09,501 When we was 13 down, 1293 00:52:09,501 --> 00:52:11,003 I told my guys, look, do or die. 1294 00:52:11,003 --> 00:52:12,171 The time is now. 1295 00:52:12,171 --> 00:52:13,380 We've been in this position before, 1296 00:52:13,380 --> 00:52:14,840 and we ain't never lost three in a row. 1297 00:52:14,840 --> 00:52:16,133 Let's play. Let's go. 1298 00:52:16,133 --> 00:52:17,801 - Just kind of like trying to light a fire. 1299 00:52:17,801 --> 00:52:20,220 You get this little spark, and you begin to blow on it 1300 00:52:20,220 --> 00:52:22,514 and say, come on, come on, heat up. 1301 00:52:22,514 --> 00:52:26,477 And, uh, that's what began to happen. 1302 00:52:26,477 --> 00:52:28,354 SHAQ: It was a whole game of like, hey, man, 1303 00:52:28,354 --> 00:52:31,815 I know you like to do this, but I'm right there, dog. 1304 00:52:31,815 --> 00:52:33,484 All right, I got you. 1305 00:52:33,484 --> 00:52:36,070 Kobe's like, hey, Shaq, instead of trying to shoot 1306 00:52:36,070 --> 00:52:38,864 three or four jump hooks over four or five people, 1307 00:52:38,864 --> 00:52:40,115 I'm right here. 1308 00:52:40,115 --> 00:52:41,533 All right, I got you, Kob. 1309 00:52:41,533 --> 00:52:43,952 So I kept telling him, and he kept saying, I got you. 1310 00:52:43,952 --> 00:52:45,329 So right when he's-- 1311 00:52:45,329 --> 00:52:47,706 right when he's crossed Scottie up, 1312 00:52:47,706 --> 00:52:49,708 does he have me? 1313 00:52:49,708 --> 00:52:51,919 COMMENTATOR: Bryant to Shaq! 1314 00:52:51,919 --> 00:52:55,923 [cheers and applause] 1315 00:52:55,923 --> 00:52:57,383 SNOOP: I wasn't watching that moment. 1316 00:52:57,383 --> 00:52:59,093 I was at the motherfucking game. 1317 00:52:59,093 --> 00:53:01,679 I was in the crowd, you understand me? 1318 00:53:01,679 --> 00:53:03,639 We were so excited, so happy, 1319 00:53:03,639 --> 00:53:05,391 we jumped out our motherfucking seats. 1320 00:53:05,391 --> 00:53:08,435 COMMENTATOR: Kobe Bryant's assist to Shaquille O'Neal 1321 00:53:08,435 --> 00:53:11,105 makes it a 6-point difference with 41... 1322 00:53:11,105 --> 00:53:12,439 SHAQ: He could have took the shot. 1323 00:53:12,439 --> 00:53:13,982 But he was like, you know what? 1324 00:53:13,982 --> 00:53:15,651 Big dog's there. 1325 00:53:15,651 --> 00:53:18,070 That meant that we were finally there. 1326 00:53:18,070 --> 00:53:19,613 - That moment was so significant 1327 00:53:19,613 --> 00:53:22,991 because that's when you knew we had the game secured. 1328 00:53:22,991 --> 00:53:26,495 - We found something in that eight, nine minute stretch 1329 00:53:26,495 --> 00:53:31,500 that defined us for the next, you know, three or four years. 1330 00:53:31,500 --> 00:53:33,711 COMMENTATOR: With 41.3 seconds left, 1331 00:53:33,711 --> 00:53:37,089 LA has outscored Portland. 1332 00:53:37,089 --> 00:53:41,593 And that's it--a huge comeback in the fourth quarter. 1333 00:53:41,593 --> 00:53:43,095 DEREK: In order to achieve 1334 00:53:43,095 --> 00:53:45,764 what they each want to achieve, 1335 00:53:45,764 --> 00:53:48,350 the two of them are connected. 1336 00:53:48,350 --> 00:53:50,227 And there's no way to separate that. 1337 00:53:50,227 --> 00:53:52,813 - Was this the ultimate test for you all? 1338 00:53:52,813 --> 00:53:54,982 - Up to this point, this has been the ultimate test. 1339 00:53:54,982 --> 00:53:56,984 - And I knew my teammate was gonna step up for me tonight, 1340 00:53:56,984 --> 00:53:59,069 because I had to step up the last two games. 1341 00:53:59,069 --> 00:54:01,238 DEREK: These two guys are working together this way, 1342 00:54:01,238 --> 00:54:03,031 the rest of the league has no chance. 1343 00:54:03,031 --> 00:54:04,533 [laughs] 1344 00:54:05,993 --> 00:54:07,745 SNOOP: The Pacers-- 1345 00:54:07,745 --> 00:54:12,666 Reggie Miller, Jalen Rose, Rik Smits-- 1346 00:54:12,666 --> 00:54:15,669 man, we knew we was gonna dust them off. 1347 00:54:15,669 --> 00:54:17,171 They was weak. 1348 00:54:17,171 --> 00:54:18,464 [dramatic music] 1349 00:54:18,464 --> 00:54:19,882 COMMENTATOR: Larry Bird says, "We know 1350 00:54:19,882 --> 00:54:21,300 we can beat this team; however, 1351 00:54:21,300 --> 00:54:22,926 our confidence isn't always there. 1352 00:54:22,926 --> 00:54:24,428 It comes and goes. 1353 00:54:24,428 --> 00:54:26,764 Tonight will set the tone for the entire series. 1354 00:54:26,764 --> 00:54:29,600 ♪ ♪ 1355 00:54:29,600 --> 00:54:32,853 COMMENTATOR: Pacers--deep to O'Neal. 1356 00:54:32,853 --> 00:54:35,606 Into the lane, to the hoop, and Shaq catches up. 1357 00:54:35,606 --> 00:54:37,900 [cheers and applause] 1358 00:54:39,610 --> 00:54:41,570 COMMENTATOR: And that's what he has to do. 1359 00:54:41,570 --> 00:54:43,864 A lot of different ways to score. 1360 00:54:46,450 --> 00:54:49,077 - The toughest game for us was in game 4. 1361 00:54:50,412 --> 00:54:52,122 There's always one play that you go, 1362 00:54:52,122 --> 00:54:55,167 that's the one that killed us. 1363 00:54:55,167 --> 00:54:56,919 It was that tip-in from Kobe. 1364 00:54:56,919 --> 00:54:59,963 [cheers and applause] 1365 00:54:59,963 --> 00:55:04,551 ♪ ♪ 1366 00:55:04,551 --> 00:55:07,846 - And now uno más to go. 1367 00:55:07,846 --> 00:55:09,056 COMMENTATOR: Here comes the two-on-one break 1368 00:55:09,056 --> 00:55:10,474 with Kobe and Shaw. 1369 00:55:10,474 --> 00:55:12,100 Kobe in deep, gives to Shaq. 1370 00:55:12,100 --> 00:55:13,477 Shaq is hammered, scores. 1371 00:55:13,477 --> 00:55:15,312 Listen to this crowd! 1372 00:55:15,312 --> 00:55:16,980 [cheers and applause] The Lakers have the lead! 1373 00:55:16,980 --> 00:55:18,398 COMMENTATOR: To Miller, he shoots a three. 1374 00:55:18,398 --> 00:55:20,651 No good. Game's over. [buzzer blares] 1375 00:55:20,651 --> 00:55:23,487 [cheers and applause] 1376 00:55:23,487 --> 00:55:29,493 ♪ ♪ 1377 00:55:35,999 --> 00:55:37,834 SHAQ: The mentality that I had, 1378 00:55:37,834 --> 00:55:39,836 if I get to the finals again, 1379 00:55:39,836 --> 00:55:42,548 I'm coming home with this. 1380 00:55:42,548 --> 00:55:45,884 And I followed Phil's orders and won the MVP too. 1381 00:55:47,302 --> 00:55:49,221 PLAYER: Shaq Diesel! PLAYER: Yeah, B! 1382 00:55:49,221 --> 00:55:52,182 - Finally got one. Yeah. 1383 00:55:52,182 --> 00:55:53,934 And the mentality that he had, 1384 00:55:53,934 --> 00:55:55,978 I'm getting one of these trophies too. 1385 00:55:55,978 --> 00:55:57,563 So if you got two people that have 1386 00:55:57,563 --> 00:56:00,065 that same mentality plus everybody else 1387 00:56:00,065 --> 00:56:01,984 is on the right page... 1388 00:56:01,984 --> 00:56:04,361 - Is it what you dreamed of? - Oh, it's everything and more. 1389 00:56:04,361 --> 00:56:05,821 I mean, you have the Laker colors 1390 00:56:05,821 --> 00:56:07,906 falling from the ceiling and fans going crazy. 1391 00:56:07,906 --> 00:56:11,410 - You know, to reach this pinnacle again 1392 00:56:11,410 --> 00:56:13,537 after going all the way down, 1393 00:56:13,537 --> 00:56:15,539 uh, it's just a fantastic feeling. 1394 00:56:15,539 --> 00:56:16,832 I can tell you. 1395 00:56:16,832 --> 00:56:19,167 It took us ten years. 1396 00:56:19,167 --> 00:56:20,544 REPORTER: It's really amazing. 1397 00:56:20,544 --> 00:56:22,212 The championship is back where it belongs. 1398 00:56:22,212 --> 00:56:24,298 BUSS: It is where it belongs. 1399 00:56:24,298 --> 00:56:26,925 - You know, to see his just the satisfaction 1400 00:56:26,925 --> 00:56:29,511 and his joy involved in that, 1401 00:56:29,511 --> 00:56:32,431 it was a beautiful moment for sure. 1402 00:56:32,431 --> 00:56:34,683 JESSE: I was a little kid, but I've heard these stories 1403 00:56:34,683 --> 00:56:36,143 about how the Lakers won 1404 00:56:36,143 --> 00:56:37,894 so many championships in the '80s, 1405 00:56:37,894 --> 00:56:40,355 and being there with my father 1406 00:56:40,355 --> 00:56:43,317 to see him at his peak happiness, 1407 00:56:43,317 --> 00:56:45,319 it made it that much more special. 1408 00:56:45,319 --> 00:56:47,279 JOEY: Because really, it was the first time 1409 00:56:47,279 --> 00:56:51,241 me or Jesse really remember, um, celebrating a championship. 1410 00:56:51,241 --> 00:56:54,369 You know, we were just so excited to be on that stage 1411 00:56:54,369 --> 00:56:55,871 and be part of that. 1412 00:56:55,871 --> 00:56:59,082 [cheers and applause] 1413 00:56:59,082 --> 00:57:02,210 REPORTER: Is this the beginning of another dynasty? 1414 00:57:02,210 --> 00:57:04,171 - We'll just have to see what history says. 1415 00:57:04,171 --> 00:57:06,465 - And Shaq says you're gonna do it again next year. 1416 00:57:06,465 --> 00:57:08,342 [laughter] 1417 00:57:08,342 --> 00:57:09,551 That's a quote. 1418 00:57:09,551 --> 00:57:10,969 PERSON: Shaq's right. 1419 00:57:10,969 --> 00:57:12,846 - Well, if Shaq says we're gonna win, 1420 00:57:12,846 --> 00:57:14,473 uh, who am I to say? 1421 00:57:14,473 --> 00:57:17,142 [laughter] 1422 00:57:17,142 --> 00:57:19,519 Okay, Shaq. Let's do it! 1423 00:57:19,519 --> 00:57:21,355 [laughs] 1424 00:57:21,355 --> 00:57:24,358 [cheers and applause] 1425 00:57:24,358 --> 00:57:26,443 [soft uplifting music] 1426 00:57:26,443 --> 00:57:29,446 [all chanting and cheering] 1427 00:57:29,446 --> 00:57:35,285 ♪ ♪ 1428 00:57:35,285 --> 00:57:36,620 - Does that make you feel better? 1429 00:57:36,620 --> 00:57:38,205 You ain't gonna cry now, are you, Ricky? 1430 00:57:38,205 --> 00:57:39,456 - Whoo! 1431 00:57:39,456 --> 00:57:40,916 - That's what I'm talking about! 1432 00:57:42,959 --> 00:57:44,920 BUSS: I'm just happy for the fans. 1433 00:57:44,920 --> 00:57:46,797 I mean, I don't care what city you take-- 1434 00:57:46,797 --> 00:57:49,007 New York, Sacramento, Indiana. 1435 00:57:49,007 --> 00:57:50,300 Just forget it. 1436 00:57:50,300 --> 00:57:52,928 This is where the fans are. 1437 00:57:52,928 --> 00:57:54,930 You know, this trophy belongs to them. 1438 00:57:54,930 --> 00:57:57,599 I'm the keeper, but they own it. 1439 00:57:59,309 --> 00:58:00,727 REPORTER: Can you imagine what this 1440 00:58:00,727 --> 00:58:02,437 victory parade is gonna be like? 1441 00:58:02,437 --> 00:58:04,731 BUSS: I've got a feeling that Los Angeles 1442 00:58:04,731 --> 00:58:08,485 is gonna turn out in total for this particular one. 1443 00:58:08,485 --> 00:58:15,492 ♪ ♪