1 00:00:01,126 --> 00:00:02,961 [dramatic music] 2 00:00:02,961 --> 00:00:08,091 [helicopter blades whirring] 3 00:00:08,091 --> 00:00:09,676 REPORTER: That's right, Fred. 4 00:00:09,676 --> 00:00:11,428 They're rocking and rolling outside Staples Center. 5 00:00:11,428 --> 00:00:13,639 This is the biggest commotion we've had 6 00:00:13,639 --> 00:00:16,058 in downtown Los Angeles since, uh-- 7 00:00:16,058 --> 00:00:18,477 well, frankly, I can't remember the last time 8 00:00:18,477 --> 00:00:21,939 we had this much commotion in downtown Los Angeles. 9 00:00:21,939 --> 00:00:23,982 After the game was over, the fans from inside 10 00:00:23,982 --> 00:00:25,526 came pouring out here. 11 00:00:25,526 --> 00:00:27,986 It's a sea of purple and gold. 12 00:00:27,986 --> 00:00:29,154 REPORTER: It's been a dozen years 13 00:00:29,154 --> 00:00:30,489 since we've been the NBA champs, 14 00:00:30,489 --> 00:00:31,907 and of course, this is a city and a team 15 00:00:31,907 --> 00:00:33,325 that wanted it badly. 16 00:00:33,325 --> 00:00:34,535 REPORTER: Let's hope, with the new millennium, 17 00:00:34,535 --> 00:00:36,036 this'll be the first of many. 18 00:00:36,036 --> 00:00:39,581 - Everybody is so excited over this Laker victory. 19 00:00:39,581 --> 00:00:42,125 And they have been this way since the day began. 20 00:00:42,125 --> 00:00:43,919 - We have our own Kobe Bryant 21 00:00:43,919 --> 00:00:45,712 of the next generation here. 22 00:00:45,712 --> 00:00:48,298 They sure love their Lakers. 23 00:00:48,298 --> 00:00:50,425 JOHNNY: When we won the championship, it was great. 24 00:00:50,425 --> 00:00:53,512 I was cheering them on, and it was like, 25 00:00:53,512 --> 00:00:56,682 "Oh, I'm gonna go down and," you know, "celebrate now." 26 00:00:56,682 --> 00:00:59,101 [crowd cheering] 27 00:00:59,101 --> 00:01:01,687 And once I got to courtside, 28 00:01:01,687 --> 00:01:04,273 one of the NBA people stopped me and said, 29 00:01:04,273 --> 00:01:06,900 "Well, you can't come in with that pass," 30 00:01:06,900 --> 00:01:09,069 and it was like, "Uh, well, I'm Johnny Buss." 31 00:01:09,069 --> 00:01:11,238 And he said, "I don't care who you are. 32 00:01:11,238 --> 00:01:13,156 You can't come this far." 33 00:01:15,867 --> 00:01:17,744 - Let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go. 34 00:01:17,744 --> 00:01:19,037 Back this up. Back this up. 35 00:01:19,037 --> 00:01:21,748 - Here's Jimmy, Jeanie, Janie, Joey, Jesse. 36 00:01:21,748 --> 00:01:23,417 There's my dad, you know? 37 00:01:23,417 --> 00:01:26,670 - It's Magic and I, the owners, that deserve the credit. 38 00:01:26,670 --> 00:01:28,046 [laughter] 39 00:01:28,046 --> 00:01:30,465 JOHNNY: To reference The Godfather, I felt 40 00:01:30,465 --> 00:01:34,136 more kicked out of the family than kicked out of the Lakers. 41 00:01:34,136 --> 00:01:37,180 JIMMY: Staples Center was a professional corporation. 42 00:01:37,180 --> 00:01:39,808 They probably didn't recognize John. 43 00:01:39,808 --> 00:01:42,686 I think it's an overreaction, big time. 44 00:01:42,686 --> 00:01:45,814 You get tired of saying, "Well, it's just John's way." 45 00:01:45,814 --> 00:01:47,858 Be part of the team or not. 46 00:01:47,858 --> 00:01:50,485 - At that point, there were a lot of things 47 00:01:50,485 --> 00:01:52,863 that were difficult for my brothers. 48 00:01:52,863 --> 00:01:55,324 BOB: Well, Fred, it is getting a little bit busy out here, 49 00:01:55,324 --> 00:01:57,576 as they--of course, they predicted it would be. 50 00:01:57,576 --> 00:01:58,869 JEANIE: Everything's changing. 51 00:01:58,869 --> 00:02:01,413 Everything is gonna be different. 52 00:02:01,413 --> 00:02:04,499 We had won a championship in this new arena. 53 00:02:04,499 --> 00:02:07,044 Like, this was-- this was the new era. 54 00:02:07,044 --> 00:02:09,963 REPORTER: Uh, well, there we have a problem. 55 00:02:09,963 --> 00:02:13,508 - But there's never enough success to go around. 56 00:02:13,508 --> 00:02:17,387 [sirens wailing] 57 00:02:17,387 --> 00:02:20,390 [people shouting] 58 00:02:24,311 --> 00:02:28,857 ROGER TROUTMAN: ♪ California love, yeah ♪ 59 00:02:28,857 --> 00:02:32,944 ♪ California knows how to party ♪ 60 00:02:32,944 --> 00:02:34,738 ["California Love"] 61 00:02:34,738 --> 00:02:38,116 ♪ California knows how to party ♪ 62 00:02:38,116 --> 00:02:39,660 ANNOUNCER: There he is, his first shot as an owner. 63 00:02:39,660 --> 00:02:40,786 Think he likes it? 64 00:02:40,786 --> 00:02:44,331 ROGER: ♪ California ♪ 65 00:02:44,331 --> 00:02:46,166 - At this moment, I can't believe it. 66 00:02:46,166 --> 00:02:47,876 ROGER: ♪ California ♪ 67 00:02:47,876 --> 00:02:49,169 INTERVIEWER: What's the future? 68 00:02:49,169 --> 00:02:50,671 Want to replace your father at the top? 69 00:02:50,671 --> 00:02:53,131 - Yeah. [laughs] 70 00:02:53,131 --> 00:02:54,466 ROGER: ♪ In the city... ♪ 71 00:02:54,466 --> 00:02:56,385 BUSS: Between my daughters and my sons, 72 00:02:56,385 --> 00:02:59,221 there's certainly enough sports teams to go around. 73 00:02:59,221 --> 00:03:01,932 ♪ ♪ 74 00:03:01,932 --> 00:03:03,392 ROGER: ♪ The city ♪ 75 00:03:03,392 --> 00:03:05,060 INTERVIEWER: Are you and the rest of the family-- 76 00:03:05,060 --> 00:03:06,311 are you guys all on the same page? 77 00:03:06,311 --> 00:03:08,480 ♪ ♪ 78 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:10,023 REPORTER: The Lakers caught in the middle 79 00:03:10,023 --> 00:03:11,733 of a family power struggle. 80 00:03:11,733 --> 00:03:14,945 ROGER: ♪ Compton, Compton, Compton ♪ 81 00:03:16,822 --> 00:03:18,740 BUSS: I think I've really left them with something. 82 00:03:24,996 --> 00:03:26,998 INTERVIEWER: Magic Johnson, love that smile. 83 00:03:26,998 --> 00:03:28,458 It's great to be sitting across from you, Magic. 84 00:03:28,458 --> 00:03:29,835 - Thank you. Thank you. 85 00:03:29,835 --> 00:03:32,796 - And more to smile about in 2000 than in a dozen years. 86 00:03:32,796 --> 00:03:35,882 - I wanted them to win so bad, especially for Shaq, 87 00:03:35,882 --> 00:03:38,301 and then for him and Kobe to come together finally 88 00:03:38,301 --> 00:03:39,553 as teammates, 89 00:03:39,553 --> 00:03:41,596 it was a beautiful thing to watch. 90 00:03:41,596 --> 00:03:44,641 We felt we had the talent all those years 91 00:03:44,641 --> 00:03:46,268 to really win a championship, 92 00:03:46,268 --> 00:03:48,395 and then not to be able to do that, 93 00:03:48,395 --> 00:03:51,565 that didn't set well with me or Dr. Buss and Jerry West. 94 00:03:51,565 --> 00:03:52,899 INTERVIEWER: You know, I've had Jerry on the show, 95 00:03:52,899 --> 00:03:54,192 and here's a guy who's-- 96 00:03:54,192 --> 00:03:55,819 he wants the title more than anything. 97 00:03:55,819 --> 00:03:58,196 He's so shrewd in talent evaluation. 98 00:03:58,196 --> 00:04:00,907 There's a lot of word that any minute now, he could say, 99 00:04:00,907 --> 00:04:02,242 "I've had it. The pressure's too much." 100 00:04:02,242 --> 00:04:03,869 Do you think he'll stay? 101 00:04:03,869 --> 00:04:05,954 - I really think this time, 102 00:04:05,954 --> 00:04:09,207 he's really serious about retiring. 103 00:04:09,207 --> 00:04:12,043 [chatter] 104 00:04:12,043 --> 00:04:13,503 WEST: The franchise was taking off 105 00:04:13,503 --> 00:04:16,882 and doing incredible things, 106 00:04:16,882 --> 00:04:19,134 but it was getting difficult for me, okay? 107 00:04:19,134 --> 00:04:20,427 Very difficult. 108 00:04:20,427 --> 00:04:22,846 These jobs take an enormous toll. 109 00:04:22,846 --> 00:04:26,224 Every day, if you win, you're up here. 110 00:04:26,224 --> 00:04:28,894 If you lose, you're down here. And that's the problem. 111 00:04:30,312 --> 00:04:33,648 I just hated the, uh--the wear and tear on you emotionally. 112 00:04:33,648 --> 00:04:35,150 That's the pr--the problem. 113 00:04:35,150 --> 00:04:37,110 - He was talking about his heart 114 00:04:37,110 --> 00:04:38,445 and the issues he had, 115 00:04:38,445 --> 00:04:40,739 the anxiety he was feeling at the time. 116 00:04:40,739 --> 00:04:42,866 He could hardly watch games anymore. 117 00:04:44,284 --> 00:04:45,577 INTERVIEWER: Jerry, do you think 118 00:04:45,577 --> 00:04:48,413 you put too much pressure on yourself? 119 00:04:48,413 --> 00:04:50,957 - Well, that's the way I am. 120 00:04:50,957 --> 00:04:53,335 It's exactly the way I am. 121 00:04:53,335 --> 00:04:56,004 BRIAN: It felt like it just came out of nowhere, 122 00:04:56,004 --> 00:04:58,131 but, you know, you got the feeling inside 123 00:04:58,131 --> 00:05:01,301 like there was something personal 124 00:05:01,301 --> 00:05:05,138 between the two of them, you know, Phil and Jerry. 125 00:05:05,138 --> 00:05:07,349 KURT: Well, a lot of things had changed. 126 00:05:07,349 --> 00:05:10,727 Phil was now the face of the franchise 127 00:05:10,727 --> 00:05:13,772 from a front-office standpoint, and Jerry's 128 00:05:13,772 --> 00:05:17,234 kind of getting pushed to the back. 129 00:05:17,234 --> 00:05:21,029 - I guess I could feel that he wasn't, you know, 130 00:05:21,029 --> 00:05:23,198 all that excited about Phil. 131 00:05:23,198 --> 00:05:25,951 - You know, people think I don't like Phil Jackson. 132 00:05:25,951 --> 00:05:27,744 That's not the truth at all. 133 00:05:27,744 --> 00:05:29,746 Great respect for him, 134 00:05:29,746 --> 00:05:32,040 but he and I are two different people. 135 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:35,502 - From my standpoint, you know, Jerry and I had 136 00:05:35,502 --> 00:05:39,214 a very workable relationship. 137 00:05:39,214 --> 00:05:40,715 BUSS: Well, it's funny, you know? 138 00:05:40,715 --> 00:05:42,843 You--if you know Phil, you're gonna like him, 139 00:05:42,843 --> 00:05:44,761 and if you know Jerry, you like him, 140 00:05:44,761 --> 00:05:48,640 but, uh, between the two, they had big conflicts. 141 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:51,476 - They seemed to clash pretty much at the beginning. 142 00:05:51,476 --> 00:05:54,354 When he talked to Phil, it would be 143 00:05:54,354 --> 00:05:55,856 crossed arms or whatever. 144 00:05:55,856 --> 00:05:57,440 Whatever the body language was, you could tell 145 00:05:57,440 --> 00:05:59,943 it was something going on. 146 00:05:59,943 --> 00:06:02,112 MITCH: We were in the locker room after every game, 147 00:06:02,112 --> 00:06:03,530 and then the first game at Staples-- 148 00:06:03,530 --> 00:06:05,073 Staples had just opened-- 149 00:06:05,073 --> 00:06:06,658 we walk in, 150 00:06:06,658 --> 00:06:09,911 and Phil just stops 151 00:06:09,911 --> 00:06:11,788 and, in so many words, 152 00:06:11,788 --> 00:06:14,583 tells Jerry to get out of the locker room. 153 00:06:14,583 --> 00:06:17,419 - Said, "Get the fuck out my locker room" 154 00:06:17,419 --> 00:06:19,004 in front of the whole team. 155 00:06:19,004 --> 00:06:21,965 My eyes got big like they are now. 156 00:06:21,965 --> 00:06:23,967 PHIL: I know Jerry took a little offense to it, 157 00:06:23,967 --> 00:06:25,886 but there is a whole host of things 158 00:06:25,886 --> 00:06:27,929 that might've been affecting Jerry at that time 159 00:06:27,929 --> 00:06:29,514 that I have no relationship to. 160 00:06:29,514 --> 00:06:31,933 - It got to the point where he basically didn't 161 00:06:31,933 --> 00:06:35,145 hardly talk to me, which was fine. 162 00:06:35,145 --> 00:06:37,188 Long as you're winning, that's fine with me. 163 00:06:37,188 --> 00:06:39,274 But I knew-- I knew that I wasn't-- 164 00:06:39,274 --> 00:06:41,985 I was not gonna be there very much longer. 165 00:06:41,985 --> 00:06:43,987 JOHNNY: My father said Jerry had come in 166 00:06:43,987 --> 00:06:46,615 and wanted a piece of the team, 167 00:06:46,615 --> 00:06:48,325 something that my dad couldn't-- 168 00:06:48,325 --> 00:06:52,162 couldn't give him, and so, uh, they had to part. 169 00:06:53,121 --> 00:06:55,665 I think that was difficult for my dad, you know, 170 00:06:55,665 --> 00:06:58,752 'cause, I mean, Jerry was one of his confidantes. 171 00:06:58,752 --> 00:07:00,086 WEST: To be candid with you, I don't want 172 00:07:00,086 --> 00:07:02,088 to be interviewed anymore. 173 00:07:02,088 --> 00:07:04,215 I just want to disappear. 174 00:07:04,215 --> 00:07:06,551 I didn't tell anyone. 175 00:07:06,551 --> 00:07:08,011 I just left. 176 00:07:08,011 --> 00:07:09,429 I took a newspaper ad, and I left town. 177 00:07:09,429 --> 00:07:13,224 I went--I went up to Alaska fishing. 178 00:07:13,224 --> 00:07:14,809 SHAQ: I read it in the paper. 179 00:07:14,809 --> 00:07:17,145 I was very upset. 180 00:07:17,145 --> 00:07:18,730 Jerry's my guy. 181 00:07:18,730 --> 00:07:21,483 I'm only here 'cause of him. 182 00:07:21,483 --> 00:07:23,401 I actually tried to stick up for him, 183 00:07:23,401 --> 00:07:25,695 and he says, "Nope, stand down, big fella. 184 00:07:25,695 --> 00:07:27,072 Let me handle it." 185 00:07:27,072 --> 00:07:29,783 - I knew that it was gonna be a loss for the team, 186 00:07:29,783 --> 00:07:32,952 but, you know, Mitch and I knew each other for years. 187 00:07:32,952 --> 00:07:34,537 REPORTER: Patience and perseverance 188 00:07:34,537 --> 00:07:35,955 paid off for you personally, 189 00:07:35,955 --> 00:07:39,459 getting what you consider the best job in sports? 190 00:07:39,459 --> 00:07:41,836 - Well, it is the jewel, in my opinion, 191 00:07:41,836 --> 00:07:44,714 certainly in the NBA, perhaps in all of sports. 192 00:07:44,714 --> 00:07:47,008 - He had my vote, big time, because I saw 193 00:07:47,008 --> 00:07:50,095 how much he put into it, and my dad loved the guy. 194 00:07:50,095 --> 00:07:53,765 - I remember Shaq and Kobe being pretty cruel to him 195 00:07:53,765 --> 00:07:56,017 at the practice facility. 196 00:07:56,017 --> 00:07:59,145 Mitch's office overlooked the court, 197 00:07:59,145 --> 00:08:02,315 and Shaq and Kobe used to slam basketballs 198 00:08:02,315 --> 00:08:05,402 up against Mitch's, uh, window while he was at the computer. 199 00:08:05,402 --> 00:08:06,736 [ball slams] 200 00:08:06,736 --> 00:08:09,406 He would jump, and they would just laugh. 201 00:08:09,406 --> 00:08:11,866 And then, you know, like, the respect level 202 00:08:11,866 --> 00:08:14,369 between what was shown to Jerry West 203 00:08:14,369 --> 00:08:17,038 and what was shown to Mitch at the very beginning 204 00:08:17,038 --> 00:08:19,416 was very, very different. 205 00:08:19,416 --> 00:08:20,959 - I don't--I don't--I don't-- 206 00:08:20,959 --> 00:08:22,293 I don't want to talk about Mitch. 207 00:08:22,293 --> 00:08:24,796 I'm a Jerry West guy. 208 00:08:24,796 --> 00:08:27,716 - Even with all of the distractions and the chaos, 209 00:08:27,716 --> 00:08:29,092 what goes on on the court, 210 00:08:29,092 --> 00:08:30,760 that's the most important thing. 211 00:08:37,016 --> 00:08:38,476 CHICK HEARN: Thank you very, very much, 212 00:08:38,476 --> 00:08:39,894 ladies and gentlemen. 213 00:08:39,894 --> 00:08:43,189 In June, the Lakers won the championship, huh? 214 00:08:43,189 --> 00:08:45,108 [crowd cheering] 215 00:08:45,108 --> 00:08:46,568 And all it does is add up 216 00:08:46,568 --> 00:08:48,945 to the seventh world championship 217 00:08:48,945 --> 00:08:50,739 of the Los Angeles Lakers. 218 00:08:50,739 --> 00:08:53,366 [crowd cheering] 219 00:08:53,366 --> 00:08:56,578 JEANIE: Them winning that championship in 2000-- 220 00:08:56,578 --> 00:09:01,207 my dad was like, "Did Phil have to make it look so easy?" 221 00:09:01,207 --> 00:09:03,668 [crowd cheering] 222 00:09:03,668 --> 00:09:05,837 PHIL: I never thought about anything 223 00:09:05,837 --> 00:09:08,089 but doing this job the best I could 224 00:09:08,089 --> 00:09:10,091 and getting on the horse to get back after it 225 00:09:10,091 --> 00:09:13,344 the next year, trying to do it again. 226 00:09:13,344 --> 00:09:17,057 And to my players, if they stay on track, 227 00:09:17,057 --> 00:09:19,100 we might win back-to-back. 228 00:09:19,100 --> 00:09:21,811 [crowd cheering] 229 00:09:21,811 --> 00:09:23,897 The real trick is winning two. 230 00:09:23,897 --> 00:09:26,858 Coming back and winning another one the next year-- 231 00:09:26,858 --> 00:09:29,277 to do that is really special. 232 00:09:29,277 --> 00:09:31,279 [dramatic music] 233 00:09:31,279 --> 00:09:34,407 - At that point, we had swept everybody up 234 00:09:34,407 --> 00:09:35,950 until the first game of the finals. 235 00:09:35,950 --> 00:09:37,660 ANNOUNCER: It's Iverson. 236 00:09:38,787 --> 00:09:41,081 - Iverson was criticized a lot 237 00:09:41,081 --> 00:09:42,791 for trying to do everything by himself. 238 00:09:42,791 --> 00:09:45,251 PHIL: Allen Iverson's really their prime mover. 239 00:09:45,251 --> 00:09:49,089 His constant furious attack creates the energy 240 00:09:49,089 --> 00:09:51,007 that this team thrives on. 241 00:09:51,007 --> 00:09:53,885 ANNOUNCER: And steps over Tyronn Lue. 242 00:09:55,887 --> 00:09:58,890 - The Sixers won game one, but ultimately, 243 00:09:58,890 --> 00:10:02,727 the Lakers just were the better team that year. 244 00:10:02,727 --> 00:10:07,065 - I could look at Shaq or Derek or Kobe across the floor, 245 00:10:07,065 --> 00:10:09,275 and--and I was connected to them. 246 00:10:09,275 --> 00:10:11,277 [crowd cheering] 247 00:10:11,277 --> 00:10:14,280 [camera shutter clicking] 248 00:10:17,492 --> 00:10:19,077 ANNOUNCER: Oh, man. 249 00:10:19,077 --> 00:10:22,122 ANNOUNCER: Ah, he feels it-- beautiful touch. 250 00:10:22,122 --> 00:10:29,087 ♪ ♪ 251 00:10:29,087 --> 00:10:31,548 ANNOUNCER: They win tonight, 252 00:10:31,548 --> 00:10:36,761 what a magnificent finish, uh, to this playoff run. 253 00:10:36,761 --> 00:10:38,263 [buzzer sounds] 254 00:10:38,263 --> 00:10:40,140 ANNOUNCER: For the Lakers, who finish 255 00:10:40,140 --> 00:10:42,600 with a 15-and-1 run, 256 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:44,644 the best overtime... 257 00:10:44,644 --> 00:10:47,397 ROBERT: You know, when you are able to do back-to-back, 258 00:10:47,397 --> 00:10:49,983 that's when they say, "Oh, crap, y'all were good. 259 00:10:49,983 --> 00:10:51,734 Y'all were a championship team." 260 00:10:51,734 --> 00:10:53,069 REPORTER: Back-to-back! 261 00:10:53,069 --> 00:10:54,487 - Back-to-back, just like this. 262 00:10:54,487 --> 00:10:55,572 Back-to-back, baby. 263 00:10:55,572 --> 00:10:57,031 [laughing] 264 00:10:57,031 --> 00:10:58,950 REPORTER: Is this the beginning of a dynasty? 265 00:10:58,950 --> 00:11:00,994 - It possibly can be. 266 00:11:00,994 --> 00:11:02,495 REPORTER: Dr. Buss, that makes seven. 267 00:11:02,495 --> 00:11:04,372 You gotta be proud of this Laker team. 268 00:11:04,372 --> 00:11:05,874 - Yeah, I'm very proud of this team. 269 00:11:05,874 --> 00:11:07,417 I don't think anybody expected 270 00:11:07,417 --> 00:11:09,377 we could really defend the title. 271 00:11:09,377 --> 00:11:10,962 It's the first time in a long time 272 00:11:10,962 --> 00:11:12,255 it's ever been done. 273 00:11:12,255 --> 00:11:13,882 Who knows? Maybe never again. 274 00:11:13,882 --> 00:11:15,967 A piece of history right here. 275 00:11:15,967 --> 00:11:17,844 [crowd cheering] KOBE: Yeah, get it. 276 00:11:17,844 --> 00:11:20,638 We gonna get another one next year again, 277 00:11:20,638 --> 00:11:23,141 back-to-back-to-back. 278 00:11:23,141 --> 00:11:25,852 PHIL: And without getting too far ahead, 279 00:11:25,852 --> 00:11:27,854 wouldn't it be sweet to three-peat? 280 00:11:27,854 --> 00:11:28,938 [crowd cheering] 281 00:11:28,938 --> 00:11:30,940 JIM: The way things work, 282 00:11:30,940 --> 00:11:34,986 it's almost impossible to three-peat. 283 00:11:34,986 --> 00:11:37,822 Once you price yourself out of a team, 284 00:11:37,822 --> 00:11:41,451 it's hard to keep that team to win another championship. 285 00:11:41,451 --> 00:11:44,078 Now a third one? Holy smokes. 286 00:11:44,078 --> 00:11:47,790 This repeat was fantastic, but at the same time, 287 00:11:47,790 --> 00:11:49,876 you're always looking at the next year. 288 00:11:50,793 --> 00:11:53,504 ["Where Everybody Knows Your Name" playing on phone] 289 00:11:53,504 --> 00:11:55,798 SHAQ: Wave your hands in the air. 290 00:11:55,798 --> 00:11:58,468 ♪ Everything's a plan breaking up-- ♪ 291 00:11:58,468 --> 00:11:59,802 Oh, no, no, no. 292 00:11:59,802 --> 00:12:02,347 ♪ ♪ 293 00:12:02,347 --> 00:12:04,849 ♪ Winning a--la la la ♪ 294 00:12:04,849 --> 00:12:10,063 ♪ Winning a championship take everything you got ♪ 295 00:12:10,063 --> 00:12:12,607 ♪ Sacramento, they thought it was their year ♪ 296 00:12:12,607 --> 00:12:14,692 ♪ But I'm telling you it's not ♪ 297 00:12:16,402 --> 00:12:18,529 ANNOUNCER: It's the dream matchup. 298 00:12:18,529 --> 00:12:22,116 The Sacramento Kings, the best record in the NBA, 299 00:12:22,116 --> 00:12:25,662 against the two-time defending champion LA Lakers. 300 00:12:25,662 --> 00:12:27,789 Western Conference Final, game one. 301 00:12:27,789 --> 00:12:29,374 J.A.: The Lakers and the Kings had faced 302 00:12:29,374 --> 00:12:32,752 each other in the playoffs for three straight years now. 303 00:12:32,752 --> 00:12:34,587 The Lakers had won each one. 304 00:12:34,587 --> 00:12:37,632 The Kings were the better team that season. 305 00:12:37,632 --> 00:12:40,551 The teams had built up animosity, 306 00:12:40,551 --> 00:12:42,303 mocked each other in the media. 307 00:12:42,303 --> 00:12:44,514 - We're not worried about the Sacramento Queens, 308 00:12:44,514 --> 00:12:46,307 not at all. 309 00:12:46,307 --> 00:12:48,017 J.A.: I think of the movie Gladiator 310 00:12:48,017 --> 00:12:49,894 when I think of that series. 311 00:12:49,894 --> 00:12:54,399 It really was just this bloody, all-out battle. 312 00:12:56,025 --> 00:12:58,611 SHAQ: For a player like me, every team always got up 313 00:12:58,611 --> 00:13:00,405 for whatever team I was on anyway, 314 00:13:00,405 --> 00:13:03,449 but this year, it's just like they have that little extra. 315 00:13:03,449 --> 00:13:06,911 - Shaq was one of the toughest opponents 316 00:13:06,911 --> 00:13:08,788 that I play against. 317 00:13:08,788 --> 00:13:10,748 When he catch the ball in low post, 318 00:13:10,748 --> 00:13:12,417 he can score anytime. 319 00:13:12,417 --> 00:13:13,710 He's unstoppable. 320 00:13:13,710 --> 00:13:15,253 But we were winning. 321 00:13:15,253 --> 00:13:18,256 [dramatic music] 322 00:13:18,256 --> 00:13:19,716 ♪ ♪ 323 00:13:19,716 --> 00:13:21,342 ANNOUNCER: We're down to seven seconds. 324 00:13:21,342 --> 00:13:22,677 BUSS: When the ball went up, 325 00:13:22,677 --> 00:13:25,054 and then I saw Vlade slap at it, 326 00:13:25,054 --> 00:13:27,849 I thought for sure the game was over. 327 00:13:27,849 --> 00:13:29,642 ANNOUNCER: Horry! 328 00:13:29,642 --> 00:13:31,811 [wild cheering] 329 00:13:31,811 --> 00:13:33,813 BUSS: I--I looked at Horry, and I couldn't believe 330 00:13:33,813 --> 00:13:37,108 he was in the right position for that shot. 331 00:13:37,108 --> 00:13:40,278 ICE CUBE: Being at that game, Robert Horry hitting that shot 332 00:13:40,278 --> 00:13:42,905 was just electric, man, you know. 333 00:13:42,905 --> 00:13:45,742 The whole building was shaking. It was crazy. 334 00:13:45,742 --> 00:13:48,202 ROBERT: It felt great to tie that series up. 335 00:13:48,202 --> 00:13:51,080 I was just thinking, like, "Yeah, how you like me now?" 336 00:13:51,080 --> 00:13:53,291 That established me as Big Shot Rob. 337 00:13:53,291 --> 00:13:55,918 [cheers and applause] 338 00:13:55,918 --> 00:13:57,754 ♪ ♪ 339 00:13:57,754 --> 00:14:00,381 ANNOUNCER: This Western Conference Finals series 340 00:14:00,381 --> 00:14:02,675 is even at three. 341 00:14:02,675 --> 00:14:04,135 REPORTER: You win this, you're going to advance 342 00:14:04,135 --> 00:14:06,220 to play for the third straight championship. 343 00:14:06,220 --> 00:14:08,347 - This is the Lake Show you're playing-- 344 00:14:08,347 --> 00:14:10,224 me, Kobe... 345 00:14:10,224 --> 00:14:12,435 ANNOUNCER: Bryant for 3. Yes! 346 00:14:12,435 --> 00:14:14,937 - Bob, B Shaw, and Rick Fox. 347 00:14:14,937 --> 00:14:16,647 - Ah, this motherfucker! 348 00:14:16,647 --> 00:14:18,191 - I'm out there with some dogs. 349 00:14:18,191 --> 00:14:19,734 ANNOUNCER: A free throw, but this time, 350 00:14:19,734 --> 00:14:22,070 it's Shaquille O'Neal. 351 00:14:22,070 --> 00:14:23,821 - Oh, we going to the Finals. 352 00:14:23,821 --> 00:14:24,822 [buzzer sounds] 353 00:14:26,824 --> 00:14:28,284 - Whoo! 354 00:14:30,703 --> 00:14:32,246 KOBE: Now we're in the Finals. 355 00:14:32,246 --> 00:14:33,790 We're gonna come out here, let it all hang out, 356 00:14:33,790 --> 00:14:35,124 and see what happens. 357 00:14:35,124 --> 00:14:36,876 REPORTER: Byron Scott, a mentor of yours. 358 00:14:36,876 --> 00:14:38,878 What's it like to have him now on the other side? 359 00:14:38,878 --> 00:14:40,004 - I used to tell him all the time 360 00:14:40,004 --> 00:14:41,714 he was gonna be a great coach. 361 00:14:42,882 --> 00:14:45,843 BYRON: I was coaching my first job with Jersey, 362 00:14:45,843 --> 00:14:47,845 and I'm matching wits with 363 00:14:47,845 --> 00:14:49,764 one of the greatest coaches of all time, 364 00:14:49,764 --> 00:14:52,433 two of the best players of all time. 365 00:14:52,433 --> 00:14:55,269 But we're playing against a team that was a monster, 366 00:14:55,269 --> 00:14:57,146 and I think we all knew that. 367 00:14:57,146 --> 00:14:59,524 50 CENT: ♪ You can find me in the club, bottle full of bub ♪ 368 00:14:59,524 --> 00:15:02,235 ♪ Mama, I got what you need if you need to feel a buzz ♪ 369 00:15:02,235 --> 00:15:04,821 ♪ I'm into having sex I ain't into making love ♪ 370 00:15:04,821 --> 00:15:07,240 ♪ So come give me a hug if you're into getting rubbed ♪ 371 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:09,659 ♪ You can find me in the club... ♪ 372 00:15:09,659 --> 00:15:11,369 ANNOUNCER: Oh, here it is. O'Neal. 373 00:15:11,369 --> 00:15:12,995 50 CENT: ♪ If you need to feel a buzz ♪ 374 00:15:12,995 --> 00:15:15,498 ♪ I'm into having sex, I ain't into making love ♪ 375 00:15:15,498 --> 00:15:18,209 ♪ So come give me a hug if you're into getting rubbed ♪ 376 00:15:18,209 --> 00:15:20,002 [laughs] 377 00:15:20,002 --> 00:15:22,130 Don't try to act like you don't know who we be, either. 378 00:15:22,130 --> 00:15:24,549 ANNOUNCER: Oh, the Lakers are really attacking the basket. 379 00:15:24,549 --> 00:15:25,800 Beautiful. 380 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:27,218 50 CENT: Shady Aftermath. 381 00:15:29,470 --> 00:15:31,514 - I knew we was gonna sweep these motherfuckers, 382 00:15:31,514 --> 00:15:33,141 so I'm in New Jersey. 383 00:15:33,141 --> 00:15:35,810 Game four, on the floor, me and Nate Dogg, 384 00:15:35,810 --> 00:15:39,522 with my sparkles and my 8 jersey on. 385 00:15:39,522 --> 00:15:41,107 We destined to win. 386 00:15:41,107 --> 00:15:42,525 ANNOUNCER: What class. 387 00:15:42,525 --> 00:15:45,194 The Los Angeles Lakers have made it 388 00:15:45,194 --> 00:15:49,073 three straight NBA championships. 389 00:15:49,073 --> 00:15:51,576 [gentle music] 390 00:15:51,576 --> 00:15:54,912 PHIL: It's my experience that the third victory 391 00:15:54,912 --> 00:15:56,747 in, uh, three successive years is always 392 00:15:56,747 --> 00:15:58,499 the most unique and most difficult one 393 00:15:58,499 --> 00:16:00,585 to fight your way through, and it certainly was this year. 394 00:16:00,585 --> 00:16:02,128 - Winning championships are hard, 395 00:16:02,128 --> 00:16:03,921 but to win three in a row, 396 00:16:03,921 --> 00:16:05,506 that's some elite stuff right there. 397 00:16:05,506 --> 00:16:10,636 ♪ ♪ 398 00:16:10,636 --> 00:16:12,096 REPORTER: A three-peat, Dr. Buss. 399 00:16:12,096 --> 00:16:14,390 I mean, this squad has now gone down in history. 400 00:16:14,390 --> 00:16:17,018 It's etched its own name in the annals of history 401 00:16:17,018 --> 00:16:19,020 as far as the NBA is concerned. 402 00:16:19,020 --> 00:16:21,189 - Um, I guess there's only a few teams 403 00:16:21,189 --> 00:16:22,648 that have ever done that, 404 00:16:22,648 --> 00:16:25,151 uh, and suddenly, we're one of them. 405 00:16:25,151 --> 00:16:28,029 I'm so proud of these guys, I can't even tell you. 406 00:16:28,029 --> 00:16:30,781 The fans in LA-- 407 00:16:30,781 --> 00:16:34,202 I wish every one of them could be here at this moment. 408 00:16:34,202 --> 00:16:35,578 - I'm outside the New Jersey Nets' locker room 409 00:16:35,578 --> 00:16:36,871 with Byron Scott. 410 00:16:36,871 --> 00:16:38,164 - Hopefully, next year, we'll be able 411 00:16:38,164 --> 00:16:39,415 to play these guys again, and we'll see 412 00:16:39,415 --> 00:16:40,583 if it's a different story. 413 00:16:40,583 --> 00:16:42,460 See, I had those mixed emotions. 414 00:16:42,460 --> 00:16:45,504 [laughs] 'Cause I was like, "Damn." 415 00:16:45,504 --> 00:16:48,591 But I was also like, yes, it's my organization. 416 00:16:49,926 --> 00:16:52,845 Feeling the satisfaction to watch this particular team 417 00:16:52,845 --> 00:16:54,722 get back to the top again and do it, 418 00:16:54,722 --> 00:16:56,140 you know, for three straight years, 419 00:16:56,140 --> 00:16:57,308 something that we wanted to do, 420 00:16:57,308 --> 00:16:58,601 something that we tried to do. 421 00:17:00,186 --> 00:17:01,938 ROBERT: Magic and Kareem were able to win 422 00:17:01,938 --> 00:17:03,314 back-to-back titles, 423 00:17:03,314 --> 00:17:05,524 but yet they weren't able to three-peat. 424 00:17:08,236 --> 00:17:12,782 - Once a dynasty expires, like we did, 425 00:17:12,782 --> 00:17:16,035 it was just--how long was it going to take 426 00:17:16,035 --> 00:17:19,664 for Jerry to build another dynasty? 427 00:17:19,664 --> 00:17:22,583 And it wasn't until almost ten years. 428 00:17:22,583 --> 00:17:25,378 Phil Jackson showed up, and they won three in a row. 429 00:17:25,378 --> 00:17:29,131 ♪ ♪ 430 00:17:29,131 --> 00:17:32,218 - Oh! [laughing] 431 00:17:32,218 --> 00:17:34,053 PLAYERS: One, two, three! One, two, three! 432 00:17:34,053 --> 00:17:36,347 PAT: But all things that are great 433 00:17:36,347 --> 00:17:38,975 one day come to an end. 434 00:17:38,975 --> 00:17:40,434 - Congratulations, the greatest. 435 00:17:40,434 --> 00:17:42,562 - Congratulations, the most dominant. 436 00:17:42,562 --> 00:17:43,813 - You need to take that jersey off 437 00:17:43,813 --> 00:17:45,064 and put your own jersey on, player. 438 00:17:45,064 --> 00:17:46,357 - About time now? - Yeah. 439 00:17:46,357 --> 00:17:48,943 - Holla. Holla. 440 00:17:52,113 --> 00:17:53,948 - This is what we work hard for right here tonight. 441 00:17:53,948 --> 00:17:56,409 Right here. 442 00:17:56,409 --> 00:17:58,035 ANNOUNCER: Time winding down. 443 00:17:58,035 --> 00:18:01,038 [gentle music] 444 00:18:01,038 --> 00:18:05,793 ♪ ♪ 445 00:18:05,793 --> 00:18:09,922 JOHNNY: We were doing great ourselves, with the Sparks. 446 00:18:09,922 --> 00:18:12,425 The crazy thing was--was because the Lakers did 447 00:18:12,425 --> 00:18:14,468 the same thing the year before. 448 00:18:14,468 --> 00:18:19,640 ♪ ♪ 449 00:18:19,640 --> 00:18:22,059 It made me feel so proud. 450 00:18:22,059 --> 00:18:23,936 You know, I didn't talk to my dad very often 451 00:18:23,936 --> 00:18:25,396 at that period of time. 452 00:18:25,396 --> 00:18:26,814 [phone ringing] 453 00:18:26,814 --> 00:18:29,108 But he called me from Italy. 454 00:18:29,108 --> 00:18:30,484 "Hey, Dad. 455 00:18:30,484 --> 00:18:33,195 How did you know, you know, we just won?" 456 00:18:33,195 --> 00:18:35,740 And it was, "Of course I know you won. 457 00:18:35,740 --> 00:18:39,285 I'm very interested in this. This is incredible." 458 00:18:39,285 --> 00:18:41,329 BUSS: I'm happy that John was able 459 00:18:41,329 --> 00:18:43,873 to win championships on his own. 460 00:18:43,873 --> 00:18:46,125 If your father's winning all these championships 461 00:18:46,125 --> 00:18:48,336 and you're running a team, 462 00:18:48,336 --> 00:18:50,504 people say, "Well, you weren't doing it 463 00:18:50,504 --> 00:18:51,797 as well as your father," 464 00:18:51,797 --> 00:18:53,799 but if you win some championships, 465 00:18:53,799 --> 00:18:56,594 then you get the same kind of applause. 466 00:18:56,594 --> 00:18:57,970 MICHAEL: They stayed apart. 467 00:18:57,970 --> 00:19:00,222 I never really seen them together much. 468 00:19:00,222 --> 00:19:02,141 But Johnny and I talked about his father 469 00:19:02,141 --> 00:19:03,726 being happy and pleased about the way 470 00:19:03,726 --> 00:19:05,102 he's handling the team. 471 00:19:05,102 --> 00:19:07,647 He says, "Coop, man, he's loving it." 472 00:19:07,647 --> 00:19:09,148 - Jimmy was just-- 473 00:19:09,148 --> 00:19:10,483 I couldn't get a word in edgewise. 474 00:19:10,483 --> 00:19:11,901 It was like, "Can you believe this? 475 00:19:11,901 --> 00:19:13,319 Can you believe this?" 476 00:19:13,319 --> 00:19:16,822 I think he was in Vegas when he called. 477 00:19:16,822 --> 00:19:19,033 PRODUCER: Johnny said that the call from you 478 00:19:19,033 --> 00:19:20,743 meant a lot to him. 479 00:19:20,743 --> 00:19:24,622 JIM: I'm glad something meant something to him. 480 00:19:24,622 --> 00:19:27,208 Maybe patch up the 2000 era. 481 00:19:27,208 --> 00:19:29,418 Who knows what he was going through, you know, 482 00:19:29,418 --> 00:19:30,961 personally, too? 483 00:19:30,961 --> 00:19:32,838 JOHNNY: But, uh, it was just a fun moment 484 00:19:32,838 --> 00:19:34,382 for the boys, I guess. 485 00:19:34,382 --> 00:19:37,551 ♪ ♪ 486 00:19:37,551 --> 00:19:38,886 LON: I was an agent 487 00:19:38,886 --> 00:19:40,805 representing Michael Cooper at the time, 488 00:19:40,805 --> 00:19:42,515 and Jeanie was a friend of mine. 489 00:19:42,515 --> 00:19:43,891 And Johnny was running the Sparks. 490 00:19:43,891 --> 00:19:45,226 The Sparks were doing pretty well. 491 00:19:45,226 --> 00:19:46,686 He put together a strong franchise, 492 00:19:46,686 --> 00:19:47,895 had good players. 493 00:19:47,895 --> 00:19:49,605 Their attendance was pretty good. 494 00:19:49,605 --> 00:19:51,190 They were selling sponsorships, and they were winning. 495 00:19:51,190 --> 00:19:53,067 They won some championships. 496 00:19:53,067 --> 00:19:57,238 But his relationship with Jeanie was really hard. 497 00:19:57,238 --> 00:20:00,199 JEANIE: Oh, I was so happy when the Sparks repeated. 498 00:20:00,199 --> 00:20:02,702 My brother did a great job. 499 00:20:02,702 --> 00:20:05,663 JOHNNY: Jeanie--I did run into her and talk to her. 500 00:20:05,663 --> 00:20:07,039 Of course, you know, they're gonna say 501 00:20:07,039 --> 00:20:08,958 "Congratulations," you know. 502 00:20:08,958 --> 00:20:11,419 But there was a level of resentment. 503 00:20:12,670 --> 00:20:14,630 And I talked to my dad about it, 504 00:20:14,630 --> 00:20:17,466 and he said, "Well, Jeanie is still a little upset 505 00:20:17,466 --> 00:20:20,094 that she didn't get the WNBA team." 506 00:20:20,094 --> 00:20:22,179 LON: Because Jeanie's a female, people thought 507 00:20:22,179 --> 00:20:24,765 it'd just be run by a female. 508 00:20:24,765 --> 00:20:26,392 JEANIE: I'm envious, you know? 509 00:20:26,392 --> 00:20:28,477 And there were people saying, "Well, 510 00:20:28,477 --> 00:20:30,563 why didn't you get that opportunity?" 511 00:20:32,106 --> 00:20:34,567 JOHNNY: Jeanie and I already got to that point 512 00:20:34,567 --> 00:20:36,694 where we didn't talk that often. 513 00:20:36,694 --> 00:20:41,991 But maybe if Jeanie had taken over the WNBA, 514 00:20:41,991 --> 00:20:45,369 maybe she wouldn't have got the job with the Lakers. 515 00:20:45,369 --> 00:20:47,621 If you look at her path, 516 00:20:47,621 --> 00:20:50,416 everything was perfect for her. 517 00:20:50,416 --> 00:20:52,752 And if that was my father's doing 518 00:20:52,752 --> 00:20:56,380 or if that was just, you know, by chance, 519 00:20:56,380 --> 00:20:59,800 I mean, Jeanie, are you-- are you complaining, you know? 520 00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:02,219 I mean, you can't have everything. 521 00:21:03,471 --> 00:21:05,556 JEANIE: My dad would have said, "I want you to do this," 522 00:21:05,556 --> 00:21:07,975 I would have done it in--in a heartbeat. 523 00:21:07,975 --> 00:21:10,811 But, you know, I understood why he had Johnny 524 00:21:10,811 --> 00:21:13,981 take on that role: because my dad didn't want me 525 00:21:13,981 --> 00:21:16,567 to lose focus on the Lakers. 526 00:21:16,567 --> 00:21:19,445 You know, whatever I can do to support the team is--yeah. 527 00:21:19,445 --> 00:21:20,821 - The big things and the little things, right? 528 00:21:20,821 --> 00:21:22,198 - Right. Right. 529 00:21:22,198 --> 00:21:23,949 - Of course, I feel very comfortable with Jeanie. 530 00:21:23,949 --> 00:21:26,869 I have turned things essentially over to her 531 00:21:26,869 --> 00:21:28,496 the last seven or eight years, 532 00:21:28,496 --> 00:21:30,539 and, uh, this is marvelous. 533 00:21:30,539 --> 00:21:33,626 I can just sit back in that box, as you say, 534 00:21:33,626 --> 00:21:35,961 party a little bit, and watch the basketball games 535 00:21:35,961 --> 00:21:39,298 and know everything's in good hands with Jeanie. 536 00:21:39,298 --> 00:21:40,758 [somber music] 537 00:21:40,758 --> 00:21:41,926 PHIL: She didn't want to golf. 538 00:21:41,926 --> 00:21:43,260 She didn't want to play cards. 539 00:21:43,260 --> 00:21:44,470 She was always at work. 540 00:21:44,470 --> 00:21:46,180 She was always doing her job. 541 00:21:46,180 --> 00:21:47,973 ♪ ♪ 542 00:21:47,973 --> 00:21:51,185 And she was always, you know, present. 543 00:21:51,185 --> 00:21:52,770 ♪ ♪ 544 00:21:52,770 --> 00:21:54,021 JEANIE: By that time, 545 00:21:54,021 --> 00:21:55,397 Phil and I were living together 546 00:21:55,397 --> 00:21:57,900 in a house by the beach. 547 00:21:57,900 --> 00:21:59,735 Before I would leave for work, he'd say, 548 00:21:59,735 --> 00:22:02,071 "What time are you gonna be home?" 549 00:22:02,071 --> 00:22:04,156 He did like to cook, and he would tell me 550 00:22:04,156 --> 00:22:05,616 what he was gonna make. 551 00:22:05,616 --> 00:22:07,451 ♪ ♪ 552 00:22:07,451 --> 00:22:09,954 I had my dog, Princess, 553 00:22:09,954 --> 00:22:11,580 but he called her Cujo. 554 00:22:11,580 --> 00:22:13,082 [laughs] [barks] 555 00:22:13,082 --> 00:22:16,460 And they would be home during the day, when I was at work. 556 00:22:16,460 --> 00:22:19,129 When he was cooking, he would hold her. 557 00:22:19,129 --> 00:22:20,631 Aww. 558 00:22:20,631 --> 00:22:23,050 Are you getting some kisses from little Princess Cujo? 559 00:22:23,050 --> 00:22:24,510 And there were some times 560 00:22:24,510 --> 00:22:26,929 that I would be late for dinner, 561 00:22:26,929 --> 00:22:29,765 and it-- it really bothered him. 562 00:22:31,642 --> 00:22:34,478 - A lot of times, she'd get caught in a conversation 563 00:22:34,478 --> 00:22:36,438 when another owner had called. 564 00:22:36,438 --> 00:22:38,440 JEANIE: Something always came up. 565 00:22:38,440 --> 00:22:41,277 At the end of the day, there was always something going on. 566 00:22:41,277 --> 00:22:43,237 ♪ ♪ 567 00:22:43,237 --> 00:22:45,155 PHIL: She knew kind of the life 568 00:22:45,155 --> 00:22:49,493 and the heart and soul of what this was all about. 569 00:22:49,493 --> 00:22:52,121 - I paid my dues. 570 00:22:52,121 --> 00:22:55,541 REPORTER: Jeanie, when you came to the Lakers, 571 00:22:55,541 --> 00:22:57,626 were you treated as though you'd paid your dues, 572 00:22:57,626 --> 00:23:00,129 or was there a sense of, "Ah, this is the boss' daughter"? 573 00:23:00,129 --> 00:23:03,340 - Um, well, I'll always be Jerry Buss' daughter. 574 00:23:03,340 --> 00:23:05,676 - I don't like to see the pressures 575 00:23:05,676 --> 00:23:07,428 that are put on her. 576 00:23:07,428 --> 00:23:10,180 Uh, I think that I feel responsible 577 00:23:10,180 --> 00:23:12,933 when she gets into so much stress, 578 00:23:12,933 --> 00:23:14,768 and I kind of wish I could remove it, 579 00:23:14,768 --> 00:23:16,896 but it's too late now. 580 00:23:16,896 --> 00:23:20,065 - You'd feel that way no matter what I was doing in my life 581 00:23:20,065 --> 00:23:22,902 because you're my dad. 582 00:23:22,902 --> 00:23:25,321 LINDA: He worried about her. 583 00:23:25,321 --> 00:23:28,616 He wished in some ways 584 00:23:28,616 --> 00:23:31,201 she could have taken a break. 585 00:23:31,201 --> 00:23:35,289 He told me, "I really wish she would get married again 586 00:23:35,289 --> 00:23:37,583 and have a family." 587 00:23:37,583 --> 00:23:41,128 This is my shower. Isn't this fun? 588 00:23:41,128 --> 00:23:43,964 JEANIE: The women that were my age that were my friends-- 589 00:23:43,964 --> 00:23:46,550 you know, by-- by then, were--were, 590 00:23:46,550 --> 00:23:47,885 you know, building their family, 591 00:23:47,885 --> 00:23:49,219 having their children. 592 00:23:49,219 --> 00:23:52,306 - I think she's always wanted to have kids. 593 00:23:52,306 --> 00:23:54,141 Um, she talks about it. 594 00:23:54,141 --> 00:23:57,102 She would be just like my dad, probably sad. 595 00:23:57,102 --> 00:23:59,355 Because she's so into the business, 596 00:23:59,355 --> 00:24:01,732 how could you possibly raise a family? 597 00:24:01,732 --> 00:24:03,817 ♪ ♪ 598 00:24:03,817 --> 00:24:07,112 JEANIE: I don't think I could have been a working mom. 599 00:24:07,112 --> 00:24:09,365 I think that would have torn me apart. 600 00:24:09,365 --> 00:24:13,202 Do enough in your job so you don't get behind. 601 00:24:13,202 --> 00:24:17,039 Do enough, you know, so you don't miss milestones 602 00:24:17,039 --> 00:24:19,792 of your child's development. 603 00:24:19,792 --> 00:24:23,712 Not, um, judgmental of anybody who-- 604 00:24:23,712 --> 00:24:27,633 who felt like they could do it all, but that wasn't me. 605 00:24:29,134 --> 00:24:31,887 LINDA: Dr. Buss told her, "You know, 606 00:24:31,887 --> 00:24:34,932 you don't have to work so hard." 607 00:24:34,932 --> 00:24:40,062 But I think she really felt that it would please her dad. 608 00:24:40,062 --> 00:24:44,400 I think everything was more based on pleasing her father 609 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:47,486 and getting his approval. 610 00:24:47,486 --> 00:24:51,031 - That's probably the-- the most motivating factor 611 00:24:51,031 --> 00:24:55,285 for, um, working hard and dedicating myself here, 612 00:24:55,285 --> 00:24:59,498 is, you know, to--to impress him with my ability. 613 00:24:59,498 --> 00:25:04,003 ♪ ♪ 614 00:25:04,003 --> 00:25:06,422 JOHNNY: My father understood it was time for him 615 00:25:06,422 --> 00:25:08,882 to kind of back out of the Lakers. 616 00:25:08,882 --> 00:25:11,885 He certainly was grooming Jimmy and Jeanie, 617 00:25:11,885 --> 00:25:14,013 uh, during that period of time. 618 00:25:14,013 --> 00:25:16,223 - When your father owns the team, 619 00:25:16,223 --> 00:25:19,560 you would assume eventually, you're going to own the team. 620 00:25:20,686 --> 00:25:23,480 Around that time, my title changed. 621 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:25,274 My dad said, "It would be better 622 00:25:25,274 --> 00:25:28,193 if you were assistant GM." 623 00:25:28,193 --> 00:25:30,279 I think my dad wanted me to start, 624 00:25:30,279 --> 00:25:33,282 you know, having that distinctiveness 625 00:25:33,282 --> 00:25:35,451 that, "Okay, he's not just a scout." 626 00:25:48,297 --> 00:25:50,758 KURT: Dr. Buss created a job for me 627 00:25:50,758 --> 00:25:52,384 to work in the front office 628 00:25:52,384 --> 00:25:56,305 to hopefully increase Jimmy's understanding of the sport. 629 00:25:56,305 --> 00:25:59,808 - My dad knew, for the team to be successful 630 00:25:59,808 --> 00:26:04,772 and for me to be successful, that Jimmy had to understand 631 00:26:04,772 --> 00:26:07,524 exactly what it was like on the road. 632 00:26:07,524 --> 00:26:10,360 ♪ ♪ 633 00:26:10,360 --> 00:26:15,032 But I had my doubts that my brother would be able 634 00:26:15,032 --> 00:26:20,204 to sustain that kind of routine and schedule 635 00:26:20,204 --> 00:26:24,750 and, you know, be on time 'cause it's hard. 636 00:26:24,750 --> 00:26:29,546 It's a--it's a grueling life, and it takes a toll on you. 637 00:26:29,546 --> 00:26:31,632 - There was not much downtime. 638 00:26:31,632 --> 00:26:33,884 I was scouting pretty much all the time. 639 00:26:33,884 --> 00:26:36,637 - Uh, I think he enjoyed the attention 640 00:26:36,637 --> 00:26:39,348 that the Lakers gave him. 641 00:26:39,348 --> 00:26:41,433 Jimmy liked being recognized. 642 00:26:41,433 --> 00:26:43,644 [crowd cheering] 643 00:26:43,644 --> 00:26:46,897 Now he could date any girl in Los Angeles. 644 00:26:46,897 --> 00:26:49,733 He could get into any club in Los Angeles. 645 00:26:49,733 --> 00:26:52,027 PHIL: Jimmy lived a different life than I did, 646 00:26:52,027 --> 00:26:54,571 going to clubs after hours. 647 00:26:54,571 --> 00:26:57,533 - Jimmy said, "I don't think Phil likes me." 648 00:26:57,533 --> 00:26:59,118 - I left him behind sometimes. 649 00:26:59,118 --> 00:27:00,869 He was out too late at night, 650 00:27:00,869 --> 00:27:02,913 couldn't make it to the bus on time. 651 00:27:02,913 --> 00:27:05,707 - It was one time, and I was standing 652 00:27:05,707 --> 00:27:08,043 when the bus started to drive away. 653 00:27:08,043 --> 00:27:09,878 PHIL: I just said, "You know, this is the way 654 00:27:09,878 --> 00:27:11,839 "we operate as an organization. 655 00:27:11,839 --> 00:27:13,423 "You gotta be part of what we do, 656 00:27:13,423 --> 00:27:16,385 "and this is how we live on the road. 657 00:27:16,385 --> 00:27:19,513 You go on four hours of sleep, you get four hours of sleep." 658 00:27:19,513 --> 00:27:22,182 MITCH: I'm not sure Jimmy felt comfortable, you know, 659 00:27:22,182 --> 00:27:25,394 having conversations with people like Phil Jackson, 660 00:27:25,394 --> 00:27:27,104 and understandably so, right? 661 00:27:27,104 --> 00:27:28,814 Phil won championships. 662 00:27:28,814 --> 00:27:31,733 He's played in the NBA ten years, you know, 663 00:27:31,733 --> 00:27:33,193 and you're the owner's son. 664 00:27:33,193 --> 00:27:35,153 How are you supposed to feel comfortable? 665 00:27:35,153 --> 00:27:37,406 JIM: I was sitting in a meeting with Mitch, 666 00:27:37,406 --> 00:27:39,783 my dad, Phil Jackson. 667 00:27:39,783 --> 00:27:43,412 They asked a question, and I stumbled. 668 00:27:43,412 --> 00:27:46,039 And after that, my dad said, 669 00:27:46,039 --> 00:27:49,167 "You are not ready unless you can answer 670 00:27:49,167 --> 00:27:51,336 those kind of questions fluently." 671 00:27:51,336 --> 00:27:54,256 I thought I was smart enough to have 672 00:27:54,256 --> 00:27:56,758 a conversation with a Mitch Kupchak in basketball 673 00:27:56,758 --> 00:27:58,677 or anybody else, but I-- 674 00:27:58,677 --> 00:28:00,387 it turned out I wasn't. 675 00:28:00,387 --> 00:28:03,348 And that made me just study that much harder. 676 00:28:03,348 --> 00:28:06,101 JOHNNY: It seemed like everything was okay with Jimmy 677 00:28:06,101 --> 00:28:10,230 because my dad still had him under his wing. 678 00:28:10,230 --> 00:28:12,190 It was exactly what he wanted, you know. 679 00:28:12,190 --> 00:28:14,276 Jeanie rising up in the business. 680 00:28:14,276 --> 00:28:17,696 Jimmy rising up in-- in the player side of things. 681 00:28:17,696 --> 00:28:21,575 JEANIE: I oversaw ticketing, broadcast, sponsorship, 682 00:28:21,575 --> 00:28:25,537 and Jim oversaw players, coaches, trades. 683 00:28:25,537 --> 00:28:29,249 So I'm on the side of producing revenue, 684 00:28:29,249 --> 00:28:34,046 and the basketball side's on the side of spending revenue. 685 00:28:34,046 --> 00:28:36,465 - Even though they were climbing together, 686 00:28:36,465 --> 00:28:39,760 Jeanie was getting information from elsewhere. 687 00:28:39,760 --> 00:28:42,220 - As far as the basketball operations, 688 00:28:42,220 --> 00:28:45,891 I really didn't get much feedback from her 689 00:28:45,891 --> 00:28:48,435 until Phil Jackson came involved. 690 00:28:49,311 --> 00:28:51,480 JOHNNY: Phil Jackson had her ear 691 00:28:51,480 --> 00:28:54,149 about what was happening with the team. 692 00:28:54,149 --> 00:28:56,276 It kind of separated Jimmy and Jeanie. 693 00:28:56,276 --> 00:29:02,616 ♪ ♪ 694 00:29:02,616 --> 00:29:04,743 ANNOUNCER: Shaq and Kobe and the rest of the Lakers 695 00:29:04,743 --> 00:29:07,287 knows that it's over. 696 00:29:07,287 --> 00:29:11,124 J.A.: The next year, they lost that playoff series. 697 00:29:11,124 --> 00:29:14,503 Just the weight and the grind of going to the finals 698 00:29:14,503 --> 00:29:18,423 three straight years caught up with them. 699 00:29:18,423 --> 00:29:20,133 You see the sadness on the faces 700 00:29:20,133 --> 00:29:23,387 because they had something special, and it was over. 701 00:29:23,387 --> 00:29:25,055 But then they reload with Gary Payton 702 00:29:25,055 --> 00:29:26,473 and Karl Malone. 703 00:29:26,473 --> 00:29:28,725 So now it's back to, "Oh, this team's gonna be 704 00:29:28,725 --> 00:29:30,852 back in the finals again." 705 00:29:30,852 --> 00:29:34,022 GARY: I was getting older, 14th year. 706 00:29:34,022 --> 00:29:35,691 I said, "Where should I go? 707 00:29:35,691 --> 00:29:36,942 "Is this gon' make my legacy 708 00:29:36,942 --> 00:29:39,027 to win a championship?" 709 00:29:39,027 --> 00:29:44,324 And then that call came from my little brother, Shaq. 710 00:29:44,324 --> 00:29:48,578 "Bro, you about to be a free agent. 711 00:29:48,578 --> 00:29:52,082 Come on over here and let me get you one of these chips." 712 00:29:52,082 --> 00:29:54,209 And then me and Karl had been talking 713 00:29:54,209 --> 00:29:55,919 about playing together. 714 00:29:56,920 --> 00:29:58,547 JIM: Well, Karl Malone was-- 715 00:29:58,547 --> 00:30:00,298 he was a Laker Buster. 716 00:30:00,298 --> 00:30:03,802 Like, can we please just get this guy on our team? 717 00:30:03,802 --> 00:30:05,721 Gary Payton, same thing, you know. 718 00:30:05,721 --> 00:30:08,432 He's just-- just would crush us. 719 00:30:08,432 --> 00:30:10,851 GARY: Dr. Buss built a way to get both of us. 720 00:30:12,269 --> 00:30:15,814 PHIL: I'd like to acknowledge, uh, Dr. Jerry Buss, you know, 721 00:30:15,814 --> 00:30:17,524 the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, 722 00:30:17,524 --> 00:30:20,318 and of course, the Buss family. 723 00:30:20,318 --> 00:30:22,612 GARY: Me and Karl--we were still doing things, you know. 724 00:30:22,612 --> 00:30:24,239 We--we were still good. 725 00:30:24,239 --> 00:30:26,783 Everybody was talking about-- we was gonna be special. 726 00:30:26,783 --> 00:30:29,161 And them two kids was phenomenal. 727 00:30:29,161 --> 00:30:31,955 They were crazy, and they were just starting to roll. 728 00:30:33,415 --> 00:30:36,835 Then all--all everything broke--broke apart. 729 00:30:43,091 --> 00:30:45,427 REPORTER: Earlier today, charges were filed 730 00:30:45,427 --> 00:30:47,554 against Kobe Bean Bryant 731 00:30:47,554 --> 00:30:51,516 of one count of sexual assault. 732 00:30:51,516 --> 00:30:54,186 DEREK: I think I was at the Beverly Center, 733 00:30:54,186 --> 00:30:57,439 and I was like, "Nah. 734 00:30:57,439 --> 00:30:59,066 Are you sure?" 735 00:30:59,066 --> 00:31:00,692 PRODUCER: Did you call him? 736 00:31:00,692 --> 00:31:05,405 - Yeah, but impossible to get through at that time. 737 00:31:06,406 --> 00:31:08,909 BRIAN: I left the Lakers in 2003. 738 00:31:08,909 --> 00:31:10,911 But I called him and left him a long message 739 00:31:10,911 --> 00:31:13,955 and hoped that everything, you know, 740 00:31:13,955 --> 00:31:16,833 turned out well for him. 741 00:31:16,833 --> 00:31:18,210 RICK: He called me. 742 00:31:18,210 --> 00:31:20,128 I just remember he was just like, 743 00:31:20,128 --> 00:31:21,463 "You know that's not true, right, Rick?" 744 00:31:21,463 --> 00:31:23,882 I said-- I--I said, "Bro, I know." 745 00:31:23,882 --> 00:31:26,093 And so I was concerned for him. 746 00:31:26,093 --> 00:31:28,136 He was super upset 'cause he felt mis-- 747 00:31:28,136 --> 00:31:29,596 you know, he felt misrepresented 748 00:31:29,596 --> 00:31:32,140 and misunderstood, and... 749 00:31:32,140 --> 00:31:34,351 REPORTER: After three months of seclusion, 750 00:31:34,351 --> 00:31:37,354 Kobe Bryant told reporters how he's really feeling. 751 00:31:37,354 --> 00:31:38,480 REPORTER: Are you scared? 752 00:31:38,480 --> 00:31:40,315 - Terrified. Not--not much-- 753 00:31:40,315 --> 00:31:42,067 not so much for myself but just for, 754 00:31:42,067 --> 00:31:44,444 uh, what my family's been going through. 755 00:31:44,444 --> 00:31:47,781 [somber music] 756 00:31:47,781 --> 00:31:50,117 J.A.: One thing we noticed: 757 00:31:50,117 --> 00:31:52,202 Shaq wasn't particularly supportive 758 00:31:52,202 --> 00:31:54,996 publicly at that time or privately. 759 00:31:54,996 --> 00:31:57,749 - Some things were said that got back to Shaq 760 00:31:57,749 --> 00:32:01,962 that Kobe had mentioned to the cops. 761 00:32:03,588 --> 00:32:05,841 There's a street code, you know. 762 00:32:05,841 --> 00:32:08,218 You don't bring anybody else's name into it. 763 00:32:08,218 --> 00:32:13,265 And so therein lies the tension that--that came after. 764 00:32:14,432 --> 00:32:16,101 LUKE WALTON: Most of the season my rookie year, 765 00:32:16,101 --> 00:32:17,811 we were on edge. 766 00:32:17,811 --> 00:32:21,148 You know, part of it was like, "Is this Shaq's team? 767 00:32:21,148 --> 00:32:22,858 Is it Kobe's team?" 768 00:32:22,858 --> 00:32:26,361 Part of it is what he was going through. 769 00:32:26,361 --> 00:32:29,322 But as it gained more power 770 00:32:29,322 --> 00:32:31,241 and more coverage in the media, 771 00:32:31,241 --> 00:32:34,411 then it affected our locker room more. 772 00:32:34,411 --> 00:32:35,787 - The Lakers' offseason started 773 00:32:35,787 --> 00:32:37,330 with the budget-friendly additions 774 00:32:37,330 --> 00:32:39,791 of future Hall of Famers Karl Malone and Gary Payton 775 00:32:39,791 --> 00:32:42,210 and talks of a 70-plus win season. 776 00:32:42,210 --> 00:32:43,461 Now the Lakers have 777 00:32:43,461 --> 00:32:45,422 a recurring problem to tend to: 778 00:32:45,422 --> 00:32:47,424 the on-again, now off-again relationship 779 00:32:47,424 --> 00:32:49,759 between Kobe and Shaquille O'Neal. 780 00:32:49,759 --> 00:32:52,053 PHIL: They had reached a certain impasse 781 00:32:52,053 --> 00:32:55,056 the beginning of the season before the first game. 782 00:32:55,056 --> 00:32:56,933 REPORTER: The latest in their long line of rifts 783 00:32:56,933 --> 00:32:58,852 came after Shaquille O'Neal suggested 784 00:32:58,852 --> 00:33:00,979 that Kobe Bryant should pass more 785 00:33:00,979 --> 00:33:03,481 until his legs get stronger. 786 00:33:03,481 --> 00:33:05,108 Bryant said he didn't need advice 787 00:33:05,108 --> 00:33:06,735 on how to play his position, 788 00:33:06,735 --> 00:33:08,486 to which Shaq responded, 789 00:33:08,486 --> 00:33:10,405 "I'm not telling him how to play his position. 790 00:33:10,405 --> 00:33:12,949 I'm telling him how to play team ball." 791 00:33:12,949 --> 00:33:15,285 MITCH: Phil said, "This is gonna stop. 792 00:33:15,285 --> 00:33:17,954 I'll take Shaq," and he said, "Mitch, you take Kobe." 793 00:33:17,954 --> 00:33:19,581 And we just got to say that you can't be crushing 794 00:33:19,581 --> 00:33:21,166 each other in the press. 795 00:33:21,166 --> 00:33:23,668 I mean, it's not--that's not how teammates operate. 796 00:33:23,668 --> 00:33:26,129 You know, if it continues, we're gonna have to fine you. 797 00:33:26,129 --> 00:33:27,547 KARL: We say what we need to stay as a team, 798 00:33:27,547 --> 00:33:28,965 and then we go out, and we handle it, 799 00:33:28,965 --> 00:33:30,759 uh, like professional athletes. 800 00:33:30,759 --> 00:33:32,844 MITCH: So I did say it to Kobe, yeah. 801 00:33:32,844 --> 00:33:34,554 And he nodded his head. 802 00:33:34,554 --> 00:33:35,931 And I said, "Do you understand?" 803 00:33:35,931 --> 00:33:37,390 He goes, "I understand." 804 00:33:37,390 --> 00:33:41,394 And on his way home, he called the writer. 805 00:33:41,394 --> 00:33:44,231 ANCHOR: Our Jim Gray just got off the phone with Kobe, 806 00:33:44,231 --> 00:33:46,608 who apparently has responded to Shaquille again. 807 00:33:46,608 --> 00:33:48,610 JIM GRAY: Well, Mike, he has an awful lot to say. 808 00:33:48,610 --> 00:33:50,820 As far as Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe said, 809 00:33:50,820 --> 00:33:52,280 "It doesn't matter whose team it is. 810 00:33:52,280 --> 00:33:53,782 "Nobody cares. 811 00:33:53,782 --> 00:33:56,701 "But since it is his team, no more coming into camp 812 00:33:56,701 --> 00:33:58,370 "fat and out of shape. 813 00:33:58,370 --> 00:34:00,872 "If leaving the Lakers at the end of the season 814 00:34:00,872 --> 00:34:03,917 "is what I decide to do, a major reason for that 815 00:34:03,917 --> 00:34:07,337 "will be Shaq's childlike selfishness and jealousy. 816 00:34:07,337 --> 00:34:09,589 "I asked Phil to say something 817 00:34:09,589 --> 00:34:12,050 "to calm the situation down before it boiled over, 818 00:34:12,050 --> 00:34:14,010 "but he backed away. 819 00:34:14,010 --> 00:34:16,471 So now here we are." 820 00:34:16,471 --> 00:34:18,473 BRIAN: I was in Oakland at home. 821 00:34:18,473 --> 00:34:21,142 I got a call from Devean George. 822 00:34:21,142 --> 00:34:23,311 And he said Shaq had told 823 00:34:23,311 --> 00:34:25,272 some of the other guys on the team, 824 00:34:25,272 --> 00:34:26,648 "When Kobe gets to practice tomorrow, 825 00:34:26,648 --> 00:34:28,024 I'm gonna beat his ass." 826 00:34:28,024 --> 00:34:29,401 It was on. 827 00:34:29,401 --> 00:34:30,860 DEVEAN: B Shaw was off the team, 828 00:34:30,860 --> 00:34:34,197 but he still could tell each and every person 829 00:34:34,197 --> 00:34:36,950 what it was to their face. 830 00:34:36,950 --> 00:34:39,244 And so I'm like, "B, you need to come down, man. 831 00:34:39,244 --> 00:34:40,870 This is getting out of hand." 832 00:34:40,870 --> 00:34:43,623 - So we brought all of these-- all these veterans in, 833 00:34:43,623 --> 00:34:45,542 and we hashed it out. 834 00:34:45,542 --> 00:34:47,460 - It felt like it was, uh-- 835 00:34:47,460 --> 00:34:49,587 it could have been World War III. 836 00:34:49,587 --> 00:34:51,840 [dramatic music] 837 00:34:51,840 --> 00:34:53,174 RAMONA: At the time, I remember getting 838 00:34:53,174 --> 00:34:54,759 the assignment from my editor. 839 00:34:54,759 --> 00:34:56,886 He just said, "I need you to call some legal experts 840 00:34:56,886 --> 00:34:58,346 "and find out how this is gonna play out 841 00:34:58,346 --> 00:35:00,390 and what is this-- what's next, and"-- 842 00:35:00,390 --> 00:35:01,933 you know, and I think we were all almost shocked, 843 00:35:01,933 --> 00:35:04,102 like, "Oh, Kobe might have to miss time 844 00:35:04,102 --> 00:35:05,854 as he goes through pretrial allegation." 845 00:35:05,854 --> 00:35:08,189 I mean, he'll have to fly back and forth to Colorado. 846 00:35:08,189 --> 00:35:11,276 These were the types of things we were trying to answer. 847 00:35:11,276 --> 00:35:13,820 ANNOUNCER: It's a big night, first time that Kobe 848 00:35:13,820 --> 00:35:16,781 has played a preseason game, 849 00:35:16,781 --> 00:35:19,117 and this is his refuge. 850 00:35:19,117 --> 00:35:21,661 Uh, he has shown a very calm demeanor so far. 851 00:35:21,661 --> 00:35:23,455 ANNOUNCER: Go on the outside. 852 00:35:23,455 --> 00:35:25,790 INTERVIEWER: What has been your reaction to the reception 853 00:35:25,790 --> 00:35:29,753 that you have received in arenas across America? 854 00:35:29,753 --> 00:35:32,547 - You know, I-- I try to block it out. 855 00:35:32,547 --> 00:35:34,341 I try not to have a reaction. 856 00:35:34,341 --> 00:35:37,260 Um, like I said, I go into arenas just, you know, 857 00:35:37,260 --> 00:35:39,095 anticipating the worst. 858 00:35:39,095 --> 00:35:40,639 PERSON: I get calls on our radio show, 859 00:35:40,639 --> 00:35:42,849 people screaming at me, saying, "How can you say 860 00:35:42,849 --> 00:35:44,309 anything good about this guy?" 861 00:35:44,309 --> 00:35:46,978 REPORTER: Bryant was booed loudly by the audience. 862 00:35:46,978 --> 00:35:50,231 BRIAN: He's being the blame for breaking the team up. 863 00:35:50,231 --> 00:35:52,692 KOBE: You can't help but overhear 864 00:35:52,692 --> 00:35:54,277 fans booing or whatever, 865 00:35:54,277 --> 00:35:58,740 but, you know, I do my best to block it out. 866 00:35:58,740 --> 00:36:00,075 ANNOUNCER: And welcome back to, once again, 867 00:36:00,075 --> 00:36:03,453 a sold-out Staples Center, 18,997, 868 00:36:03,453 --> 00:36:05,038 for a matchup between the Lakers 869 00:36:05,038 --> 00:36:06,665 and the Denver Nuggets. 870 00:36:06,665 --> 00:36:08,041 CARMELO: When I got drafted in '03, 871 00:36:08,041 --> 00:36:09,668 everybody was trying to figure out 872 00:36:09,668 --> 00:36:12,045 how Kobe's going to play, was he gonna play, 873 00:36:12,045 --> 00:36:13,838 what games he was gonna sit out. 874 00:36:13,838 --> 00:36:14,964 ANNOUNCER: Now, there is a change 875 00:36:14,964 --> 00:36:16,091 in the starting lineup. 876 00:36:16,091 --> 00:36:17,217 Kobe's status for tonight 877 00:36:17,217 --> 00:36:18,843 is still in question. 878 00:36:18,843 --> 00:36:21,304 CARMELO: Before the game, he wasn't on the scout report. 879 00:36:21,304 --> 00:36:24,432 And first half is going. 880 00:36:24,432 --> 00:36:26,267 He comes in. 881 00:36:26,267 --> 00:36:27,977 ANNOUNCER: This was the scene here at Staples Center 882 00:36:27,977 --> 00:36:29,688 just moments ago. Kobe Bryant... 883 00:36:29,688 --> 00:36:31,981 CARMELO: He walks to the team's bench, you know, 884 00:36:31,981 --> 00:36:34,067 ready to go, not stretching, not warming up. 885 00:36:34,067 --> 00:36:37,612 Just come in and didn't play well. 886 00:36:37,612 --> 00:36:39,823 But he wound up hitting, like, a big shot at the end. 887 00:36:39,823 --> 00:36:41,241 ANNOUNCER: Kobe's gonna go. 888 00:36:41,241 --> 00:36:42,409 Couple of left-handed dribbles. 889 00:36:42,409 --> 00:36:43,410 Has a look at it. 890 00:36:43,410 --> 00:36:47,122 Oh! The Lakers win! 891 00:36:47,122 --> 00:36:48,707 CARMELO: This man is going 892 00:36:48,707 --> 00:36:50,792 through so much shit off the court. 893 00:36:50,792 --> 00:36:53,086 He flew in from a court case. 894 00:36:53,086 --> 00:36:55,964 And the fact that he played and, at the end of the game, 895 00:36:55,964 --> 00:36:57,882 hit the game-winning shot or whatever 896 00:36:57,882 --> 00:37:00,844 said a lot about his mental and his perseverance 897 00:37:00,844 --> 00:37:02,345 as a--as a person. 898 00:37:02,345 --> 00:37:05,432 - This kid is incredibly tough. 899 00:37:05,432 --> 00:37:08,017 He's just tougher than any of the other athletes, 900 00:37:08,017 --> 00:37:10,395 mentally as well as physically. 901 00:37:14,357 --> 00:37:15,817 - It's just been amazing for us to have this opportunity 902 00:37:15,817 --> 00:37:18,069 to play basketball here, and it's been 903 00:37:18,069 --> 00:37:21,781 even more amazing to win back-to-back championships. 904 00:37:21,781 --> 00:37:23,575 [cheers and applause] 905 00:37:23,575 --> 00:37:25,326 - Thanks for your continued support. 906 00:37:25,326 --> 00:37:26,786 We're going into year seven. 907 00:37:26,786 --> 00:37:29,038 It feels great. It's unbelievable. 908 00:37:29,038 --> 00:37:31,332 Here, I had been an important part 909 00:37:31,332 --> 00:37:33,626 of all the growth of the Sparks. 910 00:37:33,626 --> 00:37:37,881 But it just seemed like, gosh, it just wasn't going right. 911 00:37:37,881 --> 00:37:40,091 Things were getting off balance. 912 00:37:40,091 --> 00:37:43,094 JEANIE: My dad worried about the toll 913 00:37:43,094 --> 00:37:45,722 it would take on Johnny 914 00:37:45,722 --> 00:37:48,349 because he knew how hard it was. 915 00:37:48,349 --> 00:37:50,059 - You know, there's a lot that goes behind 916 00:37:50,059 --> 00:37:53,521 running an organization, and the WNBA started growing 917 00:37:53,521 --> 00:37:55,899 a little bit more and taking a bigger hold. 918 00:37:55,899 --> 00:37:59,194 So that required him to spend more time. 919 00:37:59,194 --> 00:38:00,528 And I think probably 920 00:38:00,528 --> 00:38:02,864 the day-to-day wear and tear of the business 921 00:38:02,864 --> 00:38:04,491 probably kind of got to him. 922 00:38:04,491 --> 00:38:05,867 - It was like--oh, you know. 923 00:38:05,867 --> 00:38:08,411 It'd bring back all the memories. 924 00:38:08,411 --> 00:38:10,163 You know, back then, I had a hard time 925 00:38:10,163 --> 00:38:13,750 with the Lazers and--and working within the system. 926 00:38:15,084 --> 00:38:18,296 And so it was just better off that I backed away. 927 00:38:18,296 --> 00:38:21,633 [soft dramatic music] 928 00:38:21,633 --> 00:38:24,636 - It was another day in the office kind of thing 929 00:38:24,636 --> 00:38:26,429 with John leaving the Sparks. 930 00:38:26,429 --> 00:38:28,473 ♪ ♪ 931 00:38:28,473 --> 00:38:32,185 I thought he was doing such a fantastic job with it, 932 00:38:32,185 --> 00:38:35,188 winning championships and-- 933 00:38:35,188 --> 00:38:39,025 but, you know, he has his-- he has his own thought pattern. 934 00:38:39,025 --> 00:38:41,611 - And I took time to understand what my place is, 935 00:38:41,611 --> 00:38:44,948 not only in the family business but in life itself. 936 00:38:44,948 --> 00:38:49,536 And I just felt like it's not my place. 937 00:38:49,536 --> 00:38:52,247 And I went to my dad, and I said, "It's time to go." 938 00:38:52,247 --> 00:38:54,749 And he said, "Well, let's sell it. 939 00:38:54,749 --> 00:38:56,251 Let's just sell it." 940 00:38:57,710 --> 00:38:59,921 JEANIE: And that was the end of Johnny's involvement 941 00:38:59,921 --> 00:39:02,507 in the family business. 942 00:39:05,635 --> 00:39:07,136 INTERVIEWER: Kobe, you've elected to opt out 943 00:39:07,136 --> 00:39:08,888 of your contract at the end of the season. 944 00:39:08,888 --> 00:39:10,056 Can you explain why? 945 00:39:11,349 --> 00:39:13,226 - Well, I've never really been a free agent before. 946 00:39:13,226 --> 00:39:18,565 So, um, I'd kind of like to see what's out there. 947 00:39:18,565 --> 00:39:20,316 J.A.: As much as the allegations 948 00:39:20,316 --> 00:39:21,901 were hanging over the season, 949 00:39:21,901 --> 00:39:24,445 Kobe's free agency was hanging over the season too. 950 00:39:24,445 --> 00:39:26,072 If he didn't feel comfortable, 951 00:39:26,072 --> 00:39:28,908 if things weren't made to his liking, 952 00:39:28,908 --> 00:39:31,119 he had the freedom to walk away. 953 00:39:31,995 --> 00:39:34,330 KOBE: Playing with Shaq has given me championship rings, 954 00:39:34,330 --> 00:39:36,082 but individually, 955 00:39:36,082 --> 00:39:38,501 uh, I can do what I do individually on-- 956 00:39:38,501 --> 00:39:40,253 on any team. 957 00:39:40,253 --> 00:39:41,796 ♪ ♪ 958 00:39:41,796 --> 00:39:43,548 I don't know what the future holds. 959 00:39:43,548 --> 00:39:44,549 INTERVIEWER: Do you think there'll be 960 00:39:44,549 --> 00:39:45,758 a part of you at one point 961 00:39:45,758 --> 00:39:48,386 to say, "I'll show them. 962 00:39:48,386 --> 00:39:51,472 I'll be on a team without the big fella"? 963 00:39:51,472 --> 00:39:55,768 - You know how I am as far as my competitiveness 964 00:39:55,768 --> 00:39:57,937 and responding to challenges. 965 00:39:57,937 --> 00:39:59,606 If I wanted to respond to that challenge, 966 00:39:59,606 --> 00:40:01,524 it's definitely an urge. 967 00:40:01,524 --> 00:40:04,777 - Kobe said to me, "I want to do this 968 00:40:04,777 --> 00:40:07,655 without a dominant big man." 969 00:40:07,655 --> 00:40:09,616 He didn't say to me, "Because Michael did it," 970 00:40:09,616 --> 00:40:11,284 but I know. 971 00:40:11,284 --> 00:40:15,288 Michael was the gold standard for Kobe. 972 00:40:15,288 --> 00:40:18,958 - You know, we found out later that on Super Bowl Sunday, 973 00:40:18,958 --> 00:40:22,337 Kobe had gone to meet with Jerry Buss. 974 00:40:22,337 --> 00:40:26,925 - At no time did Kobe and I discuss 975 00:40:26,925 --> 00:40:30,803 whether he would come back based on Shaq or Phil. 976 00:40:30,803 --> 00:40:35,266 - I don't believe that Kobe gave him an ultimatum. 977 00:40:35,266 --> 00:40:38,394 I think that was Jerry Buss' understanding. 978 00:40:38,394 --> 00:40:40,730 And then right before the All-Star break, 979 00:40:40,730 --> 00:40:45,401 the Lakers formally announce that contract extension talks 980 00:40:45,401 --> 00:40:48,988 with Phil Jackson are off the table. 981 00:40:48,988 --> 00:40:52,200 INTERVIEWER: You used the words "psychological war" 982 00:40:52,200 --> 00:40:53,868 between you and Kobe. 983 00:40:53,868 --> 00:40:55,703 PHIL: One of the things that really changed 984 00:40:55,703 --> 00:40:57,664 our relationship in the last year 985 00:40:57,664 --> 00:40:59,749 was that there were some heated words. 986 00:40:59,749 --> 00:41:03,044 I--I actually said to Kobe that it's too destructive 987 00:41:03,044 --> 00:41:07,423 to have that vitriolic hot flow coming out of you 988 00:41:07,423 --> 00:41:09,425 towards me because it--it undermines 989 00:41:09,425 --> 00:41:11,260 what the team has to do. 990 00:41:11,260 --> 00:41:12,845 And at that particular time, 991 00:41:12,845 --> 00:41:14,138 I realized that our relationship 992 00:41:14,138 --> 00:41:15,556 had disintegrated. 993 00:41:15,556 --> 00:41:17,100 - What happened when you went to see 994 00:41:17,100 --> 00:41:19,310 Mitch Kupchak in late January? 995 00:41:19,310 --> 00:41:21,354 PHIL: The essence of what I said is, 996 00:41:21,354 --> 00:41:23,189 "I don't think I can coach Kobe anymore. 997 00:41:23,189 --> 00:41:24,732 "I can't reach him. 998 00:41:24,732 --> 00:41:28,111 "And if you want me to continue on with this ball club, 999 00:41:28,111 --> 00:41:29,862 "then the change has to be made. 1000 00:41:29,862 --> 00:41:33,199 And if you want Kobe on this ball club, then I have to go." 1001 00:41:33,199 --> 00:41:35,118 - You're the coach. 1002 00:41:35,118 --> 00:41:36,285 You figure it out. 1003 00:41:36,285 --> 00:41:37,704 And if you're not gonna do it, 1004 00:41:37,704 --> 00:41:39,414 I'll find somebody else to do it. 1005 00:41:39,414 --> 00:41:44,002 But if it comes down to Kobe or you, I'm keeping Kobe. 1006 00:41:44,002 --> 00:41:45,878 TONY: Wilbon, will they lose Phil Jackson? 1007 00:41:45,878 --> 00:41:47,130 WILBON: Yes. 1008 00:41:47,130 --> 00:41:48,464 TONY: Will they lose Kobe Bryant? 1009 00:41:48,464 --> 00:41:51,009 WILBON: Eh. TONY: And will Shaq ask out? 1010 00:41:51,009 --> 00:41:52,677 ♪ ♪ 1011 00:41:52,677 --> 00:41:55,221 - Shaq famously said to my dad, 1012 00:41:55,221 --> 00:41:57,181 you know, "Show me the money. 1013 00:41:57,181 --> 00:42:00,393 Yeah, that--that was not a good moment. 1014 00:42:00,393 --> 00:42:02,979 - It--it just added more stress to the situation. 1015 00:42:02,979 --> 00:42:04,731 I think he was kind of not joking, 1016 00:42:04,731 --> 00:42:06,858 but joking, but--and not. 1017 00:42:06,858 --> 00:42:08,484 SHAQ: I'm a businessman. 1018 00:42:08,484 --> 00:42:09,861 You're not gonna pay me 120 1019 00:42:09,861 --> 00:42:11,612 and then come back and pay me 80 1020 00:42:11,612 --> 00:42:13,781 when I'm worth 200. 1021 00:42:13,781 --> 00:42:15,950 Look, a lot of stuff was going on that year. 1022 00:42:15,950 --> 00:42:16,951 A lot. 1023 00:42:16,951 --> 00:42:19,537 ♪ ♪ 1024 00:42:19,537 --> 00:42:21,956 PHIL: Kobe had a situation that was going on 1025 00:42:21,956 --> 00:42:24,709 that was still overriding his career. 1026 00:42:24,709 --> 00:42:29,172 Everything that portended for failure or for loss 1027 00:42:29,172 --> 00:42:34,218 happened, and still, here we were in the finals. 1028 00:42:34,218 --> 00:42:36,846 - The rumors that were going around 1029 00:42:36,846 --> 00:42:41,851 about Phil wasn't coming back, Shaq wasn't coming back, 1030 00:42:41,851 --> 00:42:45,104 it was a real distraction for the team 1031 00:42:45,104 --> 00:42:49,067 and was really undermining to Phil in--in trying 1032 00:42:49,067 --> 00:42:51,861 to get the team focused so that we could win 1033 00:42:51,861 --> 00:42:53,905 that championship. 1034 00:42:53,905 --> 00:42:56,074 But instead, it just all fell apart. 1035 00:42:56,074 --> 00:43:00,578 BUSS: All of the shenanigans had--had drained everybody 1036 00:43:00,578 --> 00:43:03,706 to a point where I felt we walked in 1037 00:43:03,706 --> 00:43:06,709 as a totally spent team. 1038 00:43:06,709 --> 00:43:08,002 - Well, I think most of us thought 1039 00:43:08,002 --> 00:43:09,420 the Lakers would sweep the Pistons, 1040 00:43:09,420 --> 00:43:11,631 maybe the Pistons would take one game off them, 1041 00:43:11,631 --> 00:43:14,008 and the exact opposite happened. 1042 00:43:14,008 --> 00:43:17,512 The Lakers won one game. 1043 00:43:17,512 --> 00:43:20,932 FLEA: I was on tour in Europe, and I'd go find a sports bar 1044 00:43:20,932 --> 00:43:22,517 that was open at 4:00 in the morning 1045 00:43:22,517 --> 00:43:25,853 and watch the game, and they would lose. 1046 00:43:25,853 --> 00:43:28,356 I remember just, like, walking back to the hotel, 1047 00:43:28,356 --> 00:43:29,899 like, you know, a three-mile walk back 1048 00:43:29,899 --> 00:43:31,359 'cause there's no cabs. 1049 00:43:31,359 --> 00:43:33,152 And I'm tired, and the fucking Lakers 1050 00:43:33,152 --> 00:43:35,321 lost to the Pistons. 1051 00:43:35,321 --> 00:43:40,785 CROWD: Detroit basketball! 1052 00:43:41,786 --> 00:43:46,999 BUSS: It culminated in severe disappointment. 1053 00:43:46,999 --> 00:43:51,546 I can't help but think that perhaps we're a better team 1054 00:43:51,546 --> 00:43:53,840 than we showed in the finals. 1055 00:43:53,840 --> 00:43:57,885 INTERVIEWER: Was this probably your last game as a Laker? 1056 00:43:57,885 --> 00:44:00,304 KOBE: Um, I don't know. 1057 00:44:00,304 --> 00:44:02,598 Um, you know, 1058 00:44:02,598 --> 00:44:05,184 we'll have to wait till the summer to find out. 1059 00:44:05,184 --> 00:44:08,187 - Maybe losing this one, this opportunity is-- 1060 00:44:08,187 --> 00:44:09,939 is enough for me to-- 1061 00:44:09,939 --> 00:44:12,525 uh, to say that it's time to give it up. 1062 00:44:12,525 --> 00:44:16,487 To lose that series to Detroit was 1063 00:44:16,487 --> 00:44:20,408 kind of the end of the line, and everybody could feel it. 1064 00:44:22,326 --> 00:44:24,912 - My dad told Phil, like, "You know, 1065 00:44:24,912 --> 00:44:27,623 I'm probably gonna trade Shaq." 1066 00:44:27,623 --> 00:44:31,961 And Phil said, you know, that would be a huge mistake. 1067 00:44:31,961 --> 00:44:35,506 And my dad said, "Well, it-- it really won't matter to you 1068 00:44:35,506 --> 00:44:37,049 because you're not coming back." 1069 00:44:37,049 --> 00:44:39,051 [somber music] 1070 00:44:39,051 --> 00:44:42,096 BUSS: I think basketball coaches 1071 00:44:42,096 --> 00:44:45,016 are effective for about five years. 1072 00:44:45,016 --> 00:44:46,267 I really do. 1073 00:44:46,267 --> 00:44:48,561 That whole situation just ran its course, 1074 00:44:48,561 --> 00:44:51,355 and it was time to start fresh. 1075 00:44:51,355 --> 00:44:55,902 - But you're a nine-time championship-winning coach. 1076 00:44:55,902 --> 00:44:57,904 You're not just any coach. 1077 00:44:57,904 --> 00:44:59,739 How could that decision have been made 1078 00:44:59,739 --> 00:45:01,532 to choose Kobe over that coach? 1079 00:45:01,532 --> 00:45:04,160 - You know, I-- I have great respect 1080 00:45:04,160 --> 00:45:05,620 for Dr. Buss. 1081 00:45:05,620 --> 00:45:08,581 I have respect for his decision. 1082 00:45:08,581 --> 00:45:10,458 I understand his decision. 1083 00:45:10,458 --> 00:45:12,376 - If you'd have won that championship 1084 00:45:12,376 --> 00:45:14,754 against Detroit, would you have made the same change? 1085 00:45:14,754 --> 00:45:16,797 - I think in Phil's case, 1086 00:45:16,797 --> 00:45:18,966 I think he would have retired anyway. 1087 00:45:18,966 --> 00:45:21,219 ♪ ♪ 1088 00:45:21,219 --> 00:45:26,140 - Phil came home and opened a bottle of champagne 1089 00:45:26,140 --> 00:45:27,975 and said he was relieved 1090 00:45:27,975 --> 00:45:29,936 he wasn't gonna have to come back. 1091 00:45:29,936 --> 00:45:33,105 ♪ ♪ 1092 00:45:33,105 --> 00:45:35,149 PHIL: Drank a bottle of champagne and talked 1093 00:45:35,149 --> 00:45:39,237 about what a great time we'd had for those five years 1094 00:45:39,237 --> 00:45:42,782 and what a difference it was gonna make in our lives. 1095 00:45:42,782 --> 00:45:44,784 Jeanie and I know that, you know, 1096 00:45:44,784 --> 00:45:46,494 if I'm not here with this organization, 1097 00:45:46,494 --> 00:45:47,828 you know, she is. 1098 00:45:47,828 --> 00:45:49,497 She's gonna be here. 1099 00:45:49,497 --> 00:45:51,666 - Getting involved with a player or a coach, 1100 00:45:51,666 --> 00:45:52,959 you could get traded. 1101 00:45:52,959 --> 00:45:55,586 You get--you might not sign back. 1102 00:45:55,586 --> 00:45:57,964 I mean, that's just-- that's part of the job. 1103 00:45:57,964 --> 00:46:01,133 - There wasn't that, um, compassion 1104 00:46:01,133 --> 00:46:05,346 about the fact that the man I'm in a relationship with 1105 00:46:05,346 --> 00:46:07,014 just lost his job. 1106 00:46:07,014 --> 00:46:08,891 Like, "How does that make you feel?" 1107 00:46:08,891 --> 00:46:11,310 You know, "Are you okay?" 1108 00:46:11,310 --> 00:46:13,771 I always knew that when I started dating Phil 1109 00:46:13,771 --> 00:46:16,232 six years ago that there would be a day 1110 00:46:16,232 --> 00:46:17,775 where he would leave the Lakers. 1111 00:46:17,775 --> 00:46:19,735 Was he still gonna live in Los Angeles? 1112 00:46:19,735 --> 00:46:22,029 I knew I could only live in Los Angeles. 1113 00:46:22,029 --> 00:46:24,031 Was he gonna move to Montana? 1114 00:46:24,031 --> 00:46:26,033 Was he gonna take another job? 1115 00:46:27,243 --> 00:46:29,912 I was getting flashbacks of what it was like 1116 00:46:29,912 --> 00:46:33,040 when my husband was playing volleyball in Italy 1117 00:46:33,040 --> 00:46:36,168 and how hard it was to keep my career going. 1118 00:46:36,168 --> 00:46:38,629 ♪ ♪ 1119 00:46:38,629 --> 00:46:40,881 Things weren't gonna last forever, 1120 00:46:40,881 --> 00:46:44,093 and this was the time that I was gonna have to, 1121 00:46:44,093 --> 00:46:45,469 you know-- 1122 00:46:45,469 --> 00:46:48,180 you know, just kind of figure out my life. 1123 00:46:48,180 --> 00:46:55,187 ♪ ♪ 1124 00:47:00,109 --> 00:47:03,070 SHAQ: Usually, when, uh, something happens, 1125 00:47:03,070 --> 00:47:06,490 like the firing of a coach, I would know about it, 1126 00:47:06,490 --> 00:47:09,910 but I wake up, and I turn on ESPN like I always do. 1127 00:47:09,910 --> 00:47:12,079 [scatting news anthem] 1128 00:47:12,079 --> 00:47:14,915 "Phil Jackson fired as Laker coach." 1129 00:47:14,915 --> 00:47:16,584 I'm like, "Nah, that ain't true." 1130 00:47:16,584 --> 00:47:18,627 So I called Mitch. I said, uh, "What's going on?" 1131 00:47:18,627 --> 00:47:20,046 "Yeah, there's gonna be some changes around." 1132 00:47:20,046 --> 00:47:21,881 I was like, "You're gonna get rid of the man 1133 00:47:21,881 --> 00:47:24,508 "that took us to the finals four out of the five years, 1134 00:47:24,508 --> 00:47:26,385 all the stuff he had to go through?" 1135 00:47:26,385 --> 00:47:30,222 ♪ ♪ 1136 00:47:30,222 --> 00:47:34,852 MITCH: In the spring of 2004, we tried to extend Shaquille, 1137 00:47:34,852 --> 00:47:40,107 and we didn't get to the number that he wanted to get to. 1138 00:47:40,107 --> 00:47:42,985 - He made it clear to us during his negotiation 1139 00:47:42,985 --> 00:47:44,737 that unless we paid him 1140 00:47:44,737 --> 00:47:48,324 the maximum amount of money for the maximum term, 1141 00:47:48,324 --> 00:47:50,951 he wanted to be traded. 1142 00:47:50,951 --> 00:47:53,537 JIM: You know, everybody wants to get paid more. 1143 00:47:53,537 --> 00:47:55,164 [laughs] 1144 00:47:55,164 --> 00:47:59,335 You start to look at a losing proposition, 1145 00:47:59,335 --> 00:48:02,546 so you have to sometimes blow it up. 1146 00:48:02,546 --> 00:48:04,382 - When somebody says, "Trade me," 1147 00:48:04,382 --> 00:48:06,550 they're saying, "Listen, you know, 1148 00:48:06,550 --> 00:48:08,469 we should part our ways." 1149 00:48:08,469 --> 00:48:11,889 And you have to trade people 1150 00:48:11,889 --> 00:48:15,267 before they're not tradable. 1151 00:48:16,519 --> 00:48:18,062 REPORTER: When you start to hear the suggestion 1152 00:48:18,062 --> 00:48:21,107 that, you know--people saying that you're old, slow, 1153 00:48:21,107 --> 00:48:24,026 weak, how do you take that? 1154 00:48:24,026 --> 00:48:27,446 - Of course, I'm slow and weaker, but I'm still me. 1155 00:48:27,446 --> 00:48:29,407 I'm still Diesel. 1156 00:48:29,407 --> 00:48:30,449 - I mean, let's face it. 1157 00:48:30,449 --> 00:48:31,784 Dr. Buss, the Lakers got 1158 00:48:31,784 --> 00:48:33,953 the best years from Shaquille. 1159 00:48:33,953 --> 00:48:35,704 They definitely did. 1160 00:48:35,704 --> 00:48:40,126 - I guess they wanted to spend on the young guy, 1161 00:48:40,126 --> 00:48:43,838 and, uh, they didn't want to deal with the old guy. 1162 00:48:43,838 --> 00:48:46,173 I figured they would get rid of me first. 1163 00:48:46,173 --> 00:48:47,633 - Why you first? 1164 00:48:47,633 --> 00:48:50,052 - Because he's their guy. 1165 00:48:50,052 --> 00:48:53,764 He's younger, energetic, more athletic. 1166 00:48:53,764 --> 00:48:56,350 He's the future, whatever that means. 1167 00:48:56,350 --> 00:48:59,145 And I understood that. 1168 00:48:59,145 --> 00:49:01,105 I don't take nothing personal, man. 1169 00:49:01,105 --> 00:49:03,732 Mr. Buss called me, said, "Hey, man. 1170 00:49:03,732 --> 00:49:05,443 "I love you. 1171 00:49:05,443 --> 00:49:07,570 "I understand you don't want to take less money. 1172 00:49:07,570 --> 00:49:09,155 Miami is interested in you." 1173 00:49:09,155 --> 00:49:11,699 "Okay, I'll go to Miami. Thank you, sir." 1174 00:49:11,699 --> 00:49:14,869 Cool with me. Business is basketball. 1175 00:49:14,869 --> 00:49:16,328 INTERVIEWER: Do you have any regrets, 1176 00:49:16,328 --> 00:49:17,705 having traded Shaquille? 1177 00:49:17,705 --> 00:49:18,956 - None. 1178 00:49:18,956 --> 00:49:21,667 I mean, that's a franchise decision 1179 00:49:21,667 --> 00:49:23,752 done, in my opinion, 1180 00:49:23,752 --> 00:49:28,215 for the best health of the franchise. 1181 00:49:28,215 --> 00:49:29,717 I think he took it more personally 1182 00:49:29,717 --> 00:49:32,344 than it was intended. 1183 00:49:32,344 --> 00:49:34,847 MITCH: I certainly knew that trading Shaquille, 1184 00:49:34,847 --> 00:49:37,349 we were gonna take our lumps, or at least I was, 1185 00:49:37,349 --> 00:49:39,435 and I also knew that Kobe was a free agent, 1186 00:49:39,435 --> 00:49:41,437 and it's kind of like, "Well, what if he goes too?" 1187 00:49:41,437 --> 00:49:42,855 Right? 1188 00:49:42,855 --> 00:49:44,940 You know, my fourth year as a GM, 1189 00:49:44,940 --> 00:49:47,109 it could be-- this could be it, right? 1190 00:49:47,109 --> 00:49:48,694 It could be all she wrote. 1191 00:49:48,694 --> 00:49:53,491 ♪ ♪ 1192 00:49:53,491 --> 00:49:54,992 - We want to get you caught up right now 1193 00:49:54,992 --> 00:49:56,535 on the latest breaking news from the Kobe Bryant case. 1194 00:49:56,535 --> 00:49:59,371 The criminal case against him appears to be over. 1195 00:49:59,371 --> 00:50:01,123 ♪ ♪ 1196 00:50:01,123 --> 00:50:03,042 GARY: Well, Anderson, we expected to see 1197 00:50:03,042 --> 00:50:06,295 a civil trial in the case, but it will not happen. 1198 00:50:06,295 --> 00:50:09,215 Both sides have reached a civil settlement. 1199 00:50:09,215 --> 00:50:11,717 The case is now completely over. 1200 00:50:13,385 --> 00:50:14,970 INTERVIEWER: Kobe, Phil Jackson has left 1201 00:50:14,970 --> 00:50:16,931 the organization, and Shaquille O'Neal. 1202 00:50:16,931 --> 00:50:19,350 There's a wide-ranging perception in the public 1203 00:50:19,350 --> 00:50:21,143 that you were at the controls. 1204 00:50:21,143 --> 00:50:24,730 How much did you have to do with both of their departures? 1205 00:50:24,730 --> 00:50:27,316 - Oh, zero. Nothing. 1206 00:50:27,316 --> 00:50:28,651 But, you know, people's perception-- 1207 00:50:28,651 --> 00:50:31,111 they always want to run with the biggest story. 1208 00:50:31,111 --> 00:50:33,531 You know, they say, "Oh, well, him and Shaq didn't get along, 1209 00:50:33,531 --> 00:50:35,491 "so, you know, Shaq's leaving. 1210 00:50:35,491 --> 00:50:38,410 He's not happy there, so Kobe must have ran him out." 1211 00:50:38,410 --> 00:50:39,954 That's not true. 1212 00:50:39,954 --> 00:50:43,415 I mean, we had eight overall good years together, 1213 00:50:43,415 --> 00:50:44,750 and we had our rocky times-- 1214 00:50:44,750 --> 00:50:47,044 you know, we had our share of arguments-- 1215 00:50:47,044 --> 00:50:48,712 but we were able to win three titles. 1216 00:50:48,712 --> 00:50:51,006 And, you know, now we've gone separate ways. 1217 00:50:51,006 --> 00:50:54,218 ♪ ♪ 1218 00:50:54,218 --> 00:50:57,096 But ultimately, I'm happy to be playing for the Lakers. 1219 00:50:57,096 --> 00:50:59,974 This is a happy day. 1220 00:50:59,974 --> 00:51:02,768 - In order to be the godfather, whoever's in charge, 1221 00:51:02,768 --> 00:51:04,562 you gotta take him out. 1222 00:51:04,562 --> 00:51:07,648 So when I got traded, 1223 00:51:07,648 --> 00:51:11,485 kid just-- he finally gets what he wants. 1224 00:51:11,485 --> 00:51:14,947 He's been waiting for this moment since he's 18. 1225 00:51:14,947 --> 00:51:18,325 Tired of being in the shadow of people. 1226 00:51:18,325 --> 00:51:20,286 It's all his. 1227 00:51:20,286 --> 00:51:23,414 ANNOUNCER: Kobe Bryant has just checked back in. 1228 00:51:23,414 --> 00:51:26,417 [dramatic music building] 1229 00:51:26,417 --> 00:51:31,589 ♪ ♪ 1230 00:51:31,589 --> 00:51:33,048 - Remember this, 'cause I'ma bring 1231 00:51:33,048 --> 00:51:35,009 a championship to Miami. I promise. 1232 00:51:35,009 --> 00:51:36,385 A lot of people probably thought 1233 00:51:36,385 --> 00:51:38,137 I was gonna be doing this interview, taking shots. 1234 00:51:38,137 --> 00:51:40,347 No, doesn't matter what I think. 1235 00:51:40,347 --> 00:51:43,892 But, uh, you know, some people go--do certain things 1236 00:51:43,892 --> 00:51:46,145 to--to get that power. 1237 00:51:46,145 --> 00:51:48,564 INTERVIEWER: Be careful what you wish for. 1238 00:51:48,564 --> 00:51:50,482 - You said it. 1239 00:51:50,482 --> 00:51:51,817 KOBE: I'm here in LA. 1240 00:51:51,817 --> 00:51:53,485 I'm trying to do the best job I can. 1241 00:51:53,485 --> 00:51:55,904 He's down in Miami trying to do the best job he can, 1242 00:51:55,904 --> 00:51:58,032 and I wish him all the best. 1243 00:51:58,032 --> 00:52:01,660 And, you know, I'll see you on December 25th. 1244 00:52:01,660 --> 00:52:08,667 ♪ ♪