(2003-2004)

Gary Payton left the Bucks after playing only a total of 34 games and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, along with Karl Malone, joining Shaquille O'neal and Kobe Bryant to form one of the best starting lineups in the history of the NBA. The Hall-of-Fame star-studed lineup lead the Lakers to a Pacific Division Title and the second seed in the NBA Playoffs. After defeating the Houston Rockets in 5 games, the Lakers faced a much tougher challenge in the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs took the first two games of the series, but the Lakers went on to win the next four games and to the Western Conference Finals where they defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves to advance all the way to the NBA Finals where they eventually lost to the Detroit Pistons in 5 games. After losing in the Finals Karl Malone retired due to his injury, Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat and Payton was traded to the Boston Celtics where he spent one season.

Los Angeles Lakers Career Achievements