When the 2001 Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs began, most expected it to be a very competitive, close and low-scoring series.
But when the Lakers took the first two games in San Antonio, the Spurs were suddenly in a dire situation.
Turns out it was only the beginning of a nightmare scenario for them.
Heading back to Los Angeles, the Lakers treated the Spurs as if they were prisoners of war who were about to be executed.
The Purple and Gold turned a modest (by their standards that year) 54-44 halftime lead into a 111-72 rout in which San Antonio could muster only eight fourth-quarter points.
As he had been in the first two contests, Kobe Bryant was sensational, finishing with 36 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Shaquille O’Neal was also dominant, with 35 points on 16-of-23 shooting and 17 rebounds.
In those days, when both superstars played like that, no one else in the NBA had even a prayer.
In Game 4, the Lakers completed their sweep of the Spurs with a 111-82 win. This time, the star was Derek Fisher, who had 28 points on an incredible 11-of-13 from the field and 6-of-7 from 3-point range.
He finished the series hitting 15-of-20 from downtown. Not bad for a guy who missed most of the season with a foot injury and later admitted he was extremely close to sitting out the entire year.
The Lakers were now a perfect 11-0 heading into the NBA Finals, and as they went for a second straight NBA championship, many wondered if they would become the first team to “run the table” and win it all while going undefeated through the postseason.
