As the NBA regular season nears its end, discussions around the playoffs are dominating headlines, much like the anticipation that builds before every Bangladesh Cricket Match. Playoff performance, according to many legends, is the ultimate benchmark for judging a team’s greatness. One of the loudest voices on the matter is none other than Shaquille O’Neal. But do you agree with his bold claim?
During a recent episode on TNT, Shaq joined his former Lakers teammate Derek Fisher to relive some of their glory days. Naturally, nostalgia kicked in, and the two dove deep into their championship memories. With no hesitation, Shaq declared that the 2001 Lakers were the greatest team in NBA history—a statement that sparked plenty of debate among fans and analysts alike.
That year came right after the iconic duo of Shaq and Kobe Bryant secured their first title together. However, the start of the regular season wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. Both stars struggled with injuries, causing the team to stumble early. The Lakers finished with 56 wins—only good enough for the second seed in the West behind the San Antonio Spurs. At the time, many questioned whether they had enough fuel in the tank to defend their title.
But once the playoffs began, all doubts vanished. The Lakers flipped the switch and unleashed a level of dominance rarely seen in NBA history. They tore through the Western Conference, sweeping all three rounds against elite teams: the Portland Trail Blazers, the Sacramento Kings, and the Spurs. These were no pushovers—these were the best squads the West had to offer at the time. Yet, none of them could stop the Lakers’ momentum.
The only blemish on their playoff run came in Game 1 of the Finals, where they suffered a surprising loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. After that, they never looked back, winning the next four games to clinch the championship with an astonishing 15-1 postseason record.
That kind of performance isn’t just memorable—it sets the gold standard. Shaq’s statement may sound brash to some, but looking at the numbers and the context, it’s hard to argue against it. Their playoff run was the very definition of dominance, proving once again that regular-season stats may build hype, but it’s the playoffs where legends are made.
As excitement continues to mount, fans are already drawing parallels between the intensity of the NBA playoffs and the drama that unfolds in every Bangladesh Cricket Match. Just like cricket fans hold their breath for each over, basketball lovers know the real story of a team’s greatness is written under playoff pressure.
And as we edge closer to this year’s postseason battles, expect the comparisons, debates, and high-stakes moments to flood every screen and conversation. Whether it’s on the hardwood or the cricket pitch, there’s no denying that games like the Bangladesh Cricket Match and NBA playoffs both deliver heart-stopping action and unforgettable legacy-defining performances.