The 2000 crown was earned by obsession and work, not luck—the never-quit mindset voters honored with the MVP.
Shaq’s 2000 game—a center who could not be moved—was a style no one could copy.
The 2000 title was Shaq’s hinge—from gifted big man to the anchor of a new Lakers dynasty.
In 2000 the Lakers beat Indiana 4-2; Shaq’s 38-17 line and MVP sweep launched the Lakers three-peat.
A 38-point, 17-rebound Finals line—Shaq was the most unguardable force in the game that year.
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In 1999-00 the Lakers beat Indiana 4-2. Shaquille O’Neal averaged 38 points and 16.7 boards to win his first title and Finals MVP.
At just 1.83m, Allen Iverson became the NBA’s shortest scoring champion ever — with four scoring titles, a 2000-01 MVP, and a lone-wolf run to the 2001 Finals.