The Shaq-Kobe era of the Los Angeles Lakers came to an end when the franchise traded Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat in 2004. In exchange, the Lakers received Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Cook, and a future first-round draft pick. The Shaq-Kobe era lasted from 1996 to 2004 and included a championship threepeat (2000-02) and a Finals appearance in 2004. The personal feud between the players inspired coach Phil Jackson to write a book on their 2003-04 season, The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul. Bryant resigned with the Lakers as a free agent in 2004 and retired in 2016.
Today in Sports History: July 14
LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 16: Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Miami Heat dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 16, 2006 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)