So, they harbored intense hatred toward Roger and Shaq.
Nowadays, the SuperSonics' main lineup hasn't changed much; it's still essentially the team from the '96 Finals, meaning the animosity never faded.
Before the season began, Gary Payton had made a fierce statement, "What does the breakup between Roger and Shaq mean? It means their good days are over; I'll settle scores with each of them!"
Payton did as he said; each time he encountered the Lakers this season, the entire SuperSonics team became extremely agitated.
So far this season, the OK combination's Lakers had not managed to win any game against the SuperSonics.
The last game was the worst, with the Lakers losing by 12 points to the SuperSonics. A Lakers fan, tears in his eyes after the game, said, "I always believed in Shaq, thinking he was the greatest giant in the league. But after losing to the Hawks, Jazz, Spurs, and then the SuperSonics, he's practically lost all face!"
