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For several rounds of offense, the Lakers had been targeting O'Neal's reduced mobility, forcing him to step outside the paint and defend. This strategy worked well, as O'Neal's once legendary presence under the basket was being minimized by the Heat's inability to stop the fast-paced game. Though still an invincible force inside, O'Neal found it difficult to keep up with the constant switching, forcing him to chase shooters along the perimeter.
In his prime, Shaquille O'Neal would have easily handled such challenges. At his peak, he possessed a rare combination of power and agility. Though not as nimble as centers like Hakeem Olajuwon or David Robinson, he was never this vulnerable to a small-ball strategy. Yet, at this stage in his career, with the Miami Heat, the reality was starting to set in—O'Neal's age and wear were catching up. His body was no longer able to do what his mind commanded.
As the 2004-05 season unfolded, O'Neal's playing time had dwindled to an average of 34.1 minutes per game—a career low. Though still grabbing double-digit rebounds, his overall impact was decreasing. With his 33rd birthday looming, his weight, injuries, and physical toll began to weigh heavily on him. It seemed the Lakers' decision to let him go had more foresight than many had initially thought.
The first quarter of this critical game saw both teams playing at a breakneck pace. The Lakers fully embraced their strategy of forcing O'Neal to expend energy by running him up and down the court, playing to his physical limitations. While this high-octane pace suited the Lakers' offense, it also left their defense exposed. The Heat took full advantage of their own fast-break opportunities, led by Dwyane Wade, who thrived in such chaos.
By the end of the first quarter, the score was tight: 33-31. O'Neal had scored 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, along with 3 rebounds and 2 blocks. While O'Neal dominated the paint offensively, he was noticeably winded after just one quarter. His sweat-drenched jersey told the story—he had already exerted more energy in one quarter than he used to over three.
For the Lakers, Wang Chong was having a stellar start. Facing off against Udonis Haslem, and with Lamar Odom setting screens, Wang Chong fired from beyond the arc, making 3-of-5 three-pointers and racking up 13 points. While O'Neal was visibly exhausted, Wang Chong appeared fresh, ready to continue the fast-paced offense that the Lakers were employing to tire out their former star.
The second quarter began with O'Neal sitting on the bench, trying to recover. The Lakers, too, rested some key players, swapping out Odom and Wang Chong for Chris Mihm and Brian Grant. Kobe Bryant, however, stayed on the floor and took control of the Lakers' offense. He was determined to prove that the Lakers were right to choose him over O'Neal, and from the beginning, he attacked the Heat's defense relentlessly.
With O'Neal resting, the Heat's defense lacked a strong interior presence. Kobe, with his laser focus, drove to the basket multiple times, drawing fouls on the Heat's aging veteran Christian Laettner. In just a few minutes, Kobe had drawn two fouls on Laettner and made 4-of-4 free throws, adding to his scoring tally. Meanwhile, Chris Mihm contributed with two strong finishes under the basket, scoring 4 points.
As the scoreline started to shift in the Lakers' favor, O'Neal became increasingly restless on the sidelines. He could see the game slipping away and, unwilling to let it continue, asked to be subbed back in. With 5:26 left in the second quarter, O'Neal returned to the game, hoping to turn the tide.
However, Phil Jackson had no intention of allowing O'Neal to dominate. The Lakers immediately fouled O'Neal upon his return, sending him to the free-throw line. O'Neal, infamous for his poor free-throw shooting, went 0-for-2. On the next possession, O'Neal received the ball again, only for Brian Grant to foul him right away. This time, O'Neal split his free throws, making one of two.
In the ensuing Lakers possession, Kobe missed a mid-range jumper, but the Heat were unable to capitalize. O'Neal was once again fouled as soon as he touched the ball, forcing him to attempt more free throws. After another round of misses, O'Neal had gone 1-of-6 from the line since re-entering the game. The Lakers' strategy of fouling him had successfully disrupted Miami's offensive rhythm.
With about 4 minutes left in the second quarter, Phil Jackson decided to put Wang Chong and Odom back into the game, giving Kobe a rest. The Lakers now fielded a lineup filled with perimeter shooters: Chucky Atkins, Jumaine Jones, Devin George, Wang Chong, and Odom. It was a lineup designed to spread the floor and stretch O'Neal's already thin reserves.
The Heat's big man faced a dilemma: should he stay in the paint to protect the basket, or step outside to guard the Lakers' three-point shooters? He opted to position himself closer to the free-throw line to cover both areas, but this only wore him out further. The Lakers, meanwhile, continued to push the pace, forcing O'Neal to chase them around the court.
By halftime, O'Neal had tallied 20 points and 7 rebounds, but his fatigue was evident. The Lakers led 58-49, largely thanks to the combined efforts of Kobe and Wang Chong, who had each scored 18 points. The high-paced game, combined with the Lakers' three-point shooting and effective small-ball strategy, had left O'Neal drained.
In the locker room, Phil Jackson praised his team for their execution. He knew that O'Neal's stamina would only continue to diminish in the second half, and if they kept up the pace, they would have an easier time pulling away. O'Neal, now weighing over 150 kilograms, could not sustain the level of play necessary to keep up with the Lakers' relentless attack.
The third quarter began, and the Lakers picked up right where they left off. Though O'Neal continued to dominate inside, the Lakers sped up their offensive sets, often taking shots within 10 seconds of the shot clock. As a result, O'Neal was once again forced to run up and down the court, rapidly depleting his energy reserves. Within five minutes, the Heat's big man was visibly exhausted, dragging his feet as he tried to keep pace.
At this point, the Lakers began to widen the gap, and the score difference stretched to 17 points by the end of the third quarter. Wade, who had played well in the first half, found himself stifled by Kobe's aggressive defense. With Wade struggling and O'Neal gasping for air, the Heat's offense stalled.
But as the fourth quarter began, the Heat weren't ready to give up just yet. O'Neal and Wade led a final charge, cutting the Lakers' lead down to single digits. The Heat went on an 8-0 run, with O'Neal dunking several times and Wade converting a steal into a fast-break slam.
Sensing the momentum shift, Wang Chong stepped up. He drained a pair of mid-range jumpers, keeping the Lakers in control. With each made shot, the tension eased, and the Heat's comeback hopes began to fade.
Midway through the fourth, the Heat grew more desperate, and in their haste, they made a critical mistake. During an errant pass, Wang Chong anticipated the move and intercepted the ball. As he sprinted toward the sideline to save it from going out of bounds, he lost control of his momentum and hurtled toward the front row of the crowd.
NBA fans were used to seeing players crash into the stands, but this time was different. Wang Chong, unable to stop himself, reached out and instinctively grabbed the nearest person to steady himself. To his surprise, his hands met something soft and warm. He quickly realized he had bumped into a fan.
"Excuse me," Wang Chong blurted out as he let go and stepped back.
But when he looked up to see who it was, his eyes widened in disbelief. Standing before him, unharmed but clearly amused, was none other than Hollywood star and America's Sweetheart, Jessica Alba.
End of Chapter
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