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Winning three straight NBA Titles, the Los Angeles Lakers were again picked to finish of the league in the 2002-2003 season. But, not according to their plans, the Lakers had a dismal first half of the season, just barely reaching the .500 mark one game before the All-Star game. The Lakers, ranking 5th, bowed out to the top seeded and eventual NBA Champions, the San Antonio Spurs, during the second round of the playoffs. These undesirable causes prevented the Lakers from winning their fourth consecutive championship. The first disappointment arrived at the Staples Center before the season even started. The Lakers’ MVP center, Shaquille (Shaq) O’Neal, underwent foot surgery towards the end of August 2002. This surgery meant that he would not be available for the start of the 2002-03 season. This occurrence is dreadful as it is (the Lakers went 8-14 without him), but it also meant that Shaq would not be able to be on his feet for over three months. O’Neil weighed 350 pounds going into the surgery and was not able to run or exercise; therefore, he easily gained weight and got out of shape. On his return, he played 24 minutes out of the entire game and appeared to be physically exhausted. Shaq attempted to play himself into shape, but as the season went on it was apparent that this year was not going to be like the last three.
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