2001 NBA Champions: Los Angeles Lakers

When the 2001 season began, many expected the Los Angeles Lakers to repeat as NBA Champions. But few could have predicted just how arduous their road would be. The Lakers struggled through a turbulent regular season, but in the playoffs they recaptured their championship form and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2001 NBA Finals. When the 2001 season began, many expected the Los Angeles Lakers to repeat as NBA Champions. But few could have predicted just how arduous their road would be. The Lakers struggled through a turbulent regular season, but in the playoffs they recaptured their championship form and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2001 NBA Finals. When the 2001 season began, many expected the Los Angeles Lakers to repeat as NBA Champions. But few could have predicted just how arduous their road would be. The Lakers struggled through a turbulent regular season, but in the playoffs they recaptured their championship form and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2001 NBA Finals. When the 2001 season began, many expected the Los Angeles Lakers to repeat as NBA Champions. But few could have predicted just how arduous their road would be. The Lakers struggled through a turbulent regular season, but in the playoffs they recaptured their championship form and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2001 NBA Finals.