90s
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🏀NBA·MLB⚾·March–June

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This Week in 90s Sports History

From Jordan's comeback to the McGwire-Sosa chase, from Ripken's streak to Ichiro's arrival — week by week, the spring moments that defined a generation of sports fans.

🏀 NBA⚾ MLB1991–2003

Browse by Week · March–June

📅Week 17 · Jun 21–27
NBA2000

Shaq's Coronation: The Lakers Win the First Title of the New Dynasty

June 19, 2000. The Los Angeles Lakers completed a 4–2 series win over the Indiana Pacers to claim their first NBA Championship since 1988. Shaquille O'Neal, who had been unfairly labeled a choker by his critics, was Finals MVP with 38 PPG and 16.7 RPG. Kobe was the second act. Phil Jackson had his 7th ring. The dynasty that would define the 2000s had arrived.

Quick Stats

  • ▸Shaq averaged 38.0 PPG and 16.7 RPG in the 2000 Finals — one of the most dominant Finals performances ever
  • ▸He shot 61.1% from the field across the series
  • ▸LA won their first title since Showtime: Magic, Kareem, and Worthy's era

Fan Memory

Was Shaq O'Neal the most physically dominant player you ever watched? What game sticks in your memory?

MLB2001

Barry Bonds, On the Doorstep of History

By late June 2001, Barry Bonds was already on pace for a home run season that seemed mathematically impossible. He'd been walked intentionally more times than anyone could count. Pitchers were throwing around him, over him, and past him. Every at-bat was a negotiation: give him nothing, or he'll hit it 500 feet. By summer's end he would hit 73. But in June, baseball fans just knew something historic was being built.

Quick Stats

  • ▸Bonds hit 73 HRs in 2001, breaking McGwire's record of 70 set just 3 years prior
  • ▸He walked 177 times in 2001 — 35 of those intentionally
  • ▸Bonds had 37 HRs by the All-Star break, on historic pace

Fan Memory

How did you feel watching Bonds in 2001? Awe? Suspicion? Both?

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