The Los Angeles Lakers made a few moves leading up to the 2003-04 season that would help bolster the roster that was led by phenom guard Kobe Bryant. With the addition of superstars Karl Malone and Gary Payton, and the dynamic duo of Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal already in the fold, things were looking up for the Lakers. Despite a stacked lineup and Bryant’s 24 point per game average, the underdog Detroit Pistons shutdown defense would prove to be too much for the Lakers, and they lost the finals series four games to one.