3 Lakers Who Deserve More Credit for Early 2000s Dynasty Run

Yes, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant were by far the best players involved in the Los Angeles Lakers' Three-Peat from 2000-2002. They didn't do it without plenty of help, though. The dynamic duo had plenty of talented players by their side for each of their title runs.

These three Lakers players did more than just fill space beside Shaq and Kobe. They deserve much more respect for their outstanding contributions during the Lakers' dynastic run.

3. Ron Harper

Championship experience can never be overrated in the NBA, especially when one of your best players is a 21-year-old Kobe Bryant. Ron Harper brought experience and more when he joined the Lake Show in 1999-2000. Harper won three titles with the Chicago Bulls in the '90s, prior to his stint in Los Angeles. Harper didn't average more than 7.0 points per game in his Lakers career, but his locker room presence is not to be forgotten.

2. Rick Fox

Rick Fox was the perfect complementary player to Shaq and Kobe. He didn't need the ball in his hand to find opportunities, having a keen eye for open space to slash to the rim or get open on the perimeter. Fox averaged 8.0 PPG across the Lakers' three-peat seasons. In Game 5 of the 2000 NBA Finals, Fox scored 20 points on a perfect 7-for-7 from the field to lift the Lakers over the Sixers 4-1 for their first title since 1988.

1. Derek Fisher

Derek Fisher is one of the most underrated players in Lakers history. Fisher played alongside Kobe and Pau Gasol for two titles, as well as with Shaq and Kobe during the Lakers three-peat. In his first stint in LA, D-Fish was more than a role player. Fisher was third on the team in scoring in 2000-2001 and 2001-2002, averaging 11.3 points per game across the two seasons. He played big in the clutch, including a game-high 28 points to sweep the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the 2001 Western Conference Finals.