Chapter 104: The Christmas Special

The Great Western Forum looked different on Christmas Day.

Christmas music played through the arena’s speakers as employees prepared for the afternoon’s national television broadcast.

Camera operators moved equipment through the tunnels, concession workers prepared their stands, and two ushers wearing Santa hats directed early arrivals toward their sections.

Kobe pulled into the players’ parking. He had left home following a Christmas morning spent opening presents, eating breakfast, and arguing with his sisters.

Inside, he encountered Chick Hearn speaking with a technician near the tunnel entrance.

“Early as always,” Chick greeted him. “Merry Christmas, young man.”

“Merry Christmas, Chick.”

“Family coming today?”

“Yeah. They’re all coming.”

The locker room was already occupied when he arrived. Derek Fisher sat at his locker working on a crossword puzzle, while Ben Wallace listened to music through his headphones. Kobe dropped his bag and began preparing for the game. A few minutes later, Eddie Jones entered carrying doughnuts and tossed a pair of bright green socks toward him.

Kobe caught them. “What’s this?”

“Christmas present.”

“Green socks?”

“Thought you’d appreciate the Boston colors.”

“You trying to get me traded?”

Eddie laughed and reached for a doughnut.

The room gradually filled with players until Shaq appeared wearing an enormous Santa hat.

“Ho, ho, ho! Santa Claus has arrived!”

The locker room erupted. Shaq pointed at him before turning toward Kobe.

“Kob, your mom serious about that dinner invitation?”

“Yeah. Six o’clock.”

Shaq smiled and dropped into the chair beside him. Their conversation continued until Del Harris entered with his clipboard and gathered the players for their meeting.

“Boston’s struggling, but that doesn’t mean we can get careless,” Harris began. “We establish ourselves inside, protect the basketball, and make them work defensively.”

He turned toward Shaq. “They’re going to send help against you. Find the open man when they do.”

Shaq raised his hand. “Coach, what if I can score over both of them?”

“Then make sure you do.”

The players chuckled at Shaq’s antics, and Harris continued reviewing Boston’s defensive tendencies. He reminded Fisher to control the tempo, instructed Kobe and Eddie to pressure the perimeter, and emphasized the importance of rebounding.

When the meeting ended, the players changed and headed toward the court. The Forum was beginning to fill, and the crowd grew louder as Shaq emerged from the tunnel with both arms raised.

“Merry Christmas, Los Angeles!”

Kobe followed, took a basketball from an assistant coach, and moved toward the corner. His first jumper dropped cleanly through the net. He caught another pass and repeated the motion, settling into the familiar rhythm of his shooting routine.

Across the floor, the Celtics were warming up in their green uniforms. Kobe remembered watching recordings of Magic Johnson battling Larry Bird when he was younger, studying those games with his father. The rivalry had belonged to another generation, but seeing Boston across from the Lakers still meant something.

He caught another basketball and released.

Swish.

By the time the national broadcast began, the Forum was nearly full. Gold jerseys dominated the stands, although scattered patches of green could be seen throughout the arena.

“Good afternoon, basketball fans, and Merry Christmas!” Elvin announced from the ABC broadcast table. “Welcome to the Great Western Forum, where the Los Angeles Lakers host their longtime rivals, the Boston Celtics. Joining me today are Paul Westphal and the man who helped make this rivalry legendary, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson.”

“Merry Christmas, everybody!” Magic replied. “Lakers and Celtics on Christmas Day? You couldn’t ask for much more.”

Westphal smiled. “Boston might ask for a different opponent.”

Magic laughed. “You’re probably right about that.”

The commentators briefly discussed Chicago’s recent victory over Detroit before turning toward the Lakers’ remarkable start. Los Angeles entered the afternoon at 25–3, with Shaquille O’Neal dominating inside and Kobe Bryant emerging as one of the league’s most exciting young players.

“What’s impressed me about Kobe,” Magic explained, “is how he’s learning to play alongside Shaq. He knows when to attack, but he also understands when to give the big man the basketball.”

“You’re sounding a little biased,” Westphal observed.

“Paul, I wore purple and gold my whole career. You think I’m hiding that on Christmas?”

While the commentators continued, Kobe finished warming up and glanced toward the seats above the Lakers’ bench. His parents and sisters had arrived. Pamela was settling into her chair while Sharia and Shaya ate some snacks between them. Joe stood nearby, watching the court.

Kobe waved. Sharia immediately waved back, nearly hitting Shaya in the face.

“Watch it!” Shaya protested.

Kobe laughed as Joe acknowledged him with a nod.

Moments later, the lights dimmed for introductions. The crowd welcomed each Lakers starter enthusiastically, but Shaq received the loudest ovation. When both teams gathered around the center circle, he looked across at Boston’s center and grinned.

The referee tossed the ball.

Shaq won the opening tip, knocking it toward Fisher. Kobe moved to the right wing as the Lakers organized their first possession, and Shaq immediately established deep position against Boston’s center.

Fisher passed to Kobe, who waited for Shaq to seal his defender before delivering the entry pass. Shaq caught it, turned baseline, and powered up for a two-handed dunk.

The Forum erupted.

“It’s about to be a great Christmas!” Shaq shouted.

Boston answered with a jumper, but Los Angeles continued attacking inside. Shaq drew a second defender on the following possession and passed to Eddie Jones for an open shot.

A few trips later, Kobe intercepted a pass near the top of the key and pushed the ball toward Fisher, who returned it to him in transition. Kobe spotted Eddie running alongside him and bounced the ball across the lane for another easy basket.

“Beautiful basketball!” Magic exclaimed. “Everybody’s running, everybody’s sharing the ball.”

Boston managed several baskets, but Shaq remained nearly impossible to contain. He scored over his left shoulder, collected offensive rebounds, and repeatedly forced defenders to collapse toward the paint.

Kobe recognized the openings that created. When Shaq caught another entry pass and drew two defenders, Kobe slipped toward the elbow. Shaq found him with a quick pass, and Kobe knocked down the jumper.

“Movin’ and groovin’!” Shaq called as they ran back.

The Celtics called timeout, but the break did little to change the game’s direction. Wallace controlled the defensive glass, Eddie knocked down another jumper, and Kobe drove through an opening for a layup before finding Shaq with a lob on the following possession.

Shaq caught the pass above the rim and hammered it home.

“Oh, my goodness!” Magic shouted. “You cannot let Shaq catch that ball up there!”

Westphal laughed. “Stopping him is easier said than done.”

Late in the quarter, Shaq drew a foul and stepped to the free-throw line. His first attempt struck the back rim and bounced away.

From the sideline, Harris shook his head.

“Just warming up, Coach!” Shaq called.

His second attempt dropped through, earning exaggerated applause from the Lakers’ bench.

Harris glanced toward Shaq. “Make your next two and maybe I’ll let you shoot a three.”

The bench erupted.

When the first quarter ended, Los Angeles led 32–18. Shaq had fourteen points, while Kobe contributed eight points and four assists.

Shaq dropped into his chair and reached for a towel. “Fourteen ain’t bad for a warmup.”

Harris kept Fisher on the floor to open the second quarter, surrounding him with Nick Van Exel, Robert Horry, Ben Wallace, and Elden Campbell. Boston briefly found success attacking the basket without Shaq protecting the paint, but Los Angeles responded before the Celtics could build any momentum.

Horry knocked down a three-pointer, disrupted a pass on the following possession, and started a fast break that Van Exel finished at the rim. Campbell added an offensive rebound and putback, restoring the Lakers’ comfortable advantage.

Kobe watched from the bench, leaning forward with a towel across his shoulders.

Midway through the quarter, Harris waved him toward the scorer’s table. Kobe checked in and immediately cut behind his defender after passing to Horry, who found him for an uncontested layup.

On Boston’s next possession, Kobe anticipated a crosscourt pass, intercepted it, and raced toward the opposite basket for a powerful right-handed dunk.

“Another steal by Kobe Bryant!” Elvin announced. “And the Lakers continue running Boston off the floor!”

Shaq stood near the bench with both arms raised.

“Nice finish!”

Kobe laughed as he returned to defense.

With several minutes remaining, Harris brought Shaq and Eddie back into the game. Boston immediately doubled Shaq, leaving Eddie open for a jumper.

On the following possession, the Celtics attempted to defend Shaq without help, and he scored through contact before completing the three-point play.

From the bench, Fisher waved his towel.

“AND ONE!”

The Lakers controlled the remaining minutes through patient offense and strong rebounding. Kobe found Fisher for a three-pointer, Wallace secured another defensive rebound, and Shaq added another basket near the rim.

At halftime, Los Angeles led 61–38.

Inside the locker room, Harris reviewed the first half while his players rested.

“Good work, but don’t start thinking about dinner. We’ve still got twenty-four minutes.”

Shaq raised his head. “Coach, speaking of dinner—”

“Don’t start Shaq.”

“I didn’t even ask anything!”

Kobe laughed, and Shaq turned toward him. “Your mom’s expecting me at six. So I thought we could clock-out early.”

“Then finish the game,” Harris replied.

Eddie shook his head. “How is Shaq thinking about food at halftime.”

“Fuel,” Shaq corrected. “It’s called fuel.”

Once the laughter settled, Harris returned to the whiteboard, reminding everyone to protect the ball and finish defensive possessions with rebounds. Kobe listened carefully, recognizing that Boston was sending help earlier against Shaq and leaving more opportunities for cutters.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Boston opened the third quarter with renewed energy, scoring five unanswered points to reduce the deficit to eighteen. The Celtics bench rose, encouraging their teammates, but Kobe remained composed as he brought the ball across half court.

He signaled for Wallace to move toward the weak side, creating space along the right wing. His defender settled into a low stance, anticipating the drive.

Kobe jabbed right, hesitated, and crossed left before accelerating toward the lane. Boston’s help defender stepped across, forcing him toward the baseline, but Kobe gathered the ball and slipped beneath the outstretched arm for a reverse layup.

The crowd erupted.

A few possessions later, Kobe and Shaq ran a high pick-and-roll. Shaq set a solid screen, forcing Kobe’s defender to trail behind him. Boston’s center stepped forward to stop the drive, but Kobe waited until both defenders committed before threading a bounce pass between them.

Shaq caught it in stride and finished with another dunk.

“That’s beautiful basketball!” Magic exclaimed.

Shaq slapped Kobe’s hand as they ran back.

“Good shit.”

As Boston continued collapsing toward the paint, Kobe found more opportunities to distribute the ball. He kicked a pass to Eddie for an open jumper, found Horry cutting along the baseline, and later fed Shaq for another easy basket.

By the time Harris began rotating his starters out, Kobe had nine assists, having spent much of the afternoon picking apart Boston’s defense.

The Lakers continued extending their lead. Eddie knocked down consecutive jumpers, Horry added another basket, and Wallace prevented Boston from generating second-chance opportunities.

Then came the play that brought the Forum to its feet.

Midway through the quarter, Boston attempted to swing the ball across the perimeter. Kobe recognized the passing angle, stepped into the lane, and intercepted it cleanly.

Nobody was ahead of him.

The crowd began rising as he crossed midcourt.

Kobe took one hard dribble, gathered the ball just inside the free-throw line, and took two long strides toward the basket. Planting off his left foot, he exploded upward, swinging the ball down across his body with his right hand before sweeping it back over his head and hammering it through the rim.

The building exploded.

Kobe landed and turned toward the crowd as his teammates jumped from the bench.

“OH, THAT’S NASTY!” Shaq shouted.

Magic nearly shouted over Elvin. “DID YOU SEE THAT, PAUL?”

Westphal laughed. “I saw it, Magic. It’s a chrismas special.”

Kobe grinned as he ran back on defense. In the family section, Sharia and Shaya were standing and cheering, while Pamela applauded and Joe smiled. The overhead screen replayed the dunk, drawing another roar from the crowd.

Boston called timeout.

The fourth quarter passed without much difficulty. Fisher, Van Exel, Horry, Campbell, and the remaining reserves maintained the advantage while Boston continued competing against the second unit.

When the final horn sounded, the scoreboard read Lakers 109, Celtics 77.

Los Angeles had improved to 26–3.

Shaq finished with thirty points, thirteen rebounds, and three blocks. Kobe recorded twenty-four points, nine assists, five rebounds, and three steals, while Eddie contributed seventeen points and Horry added eleven.

After exchanging handshakes with Boston’s players, Kobe looked toward his family. Sharia waved enthusiastically, Shaya pointed toward the overhead screen replaying his windmill dunk, and Joe raised his hand.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The locker room was filled with laughter after the game.

Kobe changed and answered several questions from reporters gathered near his locker.

“How does it feel to beat Boston on Christmas Day?”

“It feels good,” Kobe answered. “We came out ready to play. Shaq was great inside, everybody contributed, and we played good defense.”

“What about that windmill dunk?”

Kobe laughed. “I had some space. Figured I’d try something special.”

“Did you plan that before the game?”

“No. I don’t think Coach would appreciate me drawing up windmill dunks in the locker room.”

The reporters laughed.

“Any plans for the rest of Christmas?”

“Going home. My mom’s got dinner at six, and I’m not trying to be late.”

After finishing his interviews, Kobe gathered his belongings and headed toward the parking lot.

The drive home was quiet, with Christmas decorations lining the residential streets and the afternoon sunlight beginning to fade. Kobe arrived with enough time to change before dinner.

The smell of roasted chicken greeted Kobe as he stepped inside, followed by the familiar sound of his family talking in the dining room.

“There he is!” Joe announced, looking up from the table. “Hell of a game, son.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Pamela emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart. How are you feeling?”

“Hungry.”

“Well, you’re right on time. Are your friends still coming?”

“Yeah. Shaq’s bringing the rookies. They should be here any minute.”

Kobe had invited the entire Lakers rookie class to spend Christmas with his family. Derek Fisher, Wallace, and the others had accepted, and Shaq had practically invited himself the moment Kobe mentioned Pamela was cooking. With everyone spending so much time together on the road, Kobe figured Christmas was as good an excuse as any to bring them all under one roof.

The doorbell rang before Pamela could answer.

“That’ll be them.”

Kobe opened the door to find Shaq standing on the porch with two enormous dessert boxes stacked in his arms. Derek Fisher stood beside him carrying a bag of drinks, while Travis Knight and the other rookies waited behind them.

“MERRY CHRISTMAS!” Shaq announced.

Kobe stared at the boxes. “What’s all that?”

“Pie.”

“Two boxes?”

“One for everybody.”

“And the other?”

Shaq grinned. “Me.”

Wallace glanced at the boxes. “You sure that’s gonna be enough?”

Shaq turned toward him. “For me? Probably not.”

Fisher shook his head as Kobe laughed and stepped aside to let everyone in.

Pamela welcomed everyone warmly, taking their coats and thanking Shaq for bringing dessert. Joe greeted each player with a handshake, while Sharia and Shaya emerged from the living room to meet their brother’s teammates.

“Make yourselves comfortable,” Pamela told them. “Dinner’s almost ready.”

“Mrs. Bryant, whatever you’re cooking smells incredible,” Fisher said.

“Thank you, Derek. I hope you boys brought your appetites.”

Once everyone settled around the dining table, conversation quickly turned to the afternoon’s game. Joe asked Fisher about one of the defensive possessions, Travis talked about the atmosphere inside the Forum, and Shaq entertained Kobe’s sisters with increasingly ridiculous descriptions of his own dunks.

Pamela passed another serving dish toward Shaq. “Here, have some more.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Bryant.”

Kobe glanced at his plate. “You’ve already had two servings.”

Shaq looked down at his food, then back at Kobe. “And?”

“Nothing.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Even Joe laughed at that.

Dinner continued with stories from the road, Christmas presents, and memories of Kobe growing up in Italy. Fisher asked Joe about his playing days, while Pamela shared a few childhood stories that Kobe would have preferred she keep to herself.

“He used to carry a basketball everywhere,” Pamela recalled. “Even when we went grocery shopping.”

“Mom.”

“And if we told him to leave it in the car, he’d spend the whole trip asking when we were going back.”

Shaq leaned forward. “Hold on. You mean he’s been like this his whole life?”

“Unfortunately,” Shaya answered.

“Hey!”

“Don’t worry, Kobe,” Fisher said. “That explains a lot.”

By the time dessert arrived, the conversation had become so lively that Pamela had to remind everyone there were people at the table who hadn’t finished eating. Shaq opened both pie boxes with great ceremony, only for Sharia to discover that he’d already taken a slice from one.

“You ate some before dinner?”

Shaq looked offended. “Quality control.”

“Quality control?” Kobe repeated.

“Can’t bring bad pie to somebody’s house on Christmas.”

After dinner, Fisher and Travis helped Joe clear the table while Shaq carried dishes into the kitchen. Pamela packed leftovers for the guests, ignoring their protests that they’d already eaten enough.

Eventually, the players gathered their coats and said their goodbyes. Fisher thanked Joe and Pamela for inviting them, and Travis promised to return the next time Kobe offered a home-cooked meal.

Shaq accepted his container of leftovers with both hands.

“Mrs. Bryant, I’m telling you right now, this was the best Christmas dinner I’ve had in years.”

“You’re welcome here anytime, Son.”

Kobe walked everyone to the door, exchanging handshakes and Christmas wishes before turning to Shaq.

“Thanks for coming, big man.”

Shaq grinned. “Tell your mom she’s a better cook than you are a passer.”

“Get out of here.”

Shaq’s booming laughter followed him down the driveway as the others headed toward their cars.

Kobe closed the door and returned to the living room.