NBA: Built to Dominate

"Shaq, at the end of the first quarter, was the conflict on the bench related to what you just mentioned?"

The reporters at the press conference weren't about to miss any potential breaking news.

While the main focus of this game was Shaq vs. Alex Mo, what caught the media's attention was the heated exchange on the Lakers' bench when Shaquille O'Neal and Bryant Reeves were resting.

"Yeah, that's exactly what happened," O'Neal admitted without hesitation. "Bryant couldn't guard Mo, and we had a disagreement about it."

He continued, his frustration evident. "Everyone knows you can't beat the Lakers without stopping Alex Mo. But Bryant straight-up told me he couldn't guard him. That pissed me off, plain and simple."

O'Neal wasn't wrong.

With Iverson suspended, the Lakers' best chance at winning depended on shutting down Alex Mo.

If Reeves had actually admitted he couldn't defend him, it was only natural for tensions to rise.

"Shaq, we saw that when you came back in the second quarter, you seemed to switch defensive matchups with Bryant," a Los Angeles reporter asked. "But your defense against Alex Mo didn't seem very effective either, did it?"

"I'm a center, and Mo is a power forward," Shaq responded quickly. "Defending him isn't my job—it should be on the team's power forward."

"I mean, I can try, but that's not my role."

Shaq conveniently avoided mentioning the fact that Alex Mo had completely dominated him.

His words carried only one message: Blame Reeves and move on!

Bryant Reeves, already fuming, wasn't happy about being thrown under the bus in public.

With this, the Vancouver Grizzlies' team chemistry took a major hit.

Once a crack forms in a team's foundation, fixing it is nearly impossible.

Perhaps, after tonight's game, someone's time with the Grizzlies would soon come to an end.

Would it be Reeves or O'Neal?

Only time would tell.

The Lakers' Press Conference

Meanwhile, at the Los Angeles Lakers' post-game press conference, head coach Del Harris wasted no time praising Alex Mo.

"This game proved once again that Jerry West made the right choice trading Shaq to build around Mo!"

Many fans and analysts had doubted West's decision in the summer.

Shaquille O'Neal had already led a team to the NBA Finals and even eliminated Michael Jordan in the playoffs before.

Even though it was a post-retirement Jordan, the accomplishment was still significant.

Shaq was seen as one of the most dominant young centers in the league.

Yet, Jerry West was willing to trade him for a rookie.

Critics were relentless, but now, Alex Mo was proving every doubter wrong.

He had just dropped 52 points, 24 rebounds, 7 blocks, and 3 steals in a single game.

A career-high in both points and rebounds.

The highest single-game point total for any rookie in the 1996 class.

The first rookie since Wilt Chamberlain to record a 50+20 game!

With stats like that, any doubts about Alex Mo's ability to carry a team as the sole star had been silenced.

Even though Iverson had just one more game left in his suspension, Mo had another game to prove himself as the undisputed leader of the Lakers.

At this point, questioning his ability to lead was downright foolish.

Who in their right mind doubts a rookie who just dropped 52 and 24?

The Media Pushes for Controversy

"Mo, some fans are saying they don't even want Allen Iverson to come back," a reporter from Los Angeles asked. "How do you feel about that?"

The question caught Alex Mo off guard for a second.

It was true.

After watching Mo dominate as the Lakers' solo star for three straight games, some fans were already moving on from Iverson.

Watching Mo single-handedly carry the team—wasn't that more exciting?

"If I'm being honest, I actually don't want Allen back either," Mo said with a shrug. "It's nice not having someone fight me for shots."

He let the statement hang for a second before smirking.

"But I need Allen. He's my guy. My teammate. My brother-in-arms."

"We're going to fight for the highest honors—together."

As much as Michael Jordan needed Scottie Pippen, Mo needed Iverson.

Watching from home, Iverson felt a wave of emotions.

He had worried that Mo would enjoy being the sole leader too much and forget about their bond.

Instead, Alex Mo had just publicly reaffirmed their partnership.

It was a moment of mutual respect and trust.

Mo Earns His Third Straight Player of the Week Award

As Mo flew back to Los Angeles from Vancouver, the NBA officially announced its Player of the Week award for the third week of the season.

This time, a familiar face was missing, and a new one had appeared.

The missing player?

Michael Jordan.

That night, as Mo was dismantling Shaq, the Chicago Bulls were suffering a stunning loss in Salt Lake City.

Despite Jordan's 44 points, his teammates collapsed under the pressure, allowing Karl Malone and John Stockton to end the Bulls' 12-game winning streak.

Jordan's loss eliminated him from Player of the Week contention.

Meanwhile, Karl Malone and Charles Barkley had put up impressive numbers, leading their teams to perfect weeks.

But none of it mattered.

Because this week belonged to Alex Mo.

Three straight games as the Lakers' sole leader.

Three straight 45+ point, 20+ rebound performances.

And a 52-point, 24-rebound masterpiece to cap it all off.

His final weekly averages?

47.7 points per game22.7 rebounds per game7.7 blocks per game

Numbers not seen since Wilt Chamberlain.

The NBA had never recorded a rookie averaging 45+ points and 25 rebounds per week.

Mo outscored Barkley.Outrebounded Malone.Even blocked more shots than Karl Malone had assists.

There was no debate.

The NBA officially named Alex Mo the Player of the Week for the third straight time.

The record for most Rookie of the Week awards in a single season was already his.

Now, he was the first rookie in NBA history to win the award three weeks in a row.

Not even Jordan had done that.

And Mo wasn't done.

Is Mo Running for MVP?

On ESPN, analysts began asking a shocking question:

"Could Alex Mo win MVP in his rookie season?"

Historically, only two rookies had ever won NBA MVP—Wilt Chamberlain and Wes Unseld.

But that was decades ago when the league was far less competitive.

This was the 90s, with Shaq, Hakeem, Jordan, Malone, and Barkley all at their peaks.

For a rookie to take the MVP award in this era?

It sounded impossible.

Yet, watching Mo dominate night after night, some analysts dared to believe it could happen.

Back in Los Angeles, fresh off a workout, Mo was asked about the MVP race.

He gave a simple response:

"There's always one person who becomes MVP.

Why can't that person be me?"