The moment the news broke, basketball forums and message boards across the internet were instantly flooded.
The Lakers fan community in particular turned into a sea of celebration.
"Oh my God! We got Glen Rice! We really got Glen Rice! I can't believe my eyes! The front office really came through this time!"
"Hahaha! I hereby declare that the 1999–2000 championship is already decided! Shaq + Kobe + Rice + the Zen Master—who can stop that lineup? Li Fei? Sorry, your dream of three straight titles ends here!"
"Don't get too carried away up there, but I'm genuinely excited! Can you imagine it? Shaq calls for the ball down low, four defenders collapse into the paint, then Shaq kicks it out to Rice on the perimeter—swish, nothing but net! How is anyone supposed to play against that?"
"This is the real Triangle Offense! I was worried before about who between Kobe and Shaq would be Jordan, and who would be Pippen. Now I don't have to worry! Rice is our Steve Kerr—an upgraded version! His range and consistency will make every opponent despair!"
"This is amazing! As a Lakers fan, this is the happiest day I've had in nearly a decade! We finally have a roster that truly looks like a championship team! I can't wait for the new season! Take down the Knicks and bring the Larry O'Brien Trophy back to Los Angeles!"
The fans' frenzy, coupled with the media hype, instantly drowned Los Angeles in a wave of purple and gold.
Glen Rice's arrival was like a shot of adrenaline, making every Lakers fan believe they were just one step away from returning to the top.
A "new Lakers Iron Triangle," made up of an unstoppable inside giant, a prolific perimeter scorer, and an elite sharpshooter, was officially