Article by Antwon "Smitty" Smith
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most storied franchises in sports history and have put legendary talent on the floor since their arrival in 1947. Who are the top 10 Lakers of all-time, here are mine:
1. Magic Johnson ('79-'91, '95-'96)
Magic Johnson took the Lakers franchise to another level after being taken 1st overall in 1979. He could play every position on the floor and he was the reason "Showtime" became a staple in Los Angeles. Magic won 5 championships with Los Angeles and even coached them during the 1994 season, which is why i put him at the top of my list. He is now President of Basketball operations and has promised the fans that "Showtime" will return to Hollywood.
2. Kobe Bryant ('97-'16)
Straight out of high school Kobe Bryant seemed to be the perfect fit in Los Angeles with his raw talent and attitude to win. Kobe would go on to win 5 titles and an MVP award during his career, all while dealing with obstacles on and of the court. His longevity and consistency throughout his NBA career made his one of the greatest players ever. Bryant greatest game came in January 2006 as he dropped 81 points against the Toronto Raptors.
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ('75-'89)
The NBA's all-time leading scorer is definitely in the discussion as the best NBA player ever, but his run with the purple and gold was as great as any player with any team. After starting his career with the Milwaukee Bucks (Won title in 1971)Abdul-Jabbar won a record 6 NBA MVP awards, 6 NBA Championships (Lakers 5, Bucks 1) titles and he was a 19-time All-Star and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Kareem also won 2 rings as an assistant with the Lakers under Phil Jackson in 2009 and 2010.
4. Shaquille O'Neal ('96-'04)
Shaq arrived in L.A. in 1996 he was the stated the next generation of great Laker centers, and along with Kobe Bryant they formed one of the best duos in NBA history. O'Neal and Bryant won 3 consecutive titles (O'Neal won all Finals MVP awards) from 2001-2003 and some say their 15-1 playoff team was one of the best ever. Even after fans say he underachieved during his career, how many more stars can say they were as dominant?
5. Jerry West ('60-'74)
The logo was a part of some great teams in Los Angeles and has found much success as a GM in the NBA but he didn't win as many titles as some of the other greats. West helped the Lakers win their first title in 1971 but it would be his only one as a player, finishing his career 1-9. However his time as a GM would bring him six more rings, making him one of the best all-time.
6. Wilt Chamberlain ('68-'73)
Chamberlain came over from Philadelphia in 1968 as probably the most dominant player in the league. His historic numbers were not needed in Los Angeles as he became more of a defensive player, which made the team better on that end as well. In 1971, Wilt and Jerry won an NBA record 33 straight games on the way to their first championship. Wilt would walk away a year later with nearly every NBA record in his pocket even a 100-point performance, but those great Celtics teams could have taken away a bit of his greatness winning only 1 championship.
7. Elgin Baylor ('59-'72)
Elgin Baylor is probably the most underrated Laker to ever dawn the purple and gold, but he may have made the biggest impact of any player in franchise history. Baylor moved with the team from Minneapolis to Los Angeles and still hold many team records or near the top in most categories. Elgin was one of the first legit scoring forwards in the NBA as finished his career averaging 27.4 points per game and grabbing 13.5 rebounds while standing only 6'5. He scored 71 vs the Philadelphia Warriors his rookie season which is the 8th highest output for a single game by a player.
8. James Worthy ('82-'94)
James Worthy was a big part of the Showtime Lakers during three of their four championship runs in the 1980's. Worthy's ability to score around the rim and his athleticism on defense made him one of the most dangerous players on the floor. Not known for his big scoring games, Worthy came up big during playoff time which earned him the nickname "Big Game James". His 22 point, 7 rebound, 4 assist averages in the '88 NBA Finals vs Detroit earned him MVP honors.
9. George Mikan ('49-'56)
George Mikan was the first big man in the NBA that became a legit scoring option. He was the centerpiece of the Lakers early days in Minneapolis. Along with Elgin Baylor, Mikan helped usher in a new era of Lakers basketball. His career average of 23 points and 14 rebounds are near the top of the Lakers lists. His 14 career rebounds per game is still 3rd all-time in franchise history.
10. Jamaal Wilkes ('78-'85)
Wilkes was a Lakers fan favorite during his days in Hollywood, even after coming over from rival Golden State. Wilkes won a championship in Oakland and still had a lot left in the tank for the Lakers as he helped them to 3 NBA championships in the early 80's. Wilkes was a scoring machine that gave the team a boost during his 7 seasons and also landed a starring role in "Earl Cornbread and Me." Silk as he was called by his teammates has one of the smoothest jump shots in the NBA.
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1. Magic Johnson ('79-'91, '95-'96)
Magic Johnson took the Lakers franchise to another level after being taken 1st overall in 1979. He could play every position on the floor and he was the reason "Showtime" became a staple in Los Angeles. Magic won 5 championships with Los Angeles and even coached them during the 1994 season, which is why i put him at the top of my list. He is now President of Basketball operations and has promised the fans that "Showtime" will return to Hollywood.
2. Kobe Bryant ('97-'16)
Straight out of high school Kobe Bryant seemed to be the perfect fit in Los Angeles with his raw talent and attitude to win. Kobe would go on to win 5 titles and an MVP award during his career, all while dealing with obstacles on and of the court. His longevity and consistency throughout his NBA career made his one of the greatest players ever. Bryant greatest game came in January 2006 as he dropped 81 points against the Toronto Raptors.
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ('75-'89)
The NBA's all-time leading scorer is definitely in the discussion as the best NBA player ever, but his run with the purple and gold was as great as any player with any team. After starting his career with the Milwaukee Bucks (Won title in 1971)Abdul-Jabbar won a record 6 NBA MVP awards, 6 NBA Championships (Lakers 5, Bucks 1) titles and he was a 19-time All-Star and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Kareem also won 2 rings as an assistant with the Lakers under Phil Jackson in 2009 and 2010.
4. Shaquille O'Neal ('96-'04)
Shaq arrived in L.A. in 1996 he was the stated the next generation of great Laker centers, and along with Kobe Bryant they formed one of the best duos in NBA history. O'Neal and Bryant won 3 consecutive titles (O'Neal won all Finals MVP awards) from 2001-2003 and some say their 15-1 playoff team was one of the best ever. Even after fans say he underachieved during his career, how many more stars can say they were as dominant?
5. Jerry West ('60-'74)
The logo was a part of some great teams in Los Angeles and has found much success as a GM in the NBA but he didn't win as many titles as some of the other greats. West helped the Lakers win their first title in 1971 but it would be his only one as a player, finishing his career 1-9. However his time as a GM would bring him six more rings, making him one of the best all-time.
6. Wilt Chamberlain ('68-'73)
Chamberlain came over from Philadelphia in 1968 as probably the most dominant player in the league. His historic numbers were not needed in Los Angeles as he became more of a defensive player, which made the team better on that end as well. In 1971, Wilt and Jerry won an NBA record 33 straight games on the way to their first championship. Wilt would walk away a year later with nearly every NBA record in his pocket even a 100-point performance, but those great Celtics teams could have taken away a bit of his greatness winning only 1 championship.
7. Elgin Baylor ('59-'72)
Elgin Baylor is probably the most underrated Laker to ever dawn the purple and gold, but he may have made the biggest impact of any player in franchise history. Baylor moved with the team from Minneapolis to Los Angeles and still hold many team records or near the top in most categories. Elgin was one of the first legit scoring forwards in the NBA as finished his career averaging 27.4 points per game and grabbing 13.5 rebounds while standing only 6'5. He scored 71 vs the Philadelphia Warriors his rookie season which is the 8th highest output for a single game by a player.
8. James Worthy ('82-'94)
James Worthy was a big part of the Showtime Lakers during three of their four championship runs in the 1980's. Worthy's ability to score around the rim and his athleticism on defense made him one of the most dangerous players on the floor. Not known for his big scoring games, Worthy came up big during playoff time which earned him the nickname "Big Game James". His 22 point, 7 rebound, 4 assist averages in the '88 NBA Finals vs Detroit earned him MVP honors.
9. George Mikan ('49-'56)
George Mikan was the first big man in the NBA that became a legit scoring option. He was the centerpiece of the Lakers early days in Minneapolis. Along with Elgin Baylor, Mikan helped usher in a new era of Lakers basketball. His career average of 23 points and 14 rebounds are near the top of the Lakers lists. His 14 career rebounds per game is still 3rd all-time in franchise history.
10. Jamaal Wilkes ('78-'85)
Wilkes was a Lakers fan favorite during his days in Hollywood, even after coming over from rival Golden State. Wilkes won a championship in Oakland and still had a lot left in the tank for the Lakers as he helped them to 3 NBA championships in the early 80's. Wilkes was a scoring machine that gave the team a boost during his 7 seasons and also landed a starring role in "Earl Cornbread and Me." Silk as he was called by his teammates has one of the smoothest jump shots in the NBA.
Follow me on:
Twitter: @Fatboislim_21
Facebook: The Sports Machine
Instagram: an2won
YouTube: Open Field Report
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