LOS ANGELES, CA – When you think of the greatest players the NBA has ever seen in their illustrious 75 years, many have dawned the purple and gold. That particular aspect has made the Los Angeles Lakers one of the most prestigious franchises in league history. These 10 iconic players should be considered the greatest Lakers in the history of this glorious franchise.
10.) Michael Cooper
With all the talk about “3-And-D” players in today’s NBA, go back to the iconic “Showtime” era of the 1980’s and look up Michael Cooper. A former third round draft pick out of New Mexico, Cooper was an integral part of the Lakers’ five championships in the 80’s with his solid three-point shooting but more importantly his aggressive and often suffocating defense.
(Courtesy of LakersDynasty42)
He made eight All-Defensive teams in his 12-year NBA career and won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1987 and took on some of the most difficult defensive challenges throughout those championship runs. It was often “Coop” who was often tasked with guarding other greats like Julius Erving, Larry Bird, and Isiah Thomas in the NBA Finals.
9.) Gail Goodrich
Goodrich spent nine of his 14 years in the NBA with his hometown Lakers, was a four-time All-Star, and made the All-NBA First team in 1974. He also ranks in the team’s top-10 in total points, assists, free throws made, and games played. After he was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996, the Lakers retired his number 25 in the rafters and Goodrich remains one of the greatest scorers in the history of the franchise.
(Courtesy of Lakers Nation)
8.) Wilt Chamberlain
With the Lakers, Wilt “The Stilt” made three All-Star teams, two All-NBA Second Teams, two All-NBA Defensive First Teams, and won the rebounding title three times. However, injuries, tensions with teammates and coaches, and not winning more championships alongside West and Baylor takes some shine off of his tenure with the purple and gold. Chamberlain still got inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979, had his number 13 was retired by the Lakers, is part of their lineage of incredible centers, is considered a top-five center all-time, and still the greatest rebounder in NBA history.
(Courtesy of House of Highlights)
7.) Elgin Baylor
While only 6’5, this Lakers legend was very strong, had tremendous handles, and had a running bank shot that was almost unguardable. Baylor averaged 34 points and 19 rebounds in just his third year in the league, numbers not seen by anybody at his size. He spent all 13 seasons of his career with the Lakers and was an 11-time All-Star, made the All-NBA First Team 10 times, Rookie of the Year, and led the Lakers to eight NBA Finals appearances.
(Courtesy of NBA)
His number 22 was retired by the Lakers and there is a statue erected in his honor outside of Crypto.com Arena. Baylor was a trailblazer for athletic scoring wing players like Dr. J, Worthy, MJ, and Kobe who came after him.
6.) James Worthy
Perhaps Worthy’s biggest performance came in Game 7 of the 1988 Finals against the Detroit Pistons where he had a triple-double of 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists to lift the Lakers to a win and another championship. Worthy was named Finals MVP of the ’88 Finals and was a six-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA Third Team during his 12-year career with the Lakers.
(Courtesy of Ryan Van Dusen)
His number 42 is retired by the Lakers. Not only was Worthy a brilliant two-way player, but he was willing to sacrifice much of his game to fit in alongside Magic and Kareem in order to help the Lakers win titles.
5.) Shaquille O’Neal
Perhaps there was not a more dominant force in the late 90’s and early 2000’s than Shaquille O’Neal. The Diesel was the rare combination of power and dominance as he led the Lakers to three consecutive championships from 2000-2002 winning three Finals MVPs during those years and a regular season MVP in 2000.
(Courtesy of The Throwback)
Along with Kobe, Shaq ushered in a new era and a championship dynasty during his eight years with the Lakers and still remains one of the biggest stars in franchise history with his number 34 retired by the Lakers.
4.) Jerry West
It’s hard not to have The Logo on the Mount Rushmore of iconic Lakers players. West spent his entire 14 year career with the Lakers making the All-Star team 14 times. A skilled scorer and ball handler, West led the Lakers to nine Western Conference championships alongside Baylor and Chamberlain, West couldn’t ever get over the Boston Celtics hump. He finally broke through in 1972 as the leader of that iconic championship squad but West should have won more rings.
(Courtesy of NBA)
Mr. Clutch still remains one of the only players to win Finals MVP in 1969 without his team winning the title. His number 44 is also retired by the Lakers and also has a statue outside of Crypto.com Arena.
3.) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The Skyhook. The Goggles. The Finesse. The Dominance. The “Airplane” Movie Cameo.
There were so many things to admire about the career of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and still to this day remains not just one of the greatest Lakers players but one of the greatest players in the history of the game.
(Courtesy of NBA)
The NBA’s all-time leader in points scored was a dominant force throughout his career especially during his 14 years with the Lakers where he won five NBA championships, three MVPs, and a Finals MVP in 1985. Along with Magic, Cap was a central figure in the “Showtime” era in the 80’s and one of the most unguardable and skilled centers to ever play the game. His number 33 is retired by the team and a statue was erected in his honor.
2.) Kobe Bryant
The Black Mamba gave Lakers fans 20 years of legendary moments and will always be an icon within the organization and throughout the league. Bryant came to the Lakers out of high school and made Los Angeles his home for his entire career.
(Courtesy of Bleacher Report)
His game was as well-rounded as anybody’s, he always delivered clutch shots, and he carried the torch of the NBA left behind by Jordan, becoming a star player that millions of young kids wanted to emulate.
Not to mention, Kobe won five championships as a Laker, a two-time Finals MVP, and a regular season MVP in 2008. He also scored the second-highest amount of points in a game dropping 81 on the Toronto Raptors in 2006. With both his numbers 8 and 24 retired by the team, the Mamba will always be considered the greatest Laker ever.
1.) Earvin “Magic” Johnson
At a time when the Lakers and the NBA needed to be revitalized and rejuvenated, along came Magic. With his no-look passes and Hollywood smile, Johnson was tailor-made for Los Angeles. It wasn’t just the charisma either; he delivered on the court, being the conductor of “Showtime” for the Lakers which propelled the team to five NBA championships and nine NBA Finals appearances.
(Courtesy of Basket Life)
Magic was a three-time regular season and Finals MVP and is still considered the greatest point guard in league history and the greatest Laker ever. Not to mention his rivalry with Celtics legend Larry Bird during the 80’s saved the NBA from potentially disbanding and essentially put the league and the sport on the map.
It’s never easy to rank the greatest Lakers ever, but this list honors many of them. This organization could have two Mount Rushmores, that’s how many legends have played for them through the decades. Not many teams in professional sports can say that, which is what makes the Los Angeles Lakers special.
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