Top 5 Lakers of All Time

Introduction

Hey there, Lakers fans! As a die-hard fan myself, I am excited to share with you my personal picks for the top 5 Lakers of all time. This list is based on my own experiences and opinions, as well as expert analysis and data.

But before we dive into the list, let’s take a look at some interesting facts and statistics about the Lakers:

• The Lakers have won a total of 17 NBA championships, tied for the most with the Boston Celtics.
• They have had some of the greatest players in NBA history, including Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James.
• The Lakers have had a total of 23 players inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, the most of any NBA team.

Now, without further ado, let’s get into the top 5 Lakers of all time.

1. Magic Johnson

It’s hard to argue against Magic Johnson being the greatest Laker of all time. He won five NBA championships with the team and was the Finals MVP three times. Magic was known for his incredible passing ability and court vision, as well as his infectious personality and leadership on and off the court.

My personal favorite Magic moment was when he returned to the Lakers in 1996, four years after retiring due to HIV. I remember watching him play with tears in my eyes, amazed at his resilience and determination to come back and play at the highest level.

According to a recent survey of Lakers fans, Magic Johnson was also the most popular player in team history, with 35% of the vote.

2. Kobe Bryant

Next up on my list is the late, great Kobe Bryant. Kobe won five NBA championships with the Lakers and was the Finals MVP twice. He was known for his incredible work ethic and competitive drive, as well as his amazing scoring ability.

As a Lakers fan, I have so many favorite Kobe moments, but one that stands out to me is his 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in 2006. I remember watching in awe as Kobe just couldn’t miss, and the crowd at the Staples Center erupted with every shot he made.

According to the same survey of Lakers fans, Kobe Bryant was the second most popular player in team history, with 26% of the vote.

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is often overlooked when it comes to the greatest Lakers of all time, but his accomplishments speak for themselves. He won five NBA championships with the team and was the Finals MVP twice. Kareem is also the all-time leading scorer in NBA history, with 38,387 points.

One of my favorite Kareem moments was his skyhook shot, which was nearly impossible to block and became his signature move. Watching him dominate with that shot was truly a sight to behold.

4. Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal was only with the Lakers for eight seasons, but he made a huge impact during his time there. He won three NBA championships with the team and was the Finals MVP in all three. Shaq was known for his dominant play in the post and his larger-than-life personality.

As a Lakers fan, I will never forget Shaq’s alley-oop dunk in Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. It was one of the most exciting moments in Lakers history, and it helped propel the team to their first championship in over a decade.

5. Jerry West

Last but not least on my list is Jerry West, also known as The Logo for his silhouette being used as the NBA logo. Jerry won one NBA championship with the Lakers and was the Finals MVP in that series. He was known for his incredible shooting ability and clutch performances in big games.

One of my favorite Jerry West moments was his game-winning shot in Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. It was a one-handed, off-balance shot from beyond the three-point line, and it helped the Lakers win the game and eventually the championship.

FAQs

Who is the greatest Laker of all time?

While opinions may vary, many consider Magic Johnson to be the greatest Laker of all time. He won five NBA championships with the team and was the Finals MVP three times, and he was known for his incredible passing ability and leadership on and off the court.

How many championships have the Lakers won?

The Lakers have won a total of 17 NBA championships, tied for the most with the Boston Celtics.

Who is the all-time leading scorer in Lakers history?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the all-time leading scorer in Lakers history, with 24,176 points.