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10 Best Lakers of All Time: 2023 Edition

best lakers of all time

Who are the best Lakers of all time? This is a team that is not just one of the most storied franchises in NBA history, they’re one of the most storied in the world.

Best Lakers of All Time

The famed purple and gold jersey has been worn by legendary superstars that have been celebrated by fans from across the globe. Let’s take a look at who the top 10 best Lakers of all time are. 

10. Derek Fisher

Derek Fisher spent 13 seasons in Los Angeles across three spells. He was known for his leadership and clutch play, and he delivered the “0.4 Shot”, one of the best plays in NBA history.

Fisher played an important role in five NBA championships with the Lakers. The tenacious point guard had remarkable defensive skills, had the ability to control the tempo of a game, and had a habit of hitting big shots at crucial moments.

9. Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain is one of the best Lakers of all time, but is most remembered for his 100-point game he scored while playing at the Philadelphia Warriors.

One of the best NBA players of all time, the dominant center spent five seasons with the Lakers when he left Philadelphia in 1968. His scoring and rebounding ability were a key part of the Lakers’ 1972 championship winning run.

8. Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol was a skilled power forward/center, and played a significant role with the Lakers across seven seasons. He helped form the Kobe-Gasol dynasty, and he won back-to-back NBA championships in 2009 and 2010.

The frontcourt duo he formed with Kobe was a formidable force to be reckoned with. He provided excellent passing, scoring ability, versatility, a high basketball IQ and a team-first mentality to compliment Kobe’s game. 

7. James Worthy

James Worthy was a key player during the Lakers’ “Showtime” era throughout the 1980s. He was a standout with his versatility, athleticism, and clutch performances, which was a key part of the Lakers’ run-and-gun style of play.

A seven-time All-Star, Worthy won three NBA championships with the Lakers in a 12-season career spent entirely in Los Angeles. Alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, the trio were one of the most exciting in league history. 

6. Elgin Baylor

Elgin Baylor is known for his smooth, acrobatic style of play, and for his instinctiveness. Able to score, rebound and distribute the ball, he’s one of the greatest forwards and one of the best Lakers of all time.

Across 14 seasons in Los Angeles, he became an 11-time NBA All-Star and was named to the All-NBA First Team 10 times. Despite never winning a championship he still had a profound impact on the franchise and is often credited with saving the Lakers from bankruptcy.

5. Jerry West

The NBA logo himself, Jerry West spent his entire 14-year career with the Lakers and is one of their greatest ever players. At the time of his retirement he was their all-time leading scorer and led the team to the 1972 NBA championship.

He was known for his exceptional scoring, ball control, and the ability to dominate defensively. West was an All-Star in every season he played, and his silhouette serving as the NBA logo is a testament to just how good he was.  

4. Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal, or Shaq, was a larger-than-life presence both on and off the court. One of the best Lakers of all time, he transformed the game with his explosive athleticism and is one of the best players in NBA history.

In the paint he was simply unstoppable with his combination of size, strength and athleticism, and he had a deadly dropstep in the post to match. He led the Lakers to three NBA championships and was named NBA Finals MVP in each of those championship runs. 

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the best Lakers of all time, has the second most points in NBA history, most All-Star appearances, and he won five NBA championships with the Lakers.

Despite having exceptional shot blocking ability, he’s best known for his unstoppable skyhook shot which could very well be the next NBA logo. While at the Lakers he created a formidable partnership alongside Magic Johnson.

2. Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson is often regarded as one of the best ever point guards, and he’s one of the best Lakers of all time. He led the Lakers to five NBA championships and he formed one of the most formidable partnerships with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Johnson revolutionized the point guard position. At 6-foot-9, he had a unique combination of size, athleticism, and court vision for his position. A three-time NBA MVP, he was known for his flashy style of play and for his ability to come up clutch.

1. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant is the best NBA player who played for one team, and the greatest ever Lakers player. He spent his entire 20-year career in Los Angeles, won five NBA championships and was a 17-time NBA All-Star.

He was known for his scoring, footwork, his work ethic, and his trademark “Mamba Mentality”. Kobe scored at an average of 25-points a game, averaged 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He was able to inspire a generation of players and fans, and is one of the greatest players ever. 

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