I posted on Magic Johnson Talk about whether Magic Johnson was indeed the greatest Laker of all-time and how Kobe Bryant and other Lakers in the past could also be given the title of the greatest Laker. After looking at the impressive profiles, I wanted to talk about some of the greatest Lakers and I am going to talk about 8 of them including Magic and Kobe in no particular order.

Jerry West

Let’s start with the Lakers guard that has “The Logo” as one of his nicknames because his silhouette has been incorporated into the famous NBA logo. According to his biography on NBA.com, he was really small growing up and was kept from children’s sports. His mother did not like him playing basketball all the time either.[1] Jerry West has had plenty of accomplishments as a player including being named the MVP in the 1969 finals when the Lakers did not even win. He really was the architect behind the Lakers three-peat from 2000 to 2002 as he signed then free agent Shaquille O’Neal, traded for Kobe Bryant and brought in Phil Jackson as coach.

Kareem Abdul – Jabbar

“Captain Skyhook” is another one of those world-class Lakers center, but he was different in that he was slender and still such a strong player in the low-post. Kareem may have gone down as the greatest Laker ever, but he started his career with the Milwaukee Bucks where he won a title in 1971 with “Big O” Oscar Robertson. It was when Magic Johnson came to the Lakers was drafted in 1979 that the Lakers went onto become the “Showtime” Lakers of the 1980s and win five titles out of eight finals appearances.

Magic Johnson

What can I say? In my opinion, the Greatest Laker ever. You should go and check out what I have to say about him on Magic Johnson Talk, if you haven’t already.

 

Wilt Chamberlain

In 1968, this dominant center was traded to the Lakers from the Philadelphia 76ers and this was the first time a reigning NBA MVP was traded the following season with the most recent one being Lebron James. After having a hard time with then Lakers coach Butch Van Breda Kolff, Wilt appeared in 4 NBA Finals and won another title with the Lakers in 1972.

Elgin Baylor

Baylor started and finished his career with the Lakers, but unfortunately he retired in 1971 just before the franchise won their first ever NBA championship in 1972. Baylor was a gifted rebounder averaging 13.5 rebounds per game throughout his career and he is known for his signature running bank shot.

 

James Worthy

“Big Game James” lived up to his big moniker but he may have been overshadowed by his “Showtime” teammates Magic and Kareem. He was a key contributor to the three titles he won with the Lakers in the 1980s and even was named NBA Finals MVP in 1988 after some great trade moves by the Lakers to get him as the number one pick in the 1982 NBA draft.

 

Shaquille O’Neal

I guess I can’t leave out the big man and the most dominant centers of the modern game even though he did do a lot of hopping. The sheer size of Shaq and his dominant play that made him the NBA Finals MVP all three times the Lakers won the title during their three-peat  even with Kobe on the team will make him go down as a Laker great.

 

Kobe Bryant

The modern-day face of the Lakers who will eventually be remembered as the greatest Laker ever and should finish his career with the club like Magic. I think my articles on other blogs on this site will tell you how great he is.