Top 10 Best Los Angeles Lakers Players of All Time
When you think of the Los Angeles Lakers, greatness comes to mind. Legendary players who brought that electrifying energy to the court, iconic purple and gold jerseys, and a whole lot of championship banners hanging in the rafters. The Lakers franchise has built an incredible legacy with some of the best basketball players to ever step on hardwood.But who are the absolute best of the best? Who made the biggest impact? Who delivered those moments that still give you goosebumps when you see old highlights? It's hard to narrow it down, right? There have been so many incredible players to don those iconic jerseys.
Kobe Bryant (1978 - 2020) was an American retired professional basketball player. He played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Kobe Bryant has won 5 NBA championships with the Lakers and was the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history... read more Kobe is the most talented Laker ever by far. When I think of the greatest Laker, the first thing that comes to mind is the skill set. Kobe has the greatest footwork in NBA history. His post play and fadeaways are unmatched at the SG position since Jordan.
Even in his mid-thirties, with arthritis, Kobe constantly evolves his game and remains a top scorer in the league. Most players dwindle after they lose their freakish athleticism, but not Kobe. In fact, I doubt anyone can name a player who remained top 5 in scoring by their mid-30s. Factor in Kobe's playoff games, and you'll see he has more miles on him than any player right now but still remains on top based on pure skill.
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association for 13 seasons. Outside of being the All-Star game MVP despite having HIV, outside of his miracle shots, having a triple-double at halftime, outside of getting those rebounds, outside of making no-look passes, outside of being one of the 50 Greatest, outside of winning championships, outside of being at least one of the 20 greatest, he was the greatest ever.
Look at his accomplishments and compare that to Michael. The only one to have the Finals MVP as a rookie. Don't see it? I hope you are understanding me, really.
The all-time leader in assists per game could also be the best NBA player of all time because of his ability to score, pass, and rebound. So, yes, he is one of the greatest all-around NBA players ever.
I'd like to see how Kobe Bryant would go up against Larry Bird, Michael Jordan in his prime, Julius Erving, and Charles Barkley. That's why Kobe isn't top three.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American retired professional basketball player who played 20 seasons in the National Basketball Association for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. Kareem was consistently the top center in the league during an era where there were many great centers. For that matter, he was the best player. He was a dominant player until age 39 when Pat Riley changed the offense to be more Magic Johnson/James Worthy oriented (not complaining, as it was the reason for titles in 1987 and 1988).
At age 42, he also poured in 26 points in game 3 of the Finals to keep the Lakers in the game. The greatest Laker and greatest player (sorry MJ) ever.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is not only the #1 Laker, but he is also the #1 NBA player of all time. He has 6 MVPs, 6 championships (5 with LA), and more points than any other Laker or player in the NBA. He always stayed in great shape, with no real injuries that put him out for the season, unlike Kobe or Magic. The "sky hook" was the single most unstoppable weapon in sports history.
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, nicknamed Shaq, is a retired American professional basketball player who is currently an analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. He is known for his fun, friendly personality, and is one of the most beloved athletes of all time. Some mention Kareem here. I mention Shaq here. Two, three, four, five feet into the paint, he is pretty unstoppable. He pretty much does everything a center should do: rebound, block shots, etc. His problem is his jumper and shooting free throws, but don't centers give you that? You already signed shooters in Horry, Kobe, Fox, and Fisher. Only some are shooting centers like Dirk and JJ Hickson. Shaq is not one of them.
Shaq is totally better than Kobe Bryant. Bryant just touches the ball and gets it in. He's only good at shooting. Well, Shaq averages better than Kobe Bryant and he gets the most rebounds. Look at his body. He's 136 kg and 216 cm. Kobe doesn't have 2 meters.
Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American basketball player. He was born on August 21, 1936 in Philadelphia and died on October 12, 1999 in Los Angeles due to heart failure... read more Rest in peace to him. He scored more 50-point games than MJ and he was more than a scorer. People thought he was a ball hog, and then he said he was going to lead the league in assists one year. He did.
He was a shot blocker and he got rebounds for the teams he played for and was a part of that 33-game win streak. Once again, rest in peace.
He changed the game literally overnight. I dare you to Google this guy. He was a true freak, and the NBA was not ready for him yet. Shortly before his death, he completed a 26-mile marathon while in his 50s.
100 points in a game of pro NBA players. What more can I say?
Jerry Alan West was an American basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Sorry, but all I have to say is this: he won MVP for the finals on the losing team and brought his single All-Star team to 9 championships against an OP Celtics team. PERIOD.
Other than his playing, what he did when he was a GM is one of the greatest moves of all time. Bringing Shaq and Kobe for 3 rings and winning 1 of his own, he brought 25% of the Lakers' rings to LA. Just look at the NBA logo. GREATEST ALL-TIME LAKER AND PLAYER.
I'm not even a Lakers fan, and The Logo earned my respect. I want to see Kobe make a full-court shot in the last seconds of the Finals! I want to see Kobe lead the league in assists and make it to the Finals 9 times. That's why Jerry West should be higher than Kobe.
He scored 71 points in a game once, the second-highest scoring record for the Lakers. He was also a good defender and rebounder.
Elgin Baylor is the best from this list, period. He made the Los Angeles Lakers what they are today!
Elgin Baylor was a very good player alongside Jerry West. I hope that he rests in peace.
LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Throughout his career, LeBron has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Lakers, winning a total of four NBA championships. Widely considered the third-best player in the NBA.
He should be number one, not only for the Lakers but of all time.
LeBron James was always the best.
James Ager Worthy is an American sports commentator, television host, analyst, and former professional basketball player. He dunked like the Statue of Liberty. He was also a Finals MVP and a number one draft pick. The Lakers would not have 16 championships if they had not drafted him.
George Lawrence Mikan Jr., nicknamed Mr. Basketball, was an American professional basketball player for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League and the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBL, the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball Association. George Mikan utterly changed the way "big men" played the center position. Top 5, for sure. Rating Mikan as #11 is a result of people thinking in the short term. My top 5: Magic, Kareem, Jerry West, Kobe, George Mikan.
George Mikan was one of the NBA's first big stars, and the Lakers should be glad to have him as part of their history. George Mikan led the Lakers to four championships out of five seasons.
He was a great passer and post player. Rest in peace, he passed away about 13 or 14 years ago. The first Lakers and NBA star.
The Newcomers
Anthony Marshon Davis Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association.
Averaging a double-double as a rookie! Definitely one of the best rookies for the Lakers. Kobe did not average a double-double in his rookie year, but Lonzo Ball can.
Anyway, he could be the one to get the Lakers franchise back on top.
He arrived in LA on a team with 2 legendary stars, Shaq and Kobe Bryant. Even as a reserve, he contributed to the success of 3 NBA Titles, and the 0.4 shot would eventually be his hallmark moment. It's Joey's world.
My favorite player of all time. Widely underappreciated and undervalued. Best clutch player of all time.
Greatest player ever and he's not acknowledged.
Pau Gasol Sáez is a Spanish professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association. One of the most dominant big men to ever play for the Lakers.
I guess he was more dominant than Lamar Odom.
Pau Gasol was an amazing defender. He was an amazing Laker, and I loved seeing him play.
Karl Anthony Malone is an American retired professional basketball player. Nicknamed "The MailMan", Malone played the power forward position and spent his first 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association with the Utah Jazz and formed a formidable duo with his teammate John Stockton.
Daniel Richard Green Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association.People forget that Byron Scott was the leading scorer for the Lakers during the 1987-88 championship season. He averaged 21 points a game, which was more than Magic, Worthy, or Kareem!
Kobe's the best, but Byron is my favorite Laker of all time.
Dwight David Howard is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association. Dwight Howard, Superman, is an amazing player, incredible in both offense and defense.
Rajon Pierre Rondo is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association.Much like Magic, the Showtime Lakers don't win without Coop. Number 16? Behind Steve Nash? No way! A threat and a team player on both sides of the ball. A three-position spark plug. Larry Bird once stated when he worked out in the summer, he thought of Michael Cooper. Enough said!
Behind Nash as a Laker? Behind Malone as a Laker? What exactly did those two do for the Lakers?
DeMarcus Amir Cousins is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association.
Stephen John Nash, is a Canadian retired professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association.
How is this legend not number one on the list? This guy played for nine years with the Lakers and won four championships during that time! Not to mention, he coached the team for ten years.
A true god of the game of basketball. He changed the game. Do I need to say more?
The rumor was that he could not feel pain.
Isaiah Jamar Thomas is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association.