As much as I love Kobe, Magic Johnson is the right choice for the number 1 spot. What he did to this franchise is incalculable. He's forever my GOAT!!!
I'm surprised not to see Glen Rice in this list. The 2000 Lakers won the 2000 title thanks to him more than to Fisher, Fox, and Horry. Less surprised for Karl Malone and Gary Payton, because Lakers didn't won the title with them, even if it was partly due to Malone's Injury. Less surprised for Ron Harper even if his production was colse to some role players mentionned here. He had the role to be the floor general for the triangle offense during the time Lakers were assimilating it, and he succeed into it. I didn't see the case of Norm Nixon and Byron Scott like it's tell here. Nixon and Johnson were not so complementary playmakers, he limited Magic and the team's efficiency, whereas Scott was the perfect blend for Johnson, beeing his finisher in transition, a good outside shooting and slashing option, and a defensive matchup switcher who was able to guard smaller-faster poing guards Magic couldn't, and lock down some good shooting guard (or making it hard for MJ). Perhaps Magic could be ranked over Kobe, even if Kobe could be considerd as #3 or #2 in the GOAT debate. But some of the arguments for Kobe under Magic aren't linked to them particullary. The fact Magic had high winning percentage is a lot linked to team management and building. During the 80' and early 90', Magic always had a good team, with co-stars, solid role players, experienced veterans and skilled begginers. Kobe's lakers roster and team management were more up and down. Particulary after Shaq leaves the team. So there were more rebuilding from down during his career than for Magic. Magic won NCAA championship with the spartans, who were an average team without him. Kobe jump form the High school to developp as a talent with the pros, and was limited by Harris because Lakers had all-star caliber Eddie Jones as Shooting Guard and wasn't convinced about Kobe's talent. With inverted roles, would Magic had performed well as a rookie ? Would Kobe have been able to win NCAA championsip with an average team ? Magic and Bird were the co-face for the league during the 80' and there was a storyline around them, form MSU vs ISU to multiple finals, implying some historical team battle and some opposite visions of game, america, etc. They were somehow the nemesis of each other. Kobe hadn't this kind of rivalry to put him at this level of storyline. Perhaps there could have been if he and James were clearly dominating simultaneously and battled in NBA finals for the GOAT title or the MJ's Dolphin title, but it wasn't the case. Kobe also had some incredible scoring highs that only Wild did better, some underappreciated defensive abilities, some unexploited playmakin abilities (because that was not the way he was the most efficient himself and the team was with him). He won titles with fewer supporting cast than Magic (to not say he was nearly carrying the team alone for one of them).
You include the Minneapolis years you could add: George Mikan, Jim Pollard, Vern Mikkelsen, Slater Martin, and Clyde, Lovellette. so you could make a top 35.
so you're not angry Lebron is on your team and do count the 2020 championship? you're not like these 🤡s that say "real Lakers' fans don't count that Mickey Mouse ring" 👏👏👏 I applaud you for that
As much as I love Kobe, Magic Johnson is the right choice for the number 1 spot. What he did to this franchise is incalculable. He's forever my GOAT!!!
I respect putting Magic number 1, but Kobe’s 20 years with the team and all the franchise records he has puts him number 1 in my book
I'm happy to see Byron Scott getting some love. He should have definitely been an all-star in 1988.
Andrew bynum is underrated NBA player in Lakers history but he's early retiring
I luv this brother!!! I remember alot of these guys from my younger years 😂
My all time lakers starting 5 Magic,Kobe,LeBron,Kareem and Shaquille
This list is basically perfect. I would have put Nick the Quick higher than Eddie Jones.
Kobe is #1!
Lakers Franchise History:
Detroit Gems (NBL) 1946-47
Minneapolis Lakers (NBL) 1947-48
Minneapolis Lakers (BAA) 1948-49
Minneapolis Lakers (NBA) 1949-60
Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) 1960-Now
I did not know about the Detroit gems!! Very interesting my friend!!
I'm surprised not to see Glen Rice in this list. The 2000 Lakers won the 2000 title thanks to him more than to Fisher, Fox, and Horry. Less surprised for Karl Malone and Gary Payton, because Lakers didn't won the title with them, even if it was partly due to Malone's Injury. Less surprised for Ron Harper even if his production was colse to some role players mentionned here. He had the role to be the floor general for the triangle offense during the time Lakers were assimilating it, and he succeed into it.
I didn't see the case of Norm Nixon and Byron Scott like it's tell here. Nixon and Johnson were not so complementary playmakers, he limited Magic and the team's efficiency, whereas Scott was the perfect blend for Johnson, beeing his finisher in transition, a good outside shooting and slashing option, and a defensive matchup switcher who was able to guard smaller-faster poing guards Magic couldn't, and lock down some good shooting guard (or making it hard for MJ).
Perhaps Magic could be ranked over Kobe, even if Kobe could be considerd as #3 or #2 in the GOAT debate. But some of the arguments for Kobe under Magic aren't linked to them particullary. The fact Magic had high winning percentage is a lot linked to team management and building. During the 80' and early 90', Magic always had a good team, with co-stars, solid role players, experienced veterans and skilled begginers. Kobe's lakers roster and team management were more up and down. Particulary after Shaq leaves the team. So there were more rebuilding from down during his career than for Magic.
Magic won NCAA championship with the spartans, who were an average team without him. Kobe jump form the High school to developp as a talent with the pros, and was limited by Harris because Lakers had all-star caliber Eddie Jones as Shooting Guard and wasn't convinced about Kobe's talent. With inverted roles, would Magic had performed well as a rookie ? Would Kobe have been able to win NCAA championsip with an average team ?
Magic and Bird were the co-face for the league during the 80' and there was a storyline around them, form MSU vs ISU to multiple finals, implying some historical team battle and some opposite visions of game, america, etc. They were somehow the nemesis of each other.
Kobe hadn't this kind of rivalry to put him at this level of storyline. Perhaps there could have been if he and James were clearly dominating simultaneously and battled in NBA finals for the GOAT title or the MJ's Dolphin title, but it wasn't the case.
Kobe also had some incredible scoring highs that only Wild did better, some underappreciated defensive abilities, some unexploited playmakin abilities (because that was not the way he was the most efficient himself and the team was with him). He won titles with fewer supporting cast than Magic (to not say he was nearly carrying the team alone for one of them).
So no one is going to mention the rush hour 3 reference? Ok cool 😂
Son.. You out here sayin our and we...? You need to learn the history
If you start with 1960 then they only have 12 championships, instead of the 17 that ties them with the Celtics.
You include the Minneapolis years you could add: George Mikan, Jim Pollard, Vern Mikkelsen, Slater Martin, and Clyde, Lovellette. so you could make a top 35.
West Baylor kobe magic Kareem
LeBron isnt number 7 of the greatest lakers ever. At best hes 10.
15 at best
Lebron Flopping James is not top 10 in Lakers or NBA History
Up their with Boston, definitely some bias opinions
I'm surprise Lamar Odom or Robert Horry never made the all-star team at least once
so you're not angry Lebron is on your team and do count the 2020 championship?
you're not like these 🤡s that say "real Lakers' fans don't count that Mickey Mouse ring" 👏👏👏 I applaud you for that
The greatest laker is Kareem