If you were watching NBA basketball during the JFK, LBJ, and Nixon presidential era, you must have fallen off your chair when ABC/ESPN broadcaster Jeff Van Gundy recently proclaimed Kobe Bryant the greatest Lakers’ player of all-time. Hell, he doesn’t even make my top four (yet).
What makes Van Gundy’s comment even more surprising is that he was born in 1962 and comes from a basketball family. His father, Bill, was head coach at Brockport State University, so I know he recalls the names West and Baylor – not to mention Magic and Kareem.
Truth be told, I’m not a big fan of Kobe. However, there’s no doubt he’s a great player – and, arguably, the best player in the NBA today. However, the greatest player in Lakers’ history? C’mon Jeff.
Being a Celtics’ fan since the Russell era, I’ve seen or listened to all the great Celtics-Lakers match-ups. Young NBA fans believe it was the Bird-Magic confrontations that made this rivalry what it is today, but it started long before that duo were even out of diapers. From the 1961-62 to 1968-69 seasons, they played each other in six of the eight NBA Finals. They also matched-up in 1959, when the Lakers played in Minneapolis. The Bird-Magic era was indeed exciting and helped save the NBA, but it was just a continuation of the game’s greatest rivalry.
So, after 50 years of NBA history behind me, I offer my Top 10 Lakers of all-time. However, two things to note about my list: Wilt Chamberlain only played four full seasons for the Lakers (he was hurt during the 1969-70 season. Plus, I consider Wilt more a Warrior/76er). And, I never saw George Mikan play.
1. Jerry West
2. Earvin “Magic” Johnson
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
4. Elgin Baylor
5. Kobe Bryant
6. Shaquille O’Neil
7. Gail Goodrich
8. James Worthy
9. Wilt Chamberlain
10. George Mikan
I loved Jerry West. He’s the NBA logo!
Comment by Laker44 — May 25, 2009 @ 10:06 am
The West-Baylor era was the best for old-time Lakers’ fans…even though they never beat the Celtics.
Comment by Delmartian — May 25, 2009 @ 10:08 am
The new generation of basketball fans have no idea how great Jerry West was. Today’s NBA players are better athletes, but there were not many better “basketball players” than West.
Comment by hoopster — May 25, 2009 @ 10:10 am
My top 5 would be:
1. Kareem
2. Magic
3. West
4. Kobe
5. Baylor
Comment by BBallGuy — May 27, 2009 @ 6:05 am
On the http://www.HOFN.com poll, Kareem is currently #1, with Magic #2 and West #3. Be sure to vote today!
Comment by Don — May 29, 2009 @ 7:41 am
Laker Greats
#32 Earvin Johnson - 5 Titles and changed ALL Sports w Bird
#44 Jerry West - The NBA Logo
#33 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Come On!
#24 Kobe Bryant - if he gets his 4th and 1st as the leader
#22 Elgin Baylor - If the kids today could see and understand
#42 James Worthy - Big Game James aka The Worthy Express
#25 Gail Goodrich - If the kids today could see him!
George Mikan - The first true Big Man changed NBA rules..
#13 Wilt Chamberlain - Had played longer in LA…
Rambis - All Heart Scrapper you need to win titles.
#10 Norm Nixon - All Heart Laker Legend (D. Fisher)
#21 Michael Cooper - I miss Coop at the Forum! The Laker SOUL
#52 Jamaal Wilkes - Smooth as Silk
#34 Shaquile O’Neal - 3 rings and pure dominance gets him on.
#43 Mychal Thompson - Average athlete but he was IN IT!
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Sadly Big Shot Rob Horry went to the Spurs.
Rick Fox equaled Luke Walton talent?
Whatever happened to the underperformer - Devean George..
Comment by James — May 29, 2009 @ 11:30 pm
Yes! i gotta say that Jerry West and Kareem Abdul jabbar are the BEST lakers ever. In my opinion, they both deserve to be number one in the rankings! Current players now want to be like them and that shows that they have done their jobs and earned the name “True Legends.” I’m so interested to hang with them this Fall while they play in this HUGE Poker Tournament in the Atlantis Bahamas! I need a vacay as well!
Comment by shender — July 9, 2009 @ 10:29 am