The five greatest Los Angeles Lakers basketball players

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The best in the history of "Ezerniak"

One of the best teams in the entire history of the National Basketball Association is the Los Angeles Lakers. Some exceptionally great basketball players have passed through the "Ezerniatsi" team, who left a lasting mark in the history of the sport while wearing the purple and gold team. In the following lines, we will introduce you to the five best players who were part of the Lakers. If you expect to see LeBron James in this ranking, now is the time to stop reading, as the "king" has not yet written as long and successful a history of "lakes" as the names that will be discussed.

In fifth position we put Jerry West - one of the greatest not only in the history of the Lakers, but also in the NBA. The point guard played 14 years for the Lakers from 1960 to 1974. Has only one NBA title - in 1972, but was named MVP in the 1969 finals. The only one with this award who is from the losing team. West became a fan favorite because of the ability to get the team out of critical situations and shine with very important baskets. He is the second leading scorer in Lakers history behind only Kobe Bryant. West also holds the records for most 20-plus point games in an NBA Finals series, most 30-point games, and most 40-plus point games. In every single season he was a part of the Lakers, he played in the All-Star Game, and in 12 of the years he was named to the All-Star Team. It is no coincidence that the jersey with his number is one of those that we will not see basketball players of the Lakers, as it is simply legendary.

In fourth place we put Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq was part of the Lakers for 8 seasons - between 1996 and 2004, but managed to win 3 consecutive NBA titles. He is part of one of the strongest teams of "Ezerniak" and it is no coincidence that he is a leading figure in it, especially in the final series, in which he was chosen as the most valuable player. The only one since Michael Jordan to receive the award in 3 consecutive years. The center was also the 2000 regular season MVP. Crazy dunks, incredible physique, and all of these aforementioned accomplishments are the reason why he got a statue in front of the Lakers' Staples Center in 2017. He holds the record for the team in number of points, rebounds and umbrellas averaged per game. The only reason he's not higher on the list is because he didn't spend his entire career in LA, but he still got the recognition he deserved after the No. 34 he wore was retired in 2013.

Third place goes to another center, but with number 33 – Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Absolute legend Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr. won 5 of his 6 rings with the Lakers, where he played from 1975 to 1989. Years considered to be the strongest for the team before the triptych at the beginning of this century. Three of his six regular-season MVP awards also came in his years in Los Angeles, and in 1985 was named MVP in the Finals series against the Boston Celtics. In addition to the five finals won, the 218 cm giant also has 3 lost finals. In almost every season of his career, Kareem has been in the team of the season, and this applies in full force to the years spent with the Lakers. Like Shaq, he has a statue outside the Staples Center, and the number 33 has been out of the game since 1990.

One position ahead we put Magic Johnson. It's as if the initials MJ are only associated with great players, but Irvin, as Johnson's first name is, was a player for the Los Angeles Lakers between 1979 and 1991, as well as in 1996. The Michigan-born point guard has 5 rings out of 9 Finals appearances, 3 regular season MVP awards and 3 Finals MVP awards. One of the greatest moments of his career was when he got to play as a center in one of the finals in his debut year. Even in this position, Magic managed to lead the Lakers to victory and became the only rookie with a finals MVP award. His number 32 was retired in 1992, and his statue adorns the Staples Center alongside those of Shaq and Kareem. Many Lakers fans consider him the best of all time.

However, for us, the number one in this ranking has to be Kobe Bryant. Three of this ranking have also said so - Magic Johnson, Shaq and Jerry West recognize him as the greatest player of the Los Angeles Lakers. Five-time champion, part of the great "three-peat", winner of 2 awards for the best player in the finals - in 2009 and 2010, participant in 18 all-star games and most valuable player in the regular season in 2008, Kobe is one of the most the all time greats. A man who inspired a whole generation of athletes like Kevin Durant and Steph Curry who are some of the most successful athletes today to Devin Booker and Jayson Tatum whose talent is already flooding the NBA. The Black Mamba is one of the hardest working and most inspiring players in the league. A true icon who participated in a total of 7 finals, although losing 2 of them. He was selected in the ideal team 15 times and many people are of the opinion that over the years he was unfairly denied the award for the most valuable player more than once or twice. Both the numbers it has worn over the years – 8 and 24 – are not used. He also becomes the only player of the "Ezerniaks" whose two numbers have been retired. Kobe died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020. But legends always live on!

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