From Minneapolis to Tinseltown: The Top 10 Players in Lakers History

Mike  B. by Correspondent Written on September 12, 2009

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The Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers are one of the NBA's most storied franchises.

The team holds the all-time record for both wins and winning percentage.

They have won 15 championships which is only second to the Boston Celtics' 17.

They have also made an amazing 30 NBA Finals appearances.

Several superstars have proudly donned Lakers unis over the years including the likes of Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jerry West, and Wilt Chamberlain.

This list consists of the top 10 players in Lakers history.

And in order to make the list, though, the player has to have played at least five seasons with the team.

So, you won't be seeing appearances from All-Stars like Karl Malone, Pau Gasol, or Gary Payton.

Honorable Mention

LOS ANGELES - 1987:  Michael Cooper #21 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass over Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics during an NBA game at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California in 1987. (Photo by: Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

- Michael Cooper

- Byron Scott

- Jamaal Wilkes

- Derek Fisher

- Norm Nixon

- Vern Mikkelsen

- Jim Pollard

10. George Mikan

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Mikan played for the Minneapolis Lakers and was the NBA's first dominant center.

He led the team to five championships in six years from 1948-49 through 1953-54.

Mikan was a member of the NBA's first four All-Star teams. He was named the MVP of the 1953 All-Star Game.

He retired in 1956 with career averages of 22.3 points and 13.4 rebounds per game. He also shot .784 from the free-throw line.

After his playing days, Mikan was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame and was named one the NBA's 50 greatest players of a all time.

9. Gail Goodrich

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Goodrich was drafted by the Lakers in 1965.

The former UCLA star played three seasons in L.A. before being chosen by the Phoenix Suns in the expansion draft.

He spent two seasons with the Suns and was then traded back to the Lakers for Mel Counts in 1970.

Goodrich led the Lakers in scoring four straight seasons and helped the team win the 1972 NBA title.

In addition, he was named an All-Star four times as a Laker.

Ultimately, his # 25 was retired by the team in 1996 after being elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

8. James Worthy

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1982 was a great year for the Lakers. Not only did they win the NBA title, they landed the first overall pick in the draft.

They selected North Carolina forward James Worthy with the pick.

Worthy blossomed into a star in L.A. as he emerged as the perfect complement to Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

He went on to help the Lakers win titles in 1985, 1987, and 1988.

"Big Game James" was named Finals MVP in 1988 after scoring 28 points in Game 6 followed by a triple double in Game 7.

He also was selected to seven All-Star teams.

In 1996, Worthy was named one of the NBA's 50 greatest players of all time.

7. Wilt Chamberlain

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On July 9, 1968, Chamberlain was dealt to the Lakers from the Philadelphia 76ers for Jerry Chambers, Archie Clark, and Darrall Imhoff.

Wilt led the Lakers to the 1972 NBA title which was the teams' first championship in 18 years. He was awarded his first and only Finals MVP after scoring 24 points and 29 rebounds in Game 5.

He also helped the team reach the finals on three other occasions as well.

Chamberlain led the league in rebounding in four of his five seasons with the Lakers.

He sits at the seventh spot on this list simply because he was at the twilight of his career when he joined the team.

But, overall he is undoubtedly one of the top five NBA players of all time.

6. Elgin Baylor

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Baylor was selected by the Lakers with the first overall pick in the 1958 NBA Draft.

He enjoyed one of the most memorable rookie seasons ever. The 6'5" forward averaged 24.9 points, 15 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game earning Rookie of the Year honors.

From 1961-1963, Baylor averaged at least 34 points per game including 38.3 in 1961-62.

Although he never won a ring, Baylor led the Lakers to eight Finals appearances.

He spent his entire 14-year career with the team and was selected to 11 All-Star Games.

5. Shaquille O'Neal

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O'Neal came to L.A. as a free agent in the summer of 1996. The former Orlando Magic center signed a seven-year, $121 million contract with the team.

He immediately became the new franchise player as well as the next dominant Lakers big man.

Shaq was named the league's MVP in 2000 and went on to lead the Lakers to three straight championships.

He won Finals MVP honors in all three of those series.

O'Neal was selected to seven of his fifteen All-Star teams as a member of the Lakers.

One day, his #34 will hang from the rafters of Staples Center.

4. Kobe Bryant

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Bryant was traded to the Lakers in 1996 in exchange for center Vlade Divac. The deal became known as one of the most lopsided trades in NBA history.

After two seasons on the bench, Kobe emerged as a starter in 1998-99.

He teamed with Shaq to lead the Lakers to three titles from 2000-2002.

And in 2009, he led the team to another championship as he won his first and only Finals MVP award.

The 11-time All-Star was named the 2008 regular season MVP and has led the league in scoring twice.

When it's all said and done, Kobe could take the No. 1 spot on this list although many fans would say he should already be there.

3. Jerry West

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West was selected by the Lakers with the second overall pick in the 1960 NBA Draft.

The 14-time All-Star guard played his entire 14-year career in Los Angeles with a career scoring average of 27.0 points per game.

He failed to average under 20 points only once which was his rooke season.

He also put up more than 30 ppg four times throughout his career.

Although the Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics in the 1969 Finals, West still won Finals MVP. He is the only player in NBA history to win the award without being a member of the winning team.

West helped lead the Lakers to the 1972 NBA title and was named Finals MVP.

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

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The Lakers acquired Abdul-Jabbar from the Milwaukee Bucks in 1975. In the trade, they gave up Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Junior Bridgman, and Dave Meyers.

Kareem helped the Lakers win five championships. He was named Finals MVP in 1985.

He won three of his six regular season MVP awards in a Lakers uni.

In addition, he was named an All-Star 13 times as a Laker.

When Kareem retired following the 1988-89 season, he owned the NBA's all-time career scoring record.

That record still stands today.

1. Earvin "Magic" Johnson

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Johnson was selected by the Lakers with the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft.

He instantly became a superstar as he played a major role in helping the Lakers win the title during his rookie year.

Filling in for the injured Abdul-Jabbar, Magic recorded 42 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals.

And for his efforts, he was named Finals MVP.

Johnson went on to lead the team to four more championships in the 1980s and won two more Finals MVP awards.

He also won three regular season MVP's and was selected to 12 All-Star teams.

Without question, Magic is the greatest point guard ever.

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written on September 12, 2009 Rankings/List

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