Kobe Bryant and the 10 Most Devastating Offensive Threats in LA Lakers History

Throughout the years, some of the greatest offensive players in NBA history have donned a purple and gold jersey.

This article will rank the 10 most devastating offensive forces in Los Angeles Lakers' history.

Whether it was Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain in the 1960s and 70s, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the 1980s or Kobe Bryant in the 2000s, the Lakers have never been short on offensive power.

So, who is the best of the best? Which Los Angeles Laker is the most devastating offensive presence in team history?

10. James Worthy

James Worthy proved to be the perfect third banana for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, during the Los Angeles Lakers’ successful run in the 1980s.

Worthy made seven All-Star teams, and he was named the 1988 finals MVP, as the Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons in seven games.

James Worthy was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.

James Worthy scored 16,320 points as a member of the Lakers, good for sixth best in franchise history.

9. George Mikan

George Mikan led the Lakers to five championships during the team’s tenure in Minneapolis.

Mikan’s 1952-54 Lakers were the first team to win three straight NBA championships.

Mikan made six career All-NBA first teams and four career All-Star teams.

Also, Mikan was selected as one of the 50 greatest players of all time in 1996 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1959.

Mikan is widely recognized as the first dominant big man in professional basketball.

Photo courtesy of howstuffworks.com

8. Gail Goodrich

As a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, Gail Goodrich made four All-Star teams and made the All-NBA first team in 1974.

In addition, Goodrich was part of the franchise’s 1972 championship team.

Goodrich ranks eighth all-time in Lakers scoring, with 13,044 points.

The UCLA graduate was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1996.

7. Elgin Baylor

Elgin Baylor spent parts of 14 seasons in the Lakers’ organization, dating back to the franchise’s days in Minneapolis.

In his time with the Lakers, Baylor made 11 All-Star teams and ten All-NBA first teams.

Baylor was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.

Baylor ranks fourth all-time in franchise scoring, with 23,149 points.

6. Jerry West

Jerry West spent his entire 14 year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, helping the franchise win the 1972 championship. The franchise’s first since moving from Minneapolis.

West was named to 13 All-Star teams, 10 All-NBA first teams and four All-Defense first teams.

West was the only player to be named NBA Finals MVP (1969) as a member of the losing team.

West has the second most points in franchise history, with 25,192 points.

5. Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain spent the last five years of his illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Chamberlain helped the Lakers win the 1972 championship.

As a member of the Lakers, Chamberlain made four All-Star teams and was the 1972 finals MVP.

For his career, Chamberlain averaged 30 points, 23 rebounds and four assists.

Chamberlain was selected to 13 All-Star teams, seven All-NBA first teams and two All-Defensive first teams.

In addition, he won four MVP awards, seven scoring titles, 11 rebounding titles and was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1996.

Chamberlain was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Oh yeah, he also scored 100 points in a game on March 2, 1962 in Hershey Pennsylvania.

4. Shaquille O'Neal

From 1996 to 2004, Shaquille O’Neal manned the painted area for the Los Angeles Lakers. O’Neal led the Lakers to three consecutive championships in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

In his eight seasons with the Lakers, O’Neal averaged 27 points and 11 rebounds.

In 122 playoff games with the organization, O’Neal averaged 27 points and nearly 13 rebounds.

Over his 18-year career, O’Neal has won one MVP award, three finals MVPs, four career championships and has been selected to 15 All-Star teams and eight All-NBA first teams.

Additionally, O’Neal has won two scoring titles, was named the 1992-1993 Rookie of the Year and is currently in fifth place on the all-time scoring list.

O’Neal scored 13,895 points in a Lakers uniform, good for seventh place in franchise history.

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar spent 14 of his 20 seasons in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers, helping the team win five championships in the 1980s.

As a member of the Lakers, Jabbar won three MVP awards and was named the finals MVP in 1985.

Jabbar averaged 24 points, 11 rebounds and three assists over his 20-year career en route to winning six MVP awards, two finals MVPs and six championships.

In addition, Jabbar was named to 19 All-Star teams, ten All-NBA first teams and five All-Defensive first teams.

Jabbar is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.

Jabbar ranks third in franchise history, with 24,176 points.

2. Kobe Bryant

Since joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996, it’s safe to say Kobe Bryant has established his place on the Los Angeles Lakers’ Mount Rushmore, along with Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Chick Hearn.

Kobe has helped the franchise win five championships, been named to the All-NBA first team nine times, the All-Star team 13 times, All-Defensive first team nine times and finals MVP in 2009 and 2010.

Kobe was named the 2008 NBA MVP, averaging 28 points, six rebounds and five assists.

In February 2010, Kobe became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.

Kobe currently has 27, 868 career points, including an 81-point affair against the Toronto Raptors in January of 2006.

1. Magic Johnson

In his 13-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Magic Johnson won five championships, three MVP awards and was named the NBA finals MVP three times.

In addition, Johnson was named to nine All-NBA first teams and 12 All-Star teams.

Johnson ranks fifth all-time in franchise points, with 17,707 and ranks first in assists with 10,141.

In addition, Johnson’s 11.2 career assist average is the highest in league history.