A ranked list of the 10 best Lakers of all time: Who is the greatest to ever wear purple and gold?

The LA Lakers are the joint most successful team in the history of the NBA. Their 17 championships are only matched by the Boston Celtics. Over the years, many great players have donned the purple and gold. Today, we discuss the ten best Lakers of all time.

The glitz and glamour of Los Angeles attract all the best players in the league to play for the Lakers. The history of the franchise also means great prestige for anyone who gets to don the jersey.

Who are the best Lakers of all time by position?

Here is a ranker of the best-ever Lakers team by position. This team is not limited to one era but transcends different generations.

Which is the best Los Angeles Lakers team of all time?

The best-ever Lakers squad of all time was the ' Showtime Lakers' that played between 1979-1991. They won 5 titles during that period with their skillful style of basketball. Some critical members included Magic Johnson, Bob Mcadoo, James Worthy, Byron Scott, and AC Green.

Who is the best Lakers player right now?

Lebron James is the best Lakers player right now. He has won four NBA championships, one being with the Lakers in the 2020 NBA bubble.

Top 10 best Lakers of all time

In this list, we are ranking the best Lakers of all time. This list also includes the period when the LA Lakers were known as the Minneapolis Lakers.

10. Michael Cooper (Playing Career: 1978-1990)

Michael Cooper was the defensive backbone of the 'Showtime Lakers'. He won 5 NBA championships with them and won the NBA's defensive player of the Year award in 1987. Cooper later ventured into coaching, winning two WNBA titles and the WNBA Coach of the Year award in 2000.

Bill Russell's biography, age, net worth, rings, MVP's, coaching, cause of death, tributes, achievements

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9, George Mikan (Playing Career: 1946-1954)

Mikan was part of the early post-World War 2 Lakers. He won 5 titles with the Lakers and is considered a pioneer of the franchise's success.

8. Wilt Chamberlain (Playing Career 1958-1973)

Wilt is genuinely considered one of the best Lakers centers of all time. He played for the Lakers between 1968-1973, winning a title with them in 1972. He passed away in 1999.

7. James Worthy (Playing Career: 1982-1994)

Known for his distinctive playing glasses, Worthy was another member of the Showtime squad. He won 3 championships over the 80s with the team. He was nicknamed ' Big Game James' due to his ability to turn up in crucial situations.

6. Shaquille O'Neal (Playing Career: 1982-2011)

Shaquille, AKA 'Shaq' or ' Big Diesel', was known for being the most dominant NBA center of his era. he won three titles in the early 2000s, forming a dynamic duo with teammate Kobe Bryant. Shaq is currently an NBA analyst with TNT Sports.

5. Elgin Baylor (Playing Career: 1958-1972)

Baylor is one of the best NBA players of all time. He was an 11-time All-Star. He later became a successful NBA coach and executive. Baylor passed away in 2021, aged 86.

4. Kareem Abdul Jabbar (Playing Career: 1969-1989)

Born Ferdinand Alcindor Jr., Kareem Abdul Jabbar, also known as 'The Dream', is one of the greatest players ever. He won the NBA MVP award a record six times. He won 5 NBA titles with the Lakers in addition to one he had won with the Milwaukee Bucks.

3. Jerry West (Playing Career: 1960-1974)

Jerry West is well known for being the player the NBA logo is based on. Jerry won the NBA title in 1972 player and further won 7 more titles as a coach and executive. He has also worked for organizations such as the Golden State Warriors and the LA Clippers.

2. Magic Johnson (Playing Career: 1979-1991)

Earvin Johnson Junior, AKA 'Magic,' is a legend of the Lakers franchise. Magic was the centrepiece of the 'Showtime' era, winningfive5 championships. His duel with Boston Celtics ace Larry Bird was one of the biggest attractions of the NBA in the 1980s.

1. Kobe Bryant (Playing Career 1996-2016)

Kobe, also known as 'The Black Mamba', is the best Laker of all time. Kobe won five titles with the Lakers between 1996 and 2016. He also won Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012 for the United States of America. He passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020.

The Lakers continue to do well in the NBA. The current squad has world-class players like Lebron James and Anthony Davis. There is no doubt that in a few years, there will be some new names added to the list ranking the best Lakers of all time.

Sports Brief recently detailed Michael Jordan's career. Many basketball fans consider Jordan the greatest player of all time.

Jordan was also very good at dunking and even won an all-star dunk contest. Click on the link above to learn more about his career.

Position	Player
Center	Shaquille O'Neal 1996-2004)
Small Forward	Elgin Baylor (1958-1971)
Point Guard	Magic Johnson (1979-1991)
Power Forward	Pau Gasol (2008-2014)
Shooting Guard	Kobe Bryant (1996-2016)