Sports Finals

When you talk about the greatest basketball player to ever play for the Los Angeles Lakers, many great names are evoked. Players like Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Wilt Chamberlain will always be brought up. These players have all managed to exhibit a high level of pride and commitment in suiting up for the Lakers, but the top three best players of all time according to our NBA handicappers are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson.

No. 3: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1975 - 1989)

When one talks of talent, method and basics obligatory for the game of basketball, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the 1st Lakers ‘ player who comes to mind. He’s a six-time MVP, nineteen-time All-Star and the owner of 6 NBA titles. He was an offensive force who knew the easy way to look after his body. He made basketball appear like an art while playing in Los Angeles.

No. 2: Kobe Bryant (1996 “Present)

This one time child star had much to live up to when he was drafted right from high school, which was just a case of time before he exceeded everyone’s expectancies. His accomplishments for the Lakers are still ongoing, but he’s already the leading Laker all time in point scored, games played, minutes played and field goal attempts. Kobe also has the Lakers ‘ record for points scored in a season, points scored in a game and average points per game. The 6′6 shooting guard has won 5 NBA championships, two Finals MVP awards and has been named to the NBA All-Star team an incredible thirteen times. Kobe’s footprint will be on the Lakers and the NBA for many years to come.

No. 1: Magic Johnson (1979 “1991 & 1995 “1996)

Magic Johnson won 5 NBA titles, appearing in nine NBA Finals for the Lakers. He was the meaning of a complete basketball player. He was great at every aspect of the game and made his teammates around him better. This number one overall selection in the NBA draft out of Michigan State was an immediate star in Los Angeles. He won the league championship in his rookie season and was awarded as the MVP of the series. Magic Johnson officially introduced himself to the world stepping in for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at center in game 6 of the Finals and scored 42 points, and collected 7 assists and 15 rebounds to help the team win the title. In his first 10 years in the NBA, Magic made a remarkable 8 appearances in the NBA Finals. In three of those series he was named MVP. Magic Johnson was more than simply special to the Lakers; he redefined who they were and what they represented.

All three players have made their mark in Lakers history. Nevertheless I do think Magic Johnson is the Best LA Laker of all-time. He made an immediate impact, was always consistent and is perhaps the best NBA player in history at bettering the play of everybody around him.

If you want to beat the NBA spreads on a nightly basis, check the NBA picks offered by our handicappers.