Los Angeles Lakers Dream Team

 

As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the game

being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that players from

different eras cannot be compared. However, I have decided to defy those

odds. 

The odds are humongous considering that the Los Angeles Lakers are to the NBA what the New York Yankees are to MLB. Between their time in Minneapolis (1947-1960) and Los Angeles (1961-present), the franchise has won 16 NBA titles and have played in the NBA finals 31 times. The Lakers recently snapped a seven-year playoff drought but have had enough stars to come through the franchise to fill a galaxy. 

There are some rigid criteria in making this team. First of all, the player needed to have played for the Lakers for a minimum of four seasons -- no exceptions. Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list. This roster is all-encompassing from all eras. 

Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This is basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of All-NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going to convolute this discussion. 

Generational reminders

Being on the Lakers during a season of being a championship level team does not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the Lakers during a rare fallow time is no deterrent to getting a spot on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers get considered. 

To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into positionless basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players encompassing all eras. The starting lineup will be position specific, after that it will be the best of the rest with four years playing for the franchise being the first requirement. 

So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would remove. Before you make a case to put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that position?”

Starters

Point guard: Earvin “Magic” Johnson

On his way to a Hall of Fame career, Johnson's game was intriguing for two reasons. Perhaps no player in NBA history could influence a game without scoring a point than Johnson but he was also the catalyst behind the 1980s Showtime Lakers. Johnson brought a lot of style to a league that was lacking such. Johnson and Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird brought popularity to a league that had sagging ratings. 

In leading the Lakers to five NBA championships, Johnson averaged 19.5 points, 11.2 assists and 7.2 rebounds. Johnson was a three-time NBA Finals MVP, three-time MVP NBA Most Valuable Player, 12-time All-Star, 10 time All NBA (nine as a first-teamer). Johnson led the league in assists four times and steals twice.

Shooting guard: Kobe Bryant

The comparisons to Chicago Bulls Legend Michael Jordan May rankle some but they are warranted. Bryant, who tragically died in a plane crash in January 2020, led the Lakers to five NBA championships in the 2000s, including a three-peat between 2000-2002 and back-to-back in 2009-2010.

In his 20 Seasons, all with the Lakers, Bryant averaged 25.0 points per game, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists. Bryant was a complete player both offensively and defensively. Bryant was the NBA MVP in 2008, two-time NBA Finals MVP, 18-time All Star, four-time NBA All-Star game MVP, 15-time All NBA (11 first team), 12 time NBA All Defense (nine first-team), and two-time NBA scoring champion. Bryant will be inducted into the Hall of Fame posthumously in May 2021 along with contemporaries Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. 

Small forward: Elgin Baylor

Though Baylor was not part of an NBA championship team in his 14-year tenure with the Lakers, he is a no-brainer to be in the starting lineup. The season before Baylor arrived, the Lakers had gone 19-53. Baylor's presence pumped some life into a sagging franchise. In his career, Baylor averaged 27.4 points per game, 13.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists. He was the last of the successful smaller forwards as in today's game many guards are his size or bigger.

Baylor was a 11-time All-Star, NBA All-Star game MVP in 1959, 10 time all NBA first team, NBA Rookie of the Year of 1959 and is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. 

Power forward: James Worthy

Though a good case could be made for Pao Gasol to be the starter at this position because Worthy was often considered the third wheel of the Showtime Lakers. The fact that Worthy was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary team in 1996 is hard to overlook. Though the Showtime Lakers had won two NBA titles before Worthy arrived, winning three more as they did when Worthy arrived would have been a much harder feat.

Worthy was a multi-dimensional skilled offensive player from running the court, slashing to the basket and beating defenders in the low-post. Worthy made seven consecutive NBA All-Star games and is the only Laker besides Magic Johnson or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to win NBA Finals MVP during their five titles in the 1980s. Worthy averaged 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists during his Hall of Fame career. 

Center: Kareem Abdul-Jabaar

Though Shaquille O'Neal was more dominant and Wilt Chamberlain was more famous, Jabbar's legacy with the Lakers is unmatched. Jabbar has six NBA titles, five with the Lakers. At 7-2, 225 pounds, what Jabbar lacked in bulk he made up for with incredible skill, most notably his famous Skyhook. Jabbar, who remains the NBA's all-time leading scorer, was also a strong presence defensively. Jabbar averaged 22.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists in his 14 seasons as a Laker.

The Hall of Famer was a two-time NBA Finals MVP, six-time NBA MVP, 19-time All Star, 15-time All NBA (10 as a first-teamer), 11-time NBA All Defense (five as a first-teamer), NBA Rookie of the Year in 1970, two-time scoring champion, led the NBA in rebounding in 1976 and led the NBA in blocked shots four times.

Bench (alphabetical order)

Wilt Chamberlain: The fact that Chamberlain is on the bench with this team speaks to the embarrassment of riches the franchise has enjoyed. Chamberlain played five seasons with the Lakers, including the 1971-72 championship team. Chamberlain is not only a Hall of Famer but an all-time great. As a Laker, he averaged 17.7 points and 19.2 rebounds per contest. Before Chamberlain's arrival, the Lakers had lost their last eight NBA Finals appearances.

Michael Cooper: Well the showtime Lakers what about style, Cooper's defense gave them ample substance. Cooper often drew the assignment of defending the opposing team's top scorer. Cooper played a mixture of point guard, shooting guard, and small forward. Cooper was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1987, and eight-time NBA All-Defense (five as a first-teamer). 

Pao Gasol: Gasol played for five different NBA teams but his seven years with the Lakers were impactful and perhaps vaulted him into Hall of Fame status in the future. The acquisition of Gasol put Bryant in a position to win two more championship rings. Gasol is one of the most skilled big men in NBA history. He recorded over 550 double-doubles in his NBA career and became the 36th player in NBA history to reach the 10,000 and 10,000 rebound plateau. 

Gail Goodrich: Goodrich played nine of his 14 NBA Seasons with the Lakers, during which time he helped lead the 1971-1972 team to an NBA championship. In his time with the Lakers, he averaged 19 points per game. Goodrich’s career with the Lakers came between West, Chamberlain, and Baylor and Abdul Jabbar on the other end. Goodrich was the 1972 Lakers leading scorer that won 69 games and an NBA championship. 

A.C. Green: Green had two different stints with the Lakers (1985-1993; 1999-2000). In between, he played for the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks. Green played for three NBA championships. He was an All-Star in 1990 and NBA all-defensive second team in 1989. Green led the team in rebounding for six consecutive seasons.

George Mikan: Mikan played seven years with the Minneapolis Lakers, where he was a part of five NBA championships. He averaged 23.1 points and 13.4 rebounds per contest. Mikan is considered by many the first NBA star player. His dominance also paved the way for NBA rule changes such as goaltending calls as well as the implementation of the shot clock. Mikan’s presents also paved the way for the NBA to widen the foul line under the basket for a 6 feet to 12 feet.

Vern Mikkelson: The Minneapolis native made good for the hometown fans when the franchise drafted him in 1949. Mikkelson helped the Lakers to four NBA championships, averaging 14.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Mikkelson’s style of play was an enforcer’s mentality, at times to a fault as he fouled out in 127 games. The NBA, however, did not record foul outs until Mikkelson’s second season. Nikkelson was a four-time All-Star.

Shaquille O’Neal: At 7-2, 330 pounds, he was a human 18-wheeler. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more physically dominant player in NBA history. Acquired in a trade from the Orlando Magic, the Lakers experienced a low point following the retirements of Johnson, Jabbar and Worthy. The signing of O'Neal and the later trade of Bryant put pieces in place for another dynastic run. O'Neal, along with Bryant, led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA titles from 2000-2002. He was the NBA Finals MVP in each of those seasons. As a Laker, the Hall of Famer averaged 27.0 points, 12.5 rebounds per game

Bryon Scott: Scott also had two different stints with the Lakers (1984-1993; 1996-1997), playing for the Indiana Pacers in between. His first was as an outstanding complimentary player during the Showtime era. In his second stint, Scott was more of a mentor to the likes of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. Scott played for three NBA champions and was NBA All-Rookie first team in 1984. 

Jerry West: Between his career as a player and as an executive, West has been to 22 NBA finals. Though only one championship game came as a player, West was known as “Mr. Clutch.” West averaged 27.0 points per game, 5.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists. West’s impact on the NBA is also unmatched because of his silhouette being the NBA logo. West was an NBA All-Star 14 consecutive seasons in his Hall of Fame career.

Head coach: Pat Riley. Picking between Riley and Phil Jackson is like asking a meat lover if he wants a ribeye or porterhouse? You can’t go wrong either way. Riley was the head coach for four NBA championships, the other of which came as an assistant coach under Paul Westhead. Jackson, who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships, led the Lakers to five more in the 2000s and has more NBA titles than any coach in NBA history. Both inherited ready-made rosters but Riley gets the nod here because he also has sweat equity in the one that westhead led. Riley led the Lakers to seven NBA Finals appearances in nine seasons. Jackson led them to seven finals appearances in 11 seasons. Though not Laker related, the fact that Riley led a much less talented New York Knicks team to an NBA Finals appearance in 1994 enhances his legacy. Though Riley gets the nod for this team, you could pick Jackson and not be wrong either.

Team: 1986-1987. With 16 NBA championships, there is no shortage of choices but this version of the Lakers gets the nod. The Lakers of this ilk went 37-4 at home, 62-20 in the regular season and defeated the rival Boston Celtics 4-2 in the NBA finals. This star-studded team featured one of the most incredible threesomes in NBA history with Johnson, Abdul Jabbar and Worthy. Cooper won NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Though Abdul-Jabbar was 39 years old, he was still a force. During this time Johnson, Worthy and Scott were in the prime of their careers. This team was also driven by a devastating loss the year before and the Western Conference playoffs to the Houston Rockets.