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Los Angeles Lakers: 10 Greatest centers in Lakers history

By Ed Schrenzel

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 06: Los Angeles Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal share a laugh with Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor during the unveiling ceremony for a bronze statue to honor Baylor in Star Plaza at Staples Center on April 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 06: Los Angeles Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal share a laugh with Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor during the unveiling ceremony for a bronze statue to honor Baylor in Star Plaza at Staples Center on April 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /

No. 1: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

As virtually every pro basketball fan knows, Kareem scored the most career points in league history. At 7-foot-1 but a relatively thin 225 pounds, he relied on his skills, finesse and agility. He also developed the No. 1 scoring weapon ever seen in the NBA, the unstoppable “sky hook”. In his prime, he mastered the ability to shoot the ball down towards the basket.

During his dominant college career at UCLA, the Bruins won three straight titles. Kareem (then playing under his given name, Lew Alcindor) was named the Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA tournament each year. He was quite possibly the best collegiate player of all-time.

He was the first pick of the 1969 draft, and in his second season, he led Milwaukee to what is still its only NBA championship. Abdul-Jabbar played six spectacular years for the Bucks but yearned to live in a larger city with greater cultural opportunities, and was traded to the Lakers in 1975.

Like Wilt before him and Shaq later on, Kareem did not immediately bring a title to LA. But beginning in 1980, the Lakers experienced their greatest sustained period of success, and the “Big Fella” was a large reason why.

Over the next 12 seasons, LA made nine trips to the Finals and won five titles, including their first victory over the rival Celtics in 1985, when Captain Kareem was named Finals MVP.

Kareem averaged over 20 points per game in his first 11 seasons with the Lakers before finally slowing down a bit at age 39. But even that year, he raised his game back up in the 1987 playoffs to help LA defeat Boston in the Finals once again, as he also did the following year when they became repeat champions against Detroit.

In his 14-year Lakers career, he averaged 22.1 points (6th on the all-time Lakers list) and 9.4 rebounds (ranking 10th), along with 3.3 assists. Those averages sagged a bit during his final two seasons at ages 40 and 41. He finished 3rd in career points and 2nd in games played for the team. Also, he was 3rd in both postseason points and games played for the club.

It is extremely difficult to compare centers with wing players. An argument could be made that Kareem was not only the best player in Lakers history but also the No. 1 player ever in the NBA.

Whether or not you agree with that, it is safe to conclude that Abdul-Jabbar was the best-ever center for the Lakers franchise.

Next: 50 Greatest Players In Lakers Franchise History

Rankings of Lakers at other positions will be published throughout the upcoming weeks.

All statistics courtesy of www.basketball-reference.com

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