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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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No. 10: Mychal Thompson

Many now know him as a Lakers radio commentator and the father of Warriors star Klay Thompson. But Mychal was also quite a player.

A native of the Bahamas who grew up as a Lakers fan, Thompson had a distinguished career before the Lakers acquired him. Portland selected him with the top pick of the draft in 1978, and during seven seasons he averaged over 17 points and nine rebounds for them.

In 1986, Thompson was a key reserve for a Spurs team that was going nowhere. Then in February 1987, much to his delight, Mychal was traded to the Lakers during the heart of the Showtime era.

The number one reason the Lakers wanted Thompson was that he was the most effective player in the NBA at defending Kevin McHale of Boston, who killed the Lakers during both the 1984 and 1985 Finals.

Thompson happily accepted his reserve role, in which he not only played backup center to Kareem but was also the team’s best power forward. He was regularly on the court during fourth quarter crunch time.

Statistics don’t show his true value. The Lakers had so many offensive weapons that they didn’t need much scoring from Thompson. In his five seasons with the club, he averaged 8.9 points and 5.5 rebounds while playing roughly half the game.

Most importantly, he expertly fulfilled a key defensive role by neutralizing McHale as well as anyone could in the 1987 Finals when he helped the team win the championship over the Celtics. He was also an important part of the first LA Lakers team to win back-to-back titles the following year.

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