This is the second installment of a multi-part series ranking the best Los Angeles Lakers at each position. In this installment, we break down the power forwards.
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the greatest franchises in any sport. They have had a number of great players wear the purple and gold, and Minneapolis blue, throughout the years.
The next position in the installment is at power forward.
As a reminder, this is the criteria for a player to be included on the list:
• Played a minimum of three seasons with the Lakers. Longevity with the team is a rankings factor.
• Only his performance with the Lakers counts
• Can be rated at more than one position
• Minneapolis Laker players are included
The initial installment featured rankings of centers, which has been a traditional strength of the Lakers. This time power forwards, which are one of the weakest Lakers positions, are rated.
Honorable Mention:
• Sam Perkins– Smooth Sam was traded during his third season with the Lakers (for Benoit Benjamin and Doug Christie). He recorded strong numbers in both points (14.6) and rebounds (8) per game. Had he played with the team longer, he probably would have made the top 10.
• Elden Campbell– he was a teammate of Perkins. His 9 seasons with the Lakers spanned the period in-between the Showtime Era and the Shaq-Kobe years. Elden was decent but unremarkable, averaging 10.4 and 5.8. He is on the fringe of the top 10.
• Kurt Rambis– “Clark Kent” was a fan favorite for his hustle and effort. He was not the most talented player around, but nobody questioned his effort. He did much of the necessary dirty work for four Lakers title teams during the Showtime era. His popularity tends to overshadow his actual on-court performance, where he averaged only 4.9 points and 5.5 rebounds.
On to the top 10: