Los Angeles Lakers: 10 greatest small forwards in Lakers history

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LAS VEGAS – FEBRUARY 17: (L-R) Smush Parker #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers, Temeka Johnson of the Los Angeles Sparks and Michael Cooper #21 pose for a portrait on All-Star Saturday Night during the NBA All-Star Weekend on February 17, 2007 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Michael Cooper

Coop was an extremely versatile multi-position player. Teammate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar labeled him a “Swiss army knife” because of his adaptability. He played more shooting guard than small forward and will be ranked there as well.

Michael was known first and foremost for his fearless defense, almost always guarding the opponent’s best-scoring non-center. At 6-6, 170, he gave up 3 inches and 50 pounds to Larry Bird, but Larry Legend said nobody guarded him tougher than Cooper did.

In his first few years, his offensive range was rather limited, consisting mostly of “Coop-a-Loop” dunks, an early version of the lob pass, and other lay-ins or garbage baskets. But as time went on and he became quite a respectable shooter.

Above all, Coop was a winner, one of those guys who does whatever is necessary that every championship team must have. He was an enormously important member of the 1980’s Showtime Lakers, helping them win 5 titles.

He came off the bench in 90% of his games, but in nearly every one of his 12 seasons, all with the Lakers, he played more than half the game. For his career he averaged just 8.9 points, but his value to the team transcended his scoring.

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