Los Angeles Lakers: 10 greatest shooting guards in franchise history

4. Michael Cooper

Nobody took much notice when the Lakers drafted Coop with the 60th pick of the 1978 draft, and he wasn’t particularly missed when he played only three games in his rookie year due to injury.

But the following season, when most eyes were focused on rookie Magic Johnson, Mike emerged seemingly from nowhere to earn minutes in a backup role. He stayed in that role for the next 11 seasons, joining Magic and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only Showtime Era Lakers to earn five championship rings.

Initially, his primary role was a defensive stopper. Cooper guarded the opponent’s best wing as closely as humanly possible, never allowing him to get comfortable. In particular, he gave Boston’s Larry Bird fits. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive first or second team for eight consecutive years.

As the years went by, Michael also assumed more responsibilities on the offensive end. At first, his chief skill was converting lob passes into “Coop-a-Loop” dunks. But starting in 1985 he developed an accurate 3-point shot, converting 38 percent or better in three of the next four years.

He also became a good enough ball-handler to back Magic up at point guard, and even started some games there when Johnson was hurt. Overall, he improved his game as a pro as much as any player ever has.

Every winning team needs role players like Michael Cooper, He was a hard-nosed, “do whatever it takes to win” player. It is difficult to separate him from Scott in the ratings. Each had different strengths. But although Coop only averaged 8.9 points in his 12-year Lakers career, he gets the nod- barely- because of all the intangibles he contributed to the team’s success.