Los Angeles Lakers: Top 10 duos in franchise history

5. Magic Johnson and James Worthy (1990-91) – 24.4 combined win shares, 21.6 average PER

Magic Johnson and James Worthy epitomized showtime basketball and revolutionized the fast break in the 1980s and 90s for the Lakers. Worthy filled the lane and Magic hit him with passes that are still played on highlight reels to this day.

When Worthy was drafted first overall by the Lakers out of North Carolina back in 1982, there was already one of the most legendary duos in place, with Magic and Kareem already on the team. However, by the 90s, Captain Kareem had retired and it was Magic and Worthy as the two All-Stars leading the team.

In the 1990-91 season Worthy and Magic, surrounded by a younger group of role players lead the Lakers all the way to the finals. Unfortunately for them, they ran into the best basketball player of all-time, Michael Jordan, who was determined to win his first championship.

But winning the West back in this era was no small accomplishment, and both Magic and Worthy were later in their careers. With the legacy of already winning 5 other titles for the Lakers, this duo is easily the fifth-best Lakers duo ever, and arguably could be higher on the list.

Yet, without Kareem, they never won a title together, and the rest of the combos on this list did.