Los Angeles Lakers: Top 10 players of the 2010 decade

21 June 2010: The massive crowd during the Los Angeles Lakers victory parade through the streets of Los Angeles after defeating the Boston Celtics in seven games to win the NBA Championship. Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
21 June 2010: The massive crowd during the Los Angeles Lakers victory parade through the streets of Los Angeles after defeating the Boston Celtics in seven games to win the NBA Championship. Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
11 of 11
Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

1. Kobe Bryant

There was no doubt who the No. 1 is.

A man who does not need an introduction. His career in the Los Angeles Lakers’ history is of legend. He has not just one, but two numbers retired by the team.

A whole career spent in purple and gold, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers as long as he was an active player. Of course he was slowed down by injuries in this later part of his career, but still, he averaged 24.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists and concluded with a spectacular 60-point performance in his final game.

Bryant’s work ethic is legendary and he sacrificed his body for the Lakers playing over injury after injury. Unfortunately, he tore his Achilles tendon in 2013 while leading the underachieving Lakers to a historic run to bring them to the playoffs.

Once retired, he completed his collection of basketball trophies with an Academy Award and was recently included in the All-Decade Third Team.

Not only he is one of the greatest Lakers, but also one of the greatest players ever and his plays will be long remembered in Staples Center.

“Mamba out”.