Greatest Lakers of the 21st century, rank 6-4
6) Derek Fisher
Derek Fisher was another of the Los Angeles Lakers’ essential role players whose value far exceeded his stats. In 703 games over 10 seasons this century, he averaged 8.7 PPG and 2.9 APG. But as well as being a fan favorite, he was also a solid contributor to all 5 Laker championship teams of the 2000s.
Derek was a hard-nosed defender who maintained excellent position, time and again drawing offensive fouls. His physicality was one of his greatest assets.
His other strengths included his leadership, his mastery of the triangle offense (which didn’t require a traditional type of point guard) and his clutch shots. Most notable of the latter was his game-winning shot with 0.4 seconds remaining against the Spurs in the 2004 playoffs, and his two late-game 3-pointers in the 2009 Finals against the Magic.
Fisher’s longevity factors heavily into his ranking. He played in the 5th most games in Lakers’ regular-season history and is 25th in APG and 18th in total points. In the postseason, he ranks second in games played and ninth in points scored.
5) Lamar Odom
A versatile multi-talented player, he rebounded like a power forward but handled the ball and passed like a point guard. He played an invaluable role on the Lakers’ last two title teams in 2009 & 2010.
In the Lakers triangle offense, Odom was an excellent companion to Bryant on the wing, giving Kobe the freedom to operate from his favorite spots on the floor. He was as much of a playmaker as anyone else, several times leading the club in assists.
Lamar was the centerpiece of the package of players the Lakers received in the trade of O’Neal to Miami in 2004. Over 519 games (third on the Lakers behind Bryant and Fisher), “The Candy Man” was a model of consistency, averaging 13.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He scored 14 to 16 PPG in 5 of his 7 Lakers seasons and grabbed between 8.2 and 10.6 RPG every year.
Odom ranks in the Lakers’ top 10 all-time list in RPG, top 15 in APG, top 30 in PPG and top 20 in total points.
4) LeBron James
He has only played 115 games in a Lakers uniform, which is the primary reason he isn’t ranked higher. Like Odom, LeBron rebounds like a power forward and passes like a point guard, but to an even stronger degree.
During his two years with the Los Angeles Lakers, he has amassed outstanding statistics: 26.5 PPG, 8.2 RPG and 9.5 APG. Although his scoring output is slightly below his lifetime average, both his rebounding and assist numbers are the highest of his 17-year career.
In his first Lakers season, he sometimes appeared disengaged, undoubtedly as a result of the team’s non-contender status. But alongside AD this year, James has been fully involved, taking a leadership role on a team that still has championship aspirations.
He recently stated that he wants to be a Laker for life. If he does indeed remain with the team for the rest of his career, and helps produce a title or two, he will move higher in the ratings.