Los Angeles Lakers: Three best late first-round picks in team history
By Jason Reed
2. A.C. Green
- Years with the Los Angeles Lakers: 1985-1993; 1999-2000
- Career averages with the Los Angeles Lakers: 10.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Norm Nixon was a staple of the Showtime Lakers during the early stages of the team while A.C. Green was a staple during the late stages. Green and Nixon never actually played together but Green won two championships as a member of the Showtime Lakers, winning three with the franchise altogether.
Green carved out a long career in the NBA and after winning two championships with the Lakers in the 1980s he eventually returned to the team in 1999 to be a part of the first of three-straight championships with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.
Green was not a veteran on the end of the bench that didn’t get any playing time, either. While his production was small in his second Lakers stint, he still started all 82 games for the Lakers.
Green was part of the two greatest eras in Lakers’ history and was consistently on the court, which was his best trait. Throughout his career, Green had 13 82-game seasons, one of which even being an 83-game season when he was traded during the 1996-1997 season. He missed three games in his entire career.
Green was a one-time all-star with the Lakers and was named to the All-Defensive Second Team in 1989. He was a reliable defensive presence and while he was not the flashiest on the offensive end, he was a key role player and starter on three different championship teams.