Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking the five dynasties in franchise history

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 06: Los Angeles Lakers legends Ervin Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal share a laugh with Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor during the unveiling ceremony for a bronze statue to honor Baylor in Star Plaza at Staples Center on April 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 06: Los Angeles Lakers legends Ervin Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal share a laugh with Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor during the unveiling ceremony for a bronze statue to honor Baylor in Star Plaza at Staples Center on April 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

4. The Kobe-Gasol Lakers

Kobe Bryant‘s last two championships came alongside Pau Gasol and are the most recent championships that Laker fans have to remember. While there is another dynasty on this list that won fewer championships, in terms of star power, these Lakers come fourth.

That is not to say that these Lakers did not have star power, though. Kobe Bryant was at the top of the mountain at this point in his career and while he was in the backend of his prime, he still was in his prime and willed this team to victory.

Gasol is no laughing matter though as he was an all-star and a threat to drop 20 and 10 every single night. Lamar Odom was one of the best role players in the league, Derek Fisher served as the veteran sharpshooting point guard and Andrew Bynum was really good during this tenure.

These Lakers made the NBA Finals three years in a row and won back-to-back championships in 2010 and 2011. The 2010 opponents, the Orlando Magic, are one of the weaker teams on this list in terms of title competition and while the Celtics were not the same team that they were two years prior, they still were formidable and took the Lakers to seven games.

This dynasty could have been extended, although without Gasol, if the Lakers trade for Chris Paul would have happened. It didn’t.