The Los Angeles Lakers have always had great talent. Whether it was players, coaches, general managers or owners, they have always been an example of greatness. If you go back and look, you will see how true this is. At one time or another, they have had All-Time great talent all the way up to this current day.
Not every team can say this. The Boston Celtics can as they have had greats like Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, John Havlicek, Bob Cousy, Red Auerbach, Bill Russell and fast forward to Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen.
The New York Yankees sure can. Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, George Steinbrenner, Joe Torre, Mariano Rivera, and Derrick Jeter. There are other teams too such as the 49ers, Green Bay Packers, and the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers.
Some teams have not had this luxury as we have seen many dark days for certain organizations. Sure, at one time or another, every team has had their hard years but not everyone has hosted all-time great talent through the years.
The Los Angeles Lakers are special.
Personally, I believe that it all starts with ownership and the GM. Dr. Jerry Buss was at the forefront of this as he knew he had to acquire top-notch talent. Having a very good general manager is always a good thing as well (thank you Jerry West).
Through the years, the Lakers have done their best to follow that same trend that is well known today in that being a Laker means being part of greatness.
Vern Mikkelsen and George Mikan were two of the early all-time Laker greats who helped the team win various championships. Next came the years of the great Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, and Gail Goodrich.
Three great players who made their mark in Laker history. Wilt Chamberlain, who was already a very well-known star, joined the Lakers in 1968-69. It would not be until 1971-72 that the Lakers would win a championship with these four.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would join the Lakers in 1975-76. He would bring his famous Sky Hook across the map from Milwaukee to LA. There were a few rough seasons for a bit, but things were looking up for the organization, especially when they got Jamal Wilkes in 1977-78.
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In 1979-80, Jack Kent Cooke sold the team to Dr. Jerry Buss. That same year, a certain Magician came to LA from Michigan State. Magic Johnson arrived just in time to help the Lakers win the 1979-80 NBA championship. Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo arrived in 1981-82 to help the Lakers win another ring.
The Showtime years had arrived, and oh what a great time it was. James Worthy came in 1982-83 as the Lakers’ first-round pick from North Carolina, as well as head coach Pat Riley.
The combination of Johnson, Jabbar, Worthy, Riley, Jerry West, (General Manager at the time) and Buss would win titles in 1984-85, 1986-87, and 1987-88. After this, times would get a bit tough for a little bit, but from every hardship comes greatness.
In 1996-99, under Jerry West and Jerry Buss, two of the greatest players and Lakers of all time had arrived. Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. LA would never be the same.
The Lake Show had returned. In 99-2000, under head coach Phil Jackson, who is one of the greatest coaches of all time. the Lakers would win the first of three consecutive titles. Some combination of talent all around as Buss, O’Neal, Bryant, and Jackson would cement their place in Lakers history.
For one season in 2003-04, the Lakers had a starting lineup that featured four future Hall of Famers with O’Neal, Bryant, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton.
There would be a few more up and down seasons but in 2007-08, Pau Gasol arrived in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. Together with Bryant, the Lakers won back to back titles in 2008-09 and 2009-2010. Once again placing themselves in the in Lakers’ history.
The Steve Nash experiment lasted only two seasons from 2012-2014. In that time Nash would miss a lot of games because of injury.
A few more dark seasons until LeBron would arrive in 2018-2019. Of course, Anthony Davis came next as the Lakers made their mark winning last season’s title.
Now, this season everything is looking great as the team is rolling with their immense talent on the court and off. Frank Vogel, Rob Pelinka, and Jeanie Buss are moving in the right direction as they continue the tradition of Laker greatness.
Oh yeah, for one season the Lakers had the great Mitch Richmond too!