Los Angeles Lakers: 50 Greatest Players in Lakers History (Updated 2023)
By Ed Schrenzel
Greatest Lakers of all time: 23- Slater Martin
- 7 seasons, 484 games, 4 titles
- 9.9 PPG
- 4.1 APG
Slater was the point guard during the heyday of the Minneapolis Lakers, a time that few current NBA fans watched. He quarterbacked the team to the last 4 of its 5 Minneapolis titles in his 7 years with the Lakers. He also made the all-star team in 4 of those seasons.
Although he was only 5-10, “Dugie” was known for his strong defense. Bob Cousy of the Boston Celtics acknowledged that Slater was one of the toughest defenders he ever faced.
Martin was also recognized as one of the game’s best passers. But in a lower-scoring era, he averaged as high as 6 assists in only one season. He relied on teammates George Mikan, Jim Pollard and Vern Mikkelsen to carry the scoring load.
Slater ranks 12th in APG and 27th in career points for the Lakers. And even though none of his stats are eye-catching, his ballhandling and defense made him one of the best players in the league in its infancy during the 1950s and helped earn him election to the Basketball Hall of Fame.