Los Angeles Lakers: 50 Greatest Players in Lakers History (Updated 2023)

Greatest Lakers of all time: 42- Cazzie Russell

• 3 seasons, 196 games
• 14.5 PPG

“Jazzy Cazzie” was one of the game’s best all-time streak shooters, somewhat similar to Lou Williams today. When he got hot, it seemed like he couldn’t miss, no matter where he shot from.

He was originally the top pick of the 1966 pick by the Knicks. Although he didn’t have the type of career you’d expect from the #1 pick, he still was a major weapon for New York and was a valued member of their 1970 title team.

Russell then starred for 3 years with Golden State before being traded to the Lakers, where he played another 3 seasons, all in the mid-1970s. Unfortunately that was the era that the team started to fall on leaner times, and Russell was nearing the end of his 12-year NBA career.

But Cazzie brought his jump shot with him to L.A., and was a big contributor, both as a starter and reserve. For a player who mostly shot from the outside, he impressively made over 47% of his field goal attempts, the highest of his career.

He ended up as the Lakers 23rd leading per game scorer and 50th in total points.