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The 10 best Los Angeles Lakers big men of all time

By Cameron Salce

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 24: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half at American Airlines Center on April 24, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 24: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half at American Airlines Center on April 24, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Best Los Angeles Lakers big men of all time: 1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Los Angeles Lakers radio broadcaster John Ireland has said on Spectrum Lakers Top 10 that he would personally fight anyone that creates a list and does not have Kareem ranked as the best Lakers big man of all time. Lucky for me, I agree with him and think Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is easily the best Lakers big man of all time and could be considered the best basketball player that ever played the game.

Even before he joined the Lakers, Kareem or Lou Alcindor was a champion on both the collegiate and professional levels. He was a legend with John Wooden at UCLA helping create one of the best college basketball dynasties of all-time and also winning a title early in his professional career playing with Oscar Robertson and the Milwaukee Bucks.

However, his career really took off when he decided to play for the Lakers in Los Angeles because he wanted to succeed in a bigger media market. He went on to win five more championships playing alongside Magic Johnson in Los Angeles, so it is safe to say he made a good decision.

The difference between Kareem and Shaq for the number one spot on the list came down to how they left the franchise. Kareem played a big role in a championship in one of his later seasons and had a farewell tour around the league with the Lakers, and Shaq on the other hand was traded out of town because of a bitter feud at the time with fellow superstar Kobe and then went on to play for a bundle of teams around the league including the rival Celtics.

Kareem also was fairly consistent from the free-throw line shooting over 72 percent for his career, and never shot below 70 percent in a season with the Lakers. He also invented the most unguardable shot the NBA has ever seen with his skyhook and no one has really been able to replicate it since.

He might not have been the brute dominant force down low that Shaq and Wilt were, but he also was no slouch on the boards and was one of the best rim protectors and interior defenders of his era.

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Jabbar had a one-of-a-kind style of play and career and that is why he should be number one on any Lakers big man list there is. He should also be in the conversation for the best Lakers player ever and best basketball player to ever play when you take into consideration both professional and collegiate careers.

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