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5 greatest Lakers players of all time (according to AI)

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 18: (L-R) Earvin 'Magic' Johnson addresses the crowd before Kobe Bryant has his #8 and #24 Los Angeles Lakers jerseys retired at Staples Center on December 18, 2017 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 Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 18: (L-R) Earvin 'Magic' Johnson addresses the crowd before Kobe Bryant has his #8 and #24 Los Angeles Lakers jerseys retired at Staples Center on December 18, 2017 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 Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers are the most prestigious franchise in the entire NBA. No other franchise has had as many superstars as the Lakers have had in their long history and that is why the team is tied with the Boston Celtics for the most championships in league history.

When pundits and analysts make a list of the best players in NBA history it is often littered with players that played for the Lakers. Heck, the second greatest player of all time in LeBron James is a Laker and he does not even rank in the all-time top 10.

Pinpointing exactly who the greatest players to ever don the purple and gold can be a contentious exercise that sparks debate. For that reason, we wanted to hop over to ChatGPT and see was opinions the AI had on who the greatest Lakers are of all time.

5 greatest Lakers of all time (according to AI):

All of the text written in the bullet-pointed part of this article is written by ChatGPT. I will circle back at the end with my two cents, although it might not even be needed that much. ChatGPT is coming for my job!

  1. Kobe Bryant – Kobe is widely regarded as the greatest Laker of all time. He spent his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, winning five NBA championships, two Finals MVP awards, and one regular season MVP award. He was an 18-time All-Star and a 15-time member of the All-NBA team. Kobe’s scoring ability, work ethic, and competitiveness made him a fan favorite and a legendary figure in Lakers history.
  2. Magic Johnson – Magic is one of the most iconic Lakers players of all time. He led the team to five NBA championships, winning three Finals MVP awards, and three regular season MVP awards. He was a 12-time All-Star and a 10-time member of the All-NBA team. Magic’s exceptional court vision, passing ability, and leadership helped redefine the point guard position and set the tone for the Showtime Lakers era.
  3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – Kareem is considered one of the greatest players in NBA history, and he spent 14 seasons with the Lakers. He won five NBA championships with the team, including three in the 1980s. Kareem won two Finals MVP awards and six regular season MVP awards during his time in LA. He is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and was known for his signature skyhook shot, which was nearly impossible to defend.
  4. Shaquille O’Neal – Shaq was a dominant force during his time with the Lakers. He won three NBA championships with the team, winning Finals MVP all three times. He was also named the regular season MVP in 2000. Shaq’s size, strength, and athleticism made him a nightmare for opposing teams, and his partnership with Kobe Bryant created one of the most iconic duos in NBA history.
  5. Jerry West – Jerry was a key figure in Lakers history as a player, coach, and executive. He spent his entire playing career with the Lakers, earning 14 All-Star selections and one NBA championship. He later coached the team to the NBA Finals and served as the team’s general manager, helping build the championship teams of the 1980s. Jerry’s contributions to the Lakers organization have earned him the nickname “Mr. Clutch” and a statue outside of the Staples Center.

Some interesting takes from the computer here. This is mostly in line with our top 50 Lakers of all time ranking, but there are some notable differences that are worth pointing out.

The biggest difference pertains to Shaquille O’Neal and Jerry West. In our ranking, Shaq checks in at no. 6 and does not even crack the top five. In his place is Elgin Baylor, who remains one of the most underrated superstars in NBA history.

We also ranked West higher than fifth, naming him the third-greatest Laker of all time. Sure, if we are going off of pure accolades and championships then it makes sense to put Shaq above West. But West’s impact on this franchise and what he means to the organization is simply far bigger.

Plus, his impact on the Lake Show extended past his playing career as well. While he only has one championship under his belt (and a lot of losses in the NBA Finals), West still probably deserves to be on the Lakers’ Mount Rushmore. After all, he is the logo of the league.

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