Apr 20, 1995
Portland Trail Blazers logo POR 111
Los Angeles Lakers logo LAL 97
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Apr 22, 1995
Los Angeles Lakers logo LAL 104
Portland Trail Blazers logo POR 109
Boxscore
Apr 27, 1995
Seattle SuperSonics logo SEA
Los Angeles Lakers logo LAL
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Apr 29, 1995
Seattle SuperSonics logo SEA
Los Angeles Lakers logo LAL
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Los Angeles Lakers 1994-1995 stats

NBA

Player Height Age Pts Reb Ast GP W-L MIN 3P% FG% FT% Or Reb Ast Stl To Blk Fo Pts Eff PTS REB AST
Cedric Ceballos 2m01 25 21.7 8 1.8 58 33-25 35 39.7% 50.9% 71.6% 2.9 8 1.8 1 2.5 0.3 2.3 21.7 20.7 50 16 5
Nick Van Exel 1m86 23 16.9 2.8 8.3 80 46-34 36.8 35.8% 42% 78.3% 0.3 2.8 8.3 1.2 2.8 0.1 2 16.9 17.6 40 7 17
Vlade Divac 2m17 26 16 10.4 4.1 80 48-32 35.1 18.9% 50.7% 77.7% 3.3 10.4 4.1 1.4 2.6 2.2 3.8 16 24.5 30 24 10
Eddie Jones 1m99 23 14 3.9 2 64 38-26 31 37% 46% 72.2% 1.2 3.9 2 2 1.2 0.6 2.7 14 14.4 31 10 6
Elden Campbell 2m14 26 12.5 6.1 1.3 73 44-29 28.4 0% 45.9% 66.6% 2.3 6.1 1.3 0.9 1.3 1.8 3.4 12.5 14.1 32 15 6
Anthony Peeler 1m94 25 10.4 2.3 1.7 73 41-32 21.4 38.9% 43.2% 79.7% 0.8 2.3 1.7 0.7 1.1 0.2 2 10.4 8.6 27 7 5
Sedale Threatt 1m88 33 9.5 2.1 4.2 59 36-23 23.5 37.9% 49.7% 79.3% 0.4 2.1 4.2 0.9 1.2 0.2 2.4 9.5 11.6 38 6 9
Lloyd Daniels 2m01 27 7.4 2.2 1.4 25 14-11 21.6 26.7% 39% 80% 1.1 2.2 1.4 0.8 0.9 0.4 1.6 7.4 6.7 22 8 7
George Lynch 2m04 24 6.1 3.3 1.1 56 33-23 17 14.3% 46.8% 72.1% 1.3 3.3 1.1 0.9 1.3 0.2 1.5 6.1 7 21 8 5
Charles Anton Smith 1m94 26 5.6 1.8 1.7 61 33-28 16.8 35.2% 42.7% 69.8% 0.7 1.8 1.7 0.8 0.8 0.1 1.8 5.6 5.8 19 6 7
Sam Bowie 2m16 33 4.6 4.3 1.8 67 40-27 18.3 18.2% 44.2% 76.4% 1.1 4.3 1.8 0.3 1.4 1.2 2.7 4.6 8.2 19 15 8
Anthony Miller 2m07 23 4.1 3.3 0.8 46 26-20 11.5 40% 53% 61.8% 1.5 3.3 0.8 0.4 0.8 0.2 1.7 4.1 6 18 15 4
Randolph Keys 2m01 28 3.3 2.8 0.3 6 3-3 13.8 0% 34.6% 100% 1 2.8 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 2.7 3.3 3.8 10 5 1
Antonio Harvey 2m09 24 3 1.7 0.4 59 36-23 9.7 100% 43.8% 53.3% 0.7 1.7 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.7 1.5 3 3.6 18 7 3
Kurt Rambis 2m03 36 1.7 1.3 0.6 26 16-10 7.5 - 51.4% 66.7% 0.4 1.3 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.3 1.3 1.7 3 9 9 5
Lester Conner 1m93 35 1 0 0 2 1-1 2.5 - - 100% 0 0 0 0.5 0 0 1.5 1 1.5 2 0 0
Total 105.1 42 25.3 82 48-34 242.7 35.2% 46.3% 73.5% 13.7 42 25.3 9.1 14.7 6.9 23.6 105.1 120.6
Opponents 105.3 45.8 26.9 82 - 242.7 35.2% 46.8% 70.8% 15.6 45.8 26.9 7.9 16.3 6 22 105.3 121.8
Gap -0,2 -3,8 -1,6 0 - 0 - -0,5% 2,7% -1,9 -3,8 -1,6 1,2 -1,6 0,9 1,6 -0,2 -1,2
Average
height 202 cm
Average
age 27 years old
Player Height Age Pts Reb Ast GP W-L MIN 2P 3P FG FT Reb Ast Stl Blk Fo Pts Eff
Cedric Ceballos 2m01 25 1261 464 105 58 33-25 2029 439/831 58/146 497/977 209/292 169 464 105 60 143 19 131 1261 1203
Nick Van Exel 1m86 23 1348 223 660 80 46-34 2944 282/596 183/511 465/1107 235/300 27 223 660 97 220 6 157 1348 1407
Vlade Divac 2m17 26 1277 829 329 80 48-32 2807 475/904 10/53 485/957 297/382 261 829 329 109 205 174 305 1277 1956
Eddie Jones 1m99 23 897 249 128 64 38-26 1981 251/498 91/246 342/744 122/169 79 249 128 131 75 41 175 897 922
Elden Campbell 2m14 26 913 445 92 73 44-29 2076 360/784 0/1 360/785 193/290 168 445 92 69 98 132 246 913 1031
Anthony Peeler 1m94 25 756 168 122 73 41-32 1559 201/443 84/216 285/659 102/128 62 168 122 52 82 13 143 756 629
Sedale Threatt 1m88 33 558 124 248 59 36-23 1384 181/342 36/95 217/437 88/111 21 124 248 54 70 12 139 558 683
Lloyd Daniels 2m01 27 185 56 36 25 14-11 541 48/96 23/86 71/182 20/25 27 56 36 20 23 10 40 185 168
George Lynch 2m04 24 341 184 62 56 33-23 953 135/274 3/21 138/295 62/86 75 184 62 51 73 10 86 341 394
Charles Anton Smith 1m94 26 340 107 102 61 33-28 1024 100/218 32/91 132/309 44/63 43 107 102 46 50 7 111 340 356
Sam Bowie 2m16 33 306 288 118 67 40-27 1225 116/256 2/11 118/267 68/89 72 288 118 21 91 80 182 306 552
Anthony Miller 2m07 23 189 152 35 46 26-20 527 68/127 2/5 70/132 47/76 67 152 35 20 38 7 77 189 274
Randolph Keys 2m01 28 20 17 2 6 3-3 83 9/17 0/9 9/26 2/2 6 17 2 1 2 2 16 20 23
Antonio Harvey 2m09 24 179 102 23 59 36-23 572 76/175 1/1 77/176 24/45 39 102 23 15 25 41 87 179 215
Kurt Rambis 2m03 36 44 34 16 26 16-10 195 18/35 0/0 18/35 8/12 10 34 16 3 8 9 35 44 77
Lester Conner 1m93 35 2 0 0 2 1-1 5 0/0 0/0 0/0 2/2 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 2 3
Total 8616 3442 2078 82 48-34 19905 2759/5596 525/1492 3284/7088 1523/2072 1126 3442 2078 750 1203 563 1933 8616 9893
Opponents 8634 3757 2203 82 - 19905 2843/5756 456/1294 3299/7050 1580/2233 1283 3757 2203 644 1339 489 1807 8634 9984
Gap -18 -315 -125 0 - 0 -84/-160 69/198 -15/38 -57/-161 -157 -315 -125 106 -136 74 126 -18 -91
Player Height Age Pts Reb Ast GP W-L MIN 3P% FG% FT% Or Reb Ast Stl To Blk Fo Pts Eff PTS REB AST
Cedric Ceballos 2m01 25 22.4 8.2 1.9 58 33-25 36 39.7% 50.9% 71.6% 3 8.2 1.9 1.1 2.5 0.3 2.3 22.4 21.3 50 16 5
Nick Van Exel 1m86 23 16.5 2.7 8.1 80 46-34 36 35.8% 42% 78.3% 0.3 2.7 8.1 1.2 2.7 0.1 1.9 16.5 17.2 40 7 17
Vlade Divac 2m17 26 16.4 10.6 4.2 80 48-32 36 18.9% 50.7% 77.7% 3.3 10.6 4.2 1.4 2.6 2.2 3.9 16.4 25.1 30 24 10
Eddie Jones 1m99 23 16.3 4.5 2.3 64 38-26 36 37% 46% 72.2% 1.4 4.5 2.3 2.4 1.4 0.7 3.2 16.3 16.8 31 10 6
Elden Campbell 2m14 26 15.8 7.7 1.6 73 44-29 36 0% 45.9% 66.6% 2.9 7.7 1.6 1.2 1.7 2.3 4.3 15.8 17.9 32 15 6
Anthony Peeler 1m94 25 17.5 3.9 2.8 73 41-32 36 38.9% 43.2% 79.7% 1.4 3.9 2.8 1.2 1.9 0.3 3.3 17.5 14.5 27 7 5
Sedale Threatt 1m88 33 14.5 3.2 6.5 59 36-23 36 37.9% 49.7% 79.3% 0.5 3.2 6.5 1.4 1.8 0.3 3.6 14.5 17.8 38 6 9
Lloyd Daniels 2m01 27 12.3 3.7 2.4 25 14-11 36 26.7% 39% 80% 1.8 3.7 2.4 1.3 1.5 0.7 2.7 12.3 11.2 22 8 7
George Lynch 2m04 24 12.9 7 2.3 56 33-23 36 14.3% 46.8% 72.1% 2.8 7 2.3 1.9 2.8 0.4 3.2 12.9 14.9 21 8 5
Charles Anton Smith 1m94 26 12 3.8 3.6 61 33-28 36 35.2% 42.7% 69.8% 1.5 3.8 3.6 1.6 1.8 0.2 3.9 12 12.5 19 6 7
Sam Bowie 2m16 33 9 8.5 3.5 67 40-27 36 18.2% 44.2% 76.4% 2.1 8.5 3.5 0.6 2.7 2.4 5.3 9 16.2 19 15 8
Anthony Miller 2m07 23 12.9 10.4 2.4 46 26-20 36 40% 53% 61.8% 4.6 10.4 2.4 1.4 2.6 0.5 5.3 12.9 18.7 18 15 4
Randolph Keys 2m01 28 8.7 7.4 0.9 6 3-3 36 0% 34.6% 100% 2.6 7.4 0.9 0.4 0.9 0.9 6.9 8.7 10 10 5 1
Antonio Harvey 2m09 24 11.3 6.4 1.4 59 36-23 36 100% 43.8% 53.3% 2.5 6.4 1.4 0.9 1.6 2.6 5.5 11.3 13.5 18 7 3
Kurt Rambis 2m03 36 8.1 6.3 3 26 16-10 36 - 51.4% 66.7% 1.8 6.3 3 0.6 1.5 1.7 6.5 8.1 14.2 9 9 5
Lester Conner 1m93 35 14.4 0 0 2 1-1 36 - - 100% 0 0 0 7.2 0 0 21.6 14.4 21.6 2 0 0
Total 15.6 6.2 3.8 82 48-34 36 35.2% 46.3% 73.5% 2 6.2 3.8 1.4 2.2 1 3.5 15.6 17.9
Player Height Age Pts Reb Ast GP W-L MIN 3P% FG% FT% Or Reb Ast Stl To Blk Fo Pts Eff PTS REB AST
Cedric Ceballos 2m01 25 24.9 9.1 2.1 58 33-25 40 39.7% 50.9% 71.6% 3.3 9.1 2.1 1.2 2.8 0.4 2.6 24.9 23.7 50 16 5
Nick Van Exel 1m86 23 18.3 3 9 80 46-34 40 35.8% 42% 78.3% 0.4 3 9 1.3 3 0.1 2.1 18.3 19.1 40 7 17
Vlade Divac 2m17 26 18.2 11.8 4.7 80 48-32 40 18.9% 50.7% 77.7% 3.7 11.8 4.7 1.6 2.9 2.5 4.3 18.2 27.9 30 24 10
Eddie Jones 1m99 23 18.1 5 2.6 64 38-26 40 37% 46% 72.2% 1.6 5 2.6 2.6 1.5 0.8 3.5 18.1 18.6 31 10 6
Elden Campbell 2m14 26 17.6 8.6 1.8 73 44-29 40 0% 45.9% 66.6% 3.2 8.6 1.8 1.3 1.9 2.5 4.7 17.6 19.9 32 15 6
Anthony Peeler 1m94 25 19.4 4.3 3.1 73 41-32 40 38.9% 43.2% 79.7% 1.6 4.3 3.1 1.3 2.1 0.3 3.7 19.4 16.1 27 7 5
Sedale Threatt 1m88 33 16.1 3.6 7.2 59 36-23 40 37.9% 49.7% 79.3% 0.6 3.6 7.2 1.6 2 0.3 4 16.1 19.7 38 6 9
Lloyd Daniels 2m01 27 13.7 4.1 2.7 25 14-11 40 26.7% 39% 80% 2 4.1 2.7 1.5 1.7 0.7 3 13.7 12.4 22 8 7
George Lynch 2m04 24 14.3 7.7 2.6 56 33-23 40 14.3% 46.8% 72.1% 3.1 7.7 2.6 2.1 3.1 0.4 3.6 14.3 16.5 21 8 5
Charles Anton Smith 1m94 26 13.3 4.2 4 61 33-28 40 35.2% 42.7% 69.8% 1.7 4.2 4 1.8 2 0.3 4.3 13.3 13.9 19 6 7
Sam Bowie 2m16 33 10 9.4 3.9 67 40-27 40 18.2% 44.2% 76.4% 2.4 9.4 3.9 0.7 3 2.6 5.9 10 18 19 15 8
Anthony Miller 2m07 23 14.3 11.5 2.7 46 26-20 40 40% 53% 61.8% 5.1 11.5 2.7 1.5 2.9 0.5 5.8 14.3 20.8 18 15 4
Randolph Keys 2m01 28 9.6 8.2 1 6 3-3 40 0% 34.6% 100% 2.9 8.2 1 0.5 1 1 7.7 9.6 11.1 10 5 1
Antonio Harvey 2m09 24 12.5 7.1 1.6 59 36-23 40 100% 43.8% 53.3% 2.7 7.1 1.6 1 1.7 2.9 6.1 12.5 15 18 7 3
Kurt Rambis 2m03 36 9 7 3.3 26 16-10 40 - 51.4% 66.7% 2.1 7 3.3 0.6 1.6 1.8 7.2 9 15.8 9 9 5
Lester Conner 1m93 35 16 0 0 2 1-1 40 - - 100% 0 0 0 8 0 0 24 16 24 2 0 0
Total 17.3 6.9 4.2 82 48-34 40 35.2% 46.3% 73.5% 2.3 6.9 4.2 1.5 2.4 1.1 3.9 17.3 19.9
Player Height Age USG% PACE PIE PER GMSCR AST% TO% AST/TO OREB% DREB% REB%
Cedric Ceballos 2m01 25 26.6% 21,5 7,0 21,5 17,3 8% 11% -3 5% 9% 14%
Nick Van Exel 1m86 23 21.4% 18,2 9,0 17,6 15,2 31% 15% 30.2 1% 6% 6%
Vlade Divac 2m17 26 20.5% 16,6 10,0 22,2 18,7 20% 15% 9.3 8% 17% 25%
Eddie Jones 1m99 23 19.5% 14,0 5,0 17,6 13,2 13% 8% 5.9 3% 6% 8%
Elden Campbell 2m14 26 21.1% 13,8 4,0 16,7 12,3 8% 10% -0.6 6% 10% 16%
Anthony Peeler 1m94 25 22.1% 10,9 3,0 14,8 8,2 13% 10% 5 3% 5% 8%
Sedale Threatt 1m88 33 17.4% 9,4 4,0 17,1 10,1 31% 13% 32 1% 5% 6%
Lloyd Daniels 2m01 27 17.3% 8,6 1,0 11,2 6,3 14% 11% 6 1% 1% 3%
George Lynch 2m04 24 18.4% 7,3 2,0 13,3 5,9 13% 18% -2.7 5% 7% 11%
Charles Anton Smith 1m94 26 16.3% 6,3 2,0 11,8 5,5 21% 13% 13.4 3% 4% 7%
Sam Bowie 2m16 33 14% 5,9 2,0 11,0 6,2 23% 23% 6.8 4% 12% 17%
Anthony Miller 2m07 23 16.7% 4,4 1,0 15,9 5,0 15% 19% -1.5 6% 8% 14%
Randolph Keys 2m01 28 15.1% 4,8 0 5,0 3,5 6% 7% 0 0% 1% 1%
Antonio Harvey 2m09 24 16.7% 3,7 1,0 11,0 3,3 9% 11% -0.9 4% 7% 11%
Kurt Rambis 2m03 36 10.7% 1,9 0 10,0 2,5 25% 17% 16.6 1% 3% 5%
Lester Conner 1m93 35 7.6% 0,4 0 19,2 2,1 0% 0% 0 0% 0% 0%
Player Height Age eFG% TS% 3PAr FTr %FGA/2PTm %FGA/3PTm %FGA/FTm %PTS/2PTm %PTS/3PTm %PTS/FTm PTS/2PTm PTS/3PTm
Cedric Ceballos 2m01 25 61,6% 57,0% 14,9% 29,9% 65,5% 11,5% 23,0% 69,6% 13,8% 16,6% 1.06 1.19
Nick Van Exel 1m86 23 52,6% 54,4% 46,2% 27,1% 42,4% 36,3% 21,3% 41,8% 40,7% 17,4% 0.95 1.07
Vlade Divac 2m17 26 66,2% 56,8% 5,5% 39,9% 67,5% 4,0% 28,5% 74,4% 2,3% 23,3% 1.05 0.57
Eddie Jones 1m99 23 54,2% 54,8% 33,1% 22,7% 54,5% 26,9% 18,5% 56,0% 30,4% 13,6% 1.01 1.11
Elden Campbell 2m14 26 58,2% 50,0% 0,1% 36,9% 72,9% 0,1% 27,0% 78,9% 0% 21,1% 0.92 0
Anthony Peeler 1m94 25 51,0% 52,8% 32,8% 19,4% 56,3% 27,4% 16,3% 53,2% 33,3% 13,5% 0.91 1.17
Sedale Threatt 1m88 33 59,7% 57,4% 21,7% 25,4% 62,4% 17,3% 20,3% 64,9% 19,4% 15,8% 1.06 1.14
Lloyd Daniels 2m01 27 44,5% 47,9% 47,3% 13,7% 46,4% 41,5% 12,1% 51,9% 37,3% 10,8% 1 0.8
George Lynch 2m04 24 57,3% 51,2% 7,1% 29,2% 71,9% 5,5% 22,6% 79,2% 2,6% 18,2% 0.99 0.43
Charles Anton Smith 1m94 26 49,8% 50,5% 29,4% 20,4% 58,6% 24,5% 16,9% 58,8% 28,2% 12,9% 0.92 1.05
Sam Bowie 2m16 33 56,9% 50,0% 4,1% 33,3% 71,9% 3,1% 25,0% 75,8% 2,0% 22,2% 0.91 0.55
Anthony Miller 2m07 23 70,8% 57,1% 3,8% 57,6% 61,1% 2,4% 36,5% 72,0% 3,2% 24,9% 1.07 1.2
Randolph Keys 2m01 28 38,5% 37,2% 34,6% 7,7% 60,7% 32,1% 7,1% 90,0% 0% 10,0% 1.06 0
Antonio Harvey 2m09 24 50,6% 45,7% 0,6% 25,6% 79,2% 0,5% 20,4% 84,9% 1,7% 13,4% 0.87 3
Kurt Rambis 2m03 36 62,9% 54,6% 0% 34,3% 74,5% 0% 25,5% 81,8% 0% 18,2% 1.03 0
Lester Conner 1m93 35 0% 113,6% 0% 0% 0% 0% 100,0% 0% 0% 100,0% 0 0
Player Height Age %MIN %PTS %FGM %FGA %2PM %2PA %3PM %3PA %FTM %FTA %OREB %DREB %REB %AST %TOV %STL %BLK %BLKA %PF %PFD %+/- %EFF
Cedric Ceballos 2m01 25 87% 21% 21% 19% 22% 21% 16% 14% 19% 20% 21% 18% 19% 7% 17% 11% 5% - 10% - - 17%
Nick Van Exel 1m86 23 92% 16% 15% 16% 10% 11% 36% 35% 16% 15% 2% 9% 7% 33% 19% 13% 1% - 8% - - 15%
Vlade Divac 2m17 26 88% 15% 15% 14% 18% 17% 2% 4% 20% 19% 24% 25% 25% 16% 17% 15% 32% - 16% - - 20%
Eddie Jones 1m99 23 77% 13% 13% 13% 12% 11% 22% 21% 10% 10% 9% 9% 9% 8% 8% 22% 9% - 12% - - 12%
Elden Campbell 2m14 26 71% 12% 12% 12% 15% 16% 0% 0% 14% 16% 17% 13% 15% 5% 9% 10% 26% - 14% - - 12%
Anthony Peeler 1m94 25 53% 10% 10% 10% 8% 9% 18% 16% 8% 7% 6% 5% 5% 7% 8% 8% 3% - 8% - - 7%
Sedale Threatt 1m88 33 59% 9% 9% 9% 9% 8% 10% 9% 8% 7% 3% 6% 5% 17% 8% 10% 3% - 10% - - 10%
Lloyd Daniels 2m01 27 54% 7% 7% 8% 6% 6% 14% 19% 4% 4% 8% 4% 5% 6% 6% 9% 6% - 7% - - 6%
George Lynch 2m04 24 43% 6% 6% 6% 7% 7% 1% 2% 6% 6% 10% 7% 8% 4% 9% 10% 3% - 7% - - 6%
Charles Anton Smith 1m94 26 42% 5% 5% 6% 5% 5% 8% 8% 4% 4% 5% 4% 4% 7% 6% 8% 2% - 8% - - 5%
Sam Bowie 2m16 33 46% 4% 4% 5% 5% 6% 0% 1% 5% 5% 8% 11% 10% 7% 9% 3% 17% - 12% - - 7%
Anthony Miller 2m07 23 29% 4% 4% 3% 4% 4% 1% 1% 6% 7% 11% 7% 8% 3% 6% 5% 2% - 7% - - 5%
Randolph Keys 2m01 28 35% 3% 4% 5% 4% 4% 0% 8% 2% 1% 7% 6% 7% 1% 2% 2% 5% - 11% - - 3%
Antonio Harvey 2m09 24 24% 3% 3% 3% 4% 4% 0% 0% 2% 3% 5% 4% 4% 2% 3% 3% 10% - 6% - - 3%
Kurt Rambis 2m03 36 19% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 0% 0% 2% 2% 3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 1% 5% - 6% - - 2%
Lester Conner 1m93 35 6% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 5% 4% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 5% 0% - 6% - - 1%

Los Angeles Lakers History

Probably the most glamorous franchise in Basketball, synonymous with superstars and showtime, the Lakers have captured the imagination of fans across the world. Even in its darkest days, the purple and gold uniforms remain a symbol of success.

They officially played their first NBA season in 1948-49. The franchise was then located in Minneapolis and were originally part of the NBL, the National Basketball League, which merged with the Basketball Association of America to form the NBA. Minnesota is known as the land of 10.000 lakes, explaining how the now Californian franchise got its nickname.

5 titles in the Franchise's first 6 seaons

Right from the start, the Lakers were dominant winning 5 championships in the first 6 seasons of the NBA, as they relied on the most dominant player in basketball. Standing 6-10, George Mikan was an unstoppable big man known for his ability to finish over smaller defenders with a trademark hookshot released with either hands. He even prompted several rule changes in the NBA including the introduction of the goaltending rule, the widening of the foul lane and the creation of the shot clock.

The team moved to Los Angeles in 1960. In 1958, the Brooklyn Dodgers of Major League Baseball had moved to Los Angeles and quickly became a huge financial success. Owner Bob Short decided to take his team to California, making it the first NBA team on the West Coast, as attendance had plummeted in Minnesota. Two guards spearheaded the Lakers’ offense. For 10 years, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West combined for 60 points per game but the Lakers were defeated seven times in the NBA Finals, including six defeats to the hands of their nemesis, the Boston Celtics. The greatest rivalry in basketball was born in the 60’s.

It got even bigger when the franchise traded for Wilt Chamberlain in 1968. At 32, the center who reached the mythical 100 points plateau in a game had to learn to share the spotlights with Baylor and West. He was supposed to be the answer to Bill Russell’s impact.

Lakers versus Celtics: basketball's greatest rivalry

Success was not immediate and at the start of the 1971-72 season, Elgin Baylor retired after 9 games. The man who once scored 71 points in a regular season game and 61 points in a NBA Finals game had taken the Lakers eight times to the championship series, not winning once. Ironically enough, the team went on to win 69 games that season, a record that lasted 24 years, including a 33 game winning streak. The Lakers eventually won the NBA title as Chamberlain was voted Most Valuable player in the Finals. Yet West remained the fan favourite. Nicknamed Mr.Clutch, he was a deadly outside shooter who still holds the record for the highest points per game average in a playoff series with 46.3. His silhouette is incorporated into the NBA logo.

Two years later, both West and Chamberlain had retired and after missing the playoffs in 1975, the Lakers answered by trading for three time MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, formely known as Lew Alcindor. Yet, they never made it past the Conference Finals despite his impressive numbers and deadly sky hook. All of that changed in 1979 when the Lakers got the first pick of the draft from a past trade with the New Orleans Jazz. They selected 6-9 point guard Earvin Johnson, who had just guided Michigan State to an NCAA title. The Lakers won 60 games in Johnson's rookie year, and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the 1980 NBA Finals. Johnson won the Finals MVP award, after starting at center for the injured Abdul-Jabbar in game six, and tallying 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists.

The Showtime era

Soon after, owner Jerry Buss planned to promote Jerry West as the new head coach. But the Logo declined during the introductory press conference, indicating that assistant Pat Riley was indeed the true head coach position. The 37 year old valued the running game and the Showtime era started in Los Angeles. The Lakers won four championships in the 80’s and did it in style. The Forum of Inglewood became the place to be seen as movie stars cheered for every fast break and no look passes from the first row. Jack Nicholson was labelled as their number one fan. The roster was perfectly assembled as, with years passing by, Abdul-Jabbar took a backseat offensively to sharpshooter Byron Scott and James Worthy. Michael Jordan’s teammate at the university of North Carolina was a new type of power-foward, relying on quickness and mid-range shooting abilities. A silent assassin he gain the nickname Big Game James as he always seemed to save his best when it mattered the most, as in Game 7 of the 1988 Finals when he recorded a triple double. Once again, the Boston Celtics were their main opponent. The Celtics and Lakers met three times in the Finals and America fell in love with the matchup between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. The white kid from rural Indiana against the black kid from the city suburbs of Detroit. A rivalry that transformed the NBA and made it immensely popular.

The 80’s concluded on a memorable farewell tour for Abdul-Jabbar who received gifts during special ceremonies organized by the other 24 franchises he faced. The 19 time NBA All Star played 20 seasons in the League, winning six championships. At the time of his retirement at age 42 in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA's all-time leader in points scored, games played, minutes played, field goals made, field goal attempts, blocked shots, defensive rebounds, career wins, and personal fouls.

In 1991 the franchise lost to Michael Jordan and the Bulls in the NBA Finals. Many insiders saw it as a passing the torch moment. A few weeks later the Lakers were left shell-shocked when Magic Johnson announced its retirement, after being diagnosed HIV positive. The news made the headlines across the world, reaching an audience far beyond the basketball world and reminded everyone about the the fight against AIDS.

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal

The following five years were disapointing for the Lakers but Jerry West, now in a General Manager position, changed the momentum in the summer of 1996. He traded his starting center, Vlade Divac, for a young high school player from Lower Merrion drafted 13 by the Charlotte Hornets. Kobe Bryant was joined in Los Angeles by free-agent Shaquille O’Neal, the most dominant big man in the League. The first pick of the 1992 draft had transformed the Orlando Magic from being the laughing stock of the League to a team fighting for a championship.

Their duo provided another dynasty as the Lakers, coached by Phil Jackson, achieved a three-peat in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Opponents could only pick their poison. O’Neal was unstoppable in the paint displaying a combination of power and explosiveness hardly ever seen. He demolished the competition en route to winning three Finals MVP trophies. Bryant, after some early struggles, turned into a Michael Jordan look-alike.

Tensions finally ended their partnership and forced LA to trade O’Neal to Miami in 2004, after the Lakers lost 4-1 in the Finals to the Pistons, despite having added veterans Gary Payton and Karl Malone to its roster. A rebuilding process followed that generated frustration to the point when Bryant demanded a trade. As they had done in the past the Lakers answered by pulling out a major trade, acquiring Pau Gasol in 2008 from the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Spanish bigman was the perfect complement to Andrew Bynum in the paint as he provided the finesse, technique and outside shooting the Lakers were lacking. Gasol enjoyed great chemistry with Bryant and the duo produced another two championships in 2009 and 2010. Obsessed with the idea of proving he could win a title without O’Neal, Bryant was named MVP of the Finals twice.

The next decade was far from successful for the Lakers. Coaches changes became a habit, injuries struck Kobe Bryant and power struggles rocked the front office. While the franchise had failed to reach the playoffs only five times in 65 years, it did not qualify for the post season between 2013 and 2019.

The last chapter of LeBron James's career

A situation that required a major overhaul. It was provided by the signing of the biggest superstar in the League. LeBron James could not resist the idea of bringing the Lakers back to the top. The four time MVP and three time champion is facing one of the most exciting challenge of his illustrious career. Yet he would not have to do it alone. A year after his signing, the Lakers confirmed the attraction the historical franchise can have on players. Anthony Davis, the superstar from the Pelicans, forced his team into a trade to move to California.

There is no bigger market than Los Angeles and this is where legends are written.