Apr 11, 2016
Oklahoma City Thunder logo OKL 112
Los Angeles Lakers logo LAL 79
Boxscore
Apr 13, 2016
Los Angeles Lakers logo LAL 101
Utah Jazz logo UTA 96
Boxscore

Los Angeles Lakers leaders

Season leaders

Swipe
Points
Rebounds
Assists

Los Angeles Lakers 2015-2016 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
Kobe Bryant 2m01 37 17.6 3.7 2.8 66 13-53 28.2 28.5% 35.8% 82.6% 0.6 3.7 2.8 0.9 2 0.2 1.7 17.6 11.8 60 12 9
Jordan Clarkson 1m98 23 15.5 4 2.4 79 17-62 32.3 34.9% 43.2% 80.4% 1.2 4 2.4 1.1 1.7 0.1 2.1 15.5 13 30 10 7
Lou Williams 1m85 29 15.3 2.5 2.5 67 14-53 28.5 34.3% 40.7% 83% 0.5 2.5 2.5 0.9 1.6 0.3 1.6 15.3 12.8 44 8 8
D'Angelo Russell 1m96 19 13.2 3.4 3.3 80 17-63 28.2 35.4% 41% 73.7% 0.6 3.4 3.3 1.2 2.4 0.2 1.8 13.2 11.2 39 10 8
Julius Randle 2m04 21 11.3 10.2 1.8 81 17-64 28.2 27.8% 42.9% 71.5% 2.1 10.2 1.8 0.7 1.8 0.4 3 11.3 15.7 23 20 10
Nick Young 1m98 30 7.3 1.8 0.6 54 13-41 19.2 32.5% 33.9% 82.9% 0.3 1.8 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.1 0.9 7.3 4.9 22 6 3
Brandon Bass 2m04 30 7.2 4.3 1.1 66 16-50 20.3 0% 54.9% 84.5% 1.6 4.3 1.1 0.5 0.6 0.9 1.9 7.2 10.8 18 10 4
Roy Hibbert 2m18 29 5.9 4.9 1.2 81 17-64 23.2 0% 44.3% 80.7% 1.6 4.9 1.2 0.4 0.9 1.4 3.1 5.9 9.7 18 11 4
Larry Nance 2m03 22 5.5 5 0.7 63 14-49 20.1 10% 52.7% 68.1% 1.6 5 0.7 0.9 0.7 0.3 2 5.5 9.2 17 14 3
Metta World Peace 2m01 36 5 2.5 0.8 35 6-29 16.8 31% 31.1% 70.2% 0.5 2.5 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.3 1.9 5 4.9 17 7 3
Marcelinho Huertas 1m90 32 4.5 1.7 3.4 53 8-45 16.3 26.2% 42.2% 93.1% 0.3 1.7 3.4 0.5 1.5 0.2 1.4 4.5 6.2 13 6 10
Ryan Kelly 2m10 24 4.2 3.4 0.6 36 3-33 13 13.5% 36.9% 68.5% 0.6 3.4 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.3 1.1 4.2 5.2 12 9 3
Anthony Brown 2m01 23 4 2.4 0.7 29 4-25 20.5 28.6% 31% 85% 0.3 2.4 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.2 1.2 4 4.1 10 7 3
Robert Sacre 2m13 26 3.5 2.9 0.6 25 2-23 12.8 - 41.3% 65.8% 1.3 2.9 0.6 0.2 0.5 0.4 1.7 3.5 4.7 11 8 2
Tarik Black 2m05 24 3.4 4 0.4 39 6-33 12.7 - 54.3% 42.2% 1.1 4 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.5 2 3.4 6.2 11 8 3
Total 97.3 43 18 82 17-65 240.6 31.8% 41.4% 78.1% 10.7 43 18 7.2 12.9 4.2 20.3 97.3 101.7
Opponents 106.9 46.5 24.7 82 - 240.5 34.7% 47.3% 73.1% 10.9 46.5 24.7 7.5 12.1 5.6 19.2 106.9 127.6
Gap -9,6 -3,5 -6,7 0 - 0 -2,9% -5,9% 5,0% -0,2 -3,5 -6,7 -0,3 0,8 -1,4 1,1 -9,6 -25,9
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
Kobe Bryant 2m01 37 1161 247 184 66 13-53 1860 265/646 133/466 398/1112 232/281 42 247 184 62 129 14 115 1161 776
Jordan Clarkson 1m98 23 1225 316 192 79 17-62 2555 364/781 111/318 475/1099 164/204 96 316 192 88 135 7 168 1225 1029
Lou Williams 1m85 29 1028 170 167 67 14-53 1910 173/374 110/321 283/695 352/424 32 170 167 62 106 20 107 1028 857
D'Angelo Russell 1m96 19 1054 272 266 80 17-63 2257 262/588 130/367 392/955 140/190 46 272 266 93 193 16 142 1054 895
Julius Randle 2m04 21 919 830 144 81 17-64 2286 348/799 10/36 358/835 193/270 172 830 144 53 148 30 242 919 1274
Nick Young 1m98 30 392 97 34 54 13-41 1036 49/135 77/237 126/372 63/76 14 97 34 23 30 7 50 392 264
Brandon Bass 2m04 30 473 285 74 66 16-50 1342 174/315 0/2 174/317 125/148 104 285 74 33 40 57 125 473 716
Roy Hibbert 2m18 29 481 398 95 81 17-64 1881 182/409 0/2 182/411 117/145 131 398 95 32 76 110 252 481 783
Larry Nance 2m03 22 349 312 44 63 14-49 1267 157/290 1/10 158/300 32/47 101 312 44 54 42 22 124 349 582
Metta World Peace 2m01 36 176 89 27 35 6-29 588 29/93 26/84 55/177 40/57 19 89 27 22 15 11 67 176 171
Marcelinho Huertas 1m90 32 237 90 182 53 8-45 866 81/169 16/61 97/230 27/29 18 90 182 26 79 8 76 237 329
Ryan Kelly 2m10 24 152 121 20 36 3-33 469 50/112 5/37 55/149 37/54 21 121 20 13 18 10 39 152 187
Anthony Brown 2m01 23 115 70 19 29 4-25 595 19/56 20/70 39/126 17/20 9 70 19 14 15 5 34 115 118
Robert Sacre 2m13 26 87 72 14 25 2-23 320 31/75 0/0 31/75 25/38 32 72 14 4 12 10 43 87 118
Tarik Black 2m05 24 133 157 16 39 6-33 494 57/105 0/0 57/105 19/45 44 157 16 14 22 18 78 133 242
Total 7982 3526 1478 82 17-65 19726 2241/4947 639/2011 2880/6958 1583/2028 881 3526 1478 593 1060 345 1662 7982 8341
Opponents 8766 3811 2022 82 - 19723 2623/5007 700/2016 3323/7023 1420/1942 897 3811 2022 618 990 457 1573 8766 10462
Gap -784 -285 -544 0 - 3 -382/-60 -61/-5 -443/-65 163/86 -16 -285 -544 -25 70 -112 89 -784 -2121
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
Kobe Bryant 2m01 37 22.5 4.8 3.6 66 13-53 36 28.5% 35.8% 82.6% 0.8 4.8 3.6 1.2 2.5 0.3 2.2 22.5 15 60 12 9
Jordan Clarkson 1m98 23 17.3 4.5 2.7 79 17-62 36 34.9% 43.2% 80.4% 1.4 4.5 2.7 1.2 1.9 0.1 2.4 17.3 14.5 30 10 7
Lou Williams 1m85 29 19.4 3.2 3.1 67 14-53 36 34.3% 40.7% 83% 0.6 3.2 3.1 1.2 2 0.4 2 19.4 16.2 44 8 8
D'Angelo Russell 1m96 19 16.8 4.3 4.2 80 17-63 36 35.4% 41% 73.7% 0.7 4.3 4.2 1.5 3.1 0.3 2.3 16.8 14.3 39 10 8
Julius Randle 2m04 21 14.5 13.1 2.3 81 17-64 36 27.8% 42.9% 71.5% 2.7 13.1 2.3 0.8 2.3 0.5 3.8 14.5 20.1 23 20 10
Nick Young 1m98 30 13.6 3.4 1.2 54 13-41 36 32.5% 33.9% 82.9% 0.5 3.4 1.2 0.8 1 0.2 1.7 13.6 9.2 22 6 3
Brandon Bass 2m04 30 12.7 7.6 2 66 16-50 36 0% 54.9% 84.5% 2.8 7.6 2 0.9 1.1 1.5 3.4 12.7 19.2 18 10 4
Roy Hibbert 2m18 29 9.2 7.6 1.8 81 17-64 36 0% 44.3% 80.7% 2.5 7.6 1.8 0.6 1.5 2.1 4.8 9.2 15 18 11 4
Larry Nance 2m03 22 9.9 8.9 1.3 63 14-49 36 10% 52.7% 68.1% 2.9 8.9 1.3 1.5 1.2 0.6 3.5 9.9 16.5 17 14 3
Metta World Peace 2m01 36 10.8 5.4 1.7 35 6-29 36 31% 31.1% 70.2% 1.2 5.4 1.7 1.3 0.9 0.7 4.1 10.8 10.5 17 7 3
Marcelinho Huertas 1m90 32 9.9 3.7 7.6 53 8-45 36 26.2% 42.2% 93.1% 0.7 3.7 7.6 1.1 3.3 0.3 3.2 9.9 13.7 13 6 10
Ryan Kelly 2m10 24 11.7 9.3 1.5 36 3-33 36 13.5% 36.9% 68.5% 1.6 9.3 1.5 1 1.4 0.8 3 11.7 14.4 12 9 3
Anthony Brown 2m01 23 7 4.2 1.1 29 4-25 36 28.6% 31% 85% 0.5 4.2 1.1 0.8 0.9 0.3 2.1 7 7.1 10 7 3
Robert Sacre 2m13 26 9.8 8.1 1.6 25 2-23 36 - 41.3% 65.8% 3.6 8.1 1.6 0.5 1.4 1.1 4.8 9.8 13.3 11 8 2
Tarik Black 2m05 24 9.7 11.4 1.2 39 6-33 36 - 54.3% 42.2% 3.2 11.4 1.2 1 1.6 1.3 5.7 9.7 17.6 11 8 3
Total 14.6 6.4 2.7 82 17-65 36 31.8% 41.4% 78.1% 1.6 6.4 2.7 1.1 1.9 0.6 3 14.6 15.2
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
Kobe Bryant 2m01 37 25 5.3 4 66 13-53 40 28.5% 35.8% 82.6% 0.9 5.3 4 1.3 2.8 0.3 2.5 25 16.7 60 12 9
Jordan Clarkson 1m98 23 19.2 4.9 3 79 17-62 40 34.9% 43.2% 80.4% 1.5 4.9 3 1.4 2.1 0.1 2.6 19.2 16.1 30 10 7
Lou Williams 1m85 29 21.5 3.6 3.5 67 14-53 40 34.3% 40.7% 83% 0.7 3.6 3.5 1.3 2.2 0.4 2.2 21.5 17.9 44 8 8
D'Angelo Russell 1m96 19 18.7 4.8 4.7 80 17-63 40 35.4% 41% 73.7% 0.8 4.8 4.7 1.6 3.4 0.3 2.5 18.7 15.9 39 10 8
Julius Randle 2m04 21 16.1 14.5 2.5 81 17-64 40 27.8% 42.9% 71.5% 3 14.5 2.5 0.9 2.6 0.5 4.2 16.1 22.3 23 20 10
Nick Young 1m98 30 15.1 3.7 1.3 54 13-41 40 32.5% 33.9% 82.9% 0.5 3.7 1.3 0.9 1.2 0.3 1.9 15.1 10.2 22 6 3
Brandon Bass 2m04 30 14.1 8.5 2.2 66 16-50 40 0% 54.9% 84.5% 3.1 8.5 2.2 1 1.2 1.7 3.7 14.1 21.3 18 10 4
Roy Hibbert 2m18 29 10.2 8.5 2 81 17-64 40 0% 44.3% 80.7% 2.8 8.5 2 0.7 1.6 2.3 5.4 10.2 16.7 18 11 4
Larry Nance 2m03 22 11 9.9 1.4 63 14-49 40 10% 52.7% 68.1% 3.2 9.9 1.4 1.7 1.3 0.7 3.9 11 18.4 17 14 3
Metta World Peace 2m01 36 12 6.1 1.8 35 6-29 40 31% 31.1% 70.2% 1.3 6.1 1.8 1.5 1 0.7 4.6 12 11.6 17 7 3
Marcelinho Huertas 1m90 32 10.9 4.2 8.4 53 8-45 40 26.2% 42.2% 93.1% 0.8 4.2 8.4 1.2 3.6 0.4 3.5 10.9 15.2 13 6 10
Ryan Kelly 2m10 24 13 10.3 1.7 36 3-33 40 13.5% 36.9% 68.5% 1.8 10.3 1.7 1.1 1.5 0.9 3.3 13 15.9 12 9 3
Anthony Brown 2m01 23 7.7 4.7 1.3 29 4-25 40 28.6% 31% 85% 0.6 4.7 1.3 0.9 1 0.3 2.3 7.7 7.9 10 7 3
Robert Sacre 2m13 26 10.9 9 1.8 25 2-23 40 - 41.3% 65.8% 4 9 1.8 0.5 1.5 1.3 5.4 10.9 14.8 11 8 2
Tarik Black 2m05 24 10.8 12.7 1.3 39 6-33 40 - 54.3% 42.2% 3.6 12.7 1.3 1.1 1.8 1.5 6.3 10.8 19.6 11 8 3
Total 16.2 7.1 3 82 17-65 40 31.8% 41.4% 78.1% 1.8 7.1 3 1.2 2.1 0.7 3.4 16.2 16.9
Player Height Age USG% PACE PIE PER GMSCR AST% TO% AST/TO OREB% DREB% REB%
Kobe Bryant 2m01 37 32.5% 20,7 5,0 15,6 11,1 12% 9% 4 1% 7% 9%
Jordan Clarkson 1m98 23 22.9% 16,8 7,0 14,7 11,7 13% 10% 4.3 3% 7% 10%
Lou Williams 1m85 29 22.9% 14,7 6,0 18,1 12,2 14% 11% 6.2 1% 5% 6%
D'Angelo Russell 1m96 19 24.2% 15,4 6,0 13,8 9,7 18% 16% 5.9 2% 8% 9%
Julius Randle 2m04 21 21.3% 13,6 8,0 14,6 11,0 12% 13% -0.4 6% 23% 29%
Nick Young 1m98 30 18.6% 8,1 2,0 9,5 4,7 7% 7% 0.9 1% 4% 5%
Brandon Bass 2m04 30 13.9% 6,4 4,0 17,7 8,7 15% 9% 8.1 5% 9% 14%
Roy Hibbert 2m18 29 13% 6,8 3,0 11,5 7,7 15% 14% 3.4 6% 11% 17%
Larry Nance 2m03 22 12.7% 5,8 3,0 13,6 7,0 11% 12% 0.6 5% 10% 15%
Metta World Peace 2m01 36 16.3% 6,2 1,0 8,8 4,6 11% 7% 5.5 1% 4% 5%
Marcelinho Huertas 1m90 32 16.5% 6,1 2,0 10,9 4,9 36% 25% 32 1% 4% 5%
Ryan Kelly 2m10 24 18% 5,3 1,0 10,9 3,9 9% 9% 1 2% 8% 9%
Anthony Brown 2m01 23 11.1% 5,2 1,0 5,3 3,3 11% 10% 2.7 0% 3% 3%
Robert Sacre 2m13 26 14.4% 4,2 0 10,6 4,1 12% 12% 1.9 2% 3% 6%
Tarik Black 2m05 24 13.2% 3,8 1,0 12,7 4,7 10% 15% -4.1 3% 9% 12%
Player Height Age eFG% TS% 3PAr FTr %FGA/2PTm %FGA/3PTm %FGA/FTm %PTS/2PTm %PTS/3PTm %PTS/FTm PTS/2PTm PTS/3PTm
Kobe Bryant 2m01 37 46,2% 47,0% 41,9% 25,3% 46,4% 33,5% 20,2% 45,7% 34,4% 20,0% 0.82 0.86
Jordan Clarkson 1m98 23 50,7% 51,5% 28,9% 18,6% 59,9% 24,4% 15,7% 59,4% 27,2% 13,4% 0.93 1.05
Lou Williams 1m85 29 66,0% 58,3% 46,2% 61,0% 33,4% 28,7% 37,9% 33,7% 32,1% 34,2% 0.93 1.03
D'Angelo Russell 1m96 19 48,4% 50,7% 38,4% 19,9% 51,4% 32,1% 16,6% 49,7% 37,0% 13,3% 0.89 1.06
Julius Randle 2m04 21 54,4% 48,2% 4,3% 32,3% 72,3% 3,3% 24,4% 75,7% 3,3% 21,0% 0.87 0.83
Nick Young 1m98 30 42,3% 48,3% 63,7% 20,4% 30,1% 52,9% 17,0% 25,0% 58,9% 16,1% 0.73 0.97
Brandon Bass 2m04 30 74,6% 61,9% 0,6% 46,7% 67,7% 0,4% 31,8% 73,6% 0% 26,4% 1.1 0
Roy Hibbert 2m18 29 58,5% 50,7% 0,5% 35,3% 73,6% 0,4% 26,1% 75,7% 0% 24,3% 0.89 0
Larry Nance 2m03 22 58,0% 54,4% 3,3% 15,7% 83,6% 2,9% 13,5% 90,0% 0,9% 9,2% 1.08 0.3
Metta World Peace 2m01 36 42,4% 43,5% 47,5% 32,2% 39,7% 35,9% 24,4% 33,0% 44,3% 22,7% 0.62 0.93
Marcelinho Huertas 1m90 32 48,0% 48,8% 26,5% 12,6% 65,3% 23,6% 11,2% 68,4% 20,3% 11,4% 0.96 0.79
Ryan Kelly 2m10 24 49,3% 44,0% 24,8% 36,2% 55,2% 18,2% 26,6% 65,8% 9,9% 24,3% 0.89 0.41
Anthony Brown 2m01 23 37,7% 42,7% 55,6% 15,9% 38,4% 47,9% 13,7% 33,0% 52,2% 14,8% 0.68 0.86
Robert Sacre 2m13 26 58,0% 47,4% 0% 50,7% 66,4% 0% 33,6% 71,3% 0% 28,7% 0.83 0
Tarik Black 2m05 24 63,3% 53,3% 0% 42,9% 70,0% 0% 30,0% 85,7% 0% 14,3% 1.09 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
Kobe Bryant 2m01 37 70% 18% 17% 20% 15% 16% 26% 29% 18% 17% 6% 10% 9% 15% 15% 13% 5% - 9% - - 12%
Jordan Clarkson 1m98 23 81% 16% 17% 16% 17% 16% 18% 16% 11% 10% 11% 9% 9% 13% 13% 15% 2% - 10% - - 13%
Lou Williams 1m85 29 71% 16% 12% 12% 9% 9% 21% 20% 27% 26% 4% 6% 6% 14% 12% 13% 7% - 8% - - 13%
D'Angelo Russell 1m96 19 71% 14% 14% 14% 12% 12% 21% 19% 9% 10% 5% 9% 8% 18% 19% 16% 5% - 9% - - 11%
Julius Randle 2m04 21 71% 12% 13% 12% 16% 16% 2% 2% 12% 13% 20% 25% 24% 10% 14% 9% 9% - 15% - - 15%
Nick Young 1m98 30 48% 7% 7% 8% 3% 4% 18% 18% 6% 6% 2% 5% 4% 3% 4% 6% 3% - 5% - - 5%
Brandon Bass 2m04 30 51% 7% 8% 6% 10% 8% 0% 0% 10% 9% 15% 9% 10% 6% 5% 7% 21% - 9% - - 11%
Roy Hibbert 2m18 29 58% 6% 6% 6% 8% 8% 0% 0% 7% 7% 15% 10% 11% 7% 7% 5% 32% - 15% - - 10%
Larry Nance 2m03 22 50% 6% 7% 6% 9% 8% 0% 1% 3% 3% 15% 10% 12% 4% 5% 12% 8% - 10% - - 9%
Metta World Peace 2m01 36 42% 5% 4% 6% 3% 4% 10% 10% 6% 7% 5% 6% 6% 4% 3% 9% 7% - 9% - - 5%
Marcelinho Huertas 1m90 32 41% 5% 5% 5% 6% 5% 4% 5% 3% 2% 3% 4% 4% 19% 12% 7% 4% - 7% - - 6%
Ryan Kelly 2m10 24 33% 4% 4% 5% 5% 5% 2% 4% 5% 6% 5% 9% 8% 3% 4% 5% 7% - 5% - - 5%
Anthony Brown 2m01 23 51% 4% 4% 5% 2% 3% 9% 10% 3% 3% 3% 7% 6% 4% 4% 7% 4% - 6% - - 4%
Robert Sacre 2m13 26 32% 4% 4% 4% 5% 5% 0% 0% 5% 6% 12% 5% 7% 3% 4% 2% 10% - 8% - - 5%
Tarik Black 2m05 24 32% 4% 4% 3% 5% 4% 0% 0% 3% 5% 11% 9% 9% 2% 4% 5% 11% - 10% - - 6%

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.