James is right outside of Johnson’s list of the greatest to don the Purple & Gold. The Los Angeles Lakers are the second-winningest franchise in NBA history with 17 league championships won. The reason for their successful tenure in the Association is a long list of NBA legends who have donned the Lakers’ Purple & Gold colors. With 33 Hall of Famers, the list of Lakers all-time greats isn’t just long but impressive. From 1948 to 2016, at least one future Hall of Famer was on L.A.’s active roster, including six from 1982 to 1985 or during the Showtime era.
That’s why when Showtime icon Magic Johnson was asked to name his five favorite Lakers during a recent Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation event, Earvin had a hard time picking five names.
“Kobe going to be one with Kareem,” Johnson told the crowd. “Nobody is like Kobe. His killer mentality, hitting big shots after big shots, but also loved being a Laker, loved playing in Los Angeles. He represented the city. Let’s clap for Kobe. We miss him. Nobody is like Kareem. Oh my goodness, the skyhook. He was so intelligent, basketball IQ off the charts. I just loved playing with Kareem. He’s just awesome.”
Kobe and Kareem on top of Magic’s list
There’s no question that Bryant should be at least in the Top 2. The Black Mamba began and ended his legendary NBA career as a member of the Lakers, playing a total of 20 seasons with the franchise. Kobe helped the Lake Show complete a three-peat from 2000-2002 and led them to back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010, while providing countless memorable moments in between. Meanwhile, Abdul-Jabbar was the man in the middle when Johnson’s Showtime Lakers won five NBA championships during the 80s. Although Cap began his career with the Milwaukee Bucks, he spent his final 14 years in the league in Tinseltown, complementing Magic’s game with his consistent and dominant inside play.
However, after Kareem, Magic struggled to complete his list. And although he was able to give five names, Johnson said it is impossible to pick the five best Lakers because there are just too many of them.
“I would say Kareem, Shaq, Kobe, and when I think about it, you have to put Wilt and Jerry in there. James Worthy would definitely qualify. But you try to do five Lakers, and it’s impossible. Because you’ve got put LeBron now. So I don’t know how you get to five,” Magic added. Jeannie’s list was stuck to four, then she picked Phil
Four years ago, former Lakers majority owner Jeanie Buss was asked by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on the “All The Smoke” podcast to name the five most important figures in the Purple & Gold’s history, and even Buss had a difficult time completing her Top 5 list.
“You have to start with Kareem and Kobe and LeBron,” Buss said. “And, oh, this is hard, Magic, yes, of course, Magic. Magic might be No. 1. No, Kareem. I don’t know. It’s so hard…S—t, important, important..”
When Jeanie couldn’t give another name, Matt suggested Phil Jackson, to which she asked, “Does he count?” When Barnes and Jackson said yes, she completed her list with her former love interest, but it was clear she had difficulty picking another name. While Buss’s list differs from Johnson’s, both have Kobe and Kareem. Considering that Magic’s list excluded himself, he, KB, and Cap are the three constants on the list. Of course, many would agree with those three names in the Top 5. The other two are, well, debatable perhaps, because as both said, there are just too many great choices to pick from.
