43 replies to this topic

[lyk13]

In order of chronological,

George Mikan
Wilt Chamberlain
Elgin Baylor
Jerry West
Kareem Abdul Jabbar
James Worthy
Magic Johnson
Kobe Bryant
Shaquille O'Neal
-=No. 10 spot TBD=-

Edited by lyk13, August 20, 2008 - 06:52 AM.

[Equilibrium]

Why are there Shaq haters? we would only have 11 without him.

What are you talking about?

Everyone has him in their top 5 except for you.

Edited by KRC18, August 20, 2008 - 06:35 AM.

[Tobias Fünke]

What are you talking about?

Everyone has him in their top 5 except for you.

Thats the way i ranked it, but putting kobe over him is crazy

[Equilibrium]

Thats the way i ranked it, but putting kobe over him is crazy

How so?


As a Laker Kobe made more all-NBA and defensive teams, all star selections, went to more NBA finals, scored more points etc.

During the last two championship runs Shaq was not significantly better than Bryant. If at all better.

If Kobe's career ended today, at worst he would be a top 15 player of all-time.

So its definitely not crazy to have Kobe over Shaq.

[Tobias Fünke]

How so?


As a Laker Kobe made more all-NBA and defensive teams, all star selections, went to more NBA finals, scored more points etc.

During the last two championship runs Shaq was not significantly better than Bryant. If at all better.

If Kobe's career ended today, at worst he would be a top 15 player of all-time.

So its definitely not crazy to have Kobe over Shaq.

Shaq without kobe, 2 rings.

Kobe without shaq, 0

[Equilibrium]

Shaq without kobe, 2 rings.

Kobe without shaq, 0

We are talking about as a Laker.

What Shaq did with another team does not come into consideration.

Shaq won one ring without Kobe, not 2.

[Tobias Fünke]

We are talking about as a Laker.

What Shaq did with another team does not come into consideration.

Shaq won one ring without Kobe, not 2.

i was trying to say, that if shaq never came to LA, we woudn't have won any.

i wasn't talking about what he did in other teams.

[Equilibrium]

i was trying to say, that if shaq never came to LA, we woudn't have won any.

i wasn't talking about what he did in other teams.

Maybe we would have sucked so bad in the 96-97 season and we would have gotten the number 1 pick and drafted Duncan. Then you have a duo in Duncan and Kobe.

You just never know the outcome with the "what if" game.

[fido]

1) Magic Johnson
There's a statue of the guy in front of Staples for a reason. he defines what it is to be a Laker and to a larger extent and NBA player.

2) Wilt Chamberlain
If you thought Shaq was dominant... Wilt changed the way people saw and played the game. Just look at this records and it'll give you an idea of why he's #2 in my book.

3) Jerry West
Another guy that defined the Laker attitude and mindset for decades. He is a winner and demands no less from those around him, you gotta love that.

4) Kareem-Abdul Jabbar
Arguably the best center of all time. He had the best offensive weapon in NBA history (in the Skyhook) and was a machine when it came to crunch time.

5) James Worthy
Yet another underrated player. He was the personification of smooth. If he had been on any other team as the lead guy, he would've been ranked among the game's all time best.

6) George Mikan
The big man that started it all. He got the Lakers off to championship runs and got people watching the NBA.

7) Elgin Baylor
I have a hard time believing that everyone forgets what a monster Elgin was. The guy was an incredible player, perhaps the NBA's most overlooked player ever.

8) Michael Cooper
He should be a retired number. His 3-point stats in playoff games and his unrelenting defense was a sight to see in the 80s. The Lakers would've been nowhere without him backing up everyone the defensive end.

9) Gail Goodrich
Everyone's most forgotten player. He wasn't flashy, but there have been fewer more solid players to ever put on a Laker uniform. Look him up, watch some of his games - there's a reason he's among the retired numbers.

10) Kobe Bryant
Now don't freak out... I can't rank Kobe any higher in there (yet) simply because the guy is still playing. In fact, I find it difficult to put him in there at all while he's still active. When all is said and done I think its easier to find his rank, which could very well be right around the top. As of right now, he's in the conversation but who knows where he would end up. I don't know how people can asses someone's career until its over - and Kobe has a long way to go yet.

In regards to Shaquille O'Neal's absence on my list:
I think Shaq's childish antics, his words about the organization and the unmitigated gall , greed and infantile behavior he showed towards the Lakers (and the fans, who everyone conveniently forgets he called "phony") has pushed him out of the list for me. The guy has permanently sullied his reputation in my eyes. Did I respect what he did here? Sure I did, but respect isn't forever when you show yourself to be a greedy, hateful and jealous person that never put their whole heart into playing the way they should have.

[nameant]

Based on their play for the Lakers organization, not in their careers. I'm also ranking Kobe a little lower b/c he's not done yet. He could very well end up top 3 when it's over.

1) Magic
2) Kareem
3) West
4) Mikan
5) Shaq
6) Wilt
7) Kobe
8) Baylor
9) Worthy
10) Goodrich

Edited by nameant, August 22, 2008 - 08:35 AM.

[gcclaker]

This looks like the best one so far except I wouldn't put shaq so high and I would put wilt and mikan higher.

Don't forget to let him know that O'Neal should not be higher than West.

[Moses]

Magic Johnson
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Jerry West
Wilt Chamberlain
Kobe Bryant
Shaquille O'Neal
James Worthy
Elgin Baylor
George Mikan
Gail Goodrich

[Euro Trash]

Earvin
Kareem
Logo
Kobe
Shaq
Wilt
Elgin Baylor
Mikan
Worthy
Goodrich (Maybe Coop, but I'll give Gail the edge)

[ak24]

dont fell ike saying everyone but i think kobes atleast in the top 5

[lakerfool]

In regards to Shaquille O'Neal's absence on my list:
I think Shaq's childish antics, his words about the organization and the unmitigated gall , greed and infantile behavior he showed towards the Lakers (and the fans, who everyone conveniently forgets he called "phony") has pushed him out of the list for me. The guy has permanently sullied his reputation in my eyes. Did I respect what he did here? Sure I did, but respect isn't forever when you show yourself to be a greedy, hateful and jealous person that never put their whole heart into playing the way they should have.

And yet rings is all that matters, and he led us to 3 rings, and 4 conference titles. Great characters like Fisher are nice to have. Give me an [expletive] who will give me rings anyday.

[sega]

West
Magic
Kareem
Kobe
Shaq
Wilt
Worthy
Mikan
Cooper
Horry

[L.G.Fuad411]

1.Majic
2.West
3.Shaq Daddy
4.Kobe
5.Baylor
6.Wilt
7.Kareem
8.Worthy
9. Mikan
10.Malone(Was a Laker and is #2 on all time scoring list)

Karl Malone??? haha!!!..wow...

[KGB]

And yet rings is all that matters, and he led us to 3 rings, and 4 conference titles. Great characters like Fisher are nice to have. Give me an [expletive] who will give me rings anyday.

Well that's a whole other story. The thread title asked for greatest lakers. That all depends on your own definition. I think it means the guys who have a combination of doing the most for us, loyalty to our great franchise, and time spent with us, and love for our franchise. This is all opinions so all we can do is use some common sense and do what we think (of course there will be absurd things like shaq over magic but I'm sure we all know that's not true).

[fido]

Exactly KGB.

I'm not talking winningest or most talented Lakers. I'm looking at players who define what it is to be part of the Laker legacy.

For me - character matters.

[KGB]

Exactly KGB.

I'm not talking winningest or most talented Lakers. I'm looking at players who define what it is to be part of the Laker legacy.

For me - character matters.

QFT