The Lakers are one of the most prestigious and distinguished NBA franchises of all time. Throughout their rich history, they have managed to win the second most championships in NBA history with 16, one behind the Boston Celtics. Along with this, they have produced 21 hall of fame players and 4 hall of fame coaches. The Lakers have created and acquired some of the greatest players of all time, with 4 MVP winners in their ranks amassing a total of 8 MVP awards. There has been an abundance of talented players who have donned the iconic purple and gold jersey and each makes a strong case to be in greatest ever Lakers team. So what would be the starting 5 of one of the most successful basketball clubs in history?

PG

This spot undoubtably would have to go to the driving force of the Lakers “showtime” era, that man of course being Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Playing from 1979- 1991, the 6 foot 9 point guard wowed people with his dribbling and ball distribution skills. The Lakers reached the NBA finals during Magic’s rookie season in 1980 where he would propel his team to the title. His 42 points, 15 rebounds , 7 assists and 3 steals in game 6 is considered one of the greatest performances in a finals and he even went to receive the finals MVP award. Using his understanding of the game and leadership skills, he managed to lead his Lakers to 5 championships. His major accolades include 3 time MVP, 3 time finals MVP and 12 time all star. Magic’s ability to assist and create plays would make him the perfect man to control the tempo of the game.

SG

At shooting guard we have none other the Black Mamba himself. Kobe Bryant was an essential part of all 5 Laker championships that he won. His 25.4 points per game propelled his team to an impressive 3peat. Bryant’s wide array of offensive plays made him one of the toughest to defend. Along with his surprisingly good dunking, his ability to hit a 3 pointer from practically anywhere on the court, while being guarded by multiple people makes him a valuable asset, especially in the clutch. Bryant received the season MVP award in the 2006-07 season when he led the scoring in the league. Kobe Bryant’s consistency, skill and winning attitude throughout his career makes him a brilliant addition to the team.

SF

An aggressive and unpredictable player, Elgin Baylor brought something fresh to the NBA. His acrobatic moves and exciting plays managed to get him an average of 27.4 points per game along with 13.5 rebounds. Considered to be one of the best shooters of is era, Baylor’s 43.1% field goal conversion rate is one of the highest in the NBA at the time, proving he could dominate the paint and mid court. An all round force, he was the first ever player to finish in the top five for scoring, assists, rebounding and free throw percentage, showing his versatility and understanding of the game. Elgin Baylor’s mid range capabilities and exciting style of play would make him an integral part of the team.

PF

This mans scoring stats alone speak for themselves. Racking up 38,387 points with a field goal conversion of 55.9%, Kareem Abdul- Jabbar is simply the highest points corer of all time. Standing at 7 feet 2, he commanded the paint with 11.2 rebounds and an impressive 2.6 blocks per game. Kareem’s greatest weapon was his famous “sky hook” which was almost unblockable and was probably the greatest shot pioneered in the NBA. Through the use of this shot and his excellent post play, he managed to score in double figures for 787 straight games. Jabbar would blend in perfectly with this squad as his unparalleled points scoring ability coupled with Magic’s magical assists would most definitely lead to destruction of any opponent.

C

Shaq was a monster. Towering at 7 foot 2 and built like a tank, Shaquille O’Neal was a force of nature who displayed unbelievable skills in the paint for a man of his size. Scoring 23.7 points per game, his ruthless dunks and competitive attitude saw him (along with Kobe) win 3 successful championships. His 57.4% field goal rate, 2344 points, 1078 rebounds and 239 blocks won the MVP award in the 1999-2000 season with that extraordinary all round performance. As the 6th all time points scorer and one of the most imposing figures in basketball history, Shaq will bring a surge of energy and skill and fit perfectly into the team.