Mikan played for the Minneapolis Lakers and was the original star of the franchise which has won a total of 16 titles, looking for its 17th this season. The Lakers have a âgood problemâ at center. A significant part of the Lakersâ rich history is the collection of centers that has played for the franchise. Los Angeles Lakersâ past and present birthdays for the month of February…, Coming in at number 4 in our countdown of the top-10 greatest Lakers of all-time is the greatest play-by-play man in basketball history, Chick Hearn…, Originally Published on April 3, 2012 The Los Angeles Lakers have seen…, Coming in at No. And heâs quite an underrated defender. Despite all the arguments about who is ⦠Chamberlain was the Finals MVP of the series and got the missing piece in his trophy case. Johnson teamed with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and (from 1982) James Worthy to take the Lakers to eight appearances in the NBA finals over the following decade, resulting in five NBA championships (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988). Mikan started the Lakers to their winning ways and his play on the court with that size was something the league had never seen. 9. "A heavenly day, a delightful day," Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke called it. The center position, even by their lofty standards, has been an especially huge bright spot throughout their history. He won NBA regular season MVP the very first year he joined the Lakers and he ended up winning two more with the franchise. Throughout their history as a franchise, the Los Angeles Lakers have had an embarrassment of riches at the center position. Now I understand that many of you may still feel slightly bitter towards O’Neal due to the circumstances surrounding his departure from the Lakers in 2004, but there is no question he belongs on this list. 2001 saw the last logo redesign; it was given a black outline and more robust colors, making the emblem pop even more. The storied Los Angeles Lakers franchise has hosted some of the NBAâs all-time great centers throughout the years. Chamberlain spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and in that time he averaged 17.7 points, 19.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. Read on for some of the greatest moments in STAPLES Center history. Founded in 1947, the Lakers are one of the NBA's most famous and successful franchises. 1953-54 Lakers Roster: 1952-53 Lakers Roster: 1951-52 Lakers Roster: 1950-51 Lakers Roster: 1949-50 Lakers Roster: 1948-49 Lakers Roster Bynum eventually helped the Lakers win the 2009 and 2010 NBA Finals, but he still took a back-seat to his front-court mate Pau Gasol. (April 13, 2016) ⦠The crown of âbest Lakers center everâ is a never-ending battle between Shaquille OâNeal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for Laker fans. However, as time moved on he amassed more playing time and got better every season. “The Big Dipper” played alongside another Lakers legend in Jerry West and those two worked together and finally won an NBA championship in 1972 when they beat the New York Knicks. Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Lakers centers is that the number one ranked player has scored more points than any other player in NBA history, yet it is still debatable whether he belongs on the top of this list. But when it comes to shooting free throws, the two-time NBA All-Star ⦠Wilt Chamberlain. Bynum has averaged 17.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. From Kareem to Shaq to George Mikan - the Lakers have always had an affinity for 7-footers. He can score. Bios for every player who ever wore a Lakers uniform, in L.A. and Minneapolis. O’Neal also won the NBA MVP award in 2000. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is considered one of the greatest players to have ever played in the NBA and many have named him the greatest center in league history, not just Laker’s history. Power ranking the best centers ⦠NBA History NBA History; ... him and 6-foot-10 forward Anthony Davis as centers against a Rockets team that doesn't even bother with a traditional center anymore. Post a Comment. Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox. Los Angeles Lakers Recent History Of Centers Has Been Woeful Lakers News Avery Bradley On Expectations Howard And Mcgee Stand The Sports Report Lakers Road Winning Streak Comes To An End Tags: lakers best centers. In Montrezl Harrell, Andre Drummond and Marc Gasol, the Lakers have three good center options. Mikan won four NBA championships with the Minneapolis Lakers and was one of the NBA’s Top 50 Greatest Players list. Mikan was the original NBA center and paved the way for the great big men that followed him. Dating back all the way to 1960 when the Minneapolis Lakers became the Los Angeles Lakers, the franchise has seen centers ranked from decent to great to legendary. Not because there werenât many great centers who wore purple-and-gold, but because the Lakers havenât had many centers. Mikan played seven seasons with the Lakers and in that time he averaged 23.1 points per game and 13.4 rebounds. His stats in the playoffs were even better, as put up 24 points and a little under 14 rebounds per game. âMr. According to NBA.com stats, the Lakers have three former centers who rank in the top 10⦠O’Neal did win Finals MVPs for all three titles and his performance in the post-seasons was amazing. Mikan established the center position as we all know it today, and is truly one of the most remarkable players in Lakers, and league history. Today I am going to rank the five best centers ⦠Abdul-Jabbar had the unstoppable skyhook, which led to 38,387 career points, more than any other player to ever step on the floor. If he continues his stellar play, he can surely move up this list. The Lakers Logo History The Lakers had a mediocre season prior and used their tenth pick to get Andrew Bynum out of St. Joseph High School. He’d play three more seasons for the Lakers and while he’s not in the same class as the top four on this list, it’s easy to argue he was as good or better than Vlade Divac. O’Neal spent eight seasons with the Lakers and will be remembered for his play on the court and his personality off it. Dwight Howard is clearly the best center in the NBA right now, but it's not exactly a ⦠Originally Published on May 8, 2012 The Lakers have hosted some of the greatest centers the league has ever seen spawning from its Minneapolis days ⦠No franchise in the history of the NBA has suited up more dominant big men as the Los Angeles Lakers. 0 Comments. Most championship teams are anchored around a dominate big men and the Lakers have been fortunate enough to have acquired talent seven-footers. Every ⦠Andrew Bynum was 21 and about to begin his fourth season with the Lakers when we first published this list. Chamberlain’s list of records is incredibly impressive, as there is almost no scoring record that Wilt doesn’t hold. After missing the playoffs in 2004-05, the Lakers used their first lottery pick since 1994 to select high- school center Andrew Bynum, the youngest player ever selected in the history of the draft. Arena Company and Anschutz Entertainment Group. 7 seed to be a favorite in a first-round matchup, the…, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers begin their championship repeat efforts on…, The Los Angeles Lakers made a splash back in late March by providing a much-needed…, The Los Angeles Lakers officially are in the 2021 NBA Playoffs after defeating the…, Lakers History: The Five Greatest Lakers Centers, NBA Rumors: Executives Believe Commissioner Adam Silver Recognizes Opportunity To Restart Season By Testing Innovative Ideas. The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the NBAâs most storied franchises, having the second-most titles behind the Boston Celtics. George Mikan AP Photo. â https://www.youtube.com/scottballa?sub_confirmation=1Follow me on Twitch! O’Neal and Kobe Bryant formed one of the greatest duos in NBA history and those two worked to win three consecutive NBA titles. Lakers Nation: The Greatest Point Guards in Lakers History. Links to year-by-year stats, leaders, rosters and honors. For instance, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played 14 seasons of ⦠By: Troy Pierce Twitter Handle: @stonedlakerfan The Los Angeles Lakers have the greatest lineage of big men to ever step on a basketball court. Abdul-Jabbar, who led ⦠These players dominate the paint on both ends of the court and when they are going, they are nearly unstoppable. The Los Angeles Lakers franchise has a long and storied history, predating the formation of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nov 21, 2020. Abdul-Jabbar found a home in Los Angeles and he made an immediate impact on the franchise. Abdul-Jabbar spent his first six seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and in that time he won one NBA championship before joining the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1975-1976 season. Mikan, however, rapidly changed that as he developed skills that would benefit him due to his size and strength over the rest of the league. Wilton Norman Chamberlain (; August 21, 1936 â October 12, 1999) was an ⦠Opponents’ strategy to containing O’Neal was to foul him endlessly, as western conference contenders would stockpile big men purely for their ability to bring six fouls to the game. An in-depth look at the past and present of the Lakers, the 16-time NBA champions. His legacy still is relevant today, as many rules had to be changed or adjusted due to Mikan’s dominance down low. It is owned and operated by the Arturo L.A. Although Wilt Chamberlain was out of his prime when he was acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers, he was still a dynamic and dominant center. A significant part of the Lakersâ rich history is the collection of centers that has played for the franchise. Bynum’s rookie season was not very successful and he only received 7.3 minutes per game. 3 on the list of all-time greatest Los Angeles Lakers is none other than Magic Johnson, the orchestrater of Showtime…, Despite being the first-ever No. The most dominant center of his era, Chamberlain is largely considered by many to be one of the top five centers in league history. George Mikan. Arguably the most physically imposing center in history, O’Neal led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA titles from 2000 until 2002, taking home the Finals MVP in all three seasons. Teams Minneapolis Lakers (1947-56), also played in ⦠The Los Angeles Lakers shocked many by taking a raw high school senior out of New Jersey with their 2005 lottery pick. He can rebound. Lakers Nation: The Greatest Shooting Guards in Lakers History. George Mikan played for the franchise â then the Minneapolis Lakers â between ⦠Lakers Nation: The Greatest Power Forwards in Lakers History. Once he was paired up with Magic Johnson, the two players brought five titles to the Lakers and Abdul-Jabbar won Finals MVP in the 1985 run. Mikan is commonly credited with changing the game of basketball. At the time, Bynum was fairly unheralded and the coaching staff knew it had to work with him intensively before he could become a marquee center. The visual center of the Lakers logo, the âLos Angelesâ logotype, has stayed the same since the 1960s, while the gold basketball has gone through subtle color changes over the years. This embarrassment of riches at the center ⦠The Big Dipper played for Los Angeles from 1968 until 1973 after being acquired in one of the biggest trades in league history. Basketball,â as Mikan was called, led the Lakers to five championships from 1949-1950 and won three consecutive from 1952-1954. Los Angeles Lakers statistics and history. Although Shaquille O’Neal’s exit from the Los Angeles Lakers left a sour taste with fans, his impact on the franchise can not be overlooked. In addition to the championship rings as a player, Abdul-Jabbar was a 19-time All-Star, ten-time All-NBA Team, a five-time All-Defensive Team, and has won two titles as a Laker assistant coach. However, while it may be argued, there are very few members of Lakers Nation that will complain about this placement. Kostas Antetokounmpo, previously with the Los Angeles Lakers, became a free agent. The Lakers have hosted some of the greatest centers the league has ever seen spawning from its Minneapolis days to their current home in Los Angeles. Living large. Here are the top five as they appeared in 2009 with an update for 2020. One of the most dominant big men in the history of the league, O’Neal was truly an unstoppable force. The arena opened on October 17, 1999. Since becoming a pro team in 1948, the Los Angeles Lakers franchise has made the playoffs 61 times and won a whopping 16 NBA titles. First, The Big Trade, one of the most lopsided in sports history. Lakers Nation: The Greatest Small Forwards in Lakers History. Complete breakdown of the Javale McGee, Ivica Zubac and Moritz Wagner.SUBSCRIBE! With the NBA title on the line, O’Neal averaged a staggering 35.9 points, 15.2 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks and led the Lakers to a 12-3 record in the span. Lakers Reading and Learning Centers The Lakers Youth Foundation has created 15 Reading and Learning Centers at youth clubs throughout Los Angeles and Hawaii. ~ Ian Chin (Publisher), Back during the early years of the Los Angeles Lakers, and especially during the ‘Showtime’ era, the Great Western…, The Los Angeles Lakers stood tall over the rest of the NBA throughout the 2001-02 NBA season, looking to cement…, On May 27, 2010, Ron Artest caught Kobe Bryant’s shot attempt and made a putback at the buzzer to lift the…, The 1972 Los Angeles Lakers are one of the greatest teams in NBA history. No franchise in the history of the NBA has suited up more dominant big men as the Los Angeles Lakers. Chamberlain had his best seasons with the Warriors and Sixers, but his time with the Lakers should not be over-looked. but he certainly played well for the Lakers in an era where they did not dominate. George Mikan was Shaquille O’Neal before the actual O’Neal made it to the NBA. New Los Angeles Lakers center Andre Drummond does a lot of things on the basketball court very well. Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox. Kobe Bryant scores 60 points against the Utah Jazz in the final game of his career. Since its opening, STAPLES Center has been the site of Lakers and Sparks championships, the Kings Stanley Cup, and thousands of memorable concerts and special events. Originally Published on September 22, 2009, by Daniel Burge (Edited by Ian Chin). Had he come along 10 years later, Ewing might have been the league's best center. The Lakers entered the most dominant period in their franchise history when they selected Magic Johnson in the first overall pick of the 1979 NBA draft. Popular Posts Kits ⦠-- Pelton. 7 seed to be a favorite in a first-round matchup, the…, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers begin their championship repeat efforts on…, The Los Angeles Lakers made a splash back in late March by providing a much-needed…, The Los Angeles Lakers officially are in the 2021 NBA Playoffs after defeating the…, Lakers History: The Top 5 Centers in Franchise History, Lakers’ LeBron James Celebrates Liverpool’s First Premier League Championship In 30 Years. Avery Bradley, previously with the Los Angeles Lakers, became a ⦠O’Neal was by far the most dominant center in the league and we may never see someone at his size hold his skills and agility. Chamberlain joined a Lakers team that already featured Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, and was a member of the 1971 team that won an NBA record 33 consecutive games. When he began his professional career in 1946 big men were not known for their power, rebounding, and shot-blocking. This embarrassment of riches at the center position spans decades and includes four Hall of Fame players and three of the top players all-time to ever play the position. However, this season Bynum has emerged as the Lakers’ second option and he is making his case as the best center in the NBA. Divac was one of the most influential European players to ever play in the NBA and was a valuable contributor for the Lakers until his departure in 1996 when he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant. Abdul-Jabbar played for the Lakers from 1975 until 1989 during, which he won five NBA championships, 3 NBA Most Valuable Player awards, and the NBA Finals MVP award in 1985. The Lakers have had remarkable centers throughout their storied existence, and while Divac may not be destined for the Hall of Fame. The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most storied franchises in any sport. Divac played for Los Angeles from 1989 until 1996 and was a key member of the team that reached the NBA Finals in 1991. Led by the trio of Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain…, Despite being the first-ever No. The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles.The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division.The Lakers play their home games at Staples Center, an arena shared with the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball â¦
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