Greatest Laker Of All Time?

I know this subject been discussed dozens of times but why not have debate on who you think is the best player in Lakers franchise history. I feel Magic and Kobe are the two most important players of all-time to the Lakers franchise while Jerry West is most influential bringing both Shaq and Kobe here in 1996 was a stroke of brilliance. Shaq in his prime was more unstoppable then anyone else in the last 20 years. I have all the love for Magic for Showtime era and saving the NBA during 80's and the battles vs. Boston, but I give the slight edge to Kobe Bryant here he has played the most games, scored the most points, and tied with the most titles with Kareem and Magic and has longevity on his side over Magic Kobe has my vote here close call though.

 

Magic.

The teams that the 00's Lakers faced pale in comparison to the teams Magic faced IMO.

Besides the Spurs, Queens, and the KG-Pierce-Allen C Bags, the competition didn't really challenge us. Mostly because we had bigs they couldn't match up with. Whether it was Shaq's single-handed dominance in the early 2000's or the big man commitee of Pau/LO/Bynum in the later years, teams had problems trying to match up with the size we offered. At least teams in the 80's like the 76ers and C Bags had guys like Malone, Parish, and McHale to give Kareem some fits. Even the Rockets with their Hakeem/Sampson combo shut down the 80's Lakers one year.

It's not Kobe's fault he played in a weaker watered-down league, but it is what it is.

 

I agree with Magic playing against tougher harder competition, but at the same time he played with more of a HOF/great players supporting cast than Kobe ever did such as Kareem, Worthy, Cooper, AC Green, etc. I also think Kobe was the much better defender Magic never was. I always felt like Magic was average to below on defense other than steals.

 

It's either Kobe or KAJ. That's a tough one...

 

Maybe can be more eloquent later about the fan experience for me having Kobe all these years, Magic too......but how about firstly ..... SHEER LAKERS NUMBERS (no particular order)

Years. Points. Championships. Thrills. Injuries ( including "serious") played through. Hours of Preparation and Practice. Amazing, near Impossible to believe .... "Moments". High Scoring Games. Points in One Game. All Star Appearances and MVPs. Number of Games 110% Effort (guts spilled on floor).

I will probably think of more bullet points later but this is good enough for now. By virtue of his GAME and LONGEVITY with one team, the Lakers ...... in my opinion Kobe is the Greatest Laker of All Time.

 

IMO Magic is the greatest of all time.
Magic revolutionized the game of basketball.

 

Good replies so far. I'm little shocked no one has voted for Kareem yet.

 

^^^ He was a Buck first. Not his fault, and he was a GREAT Laker. But sheer numbers as a lifetime Laker in all those areas above..... it has to be Kobe. Enjoy him while we can for the rest of his winding down career.

 

This is a tough one. My instinct is to go with either Magic or Kareem due to the showtime era. Magic with his great assists and floor general vision. Or how about Kareem and his sky hook/all time leading scorer? But, I'm going with Kobe for his longevity with the Lakers and absolute mad man will to win. I mean c'mon, almost 20 seasons as a laker, that right there is enough to sway my vote.

 

I gave Kobe my vote by a narrow margin. I too consider Magic my favorite Laker of all time but what sold it for me was 81 points. No matter how you slice it, that's just downright ridiculous good.

 

I feel it's tough for me to answer this question as I've only watched the Lakers since the early 2000s. I was only 14 when Shaq was traded! I started really getting into basketball right around that time, so I've really only watched Kobe in terms of a game by game basis.

To me, it's Kobe/Magic, and then Jerry/Kareem right after that. So many legends to choose from though

 

I think if Shaq never left and him and Kobe maintained the chemistry that made them that unstoppable duo, he would definitely be in the "Lakers Mount Rushmore" category. I really like Shaq, so unstoppable in his prime. I'm glad I was able to witness him as Laker, truly kept the standards of what a true center is. Even to this day, there is no one like him.