Greatest Laker of All Time?

CountTheirRings · Post #1 » by **CountTheirRings** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 5:28 am

I'm new to the board & the forums in general, so I'm unaware if this topic has already been discussed, but I figure there's no better place to pose it.

Who, in your opinion, is the greatest Laker of all time?

This is a distinct classification from "who is the best basketball player to ever wear purple & gold", although for some, the answer will be the same.

I mean it in the rather subjective definition of "greatness". Who, with the proper blend of skill, loyalty, and accomplishment, has established himself as the franchise's most indispensable figure?

For me, it's Kobe. Some may bite at that selection, pleading for a better respect for all-time greats like Magic & Kareem, or Jerry The Logo West- but I'm not just some new-age Laker fan with a Kobe shrine. I truly find that he is the GOAT Laker.

Now, I'm not saying I'd take prime Kobe over prime Kareem or prime Magic to start Franchise X. He's just more resonant with the franchise IMHO.

He'll be a Laker for 20 years at the end of his next contract, and will, by all indications, retire in LA (playing a season or two beyond, hopefully). He's been a critical part of 5 of the Lakers 16 championship runs (practically 1/3rd). He's the all-time statistical leader in most major categories (points, steals, games, minutes, 3 pt FGs, & win shares) and also 3rd in rebounds & assists.

I'm not a superficially analytical name-dropper. I understand that he has played for the Lakers for significantly longer than Magic or Kareem. But I think that simply furthers his case. Of course, opinions must be abound. Who's your pick?

Michael Lucky · Post #2 » by **Michael Lucky** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 6:05 am

ugh normally i'd pick Magic without any doubts, but he's been so horrendous lately as a whole with the Lakers Organization that I'm almost tempted to say Kobe.

Indy2LA · Post #3 » by **Indy2LA** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 6:17 am

I'll probably get booed off the forum for saying this but I'll go with Mr.Clutch, Jerry West!

Only one Championship as a player, but he averaged an NBA record 46.3 ppg in the playoffs. And he also won 6 more championships as an executive / GM of the Lakers for a total of 7.

If you look at his entire body of work with the team it's hard not to pick the Logoman.

Kobe would have been a Hornet if it wasn't for Jerry.

KobeKenobi · Post #4 » by **KobeKenobi** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 7:22 am

Magic for these reasons: Bird vs. Magic was the best rivalry in basketball which carried to the NBA from college and started the Celtics vs. Lakers madness. Also, showtime Lakers team was not only the best team, but the most entertaining team of all time. Good case could be made for Magic as the GOAT. They made a statue of the guy before they even made one for kareem....I think that says it all...

EArl · Post #5 » by **EArl** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 7:54 am

Its either Magic or Kobe. Some days I think Kobe, other days I think Magic.
Today I feel like Magic.

Kobean · Post #6 » by **Kobean** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 9:18 am

I think Kobe is the best overall player but it's really close between him and Magic.

Tee212 · Post #7 » by **Tee212** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 9:35 am

as of today kobe...but the other days ive seen magic highlights on yt and dont blame ppl for picking magic

DaddyBigD · Post #8 » by **DaddyBigD** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 10:16 am

blazer fan here. id have to go with Kobe. imo he's right there with Jordan for goat. it's been a pleasure sharing a division (until recently) with the Laker organization. some really fun games over the years. I remember Kobe vs Brandon Roy in the rose garden. a classic game of anything you can do I can do better.... those two going back and forth.

Kobe is the best Lakers player I think. there NO one who wants to win as bad as him. a trait similar to you know who.

I wish him good health and Im rooting for him to get the all time points scored record. which imo will legitimise a Jordan vs kobe for goat discussion.

fun fact, sad for me. I never saw shaq play.... maybe 5 laker games at tge rose garden that I went to and that chump was in street clothes every time lol bum

Dr Aki · Post #9 » by **Dr Aki** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 11:07 am

kobe's has to pip magic due to longevity - 18 years of excellent service vs magic's 11 years

Galinheiro · Post #10 » by **Galinheiro** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 1:53 pm

They are close in stats and titles. Magic was a more important Laker i.e. he was way more loved, but as Aki said, Kobe has been a Laker for 18 years. Depending on how he finishes his contract I see him going for one or two extra years. Then he'll have on his resumé twice more years than Magic.

Since they are close and we are not talking about the 'best' player then Kobe is the greatest Laker of all time by a slim margin.

PS: I can't judge how great was West.

Marionettetc · Post #11 » by **Marionettetc** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 2:45 pm

DaddyBigD wrote:fun fact, sad for me. I never saw shaq play.... maybe 5 laker games at tge rose garden that I went to and that chump was in street clothes every time lol bum

Hey bro, thanks for the kind words, and yeah that's the reason I wasn't too upset Shaq got the boot over Kobe lol

Mirjalovic · Post #12 » by **Mirjalovic** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 4:32 pm

when all said and done, 20 years frow now everyone will say Kobe. Unless in the next 3 years Lakers draft a new young once in generation phenom.

ballaholick · Post #13 » by **ballaholick** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 5:38 pm

Kobe end of discussion

Post #14 » by **MadNESS** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 7:20 pm

Kobe /thread!

Post #15 » by **Kilroy** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 7:29 pm

Magic by a country mile.
Most fun to watch on the court and most important to the franchise.

Kareem was probably the best basketball player the Lakers ever had, but Magic was forced to retire in his prime... If he hadn't done that, who knows how many more accolades he would have had. And Magic was a Laker from day one to the end of his career. And add those 4 years he was forced to sit out and we're at 17 like Kobe.

Kobe is probably 3rd greatest Laker and perhaps gets the same bump Magic does for staying a Laker, but there's no shame being 3rd behind Magic and Kareem.

leeprettyp · Post #16 » by **leeprettyp** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 7:31 pm

Kilroy wrote:Magic by a country mile.
Most fun to watch on the court and most important to the franchise.

Kareem was probably the best basketball player the Lakers ever had, but Magic was forced to retire in his prime... If he hadn't done that, who knows how many more accolades he would have had. And Magic was a Laker from day one to the end of his career. And add those 4 years he was forced to sit out and we're at 17 like Kobe.

Kobe is probably 3rd greatest Laker and perhaps gets the same bump Magic does for staying a Laker, but there's no shame being 3rd behind Magic and Kareem.

None at all

Ckay · Post #17 » by **Ckay** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 8:16 pm

going to say Kobe cuz I didn't get to see Magic play

MAMBAEMD · Post #18 » by **MAMBAEMD** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 8:17 pm

Magic for me
Kobe is right there behind Magic

They are far ahead of anyone else.
And I think the reason is, of the Lakers that I've watched, these two have the heart of a lion, and the competitiveness that I've never seen in any other athelete other than MJ.

Beethoven · Post #19 » by **Beethoven** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 8:18 pm

One of the great thing about the Lakers is that have been so many greats, there is and always will be a big debate.
Mine can be anyone between Magic, Kobe, and Shaq.

iamworthy · Post #20 » by **iamworthy** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 8:26 pm

Does KAJ qualify? he played for a different team. And please dont say, "well kobe was drafted by another team," he never played for them.