POLL: More important laker Kobe or Magic?

[Magic Mamba]

Just wondering all things considered ... skills, rings etc. who is the better/more important laker?

[CowsMoo]

When it comes down to it, Kobe doesn't come close Magic or Kareem in terms of importance. Maybe that might change in a couple more years. But personally I don't think Kobe can be more important than Magic purely because Magic revolutionized the game in such a big impactful way.

[Slava]

When it comes to importance to the Lakers its always

1. Jerry West

2(a). Magic 2(b). Kobe and ofcourse Kobe has his time to stake a bigger claim.

[TonyMontana]

I think they are both equal. I think they have both brought a lot of excitment to this franchise, and they both have their share of showtime as well as titles. BUT I think Kobe still has a lot to give.

As a fan we are very blessed to have witnessed these two guys gives us their all and I think when Magic left the way he did really broke our hearts but its great seeing him still play a big part of this teams success. But when Kobe arrived it felt good having a Laker SUPERHERO again. All I can say is whoever that comes after Kobe has SOME HUUUUUUUUUUUGE SHOES TO FILL.

[supaflash]

In a few years it might be Kobe, but Magic really put the Lakers in the spotlight with Showtime and associating it with Hollywood and the lifestyles etc. Lakers had a great culture before, but since it has simply been THE franchise in the nba. Jordan came and really took the Bulls to a level, but then they faded quite a bit. Even when LA was in its rebuilding years the aura of the Showtime era still hung around and you always knew that it would be a great team again...

[USA]

Magic and I don't even think it is all that close.

[Dexmor]

I think you can argue Kobe Bryant very easily for the simple fact alone Magic played 12 seasons. He did the most you can possibly do in 12 seasons yes but Kobe has played 13 and when it's said and done he will have probably gave the Lakers 20 years at least if he only plays until 36-37. I am thinking he plays til 40 so 22 years of service and how many years was he the best player in the league? How many rings will he end up with? Magic brought 5 to the Lakers and Kobe has brought 4 so far. If there is a three peat Kobe will have brought 7 banners to L.A. putting them over the edge of most championships and with 7 rings there will be goat debates and legit ones to.

[JimMurray]

To answer this properly, I believe we would need to establish the criteria of what constitutes importance before we can go forward with any decision that would be based soley on an emotional basis.

Who is the most important Laker? Right now....Kobe.

[Tommy Trojan]

Well better player between the two then Kobe
More important then Magic

[djericho]

Magic...

He and Larry Bird were the ambassadors of the NBA and it's been argued that their rivalry saved the NBA. Kobe's era is different as there are alot of superstars especially international players that weren't really existant in the 80s.

Magic had skills and persona, he is shaq-esque on his media appeal. Unfortunately Kobe draws that line where you either love him or hate him as a player or person.

at the end of Kobe's career though I think he'll be remembered equally as magic.

[mvpmims2003]

Dude is this a serious question

[semi-sentient]

Magic.

[DubaLakers]

1st team GOAT Magic is cemented at the 1, KB24 is an argument @ the 2 most bump him for MJ, but you could also say JW very easily. Again to me there is no question at the 1 and that answers this question and the OP's question.

[DubaLakers]

I got one. What about now, ATM, is Pau more imprtant than Kobe to the Lakers? Is that crazy, I'm not so sure. Pau was so amazing last season, with a young oft-injured frontline, Kobe was a facilitator much of the season, where Pau was so crucial to any tough win in the trenches. WIll that trend continue? To me KB24 looked exhausted in the playoffs, I think he may have lost just a touch of his explosion, hopefully it's not gone for good, just an observation to me, talk amongst yourselves .

[hermes]

i'll go with Magic

[tkb]

When it comes to importance to the Lakers its always

1. Jerry West

2(a). Magic 2(b). Kobe and ofcourse Kobe has his time to stake a bigger claim.

The Lakers would probably be bankrupt if it wasn't for Elgin Baylor coming before West, and we might not even exist today if it wasn't for George Mikan who easily is the most important player in Lakers history IMO.

[DEEP3CL]

When it comes to importance to the Lakers its always

1. Jerry West

2(a). Magic 2(b). Kobe and ofcourse Kobe has his time to stake a bigger claim.

The Lakers would probably be bankrupt if it wasn't for Elgin Baylor coming before West, and we might not even exist today if it wasn't for George Mikan who easily is the most important player in Lakers history IMO.

Agree totally tkb, see when these types of threads come up you have to realize you can't just place the importance of a franchise on one players shoulders.

Kareem almost certainly has to be mentioned also, simply because he came to the Lakers when they were about to fall into the vortex. The season before Kareem came they were 30-52 and had a declining Gail Goodrich at age 31 who barely made the All Star team that season.

Simply put Kareem kept the franchise from going under, same thing with Shaq he came when the team was starting to slip again. I love Magic and Kobe but neither are the sole reason the franchise has survived.

Not trying to be critical but if guys are going to start threads like this you have to at least be able to know the Laker history from a deep prospective. Believe it or not fellas every Laker team is linked one way or another.

[Dr Aki]

magic, by far

[spree2kawhi]

magic, by far

magic, so far

[daddyfivestar]

Most Important
1 Magic
2 West
3 Kareem
4 Hearn
5 Mikan
6 Baylor

Kobe doesn't make my list

Of course, he's 7th