Top 2 players in Lakers franchise history

[rrravenred]

Don't think he had enough star seasons to be rated as high as the other three. He's close and I think above Shaq.

Can respect that, but do note that 70s and early 80s Kareem was a pretty devastating force.

[TheGOATRises007]

Magic and Kobe

[migya]

Don't think he had enough star seasons to be rated as high as the other three. He's close and I think above Shaq.

Can respect that, but do note that 70s and early 80s Kareem was a pretty devastating force.

Certainly was and in the mid 70s he was near greatest ever level, if not at that level.

[SlimShady83]

Kobe - his my fav, of course i'm going to choose him
Magic
Kareem
Shaq
West

Insert the rest.

[One_and_Done]

I'm pleased to see the consensus for #1 is the same guy I have there. I'm not sure I agree with Kobe edging out others for #2, but those who are voting for him are likely doing it based in large part on his longevity with the club so there's at least some logic to it. That might outweigh the fact that guys like Kareem, Shaq and Lebron were all better players than him.

[penbeast0]

Don't think he had enough star seasons to be rated as high as the other three. He's close and I think above Shaq.

Can respect that, but do note that 70s and early 80s Kareem was a pretty devastating force.

Certainly was and in the mid 70s he was near greatest ever level, if not at that level.

Of course he wasn't a Laker until 75-76 and the Lakers underperformed despite talent around him (Norm Nixon, Jamaal Wilkes, etc.) until they got Magic and finally won a title in 1980 which is no longer mid-70s Kareem as he only had one big rebounding season after 77 and dropped to average or below average rebounding in 82 for all the titles in LA but the 1980 one.

[migya]

Can respect that, but do note that 70s and early 80s Kareem was a pretty devastating force.

Certainly was and in the mid 70s he was near greatest ever level, if not at that level.

Of course he wasn't a Laker until 75-76 and the Lakers underperformed despite talent around him (Norm Nixon, Jamaal Wilkes, etc.) until they got Magic and finally won a title in 1980 which is no longer mid-70s Kareem as he only had one big rebounding season after 77 and dropped to average or below average rebounding in 82 for all the titles in LA but the 1980 one.

But that can be held against Kareem, having pretty good talent for a couple of seasons or so before Magic and not doing anything significant with it. Magic looks great because of his elevation of others.

[Mr Ringer]

When considering both longevity, prime and accolades, personal and team
Must go with Magic and Kobe
Both top 10 level players ever on 100% Lakers career
Kareem and Shaq cases on the same level include Bucks/Magic careers as well

Going with Magic & Kobe
With West, Kareem and Shaq coming next (order is arguable)

Sent from my IV2201 using RealGM mobile app

[rrravenred]

Of course he wasn't a Laker until 75-76 and the Lakers underperformed despite talent around him (Norm Nixon, Jamaal Wilkes, etc.) until they got Magic and finally won a title in 1980 which is no longer mid-70s Kareem as he only had one big rebounding season after 77 and dropped to average or below average rebounding in 82 for all the titles in LA but the 1980 one.

How much of the underperformance is down to Kareem is debatable, and is certainly a source of the mild negative intangibles he's tarred with. Depends on how much more you expected from him personally in that period (Lebron's first Cavs stint is maybe a good comparison). Not going hard to the mat WRT ranking him Top 2, for clarity, just surprised at the absence of him in the debate.

[penbeast0]

And of course he has one of the best reasons in history for being withdrawn and distrustful of even his own teammates. In addition to the issues he had for being black in the 70s and a Muslim in locker rooms with strongly Christian teammates, a group of fellow Muslims he had given shelter to were massacred in his house. He was an intelligent and sensitive man, how could it not affect him strongly.

[One_and_Done]

It'll be interesting to see how this sentiment ages over time. Magic is probably never losing that #1 spot. He's just too iconic and decorated a player, who ticks too many boxes for different people's criteria.