45 out of 65 NBA executives and coaches polled by ESPN say Magic is the greatest Laker of all-time

Rupert Murdoch · Post #1 » by **Rupert Murdoch** » Sat Jan 23, 2016 10:35 pm

As Kobe Bryant works his way around the league on a farewell tour, he is being celebrated as one of the greatest players of all time.

But is Kobe even the greatest Laker?

ESPN asked NBA executives and coaches who they believed was the greatest Laker of all time, and it wasn’t close. Magic Johnson, who along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar formed arguably the greatest duo to ever play the game, received 69 percent of the votes. Of the 65 respondents, 45 said Johnson was the greatest Laker ever.

“Magic without a doubt," said one executive who also played in the league. “I love Kobe, but Magic brought more to the table."

Bryant and Abdul-Jabbar tied for second with seven votes apiece, and Jerry West, who followed his terrific Lakers playing career with an unparalleled career in the team's front office, received five votes. Wilt Chamberlain, the greatest statistical force the game has ever known, played only five seasons with the Lakers and was named by one voter.

Those who voted for Bryant were surprised the final tally was so lopsided.

“Kobe won two titles without Shaq," said an executive. “Magic didn’t win any titles without Kareem. I thought Kobe would get more love for his five titles."

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/42499/execs-weigh-in-on-kobes-place-in-all-time-laker-ranks

Hindenburg · Post #2 » by **Hindenburg** » Sat Jan 23, 2016 10:38 pm

it's really close but I think Kobe's longevity, ability to overcome adversity and being top 3 all time scoring puts him over Magic

Effigy · Post #3 » by **Effigy** » Sat Jan 23, 2016 10:39 pm

Devean George was robbed.

Post #4 » by **-Sammy-** » Sat Jan 23, 2016 10:45 pm

Magic IS the greatest Laker. It's certainly no slight to anyone else to say that, as he's an all-time top-fiver, and some even have him as their #1.

riter · Post #5 » by **riter** » Sat Jan 23, 2016 10:48 pm

magic wasn't even the best player on his squad. from cradle to grave it's kareem and I hate the lakers.

dautjazz · Post #6 » by **dautjazz** » Sat Jan 23, 2016 10:50 pm

Magic was better. He won ROY and finals MVP his rookie year and led his team to the finals the year he was forced into retirement. He still had many years left in him. Longevity **** is bs, when he returned he was still near all star level despite being away for like 5 years.

BlzMwt · Post #7 » by **BlzMwt** » Sat Jan 23, 2016 10:51 pm

this seems disrespectful to do

Kobe is on his "retirement tour" and ESPN takes a poll of NBA front office's to determine who was the best laker... likely with some hint of knowledge that the consensus wouldn't be geared towards kobe

HotRocks34 · Post #8 » by **HotRocks34** » Sat Jan 23, 2016 10:52 pm

Yep.

1. Magic
2. Kareem
3. Kobe

Chi · Post #9 » by **Chi** » Sat Jan 23, 2016 10:53 pm

45 are wise...

Elden Payton · Post #10 » by **Elden Payton** » Sat Jan 23, 2016 10:55 pm

How can people be surprised by this?

I'm surprised Kobe even got 7 votes.

HotRocks34 · Post #11 » by **HotRocks34** » Sat Jan 23, 2016 10:59 pm

Hindenburg wrote:it's really close but I think Kobe's longevity, ability to overcome adversity and being top 3 all time scoring puts him over Magic

Magic went to 9 Finals and never missed the playoffs. 3 FMVP, 3 MVP, 5 rings.

Let me put it like this: The Lakers are about to miss the playoffs for the 8th time in their history.

Kobe will have been on 4 of those teams.

Elden Payton · Post #12 » by **Elden Payton** » Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:14 pm

HotRocks34 wrote:
Hindenburg wrote:it's really close but I think Kobe's longevity, ability to overcome adversity and being top 3 all time scoring puts him over Magic

Magic went to 9 Finals and never missed the playoffs. 3 FMVP, 3 MVP, 5 rings.

Let me put it like this: The Lakers are about to miss the playoffs for the 8th time in their history.

Kobe will have been on 4 of those teams.

Magic has 3 times the MVP's, 1 more FMVP and has literally played every position on the court as a member of championship winning teams.

Who is surprised by this again?

DNP-Old · Post #13 » by **DNP-Old** » Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:22 pm

Rupert Murdoch wrote:
As Kobe Bryant works his way around the league on a farewell tour, he is being celebrated as one of the greatest players of all time.

But is Kobe even the greatest Laker?

ESPN asked NBA executives and coaches who they believed was the greatest Laker of all time, and it wasn’t close. Magic Johnson, who along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar formed arguably the greatest duo to ever play the game, received 69 percent of the votes. Of the 65 respondents, 45 said Johnson was the greatest Laker ever.

“Magic without a doubt," said one executive who also played in the league. “I love Kobe, but Magic brought more to the table."

Bryant and Abdul-Jabbar tied for second with seven votes apiece, and Jerry West, who followed his terrific Lakers playing career with an unparalleled career in the team's front office, received five votes. Wilt Chamberlain, the greatest statistical force the game has ever known, played only five seasons with the Lakers and was named by one voter.

Those who voted for Bryant were surprised the final tally was so lopsided.

“Kobe won two titles without Shaq," said an executive. “Magic didn’t win any titles without Kareem. I thought Kobe would get more love for his five titles."

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/42499/execs-weigh-in-on-kobes-place-in-all-time-laker-ranks

69% are correct. Kobe is, at best, 3rd behind Magic and Kareem. He should be considered for 3rd between himself, West and Baylor. If Chamberlain had been a Laker for the bulk of his career, he would challenge Kareem for #2.

digcom · Post #14 » by **digcom** » Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:23 pm

HotRocks34 wrote:
Hindenburg wrote:it's really close but I think Kobe's longevity, ability to overcome adversity and being top 3 all time scoring puts him over Magic

Magic went to 9 Finals and never missed the playoffs. 3 FMVP, 3 MVP, 5 rings.

Let me put it like this: The Lakers are about to miss the playoffs for the 8th time in their history.

Kobe will have been on 4 of those teams.

This. Anyone who thinks Kobe is probably too young to even have seen Magic play in his prime.

lake_show · Post #15 » by **lake_show** » Sun Jan 24, 2016 12:14 am

Funny how obvious it us that the 3 posters before me are looking for some sort of confontation on this subject.

If the 69% had said Kareem, or Kobe I wouldn't be upset. Magic is one of the greatest players of all time. Glad he's getting some recognition. Still, the only reason that poll exists is to cause a reaction. Which is working apparently.

Post #16 » by **Slava** » Sun Jan 24, 2016 12:32 am

Lakers won't be in a place to attract Shaq and Kobe if Magic did not lay the foundation for the Lakers in Los Angeles. He's the original superstar who created showtime and made the on-court product match the glamour of the franchise and the city off the court. So I wouldn't argue against anyone who picks Magic.

Personally I think there's a better argument for Jerry West as the greatest Laker than Kareem, Magic or Kobe. West was associated with the franchise longer than anyone else either as a player, GM or coach and he was the architect of two Lakers dynasties in showtime and the 3 peat Lakers. Add in the idea that he represented the Lakers with integrity, class and not a single blemish on his personal character for as long as he did and I think he is the greatest Laker. Its a shame that he was not given a minority stake in the franchise which he more than deserved with his body of work.

ALL HAIL · Post #17 » by **ALL HAIL** » Sun Jan 24, 2016 12:33 am

Sik Infant wrote:Who is surprised by this again?

Kids.

what would jack bauer do? · Post #18 » by **what would jack bauer do?** » Sun Jan 24, 2016 12:35 am

HotRocks34 wrote:
Hindenburg wrote:it's really close but I think Kobe's longevity, ability to overcome adversity and being top 3 all time scoring puts him over Magic

Magic went to 9 Finals and never missed the playoffs. 3 FMVP, 3 MVP, 5 rings.

Let me put it like this: The Lakers are about to miss the playoffs for the 8th time in their history.

Kobe will have been on 4 of those teams.

Can't really blame Kobe for those playoff misses. Magic never had to play with the likes of smush, cook, and brown... all guys who started a lot of games. Hell, cook started almost 50 games one year. And also Kobe had season ending injuries too. Nice try though.

ALL HAIL · Post #19 » by **ALL HAIL** » Sun Jan 24, 2016 12:44 am

Slava wrote:Lakers won't be in a place to attract Shaq and Kobe if Magic did not lay the foundation for the Lakers in Los Angeles. He's the original superstar who created showtime and made the on-court product match the glamour of the franchise and the city off the court. So I wouldn't argue against anyone who picks Magic.

Personally I think there's a better argument for Jerry West as the greatest Laker than Kareem, Magic or Kobe. West was associated with the franchise longer than anyone else either as a player, GM or coach and he was the architect of two Lakers dynasties in showtime and the 3 peat Lakers. Add in the idea that he represented the Lakers with integrity, class and not a single blemish on his personal character for as long as he did and I think he is the greatest Laker. Its a shame that he was not given a minority stake in the franchise which he more than deserved with his body of work.

As strictly a player, though, Magic was the best.

Spens1 · Post #20 » by **Spens1** » Sun Jan 24, 2016 1:17 am

can't disagree

West, Kareem and Magic all have claims to being the #1. honestly Kobe's selfishness keeps him from that. Also Magic as an all round talent cannot be denied, he did everything, Kobe could do everything but heroball was way too prevalent with him (when he did pass and get the ball moving, we were the best in the league no exceptions) Shaq wasn't there long enough and its kind of hard to compare Wilt though he deserves a mention, but as the greatest laker i am not so sure.