LA Lakers: All-time Dream Team
The LA Lakers are undoubtedly one of the most successful NBA franchises of all time. They have won 16 NBA championships so far (2nd place behind the Boston Celtics) and might add one more this year with the help of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. While it's nearly impossible to compare players from different eras, here's an attempt at picking 5 players who can be a part of an LA Lakers all-time dream team.
Here's the LA Lakers all-time dream team:
Starting PG: Magic Johnson
Earvin 'Magic' Johnson is considered by many to be the greatest point guard of all time! With 5 NBA championships, 3 Finals MVPs, and 3 regular season MVPs under his belt, it's no surprise that Magic gets his place in the LA Lakers all-time dream team.
Magic Johnson averaged 19.5 points and 11.2 assists per game in his legendary career. As a 6'7" point guard, Magic was known for his exceptional playmaking abilities and high basketball IQ. Known for his no-look passes and pin-point long-range assists, Magic kept the fans on the edge of their seats every time he played.
Starting SG: Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant would probably be the first guy anyone would pick to be on the LA Lakers all-time dream team. With a career spanning almost 2 decades, 'The Black Mamba' gave his heart and soul for the LA Lakers. The 5-time NBA champion averaged 25 points per game and is regarded by many as the greatest ever to play the game.
With a game closely resembling that of Michael Jordan's, Kobe was known for his mid-range jumpers and clutch game-winners. His unmatched work ethic and dedication to the craft, popularly termed as 'mamba mentality', continues to inspire the next generation of LA Lakers stars.
Starting SF: LeBron James
Though it's established that LeBron James is among the greatest of all time in basketball, picking him as a part of the LA Lakers all-time dream team wasn't so obvious.
LeBron joined the LA Lakers back in 2018 and has been a part of the team for only two years. Even though King James hasn't won a championship yet with the team, he is responsible for making the LA Lakers of this era relevant again.
LeBron averages over 27 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds in his career and is known to be one of the most complete players in modern basketball. If he wins an NBA championship with the LA Lakers before he retires, he's bound to go down in history as a franchise legend.
Starting PF: Pau Gasol
The two-time NBA champion from Spain played for 6 years for the LA Lakers and is among the best power forwards to have ever played for the team. In 2002, he became the first non-American to win the NBA Rookie of The Year.
Pau Gasol joined LA Lakers in 2008 and was instrumental in helping them win 2 championships in 2009 and 2010. He shared a special bond with LA Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and this translated even on the court during their years together.
Starting Center: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Picking a center for the LA Lakers all-time dream team would be among the toughest things to do for basketball fans. Despite legends like Shaquille O'Neal and Wilt Chamberlain, it is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who steals the slot for his spectacular 14-year career with the LA Lakers.
Kareem is the all-time scoring leader in the history of the NBA with 38,387 points. The 6-time NBA champion also won the MVP award a whopping 6 times. With his trademark ambidextrous 'skyhook' shot, Kareem was almost unguardable during his prime.
Also read: Los Angeles Lakers: Top 5 head coaches of all time