Los Angeles Lakers
Roster

Apr 9, 1977

POR 145

LAL 116

Boxscore

Apr 10, 1977

SEA 104

LAL 113

Boxscore

Apr 20, 1977

LAL

GSW

Game preview

Apr 22, 1977

LAL

GSW

Game preview

Los Angeles Lakers leaders

Season leaders

Points

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 2m18 / 7-2 29 years old

26.3
Cazzie Russell 1m96 / 6-5 32 years old

16.4
Lucius Allen 1m88 / 6-2 29 years old

14.6

Rebounds

Assists

Los Angeles Lakers 1976-1977 stats

NBA

Player	Height	Age	Pts	Reb	Ast	GP	W-L	MIN	3P%	FG%	FT%	Or	Reb	Ast	Stl	To	Blk	Fo	Pts	PTS	REB	AST
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	2m18	29	26.3	13.3	3.9	82	53-29	36.8	-	58%	70.1%	0.7	13.3	3.9	0.4	0	2.4	3.2	26.3	40	24	10
Cazzie Russell	1m96	32	16.4	3.5	2.5	82	53-29	31.1	-	49.6%	85.8%	0.3	3.5	2.5	0.4	0	0	2	16.4	35	9	8
Lucius Allen	1m88	29	14.6	3.2	5	78	50-28	31.3	-	46.3%	77.4%	0.2	3.2	5	0.4	0	0.1	2.3	14.6	30	8	10
Kermit Washington	2m03	25	9.7	9.1	0.9	53	35-18	24.8	-	50.9%	70.6%	1.1	9.1	0.9	0.3	0	0.3	3.4	9.7	20	17	4
Earl Tatum	1m96	23	9.4	3.5	1.7	68	44-24	18.4	-	46.6%	72%	0.3	3.5	1.7	0.3	0	0.1	2.4	9.4	23	10	7
Mack Calvin	1m83	29	7.9	1.3	1.8	12	5-7	18.1	-	32.9%	85.4%	0.1	1.3	1.8	0.2	0	0.1	1.3	7.9	20	3	7
Don Ford	2m05	24	7.3	4.3	1.6	82	53-29	21.4	-	46.3%	71.6%	0.3	4.3	1.6	0.2	0	0.1	2.1	7.3	19	13	8
Bo Lamar	1m86	25	7.1	1.3	2.5	71	46-25	16.2	-	41.5%	67.6%	0.1	1.3	2.5	0.5	0	0	1	7.1	22	6	7
Tom Abernethy	2m01	22	6.3	4.1	1.4	70	48-22	19.5	-	49.6%	75.4%	0.5	4.1	1.4	0.2	0	0.1	1.7	6.3	19	12	6
Don Chaney	1m96	30	6.1	4	3.7	81	53-28	29.3	-	41.5%	74.5%	0.4	4	3.7	0.6	0	0.2	2.7	6.1	16	10	11
Johnny Neumann	1m98	25	5.9	1.1	2.3	59	41-18	14.8	-	40.8%	66.7%	0.1	1.1	2.3	0.1	0	0.1	2.1	5.9	24	5	7
C.J. Kupec	1m98	23	4.7	2.4	0.6	82	53-29	10.9	-	44.9%	77.2%	0.3	2.4	0.6	0.1	0	0	1.3	4.7	14	8	5
Cornell Warner	2m05	28	3.9	4.9	0.8	14	6-8	12.1	-	47.2%	66.7%	0.6	4.9	0.8	0.1	0	0.1	2	3.9	10	16	5
Allen Murphy	1m96	24	2.5	2	0	2	2-0	9	-	20%	42.9%	0	2	0	0	0	0	2.5	2.5	3	3	0
Marv Roberts	2m03	26	2.1	0.9	0.7	28	17-11	7.5	-	35.5%	66.7%	0.1	0.9	0.7	0	0	0	1.2	2.1	12	3	4
Total			106.9	46	24.7	82	53-29	239	-	48.3%	74%	3.8	46	24.7	3.3	0	3.3	22.5	106.9
Opponents			104.1	47.9	22.9	82	-	238.7	-	45.8%	76%	4.6	47.9	22.9	3.4	0.2	1.7	21.9	104.1
Gap			2,8	-1,9	1,8	0	-	0.3	0%	2,5%	-2,0%	-0,8	-1,9	1,8	-0,1	-0,2	1,6	0,6	2,8

Average
height 198 cm

Average
age 26 years old

Player	Height	Age	Pts	Reb	Ast	GP	W-L	MIN	2P	3P	FG	FT	Or	Reb	Ast	Stl	To	Blk	Fo	Pts	Eff
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	2m18	29	2154	1090	319	82	53-29	3016	889/1533	0/0	889/1533	376/536	55	1090	319	36	0	193	262	2154	-
Cazzie Russell	1m96	32	1344	289	208	82	53-29	2548	578/1165	0/0	578/1165	188/219	25	289	208	31	0	2	162	1344	-
Lucius Allen	1m88	29	1137	248	392	78	50-28	2441	471/1018	0/0	471/1018	195/252	13	248	392	35	0	9	182	1137	-
Kermit Washington	2m03	25	514	481	46	53	35-18	1316	191/375	0/0	191/375	132/187	56	481	46	16	0	14	178	514	-
Earl Tatum	1m96	23	638	235	116	68	44-24	1249	283/607	0/0	283/607	72/100	23	235	116	21	0	10	165	638	-
Mack Calvin	1m83	29	95	16	21	12	5-7	217	27/82	0/0	27/82	41/48	1	16	21	2	0	1	16	95	-
Don Ford	2m05	24	597	351	131	82	53-29	1752	262/566	0/0	262/566	73/102	28	351	131	16	0	9	171	597	-
Bo Lamar	1m86	25	502	92	175	71	46-25	1152	228/549	0/0	228/549	46/68	8	92	175	35	0	3	73	502	-
Tom Abernethy	2m01	22	439	285	97	70	48-22	1367	169/341	0/0	169/341	101/134	36	285	97	16	0	5	117	439	-
Don Chaney	1m96	30	496	326	299	81	53-28	2376	213/513	0/0	213/513	70/94	32	326	299	50	0	13	220	496	-
Johnny Neumann	1m98	25	346	63	138	59	41-18	872	146/358	0/0	146/358	54/81	4	63	138	8	0	4	122	346	-
C.J. Kupec	1m98	23	384	194	52	82	53-29	895	153/341	0/0	153/341	78/101	23	194	52	6	0	3	109	384	-
Cornell Warner	2m05	28	54	69	11	14	6-8	170	25/53	0/0	25/53	4/6	9	69	11	1	0	2	28	54	-
Allen Murphy	1m96	24	5	4	0	2	2-0	18	1/5	0/0	1/5	3/7	0	4	0	0	0	0	5	5	-
Marv Roberts	2m03	26	58	25	19	28	17-11	209	27/76	0/0	27/76	4/6	2	25	19	0	0	0	34	58	-
Total			8763	3768	2024	82	53-29	19598	3663/7582	-	3663/7582	1437/1941	315	3768	2024	273	0	268	1844	8763	-
Opponents			8540	3925	1876	82	-	19575	3515/7675	-	3515/7675	1510/1987	376	3925	1876	282	13	143	1795	8540	-
Gap			223	-157	148	0	-	23	148/-93	-	148/-93	-73/-46	-61	-157	148	-9	-13	125	49	223	0

Player	Height	Age	Pts	Reb	Ast	GP	W-L	MIN	3P%	FG%	FT%	Or	Reb	Ast	Stl	Blk	Fo	Pts	PTS	REB	AST
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	2m18	29	25.7	13	3.8	82	53-29	36	-	58%	70.1%	0.7	13	3.8	0.4	2.3	3.1	25.7	40	24	10
Cazzie Russell	1m96	32	19	4.1	2.9	82	53-29	36	-	49.6%	85.8%	0.4	4.1	2.9	0.4	0	2.3	19	35	9	8
Lucius Allen	1m88	29	16.8	3.7	5.8	78	50-28	36	-	46.3%	77.4%	0.2	3.7	5.8	0.5	0.1	2.7	16.8	30	8	10
Kermit Washington	2m03	25	14.1	13.2	1.3	53	35-18	36	-	50.9%	70.6%	1.5	13.2	1.3	0.4	0.4	4.9	14.1	20	17	4
Earl Tatum	1m96	23	18.4	6.8	3.3	68	44-24	36	-	46.6%	72%	0.7	6.8	3.3	0.6	0.3	4.8	18.4	23	10	7
Mack Calvin	1m83	29	15.8	2.7	3.5	12	5-7	36	-	32.9%	85.4%	0.2	2.7	3.5	0.3	0.2	2.7	15.8	20	3	7
Don Ford	2m05	24	12.3	7.2	2.7	82	53-29	36	-	46.3%	71.6%	0.6	7.2	2.7	0.3	0.2	3.5	12.3	19	13	8
Bo Lamar	1m86	25	15.7	2.9	5.5	71	46-25	36	-	41.5%	67.6%	0.3	2.9	5.5	1.1	0.1	2.3	15.7	22	6	7
Tom Abernethy	2m01	22	11.6	7.5	2.6	70	48-22	36	-	49.6%	75.4%	0.9	7.5	2.6	0.4	0.1	3.1	11.6	19	12	6
Don Chaney	1m96	30	7.5	4.9	4.5	81	53-28	36	-	41.5%	74.5%	0.5	4.9	4.5	0.8	0.2	3.3	7.5	16	10	11
Johnny Neumann	1m98	25	14.3	2.6	5.7	59	41-18	36	-	40.8%	66.7%	0.2	2.6	5.7	0.3	0.2	5	14.3	24	5	7
C.J. Kupec	1m98	23	15.4	7.8	2.1	82	53-29	36	-	44.9%	77.2%	0.9	7.8	2.1	0.2	0.1	4.4	15.4	14	8	5
Cornell Warner	2m05	28	11.4	14.6	2.3	14	6-8	36	-	47.2%	66.7%	1.9	14.6	2.3	0.2	0.4	5.9	11.4	10	16	5
Allen Murphy	1m96	24	10	8	0	2	2-0	36	-	20%	42.9%	0	8	0	0	0	10	10	3	3	0
Marv Roberts	2m03	26	10	4.3	3.3	28	17-11	36	-	35.5%	66.7%	0.3	4.3	3.3	0	0	5.9	10	12	3	4
Total			16.1	6.9	3.7	82	53-29	36	0%	48.3%	74%	0.6	6.9	3.7	0.5	0.5	3.4	16.1

Player	Height	Age	Pts	Reb	Ast	GP	W-L	MIN	3P%	FG%	FT%	Or	Reb	Ast	Stl	Blk	Fo	Pts	PTS	REB	AST
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	2m18	29	28.6	14.5	4.2	82	53-29	40	-	58%	70.1%	0.7	14.5	4.2	0.5	2.6	3.5	28.6	40	24	10
Cazzie Russell	1m96	32	21.1	4.5	3.3	82	53-29	40	-	49.6%	85.8%	0.4	4.5	3.3	0.5	0	2.5	21.1	35	9	8
Lucius Allen	1m88	29	18.6	4.1	6.4	78	50-28	40	-	46.3%	77.4%	0.2	4.1	6.4	0.6	0.1	3	18.6	30	8	10
Kermit Washington	2m03	25	15.6	14.6	1.4	53	35-18	40	-	50.9%	70.6%	1.7	14.6	1.4	0.5	0.4	5.4	15.6	20	17	4
Earl Tatum	1m96	23	20.4	7.5	3.7	68	44-24	40	-	46.6%	72%	0.7	7.5	3.7	0.7	0.3	5.3	20.4	23	10	7
Mack Calvin	1m83	29	17.5	2.9	3.9	12	5-7	40	-	32.9%	85.4%	0.2	2.9	3.9	0.4	0.2	2.9	17.5	20	3	7
Don Ford	2m05	24	13.6	8	3	82	53-29	40	-	46.3%	71.6%	0.6	8	3	0.4	0.2	3.9	13.6	19	13	8
Bo Lamar	1m86	25	17.4	3.2	6.1	71	46-25	40	-	41.5%	67.6%	0.3	3.2	6.1	1.2	0.1	2.5	17.4	22	6	7
Tom Abernethy	2m01	22	12.8	8.3	2.8	70	48-22	40	-	49.6%	75.4%	1.1	8.3	2.8	0.5	0.1	3.4	12.8	19	12	6
Don Chaney	1m96	30	8.4	5.5	5	81	53-28	40	-	41.5%	74.5%	0.5	5.5	5	0.8	0.2	3.7	8.4	16	10	11
Johnny Neumann	1m98	25	15.9	2.9	6.3	59	41-18	40	-	40.8%	66.7%	0.2	2.9	6.3	0.4	0.2	5.6	15.9	24	5	7
C.J. Kupec	1m98	23	17.2	8.7	2.3	82	53-29	40	-	44.9%	77.2%	1	8.7	2.3	0.3	0.1	4.9	17.2	14	8	5
Cornell Warner	2m05	28	12.7	16.2	2.6	14	6-8	40	-	47.2%	66.7%	2.1	16.2	2.6	0.2	0.5	6.6	12.7	10	16	5
Allen Murphy	1m96	24	11.1	8.9	0	2	2-0	40	-	20%	42.9%	0	8.9	0	0	0	11.1	11.1	3	3	0
Marv Roberts	2m03	26	11.1	4.8	3.6	28	17-11	40	-	35.5%	66.7%	0.4	4.8	3.6	0	0	6.5	11.1	12	3	4
Total			17.9	7.7	4.1	82	53-29	40	0%	48.3%	74%	0.6	7.7	4.1	0.6	0.5	3.8	17.9

Player	Height	Age	USG%	PACE	PIE	PER	GMSCR	AST%	TO%	AST/TO	OREB%	DREB%	REB%
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	2m18	29	27.2%	21,6	15,0	32,8	27,1	15%	0%	18	2%	29%	30%
Cazzie Russell	1m96	32	23%	15,4	6,0	18,0	13,3	14%	0%	16.5	1%	9%	9%
Lucius Allen	1m88	29	21.5%	14,5	6,0	17,9	13,6	26%	0%	34.7	0%	8%	8%
Kermit Washington	2m03	25	16.1%	8,6	4,0	17,2	11,4	9%	0%	10.1	2%	17%	20%
Earl Tatum	1m96	23	24.2%	9,6	3,0	16,9	8,4	15%	0%	17.8	1%	12%	13%
Mack Calvin	1m83	29	22.1%	8,6	0	12,9	6,2	17%	0%	20.4	0%	1%	1%
Don Ford	2m05	24	16.2%	7,5	3,0	12,6	7,2	18%	0%	21.4	1%	15%	17%
Bo Lamar	1m86	25	23.3%	8,2	2,0	14,8	5,9	23%	0%	30.2	1%	5%	6%
Tom Abernethy	2m01	22	13.6%	5,7	3,0	14,1	7,0	20%	0%	24.3	2%	13%	15%
Don Chaney	1m96	30	10.8%	6,8	4,0	10,4	8,4	35%	0%	53.9	1%	10%	11%
Johnny Neumann	1m98	25	21%	6,7	1,0	12,1	5,4	26%	0%	35.1	0%	4%	4%
C.J. Kupec	1m98	23	20%	4,7	2,0	14,3	4,3	12%	0%	13.5	2%	16%	18%
Cornell Warner	2m05	28	15.2%	4,0	0	14,5	5,1	17%	0%	19.8	1%	5%	6%
Allen Murphy	1m96	24	20.9%	4,0	0	-2,1	1,8	0%	0%	0	0%	0%	0%
Marv Roberts	2m03	26	17.5%	2,8	0	5,0	1,8	19%	0%	24.2	0%	3%	3%

Player	Height	Age	eFG%	TS%	3PAr	FTr	%FGA/2PTm	%FGA/3PTm	%FGA/FTm	%PTS/2PTm	%PTS/3PTm	%PTS/FTm	PTS/2PTm
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	2m18	29	70,3%	60,9%	0%	35,0%	74,1%	0%	25,9%	82,5%	0%	17,5%	1.16
Cazzie Russell	1m96	32	57,7%	53,3%	0%	18,8%	84,2%	0%	15,8%	86,0%	0%	14,0%	0.99
Lucius Allen	1m88	29	55,8%	50,4%	0%	24,8%	80,2%	0%	19,8%	82,8%	0%	17,2%	0.93
Kermit Washington	2m03	25	68,5%	56,2%	0%	49,9%	66,7%	0%	33,3%	74,3%	0%	25,7%	1.02
Earl Tatum	1m96	23	52,6%	49,0%	0%	16,5%	85,9%	0%	14,1%	88,7%	0%	11,3%	0.93
Mack Calvin	1m83	29	57,9%	46,1%	0%	58,5%	63,1%	0%	36,9%	56,8%	0%	43,2%	0.66
Don Ford	2m05	24	52,7%	48,9%	0%	18,0%	84,7%	0%	15,3%	87,8%	0%	12,2%	0.93
Bo Lamar	1m86	25	45,7%	43,4%	0%	12,4%	89,0%	0%	11,0%	90,8%	0%	9,2%	0.83
Tom Abernethy	2m01	22	64,4%	54,9%	0%	39,3%	71,8%	0%	28,2%	77,0%	0%	23,0%	0.99
Don Chaney	1m96	30	48,3%	44,7%	0%	18,3%	84,5%	0%	15,5%	85,9%	0%	14,1%	0.83
Johnny Neumann	1m98	25	48,3%	43,9%	0%	22,6%	81,5%	0%	18,5%	84,4%	0%	15,6%	0.82
C.J. Kupec	1m98	23	56,3%	49,8%	0%	29,6%	77,1%	0%	22,9%	79,7%	0%	20,3%	0.9
Cornell Warner	2m05	28	50,9%	48,5%	0%	11,3%	89,8%	0%	10,2%	92,6%	0%	7,4%	0.94
Allen Murphy	1m96	24	50,0%	30,9%	0%	140,0%	41,7%	0%	58,3%	40,0%	0%	60,0%	0.4
Marv Roberts	2m03	26	38,2%	36,9%	0%	7,9%	92,7%	0%	7,3%	93,1%	0%	6,9%	0.71

Player	Height	Age	%MIN	%PTS	%FGM	%FGA	%2PM	%2PA	%3PM	%3PA	%FTM	%FTA	%OREB	%DREB	%REB	%AST	%TOV	%STL	%BLK	%BLKA	%PF	%PFD	%+/-	%EFF
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar	2m18	29	92%	25%	24%	20%	24%	20%	0%	0%	26%	28%	17%	30%	29%	16%	0%	13%	72%	-	14%	-	-	0%
Cazzie Russell	1m96	32	78%	15%	16%	15%	16%	15%	0%	0%	13%	11%	8%	8%	8%	10%	0%	11%	1%	-	9%	-	-	0%
Lucius Allen	1m88	29	78%	14%	14%	14%	14%	14%	0%	0%	14%	14%	4%	7%	7%	20%	0%	13%	4%	-	10%	-	-	0%
Kermit Washington	2m03	25	62%	9%	8%	8%	8%	8%	0%	0%	14%	15%	28%	19%	20%	4%	0%	9%	8%	-	15%	-	-	0%
Earl Tatum	1m96	23	46%	9%	9%	10%	9%	10%	0%	0%	6%	6%	9%	7%	8%	7%	0%	9%	4%	-	11%	-	-	0%
Mack Calvin	1m83	29	45%	7%	5%	7%	5%	7%	0%	0%	19%	17%	2%	3%	3%	7%	0%	5%	3%	-	6%	-	-	0%
Don Ford	2m05	24	53%	7%	7%	7%	7%	7%	0%	0%	5%	5%	9%	9%	9%	6%	0%	6%	3%	-	9%	-	-	0%
Bo Lamar	1m86	25	41%	7%	7%	8%	7%	8%	0%	0%	4%	4%	3%	3%	3%	10%	0%	15%	1%	-	5%	-	-	0%
Tom Abernethy	2m01	22	49%	6%	5%	5%	5%	5%	0%	0%	8%	8%	13%	8%	9%	6%	0%	7%	2%	-	7%	-	-	0%
Don Chaney	1m96	30	73%	6%	6%	7%	6%	7%	0%	0%	5%	5%	10%	9%	9%	15%	0%	19%	5%	-	12%	-	-	0%
Johnny Neumann	1m98	25	37%	5%	6%	7%	6%	7%	0%	0%	5%	6%	2%	2%	2%	9%	0%	4%	2%	-	9%	-	-	0%
C.J. Kupec	1m98	23	27%	4%	4%	4%	4%	4%	0%	0%	5%	5%	7%	5%	5%	3%	0%	2%	1%	-	6%	-	-	0%
Cornell Warner	2m05	28	30%	4%	4%	4%	4%	4%	0%	0%	2%	2%	17%	10%	11%	3%	0%	2%	4%	-	9%	-	-	0%
Allen Murphy	1m96	24	23%	2%	1%	3%	1%	3%	0%	0%	9%	15%	0%	5%	4%	0%	0%	0%	0%	-	11%	-	-	0%
Marv Roberts	2m03	26	19%	2%	2%	3%	2%	3%	0%	0%	1%	1%	2%	2%	2%	3%	0%	0%	0%	-	5%	-	-	0%

Basketbal career higlights

Los Angeles Lakers

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scores a season high 40 points for Los Angeles Lakers

On January 01, 1977, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar set a season high in points in a NBA game. That day he scored 40 points in Los Angeles Lakers's road win against Cleveland Cavaliers, 99-101. He also had 12 rebounds, 3 assists.

1976-1977 - Rebounds

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar grabs a season high 24 rebounds for Los Angeles Lakers

On November 11, 1976, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar set a season high in rebounds in a NBA game. That day he grabbed 24 rebounds in Los Angeles Lakers's home win against Sacramento Kings, 107-96. He also had 24 points, 8 assists.

1976-1977 - Assists

Don Chaney dishes a season high 11 assists for Los Angeles Lakers

On April 04, 1977, Don Chaney set a season high in assists in a NBA game. That day he dished 11 assists in Los Angeles Lakers's home win against San Antonio Spurs, 107-102. He also had 4 points, 2 rebounds.

1976-1977 - Steals

Don Chaney has a season high 5 steals for Los Angeles Lakers

On November 11, 1976, Don Chaney set a season high in steals in a NBA game. That day he reached 5 steals in Los Angeles Lakers's home win against Portland Trail Blazers, 99-96. He also had 6 points, 3 rebounds, 5 steals.

1976-1977 - Blocks

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar blocks a season high 9 blocks for Los Angeles Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

On March 03, 1977, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar set a season high in blocks in a NBA game. That day he went for 9 blocks in Los Angeles Lakers's home win against Phoenix Suns, 118-93. He also had 28 points, 12 rebounds, 1 steal.

1976-1977 - Efficiency

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar set a season high efficiency for Los Angeles Lakers

On October 10, 1976, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar set a season high in efficiency in a NBA game. That day he accomplished efficiency in Los Angeles Lakers's road loss against New York Knicks, 102-97. He also had 29 points, 17 rebounds.

Los Angeles Lakers History

Probably the most glamorous franchise in Basketball, synonymous with superstars and showtime, the Lakers have captured the imagination of fans across the world. Even in its darkest days, the purple and gold uniforms remain a symbol of success.

They officially played their first NBA season in 1948-49. The franchise was then located in Minneapolis and were originally part of the NBL, the National Basketball League, which merged with the Basketball Association of America to form the NBA. Minnesota is known as the land of 10.000 lakes, explaining how the now Californian franchise got its nickname.

5 titles in the Franchise's first 6 seaons

Right from the start, the Lakers were dominant winning 5 championships in the first 6 seasons of the NBA, as they relied on the most dominant player in basketball. Standing 6-10, George Mikan was an unstoppable big man known for his ability to finish over smaller defenders with a trademark hookshot released with either hands. He even prompted several rule changes in the NBA including the introduction of the goaltending rule, the widening of the foul lane and the creation of the shot clock.

The team moved to Los Angeles in 1960. In 1958, the Brooklyn Dodgers of Major League Baseball had moved to Los Angeles and quickly became a huge financial success. Owner Bob Short decided to take his team to California, making it the first NBA team on the West Coast, as attendance had plummeted in Minnesota. Two guards spearheaded the Lakers’ offense. For 10 years, Elgin Baylor and Jerry West combined for 60 points per game but the Lakers were defeated seven times in the NBA Finals, including six defeats to the hands of their nemesis, the Boston Celtics. The greatest rivalry in basketball was born in the 60’s.

It got even bigger when the franchise traded for Wilt Chamberlain in 1968. At 32, the center who reached the mythical 100 points plateau in a game had to learn to share the spotlights with Baylor and West. He was supposed to be the answer to Bill Russell’s impact.

Lakers versus Celtics: basketball's greatest rivalry

Success was not immediate and at the start of the 1971-72 season, Elgin Baylor retired after 9 games. The man who once scored 71 points in a regular season game and 61 points in a NBA Finals game had taken the Lakers eight times to the championship series, not winning once. Ironically enough, the team went on to win 69 games that season, a record that lasted 24 years, including a 33 game winning streak. The Lakers eventually won the NBA title as Chamberlain was voted Most Valuable player in the Finals. Yet West remained the fan favourite. Nicknamed Mr.Clutch, he was a deadly outside shooter who still holds the record for the highest points per game average in a playoff series with 46.3. His silhouette is incorporated into the NBA logo.

Two years later, both West and Chamberlain had retired and after missing the playoffs in 1975, the Lakers answered by trading for three time MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, formely known as Lew Alcindor. Yet, they never made it past the Conference Finals despite his impressive numbers and deadly sky hook. All of that changed in 1979 when the Lakers got the first pick of the draft from a past trade with the New Orleans Jazz. They selected 6-9 point guard Earvin Johnson, who had just guided Michigan State to an NCAA title. The Lakers won 60 games in Johnson's rookie year, and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the 1980 NBA Finals. Johnson won the Finals MVP award, after starting at center for the injured Abdul-Jabbar in game six, and tallying 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists.

The Showtime era

Soon after, owner Jerry Buss planned to promote Jerry West as the new head coach. But the Logo declined during the introductory press conference, indicating that assistant Pat Riley was indeed the true head coach position. The 37 year old valued the running game and the Showtime era started in Los Angeles. The Lakers won four championships in the 80’s and did it in style. The Forum of Inglewood became the place to be seen as movie stars cheered for every fast break and no look passes from the first row. Jack Nicholson was labelled as their number one fan. The roster was perfectly assembled as, with years passing by, Abdul-Jabbar took a backseat offensively to sharpshooter Byron Scott and James Worthy. Michael Jordan’s teammate at the university of North Carolina was a new type of power-foward, relying on quickness and mid-range shooting abilities. A silent assassin he gain the nickname Big Game James as he always seemed to save his best when it mattered the most, as in Game 7 of the 1988 Finals when he recorded a triple double. Once again, the Boston Celtics were their main opponent. The Celtics and Lakers met three times in the Finals and America fell in love with the matchup between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. The white kid from rural Indiana against the black kid from the city suburbs of Detroit. A rivalry that transformed the NBA and made it immensely popular.

The 80’s concluded on a memorable farewell tour for Abdul-Jabbar who received gifts during special ceremonies organized by the other 24 franchises he faced. The 19 time NBA All Star played 20 seasons in the League, winning six championships. At the time of his retirement at age 42 in 1989, Abdul-Jabbar was the NBA's all-time leader in points scored, games played, minutes played, field goals made, field goal attempts, blocked shots, defensive rebounds, career wins, and personal fouls.

In 1991 the franchise lost to Michael Jordan and the Bulls in the NBA Finals. Many insiders saw it as a passing the torch moment. A few weeks later the Lakers were left shell-shocked when Magic Johnson announced its retirement, after being diagnosed HIV positive. The news made the headlines across the world, reaching an audience far beyond the basketball world and reminded everyone about the the fight against AIDS.

Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal

The following five years were disapointing for the Lakers but Jerry West, now in a General Manager position, changed the momentum in the summer of 1996. He traded his starting center, Vlade Divac, for a young high school player from Lower Merrion drafted 13 by the Charlotte Hornets. Kobe Bryant was joined in Los Angeles by free-agent Shaquille O’Neal, the most dominant big man in the League. The first pick of the 1992 draft had transformed the Orlando Magic from being the laughing stock of the League to a team fighting for a championship.

Their duo provided another dynasty as the Lakers, coached by Phil Jackson, achieved a three-peat in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Opponents could only pick their poison. O’Neal was unstoppable in the paint displaying a combination of power and explosiveness hardly ever seen. He demolished the competition en route to winning three Finals MVP trophies. Bryant, after some early struggles, turned into a Michael Jordan look-alike.

Tensions finally ended their partnership and forced LA to trade O’Neal to Miami in 2004, after the Lakers lost 4-1 in the Finals to the Pistons, despite having added veterans Gary Payton and Karl Malone to its roster. A rebuilding process followed that generated frustration to the point when Bryant demanded a trade. As they had done in the past the Lakers answered by pulling out a major trade, acquiring Pau Gasol in 2008 from the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Spanish bigman was the perfect complement to Andrew Bynum in the paint as he provided the finesse, technique and outside shooting the Lakers were lacking. Gasol enjoyed great chemistry with Bryant and the duo produced another two championships in 2009 and 2010. Obsessed with the idea of proving he could win a title without O’Neal, Bryant was named MVP of the Finals twice.

The next decade was far from successful for the Lakers. Coaches changes became a habit, injuries struck Kobe Bryant and power struggles rocked the front office. While the franchise had failed to reach the playoffs only five times in 65 years, it did not qualify for the post season between 2013 and 2019.

The last chapter of LeBron James's career

A situation that required a major overhaul. It was provided by the signing of the biggest superstar in the League. LeBron James could not resist the idea of bringing the Lakers back to the top. The four time MVP and three time champion is facing one of the most exciting challenge of his illustrious career. Yet he would not have to do it alone. A year after his signing, the Lakers confirmed the attraction the historical franchise can have on players. Anthony Davis, the superstar from the Pelicans, forced his team into a trade to move to California.

There is no bigger market than Los Angeles and this is where legends are written.

Los Angeles Lakers Roster