The NBA’s all-time leading scorer, LeBron James, helped the Los Angeles Lakers win their 17th NBA championship in 2020 and join the Boston Celtics as the two-most successful NBA teams. However, after winning the record 18th title in the 2023-24 season, the Celtics took the lead. Many basketball legends have represented the Purple and Gold franchise, the second-most successful NBA team.
With 17 titles, the Lakers boast a celebrated history, and several legends have played for the franchise. These include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, LeBron James, and Shaquille O’Neal. However, one name that sounds synonymous with the Lakers is Kobe Bryant.
Why Is Kobe Bryant The All-Time Greatest Lakers Star?
The late Lakers legend played 20 seasons in the NBA for one team, winning five NBA championships, including a three-peat. Kobe is the leading scorer in franchise history with over 33,000 points in his career, while he has the second-most rebounds and assists for the Lakers. The 2008 NBA MVP won two Finals MVP awards in 2009 and 2010.
While seven players have won five championships with the Lakers, the Black Mamba has played the most matches and scored the most points for the franchise. With career averages of 25 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, Kobe was the 18-time All-Star.
After the legendary Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game, Bryant’s 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006 are the second-highest scoring performance in the NBA’s history. Kobe, known for his clutch performances, was phenomenal in the playoffs and won five of the seven NBA Finals he played.
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Besides Kobe Bryant, legends like Magic Johnson and Jerry West have played for the Lakers throughout their NBA careers. Let’s compare Kobe Bryant’s average stats with those of other Lakers legends.
Comparing Kobe Bryant’s NBA Career To Magic Johnson And Jerry West
While Kobe and Johnson won five championships apiece with the Lakers, Jerry West won only one championship in 1972 with Wilt Chamberlain. Earvin Magic Johnson won three NBA MVP and Finals MVP awards each. On the flip side, the 1969 Finals MVP led the league in scoring and assists in 1970 and 1972, respectively.
| Stats | Kobe Bryant | Magic Johnson | Jerry West |
| Seasons | 20 | 13 | 14 |
| NBA Titles | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| PPG | 25 | 19.5 | 27 |
| RPG | 5.2 | 7.2 | 5.8 |
| APG | 4.7 | 11.2 | 6.7 |
| FG% | 44.7 | 52 | 47.4 |
Also Read: Kobe Bryant’s Legendary Career As No 8 and 24: Statistics Comparison, NBA Titles, And More
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal And Other Lakers Legends
NBA legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who held the record for most points in NBA history until 2023, and Shaquille O’Neal played for different teams in their career. While Kareem played 12 seasons for the Lakers, Shaq played from 1996 to 2004 in the Purple and Gold.
After winning his first NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971, the former 7’2” center went nine years without a trophy. He won his first championship with the Lakers in 1980, followed by the successes in 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988 alongside Magic Johnson. On the other hand, Shaq joined the Lakers in 1996, won his first ring after four years, and completed a three-peat in 2002.
How Has LeBron James Performed With The Lakers?
LeBron James joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 as a three-time NBA champion and added another ring to his illustrious trophy cabinet in 2020. LeBron’s debut season with the Lakers was the sixth straight season for the franchise without Playoff qualification. However, the four-time NBA MVP helped the Lakers win the NBA title in his second season.
In his six seasons with the Lakers, LeBron didn’t qualify for the Playoffs twice, with two first-round exits and a Conference Finals elimination. In the 2023-24 season, LeBron averaged 25.7 points on 54% shooting from the field and 41% from beyond the arc. He also registered 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
Considering all these factors and statistics, Kobe Bryant, who played his entire NBA career with the Lakers, has to be the greatest player in franchise history. The two-time NBA Finals MVP in 2009 and 2010 left a significant legacy. That’s the reason behind redesigning the NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy to honor the Black Mamba.
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