- Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have each won five NBA championships as members of the Los Angeles Lakers
- Shaquille O’Neal and Magic Johnson each lead the Los Angeles Lakers with three Finals MVP awards
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson each lead the Lakers with three MVP awards
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most accomplished and successful franchises in the history of the NBA. Having been around since 1949, the Lakers have won 17 world championships with 63 total playoff appearances and an overall record of 2,503 wins to 2,419 losses in their history. Along the way, this great franchise has been led by some of the greatest players in NBA history who all have a case to be considered the franchise GOAT and have led the team to becoming the iconic organization that it is today.
In reality, the conversation comes down to four players in Lakers history who could be considered the greatest to ever represent the franchise. Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal are the consensus Mount Rushmore of the Los Angeles Lakers with all due respect to Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, LeBron James, and other Lakers greats. Using our famous, or infamous, formula, it is time to crown a GOAT of the Los Angeles Lakers once and for all.
It is important to remember, at least in the case of Kareem and Shaq, that this formula and its findings will strictly be based on what each player did only as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. What they accomplished with other franchises means nothing to this formula.
There can only be one winner and the race is sure to be close as we break down who is the Los Angeles Lakers GOAT.
Best Stats
1. Shaquille O’Neal – 27.0 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 3.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 2.5 BPG (4 Points)
2. Magic Johnson – 19.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 11.2 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.4 BPG (3 Points)
3. Kobe Bryant – 25.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.5 BPG (2 Points)
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 22.1 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.5 BPG (1 Point)
When it comes to stats with the Los Angeles Lakers, Shaquille O’Neal in his prime is the number-one choice and winner of the formula’s first four points. At his peak, O’Neal demolished his opponents with brute force and relentless aggression as he averaged over 27.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game for eight seasons from 1997 through 2004. With more points, rebounds, and blocks than any other Lakers GOAT, he takes the first-place points easily.
Magic Johnson’s complete all-around contributions give him a slight edge in second place for three points. Johnson’s 19.5 points, 7.2 assists, and 11.2 assists per game, while also nearly 2.0 steals per game on defense are definitely enough for second-place points. Right behind Magic is Lakers lifer Kobe Bryant who averaged 25.0 points per game over 20 seasons and became their all-time leading scorer. Bryant’s stats are incredible for the longevity of them, but in this case, that hurts him on a per-game basis.
Bringing up the rear is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who played 14 seasons with the Lakers from 1976 through 1989. Kareem broke the NBA’s all-time scoring record in a Lakers uniform while also averaging over 20.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game.
Most NBA Championships
T1. Kobe Bryant – 5 NBA Championships (4 Points)
T1. Magic Johnson – 5 NBA Championships (4 Points)
T1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 5 NBA Championships (4 Points)
4. Shaquille O’Neal – 3 NBA Championships (1 Point)
Three of the four players we are evaluating today have won five NBA championships in a Lakers uniform. Kobe Bryant won five NBA championships in 20 seasons with the Lakers from 1997 through 2016. Bryant helped the Lakers win NBA championships in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010. In those five championship wins, Bryant served roles as both the number-one option and as a second option behind Shaquille O’Neal.
Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won five NBA championships as teammates during the 1980s. The duo led the Lakers to NBA championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. They would also make appearances but fall short in 1983, 1984, and 1986. Kareem would never appear in the NBA Finals in the four seasons prior to Magic’s arrival while Johnson would appear in one NBA Finals after Kareem’s retirement in 1991.
Shaquille O’Neal was the leader of the Lakers during their three-peat as NBA champions from 2000 through 2002. O’Neal would appear in a total of four NBA Finals with the Lakers, winning three in eight seasons from 1997 through 2004. Even with three NBA championships, O’Neal ranks towards the bottom of the list in terms of NBA championships.
Most MVP Awards
T1. Magic Johnson – 3 MVP Awards (4 Points)
T1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 3 MVP Awards (4 Points)
T3. Kobe Bryant – 1 MVP Award (2 Points)
T3. Shaquille O’Neal – 1 MVP Award (2 Points)
Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar both take home first-place points with three MVP awards as members of the Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson would capture his three MVP awards in a four-season stretch from 1987 through 1990. He won the award for the first time in 1987 and back-to-back in 1989 and 1990. Kareem would win three MVP awards in a five-year stretch from 1976 through 1980 taking home the award in 1976, 1977, and 1980.
The fact that both Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal won just one MVP award with the Lakers is a travesty. O’Neal would win his only award in 2000, a season in which he also took home the All-Star Game MVP, NBA title, and Finals MVP awards as well. Bryant would win his only MVP award in 2008 although he should have won three of four, especially in 2006 and 2007. Bryant’s only MVP followed back-to-back scoring titles, while Shaq’s came during his lone scoring title season with the Lakers.
Most Finals MVP Awards
T1. Magic Johnson – 3 Finals MVP Awards (4 Points)
T1. Shaquille O’Neal – 3 Finals MVP Awards (4 Points)
3. Kobe Bryant – 2 Finals MVP Awards (2 Points)
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 1 Finals MVP Award (1 Point)
Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal both earned the first-place points for most Finals MVP awards in their time with the Lakers. Johnson’s most famous Finals MVP award win came in his rookie season in 1980 in a win over the 76ers. Johnson would take home the Finals MVP as a rookie and become the youngest Finals MVP in NBA history. O’Neal would earn all three of his Finals MVP awards in three consecutive seasons with the Lakers from 2000 through 2002, leading the Lakers to the first three-peat in the NBA since Michael Jordan’s Bulls from 1996 through 1998, and the only one since that time.
Kobe Bryant would lead the Lakers to three straight Finals appearances from 2008 through 2010. After a loss to the Celtics in 2008, Bryant would win back-to-back NBA championships and Finals MVP awards in 2009 and 2010 over the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics. Bryant’s two Finals MVP awards rank third in NBA history behind Magic and Shaq. Kareem would win one Finals MVP award in 1985 out of five championships with the Lakers in 1985. The win made Kareem the oldest recipient of the Finals MVP award in NBA history as they took down the Celtics.
Most Defensive Player Of The Year Awards
T1. Kobe Bryant – 0 Defensive Player Of The Year Awards (0 Points)
T1. Magic Johnson – 0 Defensive Player Of The Year Awards (0 Points)
T1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 0 Defensive Player Of The Year Awards 0 Points)
T1. Shaquille O’Neal – 0 Defensive Player Of The Year Awards (0 Points)
As great as every member of the Los Angeles Lakers’ GOAT conversation was on both sides of the ball, none of them ever took home the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award. As a matter of fact, the Los Angeles Lakers have only ever had one player take home a Defensive Player of the Year award, and that was Michael Cooper in 1987. Although they were never winners of this award, all four of the players we are evaluating today remain accomplished defenders in their NBA careers.
Most All-NBA Team Selections
1. Kobe Bryant – 15 All-NBA Team Selections (4 Points)
T2. Magic Johnson – 10 All-NBA Team Selections (3 Points)
T2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 10 All-NBA Team Selections (3 Points)
4. Shaquille O’Neal – 8 All-NBA Team Selections (1 Point)
During their time with the Los Angeles Lakers, all four of these players spent extended periods of time as one of, if not the best players at their respective positions. This led to numerous All-NBA Team selections for all. Of course, Kobe Bryant leads the way and gets four points for his 15 All-NBA Team selections in his 20 seasons with the Lakers, including 11 selections to the First Team.
Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar each earned 10 selections to the All-NBA Team in their Lakers careers. Johnson earned nine selections to the All-NBA First Team with the only selection to the Second Team coming in 1982. As for Kareem, six of his 10 All-NBA Team selections were to the First Team.
Shaquille O’Neal was selected to the All-NBA Team every season of his Lakers career from 1997 through 2004. O’Neal also earned six selections to the First Team in his eight seasons with the team which is just as many as Kareem earned in 14 seasons. When it comes to All-NBA Teams, Kobe Bryant is the clear-cut winner of the category but all four players were some of the most accomplished players ever in terms of All-NBA Team selections.
Most All-Defensive Team Selections
1. Kobe Bryant – 12 All-Defensive Team Selections (4 Points)
2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 7 All-Defensive Team Selections (3 Points)
3. Shaquille O’Neal – 3 All-Defensive Team Selections (2 Points)
4. Magic Johnson – 0 All-Defensive team Selections (1 Point)
As mentioned before, every player we are evaluating for the Lakers GOAT conversation is an accomplished defender in their career. Of the four, Kobe Bryant earned the most All-Defensive Team selections with 12 in 20 seasons with the Lakers. Bryant’s swarming on-ball defense was a big part of his legacy. Early on in his Lakers career, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was still an elite defender as well with seven All-Defensive Team selections in his Lakers career out of the 11 he earned in his career overall.
Shaquille O’Neal only earned three All-Defensive team selections in his entire career and all of them came with the Lakers in an eight-year stretch. O’Neal was an elite shot-blocker and alterer during his Lakers career which led to him having one of the most dominant peaks in NBA history. As for Magic Johnson, he only gets one point in this category despite never making an All-Defensive team in his career, giving him his first last-place finish in this whole formula.
Most All-Star Selections
1. Kobe Bryant – 18 All-Star Selections (4 Points)
2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 13 All-Star Selections (3 Points)
3. Magic Johnson – 12 All-Star Selections (2 Points)
4. Shaquille O’Neal – 7 All-Star Selections (1 Point)
Over time, All-Star selections have begun to lose their allure in all-time ranking conversations considering fans and their influence over the vote. Kobe Bryant was one of the most exciting and electric players in NBA history and fans did whatever they could to get even a glimpse of him going up against the best players night in and night out. This led to 18 All-Star selections in 20 years for Bryant which is by far the most in Lakers history.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar earned 13 All-Star selections in 14 seasons with the Lakers while Magic Johnson earned 12 selections in 14 seasons. Even O’Neal, who spent just eight seasons with the Lakers, earned seven All-Star selections in those eight seasons showing that being the top player on a franchise like the Lakers is a surefire way to become an NBA All-Star.
Total Win Shares
1. Kobe Bryant – 172.7 Win Shares (4 Points)
2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 158.7 Win Shares (3 Points)
3. Magic Johnson – 155.8 Win Shares (2 Points)
4. Shaquille O’Neal – 97.0 Win Shares (1 Point)
Accumulating the most total win shares in your career speaks more to a player’s longevity than it does anything else. In this case, Kobe Bryant’s 20 seasons with the Lakers give him the edge once again in this category with 172.7 total win shares. Bryant never led the NBA in win shares but did have 11 different seasons of 10.0 or more. Kareem finishes second in this category with 158.7 win shares. Kareem did lead the NBA five times in win shares with five different seasons of 14.0 or more.
Magic Johnson’s career was cut short with the Lakers due to contracting the HIV virus but not before he nearly surpassed Kareem in win shares. Magic never led the NBA but he did record 11 seasons of 10.0 or more win shares in 13 seasons in the NBA. As for Shaq, his fourth-place finish in this category comes as a result of just eight seasons with the team. He led the NBA in 2000 and 2001 in win shares with five seasons of 10.0 or more.
PER
1. Shaquille O’Neal – 28.9 PER (4 Points)
2. Magic Johnson – 24.1 PER (3 Points)
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 23.4 PER (2 Points)
4. Kobe Bryant – 22.9 PER (1 point)
Our final category eliminates the longevity argument from the equation and deals with their peak as players with the Lakers and their player efficiency rating. The leader in this category is none other than Shaq who recorded the only player with a PER of over 25.0 with the Lakers. O’Neal led the NBA in PER from 1998 through 2002 with the Lakers which includes three seasons of a rating above 30.0 and seven seasons over 25.0.
Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar finish extremely close to one another again, separated by just 0.7 PER in their Lakers careers. Johnson had a PER of 21.0 or better every season of his Lakers career and had five seasons with a rating above 25.0. As for Kareem, he led the NBA five times in PER while with the Lakers. He had six seasons with a rating above 25.0. Kobe Bryant’s longevity went against him in this case as his career PER dropped when he was younger as well as his injuries piled up and his age caught up to him in his later years.
Who Is The Greatest Player In Los Angeles Lakers History?
1. Kobe Bryant – 27 Points (6 Categories Won)
2. Magic Johnson – 26 Points (4 Categories Won)
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 22 Points (3 Categories Won)
4. Shaquille O’Neal – 20 Points (4 Categories Won)
As you can see from our results using our most accurate formula, this is as close to a race for the title of a franchise’s GOAT that exists in the NBA. Seven points separate the first and fourth-place finishers while three points separate first and third place. Kobe Bryant’s 20 seasons dedicated to the Lakers franchise clearly have him one point ahead of Magic Johnson’s incredible but short-lived run. The race is tight between Bryant and Johnson but Kobe squeaks it out due to being just as accomplished over a longer period of time.
Kareem and Shaq were both incredible at their peaks with the Los Angeles Lakers. The problem is their peaks did not last long enough whether it was due to age or a trade cutting them short. O’Neal’s peak with Los Angeles is widely viewed as the most dominant in NBA history while Kareem solidified his GOAT case in 14 seasons with Los Angeles. The debate will undoubtedly rage on between these four Lakers greats but now you know where we stand on it at least.
