- The Lakers have relied on Kobe Bryant for nearly two decades
- Los Angeles has always kept their shooting guards at the forefront of the offense
- Since Bryant retired, the Lakers have shuffled shooting guards in an effort to win
The Los Angeles Lakers is one of the most iconic franchises in sports, with a vast history of elite shooting guards. From the Showtime era of the 1980s to modern-day dominance, the Lakers’ starting shooting guard position has been a focal point of scoring, dominance, and leadership.
In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the captivating journey of the Los Angeles Lakers, starting shooting guards from 1980 to 2024.
Through triumphs, challenges, and transformative eras, these scorers and two-way players have guided the team, etching their names into the storied history of both the franchise and the league.
After seeing how the point guard position went through so many changes between 1980 and 2024, the shooting guard position was relatively stable and had consistency in terms of stalwarts.
Join us as we revisit the remarkable careers, defining moments, and enduring legacies of the remarkable shooting guards who have donned the purple and gold, leaving an indelible mark on the Lakers’ rich tapestry of success.
1980-1983: Norm Nixon
Career Stats With The Lakers: 14.6 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 9.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.0 BPG
Career Achievements With The Lakers: 2x NBA Champion, 1981-82 All-Star, 1977-78 All-Rookie Team Selection
Norm Nixon shared the backcourt with superstar playmaker Magic Johnson and they were a terrifying duo in the early 1980s. Nixon was a talented point guard known for his speed, ball-handling skills, and ability to score.
He was drafted by the Lakers in the first round of the 1977 NBA Draft and quickly established himself as a key player for the team. Nixon’s scoring ability and playmaking skills made him a perfect complement to Magic Johnson’s style of play.
The partnership between Norm Nixon and Magic Johnson was a crucial element of the Lakers’ success during the early 1980s. Magic Johnson, a versatile and unique player, often played as a point guard but was also capable of playing the other guard position due to his size and skill set.
This partnership enabled the Lakers to run a fast-paced offense that was difficult for opponents to defend against. During this period, the Lakers reached the NBA Finals three times: in 1980, 1982, and 1983.
They won championships in 1980 and 1982. The partnership between Nixon and Magic was instrumental in the Lakers’ success during these playoff runs. Nixon’s ability to handle the ball, score, and make smart decisions on the court, combined with Magic’s unique skill set, created a balanced and potent backcourt.
1984-1993: Byron Scott
Career Stats With The Lakers: 15.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Career Achievements With The Lakers: 3x NBA Champion, 1983-84 All-Rookie Team Selection
Byron Scott’s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1983 to 1993 was marked by significant team success and his role as the starting shooting guard alongside mainly Magic Johnson over this period. Byron Scott was a skilled shooting guard known for his scoring ability, perimeter shooting, defensive prowess, and work ethic.
He was drafted by the San Diego Clippers in 1983 but was traded to the Lakers shortly after the draft. Scott quickly became an integral part of the Lakers’ starting lineup due to his scoring consistency, defensive commitment, and compatibility with Magic Johnson’s playing style.
Magic Johnson, as a point guard with exceptional court vision and passing skills, needed a shooting guard who could space the floor, knock down perimeter shots, and complement his playmaking abilities. Byron Scott fits this role perfectly. Scott’s ability to hit outside shots made him a threat beyond the arc, which in turn opened up space for Magic’s drives and passes.
Magic and Scott developed strong chemistry on the court, often leading to effective, fast breaks and half-court offensive plays. Scott’s defensive skills were also important, as he could guard opposing teams’ top perimeter players, relieving Magic of some defensive responsibilities. During Byron Scott’s time with the Lakers, the team achieved remarkable success.
They appeared in the NBA Finals four times between 1984 and 1989, winning championships in 1985, 1987, and 1988. Scott’s contributions were particularly notable during these championship runs. His scoring ability and defensive efforts were critical components of the Lakers’ overall game plan.
1994: Doug Christie
Career Stats With The Lakers: 9.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Career Achievements With The Lakers: N/A
Doug Christie was thrust into the starting shooting guard role in the 1993-94 season as mainly a stop-gap. Christie would go on to become an elite defensive player for the Sacramento Kings later on in his career but was still finding his footing with the Lakers.
In 1994, Christie was solid as a defensive player who was still unheralded during a transition period since Magic Johnson was still out of the league dealing with his HIV diagnosis.
Not having the superstar by his side meant the 23-year-old Christie was limited in what he could do in his 23.3 minutes of action per game, appearing in 65 total games over the season.
No surprise, the Lakers were not anything special with the starting backcourt of Christie and 22-year-old Nick Van Exel. The Lakers only won 33 games and did not make the playoffs as the franchise was searching for the next answer at the shooting guard spot after Byron Scott.
1995-1998: Eddie Jones
Career Stats With The Lakers: 15.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.0 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Career Achievements With The Lakers: 2x All-Star, 1997-98 All-Defensive Second Team Selection, 1994-95 All-Rookie Team Selection
Eddie Jones’ time with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1995 to 1998 marked an important transitional phase for the team before Kobe Bryant emerged as a star. Jones was a versatile shooting guard known for his athleticism, defensive prowess, and scoring ability.
He was drafted by the Lakers in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft and quickly established himself as a key two-way player on the team.
This period between 1995 and 1998 marked the shift from the Showtime era of the 1980s to a new era of Lakers basketball. While Magic Johnson had retired, the team was in the process of building a new core of players including Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal who was acquired from the Orlando Magic before the 1996-97 season.
Jones’ athleticism and defensive abilities made him stand out as a key player. His defensive prowess was particularly noteworthy, as he consistently guarded the opposing team’s top perimeter player.
During Eddie Jones’ time with the Lakers, the team made the playoffs each year and reached the Western Conference Finals in the 1997-98 season. Although they fell short of winning a championship, Jones’ contributions were significant in maintaining the Lakers’ competitiveness during a time of transition.
Jones’s tenure overlapped with the emergence of a young Kobe Bryant, who was drafted by the Lakers in 1996 and soon took over the Purple and Gold franchise.
1999-2013: Kobe Bryant
Career Stats With The Lakers: 25.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Career Achievements With The Lakers: 5x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 2007-2008 MVP, 18x All-Star, 15x All-NBA Team Selection, 12x All-Defensive Team Selection, 2x Scoring Champion, Hall of Fame
Kobe Bryant’s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1999 to 2013 is one of the most storied and impactful in NBA history.
As the starting shooting guard during this period, Kobe’s contributions to team success, his individual accolades, and his historic moments on the court have left an indelible mark on the Lakers franchise and the sport of basketball as a whole.
Kobe Bryant’s era with the Lakers was marked by significant team success and championship victories. During this span, the Lakers won five NBA championships (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, and 2010). Kobe’s partnership with other notable Lakers players, such as Shaquille O’Neal and later Pau Gasol, was pivotal to these successes.
His ability to score in a variety of ways, including mid-range jump shots, post moves, and explosive drives to the basket, made him a consistent offensive threat as the best we had seen since Michael Jordan. Beyond the championship success on a team level, Kobe Bryant’s individual achievements during this period are numerous and impressive.
He was an 18-time NBA All-Star, a 15-time All-NBA Team selection, and a 12-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. He won two NBA Finals MVP awards (2009 and 2010) and was the league’s scoring champion twice (2006 and 2007). Kobe’s 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors stands as the second-highest point total in a single NBA game. It’s one of the most remarkable scoring feats in history.
His skill set, work ethic, and competitive drive solidified his standing as one of the greatest players in basketball history. Kobe’s competitive spirit, work ethic, and relentless pursuit of excellence inspired players around the world. His “Mamba Mentality” became synonymous with his approach to the game and life itself and Bryant challenges Magic Johnson for the title of the best Laker of all time.
2014: Jodie Meeks
Career Stats With The Lakers: 11.8 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Career Achievements With The Lakers: N/A
Kobe Bryant’s torn Achilles tendon meant that the Lakers needed to somehow place a competitive starting lineup to try and remain respectable in the Western Conference. Obviously, that failed as the team only won 27 games and was a shell of their title-contending themselves under Bryant and Pau Gasol.
Even if the team was putrid on the floor, Jodie Meeks stepped up as much as he could to his credit. Meeks averaged 15.7 points per game, the highest mark of his career, and did it while shooting a solid 40.1% from the three-point line.
Jodie was actually one of the best pure shooters in the NBA at the time because he had a quick release and was always counted on to somehow get open for good looks. Even if Meeks was never a star, he did his job and that is all Lakers fans could ask for during a very difficult transition period.
2015-2016: Kobe Bryant
Career Stats With The Lakers: 25.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Career Achievements With The Lakers: 5x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 2007-2008 MVP, 18x All-Star, 15x All-NBA Team Selection, 12x All-Defensive Team Selection, 2x Scoring Champion, Hall of Fame
Kobe Bryant would return to the court in the 2014-15 season but he was a shell of himself. Bryant was surrounded by youngsters and players without the championship gene and that essentially meant that the man once feared by everybody was nothing but a legend on his retirement tour.
Kobe did make back-to-back All-Star appearances due to the respect he generated among the fanbase, and that was an honorable thing to witness.
Perhaps the only true shining moment was Kobe Bryant’s last game at the Staples Center. After two years of dealing with injuries and poor play, Bryant showed us one last time why he is truly one of the greatest players ever.
In the final game of his career, Kobe Bryant put on a performance that was nothing short of magical. Playing against the Utah Jazz, Kobe showcased his signature scoring ability, reminiscent of his prime years. He scored a remarkable 60 points, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to score 60 or more points in a game.
The Lakers trailed for much of the game, but Kobe’s late-game heroics helped them secure a 101-96 victory over the Jazz. In the fourth quarter, he scored 23 points, including 17 consecutive Lakers points at one point. The crowd’s energy, emotional atmosphere, and Kobe’s electrifying performance created a fitting tribute to his legacy.
2017: Nick Young
Career Stats With The Lakers: 13.1 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career Achievements With The Lakers: N/A
Nick Young was the starting shooting guard for the 2016-17 Los Angeles Lakers and that is an honor of itself. Even if the team was in a severe transition following Kobe Bryant’s retirement and there weren’t any respectable stars on the team, Young had a solid campaign.
The confident shooter averaged 13.2 points per game on 40.4% shooting from three in his final season with the franchise. Young knew the team lacked scorers and he took it upon himself to let his shots fly as much as possible.
Even if it wasn’t exactly what Lakers fans wanted in terms of Bryant’s replacement, it was good enough while the Lakers tried to find a way to get back to relevancy after only winning 26 games in the 2016-17 season.
2018-2019: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Career Stats With The Lakers: 11.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career Achievements With The Lakers: 2019-20 NBA Champion
During Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s tenure, the Lakers were in a phase of rebuilding and developing their young core, which included players like Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Kyle Kuzma. The team’s focus was on building a competitive foundation while positioning themselves for future success.
In the 2018-19 season, the Lakers improved their win total from the previous year and made strides in terms of competitiveness thanks to the arrival of LeBron James from free agency. However, this period was not marked by championship success; rather, it was a transitional phase as the Lakers worked to establish a new identity.
As the starting shooting guard, Caldwell-Pope brought a combination of perimeter shooting and defensive capabilities to the team. His ability to knock down three-point shots and provide spacing was valuable, especially in an era of increased importance on perimeter shooting. Additionally, his defensive effort and versatility helped the Lakers on that end of the court.
It’s worth noting that Caldwell-Pope’s tenure with the Lakers continued beyond the 2018-19 season as he contributed as a role player during the Lakers’ championship-winning 2019-20 campaign as the backup to the starting shooting guard.
2020: Danny Green
Career Stats With The Lakers: 8.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG
Career Achievements With The Lakers: 2019-20 NBA Champion
Danny Green’s contributions as a three-and-D player, his experience, and his ability to perform under pressure were valuable assets that bolstered the Lakers’ championship aspirations. With the addition of Anthony Davis to the roster alongside LeBron James, the Lakers were positioned as championship contenders.
Danny Green’s presence as a starting shooting guard brought a wealth of experience and skills that complemented the team’s star players and enhanced their championship aspirations.
As a shooter, his ability to stretch the floor and knock down perimeter shots was crucial in providing spacing for LeBron James and Anthony Davis to operate in the paint. Green’s shooting skills made him a valuable kick-out option when opposing defenses collapsed on the Lakers’ star players.
Defensively, Green’s contributions were equally important. He often guarded some of the opposing team’s top perimeter players, using his length, agility, and defensive instincts to disrupt passing lanes and contest shots. During the season, Green averaged 8.0 points on 36.7% from three and posted 8.0 points on 33.9% shooting from three in the playoffs.
2021: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Career Stats With The Lakers: 11.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG
Career Achievements With The Lakers: 2019-20 NBA Champion
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope went back to the starting lineup following Danny Green’s departure from the team. The two-way shooting guard posted 9.7 points on 41.0% from three during the campaign, followed by 6.2 points on 21.1% from three in the playoffs.
Following the Lakers’ 2020 championship season, the team tried to get back into contention but injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis hurt the team. Los Angeles only won 42 games during the season, which was good for 7th in the Western Conference, and they struggled to build chemistry to defeat the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs.
Even with the team’s struggles in comparison to the season before, the Lakers benefitted from Caldwell-Pope’s defense and shooting threat.
2022: Avery Bradley
Career Stats With The Lakers: 7.4 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Career Achievements With The Lakers: N/A
Avery Bradley probably started more games than he should have with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2021-22 season. The stout defender was clearly past his prime, posting 6.4 points per game at 31 years old for the Lakers, and this campaign actually proved to be his last in the NBA as of right now.
Bradley was trusted to be the starting shooting guard for much of the season because the team could not defend consistently. Russell Westbrook was acquired and was more of a liability than an asset for the team, and both LeBron James and Anthony Davis were dealing with injuries once again.
That meant Bradley was acquired to play defense, and over the 62 games played with the team, he did his best in that regard.
2023-2024: Austin Reaves
Career Stats With The Lakers: 12.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Career Achievements With The Lakers: N/A
Austin Reaves has arrived as the new starting shooting guard for the Lakers, ladies and gentlemen. After being thrust into a far bigger role with the team during the 2021-22 campaign due to a lack of bodies in the backcourt, Reaves rewarded the Lakers with exceptional play in the 2022-23 season after getting reps on the court.
In 2023, Reaves averaged 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game in only his second season. In the playoffs, Reaves was even better as he averaged 16.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game on 44.3% shooting from deep.
As a capable playmaker and shooter from three, Reaves was retained by the Lakers this offseason with a $100 million contract and a chance to be the man going forward. In 2024, Reaves had the best season of his young career by averaging 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game on 36.7% shooting from three at only 25 years old.
