Los Angeles Lakers Starting 5 Using 1 Player From Each Decade

The Los Angeles Lakers franchise is arguably the most impressive and dominant NBA franchise of all time. They have 17 total NBA championships, equalling the Boston Celtics record, and are a host of some of the best players of all time. In fact, the storied Los Angeles Lakers franchise has had a host of all-time great players who all made the Hall of Fame. Prominent names such as George Mikan, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and Elgin Baylor were the top superstars to kickstart dominance, eventually leading to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson taking over.

Of course, we saw the rise of the most dominant guard-center duo ever in Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, while Kobe continued his legacy with Pau Gasol by his side later on. Clearly, the stars for the Lakers were iconic and had to be held in the highest light. But how do the best Lakers players rank among each other in each decade? By narrowing down the list of the greatest players to ever play for the iconic Los Angeles Lakers franchise, it is clear to see how these legends’ careers panned out for the Lakers.

Here is a starting five of players that managed to play for the Lakers, taking one player from the 1980s decade, 1990s decade, 2000s decade, 2010s decade, and 2020s decade. The starting lineup will include a point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center, with at least one of each player coming from the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s decades.

Point Guard

Magic Johnson (1980s Decade)

Decade Statistics: 19.5 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 11.2 APG, 2.0 SPG, 0.4 BPG

The undisputed greatest point guard of all time, Magic Johnson, completed every season of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. The superstar was not only a terrific all-around player but one of the greatest passers and floor generals of all time. A 5-time NBA champion, Magic accomplished everything in the NBA at the highest level.

But Magic was a capable scorer as well, even if his greatest attribute was his playmaking ability. The 5-time champion was oversized at 6’9” and often used his strength and size to punish opposing guards in the post and had a strong hook shot along with a solid post-game. At the helm of the Lakers’ starting lineup starting from the 1980s decade, Johnson is the easiest selection at his position.

Shooting Guard

Kobe Bryant (2000s Decade)

Decade Statistics: 28.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Quite possibly the greatest Laker of all time and a top-two shooting guard of all time, Kobe Bryant accomplished everything in the game of basketball while wearing the Purple and Gold jersey. A dominant offensive player, Bryant had every move and counter-move in the book. Simply, there was no single way to contain Bryant when he got going.

Bryant dropped the second-highest point total in a single game with 81 and also won 2 scoring titles with the Lakers. Kobe made no apologies for wanting to take every shot on the court, and he was the man to take matters into his hands in the clutch. Arguably the greatest scorer ever alongside Michael Jordan, Kobe is also the greatest scoring talent in the Lakers’ history. With Kobe joining Magic in the backcourt, the Lakers’ starting lineup is looking as deadly as ever.

Small Forward

LeBron James (2020s Decade)

Decade Statistics: 26.9 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 8.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG

An all-time great player who is mainly known as a Cleveland Cavaliers legend, LeBron James joined the Lakers in 2019 with the hopes of finishing his career with arguably the greatest franchise ever. A pass-first player, there is no denying that The King is also an unstoppable offensive player with an elite all-around game, including rebounding and passing as well. A unique point forward, James completes a fantastic partner alongside Magic and Bryant.

Thanks to his incredible size and athleticism, James cannot be stopped when he attacks the rim and has also developed a consistent outside jumper. Even in his later years, James is still an unstoppable offensive presence on the floor, and he is still going strong into the 2023 season, as he is currently posting 27.1 PPG and 8.4 RPG. No doubt, LeBron’s size and basketball IQ for the Lakers during the 2020s decade makes him the best selection on the team during the most recent years in the NBA.

Power Forward

Pau Gasol (2010s Decade)

Decade Statistics: 17.4 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.5 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.5 BPG

Pau Gasol was the gift that Kobe Bryant needed to kickstart a new era in Los Angeles. Once Shaq was traded, it was Bryant’s turn to dominate the NBA, but he needed a big man to control the paint while the shooting guard dominated the perimeter. Gasol’s legacy will forever be tied to Bryant’s legacy because the shooting guard helped make the Spaniard a Hall of Famer through effort, killer instinct, and competitiveness.

Gasol was a great player for the Memphis Grizzlies, but he was also a strong All-Star player for the Lakers in the 2010s decade, in which he lasted 5 seasons before moving to the Chicago Bulls. Pau was a terrific post scorer, mid-range shooter, rebounder, and shot-blocker who used his size at 7’0” and 250 lbs to be one of the best big men in franchise history. In the 2010s decade, Pau averaged a double-double with 1.5 BPG.

Center

Shaquille O’Neal (1990s Decade)

Career Statistics: 27.0 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, 2.3 BPG

Shaquille O’Neal has to be the most dominant physical specimen since Wilt Chamberlain because there was no answer for him during his days with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Purple and Gold acquired the superstar center and would go on to win 3 championships in 4 Finals appearances between 2000-2004. Alongside Kobe Bryant, Shaq created a dynasty in LA.

O’Neal did not make the game look pretty, but he was certainly effective. He would run into the post, call for the ball, and force the ball into the basket. Armed with a hook on either side and incredible aggressiveness, Shaq was not only bigger than defenders but hungrier to dominate. Shaq only played for the Lakers for 3 years during the 1990s decade, but it is enough to place the big man on the team as the greatest center on the squad.

How Many Games Would This Team Win? Are Multiple Championships Possible?

Clearly, this team is stacked from the top of the lineup until the end, where Shaq and Gasol control the middle. Magic and Kobe might be the greatest backcourt in NBA history because the former ranks number one among all point guards, and the latter ranks second all-time behind Michael Jordan. Together, Magic can be the primary floor general to feed Kobe the ball, and that duo will be unstoppable to defend. Oh, there is also LeBron James, another all-time great passer and a one-man fastbreak.

James is a locomotive when he attacks the rim, can create shots for his teammates, and also rebound the ball. Magic and Kobe will have the ball a ton, but James will do his thing and be his usual triple-double threat. Gasol and Shaq are two 7-footers who will block shots, rebound, and also score inside. Gasol will be primarily a mid-range shooter and also go inside to get putbacks on offense and defend the rim on defense. The most dominant center of all time, Shaq will try to destroy the competition in the middle of the floor every time down the court.

How many games would this team win per season? At the very least, they would win a minimum of 70 games. No team in history can combat their passing, scoring, and size, while basketball IQ is at an all-time high. With a minimum of 70 wins per season, the Lakers’ all-time starting lineup would finish with the top seed in the Western Conference every year and have the best chance to make the NBA Finals. With everything in their favor in terms of home-court advantage and superstar players, this starting lineup would win a minimum of 6 straight NBA championships with a chance to go for 8 straight at least. 

We saw how Michael Jordan won 6 NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, so there is no way the Lakers would win anything less. The Lakers would possibly go for 8 straight NBA titles, with Finals MVP honors getting shared mainly between Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal. LeBron James might get a Finals MVP, but 2020s LeBron is slightly behind the other stars who were exceptional in their own eras. In a nutshell, this Lakers lineup would be the greatest collection of talent ever.

Credit for the idea: NBA Debates/Instagram

Next

The Los Angeles Lakers All-Time GOAT Pyramid

10 Greatest Los Angeles Lakers Players Of All Time

Kobe Bryant vs. Shaquille O’Neal Career Comparison: Both Legends Are Top-10 Players But One Gets The Slight Edge

Kobe Bryant vs. Magic Johnson Career Comparison: Who Is The Greatest Laker Ever?

Lakers Magic Johnson vs. Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Career Comparison