The Los Angeles Lakers have had near unparalleled success over the years in the NBA and they have the countless Hall of Famers who have donned that purple and gold jersey to thank for that. The Lakers are tied with the Celtics for the most titles in NBA history with 17, and their 32 NBA Finals appearances are 10 clear of their most hated rival.
Considering the sheer number of legends of the game that have suited up for the team, coming up with an all-time list of their 5 greatest players is quite a difficult task. When Shaquille O’Neal was posed with the question of eliminating one Laker from a list of himself, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James, it was such a difficult thing for him to answer, that he said he might have to kick himself off it.
Might have to kick myself off this list right here pic.twitter.com/yEoYKmbTmG
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) July 19, 2022
NBA fans were not in agreement with O’Neal as they felt he definitely belongs on there.
“Bro Lebrons played like 3 seasons with laker and he won a Mickey Mouse chip and you three peated no way your not on there”
“I’m eliminating wilt you belong on there big dog yah bugging..”
“I love LeBron but he’s the only right answer here”
“In terms of what y’all did for the Lakers organization, either Wilt or Bron are gone. Magic, Kareem, Kobe, Shaq, are 100% staying.”
“Won FMVP 3 Times in a Row, you are staying Shaq. 2000 — 38/17/2 with 3blks on 61% FG 2001 — 33/15/5 with 3blks on 57% FG 2002 — 36/12/4 with 3blks on 60% FG”
“You were more valuable to us then Wilt with all due respect . That three-peat will always be legendary Diesel.”
“Nah you stay. Lebron can go”
“If we’re going off of who was the best on the lakers then wilt’s gone”
“Lebron isn’t a true Laker. True Laker greats not pictured: Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, James Worthy.”
“nah big dawg, you’re safe. Lebron or Wilt has to go”
“LeBron James has played only 4 seasons, You won 3 NBA championships and 3 Finals MVPs.”
“Nah dude you three peated so it’s a bulls*hit call if don’t stay up there”
“why you? you won multiple titles for that team and were the most dominant player during your dynasty”
“ahh stop it!! you dont believe that. Sorry for Wilt, but he gotta go”
“No way @SHAQ you’re way good. But for best Laker, LBJ. He only brought one title to LA. The rest are Laker Legacy”
“Lol nahhh u got it fr. Bron my dawg but u and kobe go together when you mention lakers greats”
“Sir you got us a 3 peat STOP IT “
“Nah. Unless you got multiple titles in the Purple and Gold, you can’t stay on this list.”
“3peat and 3 straight FMVP Shaq is safe”
“You’re being too humble team. We packing Wilt up #LakeShow”
Most of them would take either Wilt Chamberlain or LeBron James off this list, and that is fair. While they are both probably better than Shaq all time, this is only about the Lakers, and Shaq definitely outperformed them as he won 3 titles with the team as compared to 1 for Wilt and LeBron. He also finished his Lakers stint with excellent averages of 27 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.5 blocks.
What’s more, is that for all the greatness of Kareem and Magic, they weren’t able to do what Shaq did, which was lead the team to that historic three-peat. He also joined Michael Jordan as one of two players to have won 3 straight Finals MVPs and it is safe to say his spot in any top 5 list of the Lakers is secured.
