The Los Angeles Lakers have had plenty of legendary players throughout history, with some making a bigger impact than others.
When it comes to the most important players in franchise history, everybody has a different list, but it’s safe to say that nobody in Lakers Nation or around the NBA would agree with Jeanie Buss’. The team’s owner shared her list of the most important Lakers of all time, placing LeBron James over Magic Johnson and Phil Jackson.
1. Kobe Bryant
2. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
3. LeBron James
4. Earvin Johnson
5. Phil Jackson
Jeannie Buss' all-time 5 most important Lakers.
1. Kobe Bryant
2. Kareem Abdul Jabbar
3. LeBron James
4. Earvin Johnson
5. Phil Jackson pic.twitter.com/CQajKq4Mi1
— @TheGOATSofBall (@TheGOATSofball) June 16, 2023
This mini-list didn’t sit well with anybody, even if it was made two years ago by Buss. One could say the bubble championship was still fresh and Buss got carried by that, but it’s still crazy to put a five-time NBA champion, the man who saved the franchise and the entire NBA, above LeBron, who just has one title with the team.
Jason Whitlock and Max Kellerman had something to say about this.
How is Magic not #1? And where is Jerry West? https://t.co/6uNJBl0HIn
— Max Kellerman (@maxkellerman) June 16, 2023
Wow. Magic Johnson is the most important Laker. https://t.co/rlTcyNomWw
— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) June 17, 2023
One fan recalled that before Magic Johnson took over, Lakers’ tickets were very cheap.
Before Magic, you could walk up to the forum on game night, get a cheap ticket, and walk down to the lower level. I did this in 1978
— Anthony Winston (@Tonyww240) June 16, 2023
Another one credited Johnson as the reason Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and others had memorable runs with the Lakers.
Ik she watched Kobe “grow” into a man…and she was just an assistant under her pops in the ‘70s …but if Magic/Kareem do not win those titles from ‘79-‘88 team is probably sold!!…Her,& Kobe my never have had experienced any success together let alone “best Laker ever” levels🤷🏿♂️👍🏿
— tschaka d. edwards (@TschakaD) June 17, 2023
Somebody couldn’t believe James was ranked higher than Johnson.
lebron over magic????
— 🙇🏽 (@CruxifyDaGod) June 16, 2023
A couple of fans said Shaquille O’Neal deserved to be on the list, over LeBron.
Shaq over Lebron
— The Best Ball Junkie (@BestBallJunkie) June 16, 2023
"important" …then we need to swap Lebron for Shaq or Jerry West -_-
— Air フィットネストレーナー (@Airtorena) June 16, 2023
This list was very controversial and fans’ reactions are the perfect example of that. It’s true that being an honored franchise like the Lakers, it’s easy to see certain names slip, but the order is really questionable.
Jeanie Buss And The Lakers Went Through A Rollercoaster Of A Season
The 2022-23 NBA season was full of ups and downs for the Lakers after starting with a terrible 2-10 record. Things didn’t change for them until after the trade deadline. The moves they made worked perfectly, and the Lakers had the best record in the Western Conference since that moment.
Buss admitted LeBron James had reasons to be frustrated with the team, but they got over that and made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals.
This offseason, the Lakers have interesting plans, as they’re keen to bring in solid players that can help the project instead of aiming for another superstar. Still, they have reportedly discussed the option of trading for Damian Lillard or Trae Young, but this sounds unlikely right now.
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