Los Angeles Lakers Greats

The LA Lakers are one of the most successful NBA teams in history; with 16 titles they are second only to the Boston Celtics. A rampant force in America, they have had some sensational players at their disposal. In fact, the playing numbers of 32 and 33 have been retired. They belonged to Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar respectively, and once Kobe Bryant retires you would expect the number 24 to join that list. Here's why:

Kobe Bryant 1996-Current 

In 20 years' time, people will look back at Bryant and say he was the greatest Lakers player of all time. Following his arrival at the Staples Center in 1996, Bryant has gone on to lead the Lakers to five NBA titles. He has been named MVP once and NBA Finals MVP twice. The shooting guard currently sits fourth in the list of NBA all-time point scorers with 31,626 points. With 1,239 appearances in the yellow jersey, he also holds the record for appearances. While many applaud his attacking attributes (he has an average of 25.5 Points Per Game (PPG)), his defence is also impressive, and he has made the All-Defensive first or second team 12 times. Sporting News and TNT named Bryant the player of the 2000s. 

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 1975-89

Abdul-Jabbar is one of the three players who have scored more points in the NBA than Bryant; his haul of 38,387 sees him sit at the summit of the points scorers list. The 7-foot-2 center helped the Lakers to five NBA Championships. He won six MVP rings and two Finals MVP rings. Abdul-Jabbar holds the Lakers record for most defensive rebounds at 7,785 and offensive rebounds at 2,494, as well as 3,189 blocks, third most in NBA history. He also averaged 24.6 PPG. Like Bryant, Abdul-Jabbar has enjoyed monumental success in Los Angeles.

Magic Johnson 1979-91

Earvin Johnson provided the "Magic" in the dominant Lakers side of the 80s. Alongside Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson developed into one of the greatest basketball players of all-time, helping the Lakers win five NBA Championships. His PPG average of 19.5 is nothing of note, but Johnson wasn't the scorer; his 12.3 assists PPG average is the greatest in NBA history. Every assist record in the Lakers history book belongs to Johnson, the most notable being his incredible 24 assists in one game. As a playmaker there has been nobody better in the NBA. Besides five NBA titles he has three MVP rings. 

When that fateful day comes and Bryant does opt to retire, he can take comfort in the fact that he will go down as one of the Lakers' greats.

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