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    75 greatest Lakers players: Magic, Kobe and Kareem top the list

    by Dan Loumena, Los Angeles Times Nov 15, 2022 17 minutes
    In this photo from December 18, 2017, Earvin' Magic' Johnson addresses the crowd before Kobe Bryant has his and Los Angeles Lakers jerseys retired at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

    Current and former L.A. Times staff members selected the 75 greatest Lakers players as the club celebrates its diamond jubilee.

    Players were judged on how they performed for the Lakers, with a minimum of 100 games played with the franchise.

    Those casting ballots were former columnists J.A. Adande and Mark Heisler, former staff writer Steve Springer, current staff writers Broderick Turner and Dan Woike, and assistant sports editor Dan Loumena.

    Points awarded for each vote were 75 points for No. 1 descending to one point for No. 75. There were 47 unanimous selections, each among the top 49.

    Adrian Dantley at No. 43 and Luke Walton at No. 45 ranked highest of the 10 players who made five ballots. Eleven players were on four ballots, three on three ballots and two made the team with only a pair of votes: Trevor Ariza and Lou Williams.

    1. Magic Johnson (448 points)

    The director of the Showtime era drew five first-place votes among the six panelists. The 6-foot-9 point guard was the conductor of no-look passes who averaged 19.5 points, 11.2 assists and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 52.3% from the field and 84.9% from the free-throw line in 13 seasons, winning five NBA titles. Known for his showmanship, the 12-time All-Star and 10-time All-NBA player was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.

    2. Kobe Bryant (445)

    The other first-place vote went to this five-time NBA champion as a youngster skied above the rim and a veteran featured a well-rounded game. The 6-6 shooting guard averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting 44.7% from the field and 83.7% from the line in 20 seasons. The 18-time All-Star was selected All-NBA 15 times and earned All-Defensive team honors 12 times. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.

    3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (438)

    The NBA's all-time leading scorer spent 14 seasons with the Lakers, also winning five NBA championships. The 7-2 center famous for the unstoppable sky hook, averaged 22.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.5 blocked shots for L.A. The 19-time All-Star (six with Milwaukee) was selected All-NBA 10 times and All-Defensive six times with the Lakers. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.

    4. Jerry West (432)

    The Logo helped lead the Lakers to nine NBA Finals, winning one in the record-setting 1971-72 season, when the team won a record 33 games in a row. The 6-3 shooting guard was an All-Star in each of his 14 seasons with the Lakers as he averaged 27.0 points, 6.7 assists and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 47.4% from the field and 81.4% from the line. He was selected All-NBA 12 times and All-Defensive five. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.

    5. Elgin Baylor (423)

    One of the NBA's first high fliers, this 6-5 forward averaged 27.4 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 14 seasons, the first two in Minneapolis and the last two appearing in only 11 games because of injuries. He shot 43.1% from the field and 78% from

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