The Los Angeles Lakers are a National Basketball Association team based in Los Angeles, California. They are notable for having the highest number of wins (>2621), the highest winning percentage (~61.9%), the most number of finals appearances (28), and the second most championships (14).
General information
- Founded: 1947 in National Basketball League, joined NBA in 1948.
- Formerly known as: Minneapolis Lakers 1947-60
- Home Arena: Staples Center
- Uniform colors: Purple and Gold
- Logo design: A yellow basketball, the purple letters "LOS ANGELES LAKERS" superimposed
- National Basketball League Championship: 1948
- NBA Championships: 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002
Miscellaneous information
- As the Minneapolis Lakers, the team holds the record for the lowest-scoring NBA game ever played along with the Fort Wayne Pistons. On November 22, 1950, the Lakers were leading until the fourth quarter, when the Pistons pulled ahead to win 19 to 18. This took place in a time before efforts were made to speed up gameplay, such as the addition of the shot clock.
Players of note
- 11 Bob McAdoo
- 13 Wilt Chamberlain
- 17 Jim Pollard (Minneapolis)
- 19 Vern Mikkelsen (Minneapolis)
- 22 Slater Martin (Minneapolis)
- 22 Elgin Baylor (Mpls-LA)
- 25 Gail Goodrich
- 32 Magic Johnson
- 33 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- 34 Clyde Lovellette (Minneapolis)
- 42 James Worthy
- 44 Jerry West
- 99 George Mikan (Minneapolis)
- 02 Christopher Barragan
Not to be forgotten:
- Happy Hairston
- Jamaal Wilkes
- Norm Nixon
- Michael Cooper
- Byron Scott
- A.C. Green
- Shaquille O'Neal
- Robert Horry
- Derek Fisher
- Karl Malone
- Gary Payton
Retired numbers:
- 13 Wilt Chamberlain
- 22 Elgin Baylor
- 25 Gail Goodrich
- 32 Magic Johnson
- 33 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- 42 James Worthy
- 44 Jerry West
- Microphone Chick Hearn
Current stars
Draft Picks (June 2004):
Coaches and others
- Chick Hearn (broadcaster; Basketball Hall of Famer)
- Bill Sharman (Basketball Hall of Famer; enshrined both for his playing career with the Boston Celtics and as a coach)
- John Kundla (Hall of Fame coach during Minneapolis years)
- Bud Grant played for team before playing and coach football
- Jerry Buss owner since 1979. Purchased LA Lakers and Great Western Forum from Jack Kent Cooke.
- Pat Riley Head Coach from 1981-91. Lakers win 4 under hs tenure and accumalated 0.733 Regular Season Win Percentage.
- Phil Jackson coached team 1999-2004, won 3 consecutive NBA titles
- Rudy Tomjanovich 2004-