Greatest Lakers Based on Jersey Number

Ramneet Singh
22 Min Read

11: The number 11 has been worn 17 times in Lakers history; Gail Goodrich wore the number and his jersey has been raised to the rafters. However, under Goodrich’s name is the number 25.  Goodrich did not have an incredible stint with the number 11, so he looses this battle.  Bob McAdoo arrived to the Lakers with one thing in mind, win championships.  McAdoo was a key bench player and he worked alongside Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.  Bob McAdoo, you are the greatest player to wear the number 11.

12: The number 12 is currently worn by the highflyer Shannon Brown, and he has excited the Staples Center crowd from the minute he was traded from the Bobcats.  Brown has been a fan-favorite in Los Angeles and he has won the honor due to his dunks and exciting play.

13: There is no question Wilt Chamberlain is the greatest player to wear the number 13 in Lakers’ history.  Chamberlain’s “13” jersey is currently hanging from Staples Center, and he was perhaps the most dominant player in his era.  Although he only won one championship in Los Angeles, Wilt Chamberlain still wins the prize.

14:  Sam Perkins played for the Lakers for a few years, but he still had a productive career in Los Angeles. Perkins wins the crown for his 15.0 ppg with the team.

15: The only player that stands out in the list of players who wore the number 15 is Ron Artest.  Artest has not accomplished much while wearing this number, except for losing his championship ring.  Ron Artest you are now able to add another accomplishment to your resume, you are the greatest Laker player to wear the number 15.

16:  Pau Gasol completely changed the Lakers when he was traded in 2008.  Gasol changed the Lakers into a championship contender over night, and thanks to his presence the Lakers have won two championships. As long as the Spaniard is with the Lakers, the team will always be in contention for a NBA title.

17:  Pau Gasol’s wingman, Andrew Bynum has also added another trophy to his trophy case.  Bynum has been the man in the middle for the Lakers, and his defense presence is something the Lakers cannot replace.  Without Bynum the Lakers have trouble defending teams, with Bynum the Lakers are the best team in the NBA

18: The two players battling for this distinguish honor are Kurt Rambis and Sasha Vujacic.  Vujacic was once a fan-favorite in Los Angeles and he was considered the “Machine.”  However, Vujacic lost his shooting touch and his popularity at the same time. As for Rambis, he is loved by Laker fans to this day and he was most known for his hard-nose style of play. But, Rambis had most of his signature plays while wearing number 31, so the winner is Sasha Vujacic.

19:  Many fans do not remember who Vern Mikkelsen was and that is because he played along side George Mikan during the Minneapolis days.  Mikkelsen was the game’s original power forward, and he paved the way for players like Tim Duncan and Pau Gasol.  Vern Mikkelsen was a pioneer not only for the Lakers, but the NBA as well.

20: 21 players have worn the number 20, and the greatest of them all still sits on the Lakers’ sidelines.  Brian Shaw is the Lakers assistant head coach, and according to many Shaw will replace Phil Jackson once he leaves.  Shaw helped the Lakers win three titles in the early 2000s thanks to his three point shooting abilities.

Next: 21-30

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Ramneet is a Staff Writer for Lakers Nation and has been contributing his thoughts on the Lakers and the NBA since 2010. Follow Ramneet on Twitter @Ramneet24.
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