1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest players not only in Laker history, but in NBA history; the all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points. Surprisingly, the greatest center in Laker history did not spend his entire career wearing purple and gold.
Abdul-Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis “Lew” Alcindor, Jr) was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks and played six years there. While playing for the Bucks, Abdul-Jabbar won Rookie of the Year, ’70, and Finals MVP in ’71. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar eventually went to the Lakers in the 1975-1976 season, and he made an immediate impact.
Abdul-Jabbar won regular season MVP in that same season. Nevertheless, he won MVP the next season, and the 1979-1980 season. Kareem won regular season MVPs and NBA championships. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played along side Earvin “Magic” Johnson and went on to win five championships, winning Finals MVP in 1984-1985.
The list of achievements do not stop there, Abdul-Jabbar was a 19-time All-Star, 10-time All-NBA Team, 5-time All Defensive Team, and has won two championships as a Laker assistant coach. He was part of the show-time era, and was one of the reasons why the Lakers are arguably the most popular team in the league. There should be no argument; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the best center in Laker history.
