This is our list for the top centers in Laker history. Many great centers have played for the Lakers in their careers, and the majority of those centers are either hall-of-famers or future hall-of-famers. The Lakers had dominating big men starting in the Minneapolis era, and to this day, the Lakers have extremely talented big men. They say a championship team has to have a big men in the paint, well maybe that’s why there are 16 championship banners in Staples Center.
Honorable Mention: Vlade Divac
Vlade Divac was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1989 NBA Draft and spent seven years wearing the purple and gold. During his time with the Lakers, Divac averaged 12.4 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per game.
Divac was a solid center at the time, and the Lakers were a fairly good team when he was on the roster. Unfortunately, Divac’s career ended when he was traded to then Charlotte Hornets. He would spend time in Charlotte and Sacramento before coming to the Lakers again in 2004-2005.
If Divac had stayed on the Lakers, he would have been very successful and would have helped the Lakers win many titles. Wait…if Divac stayed on the Lakers, then Kobe would have remained with the Hornets. Looking back on Divac’s career, I am very happy the Lakers traded him for Kobe Bryant.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKQK_YTfVNc
Next: Andrew Bynum
5. Andrew Bynum
The Lakers have had several great young players out of high school. Yes, there’s Kobe Bryant, but not many people expected young Andrew Bynum to be so effective, so early. The Lakers shocked many people when they selected a teenager with the 10th pick in the 2005 NBA Draft.
General Manager Mitch Kupchak saw something special in the high school phenom out of St. Joseph High School, in New Jersey. The team had some big plans for Bynum, as they were trying to develop him into one of the most dominant centers in the league. Kareem Abdul Jabbar (who may later be mentioned in this article) was hired to work with Bynum and help develop the young man’s skills.
However, Bynum did not have stellar rookie season, as he only averaged 1.6 points per game and 1.7 rebounds per game. Bynum did however fight with Shaq—sort of. He and O’Neal had a small altercation during a game; Shaq dunked on Bynum, knocking him to the floor. The Lakers fans were hiding their faces, while Heat fans were looking up at the screen for a replay. And on the very next play, Bynum pulled a spin move on Shaq, dunked the ball and got some revenge. The whole incident ended with double technical fouls, but fans got to see Bynum’s determination.
As the years went on, Bynum greatly improved, and by his second year he averaged 13.1 ppg and 10.2 rpg. Bynum got a front court partner in Pau Gasol that season, and he also played in his first Finals that season too. The Lakers may have lost the series, but Bynum gained valuable experience. To this day Andrew Bynum is improving his game, and if he stays away from injuries, he can be very dominating. Bynum is looking to win his third straight title this season, and has a bright future ahead of him.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd-FLEDTfao
Next: Wilt Chamberlain
4. Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt the Stilt, the Big Dipper, Dippy, the Dipper. Wilt Chamberlain was a very unique basketball player. His attitude and personality was perfect for Los Angeles and the Lakers. He was a dynamic scorer, a big name, and a ladies man. Wilt once scored 100 points in one game and claims to scoring with 20,000 women in his life.
Chamberlain spent his last five seasons with the Lakers, after making stops with the Warriors and Sixers. He averaged 19.3 points per game and19.1 rebounds per game. These stats are amazing for a guy who was finishing his career. Although his free throw shooting was horrendous, Chamberlain was still an unstoppable force.
While playing for the Lakers, Chamberlain won a title, ’72, a Finals MVP, ’72, and two regular season MVPs, ’72 and ’73. Wilt played along side the logo, Jerry West, and the great Elgin Baylor. Even with the star-studded team, the Lakers were not that successful during that era. Chamberlain did not spend much time with the Lakers, but eventually had his jersey retired.
He is one of the greatest players in NBA history for all the success he had playing for the Warriors, Sixers and Lakers. He is most-known for his 100 point performance, and not much for his time with the Lakers. Wilt Chamberlain would have been ranked higher if he had spent more time with the Lakers and accomplished more.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY_nMftF_M0
Next: Shaquille O’Neal
3. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal is a future Hall-of-Famer, and arguably one of the most dominant centers in NBA history. And at one point, Shaq was an unstoppable force and was carrying to Lakers to glory.
With Kobe at his side, Shaq led the Lakers to three straight titles and three straight Finals MVPs. However, Shaq was more than just a basketball player during his time with the Lakers, he was also rapper and an actor. O’Neal spent eight years in Los Angeles, starting in the 1996-1997 season and concluding in the 2003-2004 season.
In between those seasons, Shaq averaged 25.9 ppg and 11.3 rpg. He brought the Lakers to three championships and the top of the NBA throne. Shaq won Finals MVPs all three years, and was by far the best center in the league. O’Neal’s stats were by far better than any other big man, however he only won regular season MVP once.
But it seemed as though Shaq didn’t mind, it seemed as though Shaq was a team guy and the Lakers would keep on winning. But that was not the story. Kobe and Shaq began to think differently and wanted to do things their own ways, and that led to the separation of one of the best duos in NBA history.
Shaq moved to join the Heat, and ruined his Laker legacy. The Lakers then had to live through on one of the worst eras in team history. Shaquille O’Neal would have been higher on this list, if it weren’t for the events that took place in the 03-04 season.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqj_iDjsG0k
Next: George Mikan
2. George Mikan
George Mikan was the original big man, and was the first dominate player the Lakers had. “Mikan meant the most to the franchise, because he was basketball’s first marquee big man,” said Chris Clark of SilverScreenandRoll. “[Mikan] started the Lakers on their winning ways.”
Mikan was an original Laker, he played for the franchise when they were located in Minneapolis. He had a relatively short NBA career, as he only played for seven years. During those years, Mikan averaged 23.1 ppg and 13.4 rbg. His stats in the playoffs were even better, as Mikan averaged 24 points and a little under 14 rebounds per game. “Mr. Basketball,” as Mikan was called, led the Lakers to five championships from 1949-1950 and then winning three straight from 1952-1954.
Mikan was the most dominant player during his time, but compared to players in the 80s and 90s, Mikan’s stats were not that impressive. Being six foot ten during his era was a pretty big thing, but nowadays players are seven foot or taller. Mikan is considered one of the best because he was the first, the pioneer to Laker basketball. His championship success foreshadowed the future success of the Lakers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xEoCsDKXPo
Next: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
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.
