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What are your guys' top 5 Lakers of all time
Kobe, Magic, West have to be givens right
Kobe, Magic, Kareem, Jerry West and SHAQ!!!
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Kobe, Magic, Kareem, Jerry West and SHAQ!!!
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i never understood people listing player on a favorites list when they never saw them play. mikan? really?
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Man, I was going to make a thread for Shaq but I guess tonight is in celebration of his Lakers career, so I'll keep it in here. I fell in love with the Knicks when I went to MSG as a little man, but I fell in love with basketball because of Shaq and Penny. When he left to LA it was bitter sweet because I thought Shaq and Penny could have won multiple championships (they would have if Penny had stayed healthy), but I was happy the Knicks chances of making the finals were that much better. When Michael Jordan retired I thought to myself "It's Shaq's time" maybe the Knicks will meet the Lakers in the finals and get dominated. But no, it became a random lockout championship the Spurs won, but the championship Shaq era began immediately after.
Shaq in my opinion is the Best Center of All -Time. Why? Because none of the other greats would have been able to stop him. Not Kareem, Not Olajuwon, Not Patrick, Not David, and not even Wilt (even tho that would have been his best matchup physically).
People say LeBron is a physical specimen, he totally is, he's 6 '8 - 265, jumps out the gym, strong, fast, quick, etc. However, Shaq was the ultimate basketball physical specimen. Give me 7' 1 - 315 any day. The man could touch the top of the backboard, run with the best of them, had amazing footwork, was light on his feet, and was physically unstoppable to contain (throwing around Tim Duncan and David Robinson like rags dolls). That was just his athleticism and coordination. - Shaq had a lethal jump-hook, amazing turnaround hook, great touch around the rim, and was an extremely underrated passer/team player. Defensively, he'd force your team to become a jump shooting team just by his presence alone (Chris Webber).
Here's my problem with the greatest center of all-time, his work ethic and ego. Shaq should have won multiple consecutive MVP's, 6-8 Championships, it would have been that easy for him. He just seemed to lose motivation at times and took his talent for granted. He came into some training camps over-weight, he would sometimes be lackadaisical on defense, and for a better lack of words he was - lazy. All of these things infuriated Kobe and so the Shaq and Kobe feud began.
Kobe had a right to go after Shaq - but he should not have done it. Shaq had a right to get angry - but he should have been the adult in this situation. There's so many mistakes they both made that led to an extremely early bitter end. These two legends won 3 championships, (should have been four) and that was still not enough. They still underachieved, thats how great they were.
However here is a toast to the leader of the Greatest Duo I've ever seen in basketball, to the leader of one of the greatest teams ever (Lakers 2001), and the greatest center of all-time (once again, my opinion) Shaquille O'neal.
Shaq in my opinion is the Best Center of All -Time. Why? Because none of the other greats would have been able to stop him. Not Kareem, Not Olajuwon, Not Patrick, Not David, and not even Wilt (even tho that would have been his best matchup physically).
People say LeBron is a physical specimen, he totally is, he's 6 '8 - 265, jumps out the gym, strong, fast, quick, etc. However, Shaq was the ultimate basketball physical specimen. Give me 7' 1 - 315 any day. The man could touch the top of the backboard, run with the best of them, had amazing footwork, was light on his feet, and was physically unstoppable to contain (throwing around Tim Duncan and David Robinson like rags dolls). That was just his athleticism and coordination. - Shaq had a lethal jump-hook, amazing turnaround hook, great touch around the rim, and was an extremely underrated passer/team player. Defensively, he'd force your team to become a jump shooting team just by his presence alone (Chris Webber).
Here's my problem with the greatest center of all-time, his work ethic and ego. Shaq should have won multiple consecutive MVP's, 6-8 Championships, it would have been that easy for him. He just seemed to lose motivation at times and took his talent for granted. He came into some training camps over-weight, he would sometimes be lackadaisical on defense, and for a better lack of words he was - lazy. All of these things infuriated Kobe and so the Shaq and Kobe feud began.
Kobe had a right to go after Shaq - but he should not have done it. Shaq had a right to get angry - but he should have been the adult in this situation. There's so many mistakes they both made that led to an extremely early bitter end. These two legends won 3 championships, (should have been four) and that was still not enough. They still underachieved, thats how great they were.
However here is a toast to the leader of the Greatest Duo I've ever seen in basketball, to the leader of one of the greatest teams ever (Lakers 2001), and the greatest center of all-time (once again, my opinion) Shaquille O'neal.
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For once, I'm with Coupe. Shaq was my gateway to the NBA and the Lakers. He'll be my favorite Laker always, I imagine.
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I guess timing has a lot to do with but as a 26 year old who has lived on the East Coast his entire life - as an outsider I can't imagine a Laker's All Time list without him near the top.
Shaq made the Lakers for me growing up. It sounds crazy to say I or anyone else viewed the Lakers as irrelevant, but I/we did. My timing resulted in missing Magic's playing days and even his early retirement. All I knew of the Lakers were a couple fun, young players and a coach with white hair. And is Magic a coach now? Is he coming back to play? Wasn't much more to it than that. Decent, but ultimately nothing special - mediocre to be honest. More recognizable teams of my childhood: Bulls, Magic, Hornets, Knicks, Suns, Spurs, Sonics, Rockets.
Shaq changed that instantly and then through middle school and high-school the Lakers were it post-Jordan. Kobe obviously took the torch from there. Shaq bridged the gap and I get the whole Kobe drama and they left titles on the table, Shaq can be an arrogant dude, whatever. I think what he did for the Lakers has actually become underrated as the years have passed.
coupe summed it up well for me too. My 2nd favorite player of all time and at his best, I haven't seen anyone as dominant.
Shaq made the Lakers for me growing up. It sounds crazy to say I or anyone else viewed the Lakers as irrelevant, but I/we did. My timing resulted in missing Magic's playing days and even his early retirement. All I knew of the Lakers were a couple fun, young players and a coach with white hair. And is Magic a coach now? Is he coming back to play? Wasn't much more to it than that. Decent, but ultimately nothing special - mediocre to be honest. More recognizable teams of my childhood: Bulls, Magic, Hornets, Knicks, Suns, Spurs, Sonics, Rockets.
Shaq changed that instantly and then through middle school and high-school the Lakers were it post-Jordan. Kobe obviously took the torch from there. Shaq bridged the gap and I get the whole Kobe drama and they left titles on the table, Shaq can be an arrogant dude, whatever. I think what he did for the Lakers has actually become underrated as the years have passed.
coupe summed it up well for me too. My 2nd favorite player of all time and at his best, I haven't seen anyone as dominant.
I certainly see where both of you are coming from, however, Magic, Kobe, West, Kareem, and Baylor (my 5) played 13, 17, 14, 14, and 14 years in purple and gold. Shaq played 8.
Shaq literally leads the franchise in pretty much nothing outside maybe a couple of shooting % totals, or a specific season/series, something of that ilk.
Now, if you want to speak in terms of a 3 year stretch, then that I can see and he could make his case to be in the top 5.
But for ALL TIME, Lakers, 63+ years, and only be in 8 of them, while we have 5 other elite top 15 types included (our franchise is ridiculous) then Shaq has to stay at 6, for my money. Hell, Worthy is at #7, he played 12 years for us, did tons of work. Pau is at 6, he may not be in the top 10, maybe just barely making it at 10.
Notice Wilt ain't in the party? 
That's just how I view it.
Shaq literally leads the franchise in pretty much nothing outside maybe a couple of shooting % totals, or a specific season/series, something of that ilk.
Now, if you want to speak in terms of a 3 year stretch, then that I can see and he could make his case to be in the top 5.
But for ALL TIME, Lakers, 63+ years, and only be in 8 of them, while we have 5 other elite top 15 types included (our franchise is ridiculous) then Shaq has to stay at 6, for my money. Hell, Worthy is at #7, he played 12 years for us, did tons of work. Pau is at 6, he may not be in the top 10, maybe just barely making it at 10.
Notice Wilt ain't in the party?
That's just how I view it.
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Kobe
Shaq
Pau
Fisher
Bynum
I wasn't able to watch the other greats
Shaq
Pau
Fisher
Bynum
I wasn't able to watch the other greats
D
Deleted member 38182
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Never really thought of Shaq only playing a few years, that is a good point.I certainly see where both of you are coming from, however, Magic, Kobe, West, Kareem, and Baylor (my 5) played 13, 17, 14, 14, and 14 years in purple and gold. Shaq played 8.
Shaq literally leads the franchise in pretty much nothing outside maybe a couple of shooting % totals, or a specific season/series, something of that ilk.
Now, if you want to speak in terms of a 3 year stretch, then that I can see and he could make his case to be in the top 5.
Notice Wilt ain't in the party?
Wilt ain't in the party cuz he played like 4 years with the Lakers and piggybacked off Gail Goodrich and Jerry West for a ring
Were you old enough to watch Wilt play CP or SKA
A guy his size, assuming he wasn't a lazy fat guy like Shaq post-Lakers, you'd think he'd have a great effect on the Lakers than he did or was his injury in that game 7 vs Bill Russell really that bad?
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in terms of all time contribution to the lakers franchise (including post retirement) i have it as
1 magic
2a kobe
2b west
4 kareem
5 mikan
in terms of just basketball
1a magic
1b kobe
3 west
4 kareem
5 shaq
for players that i have actually watched
1 kobe
2 shaq
3 pau
4 fish
5 lamar
but being a lakers fan this is hard since we have so much to choose from what other franchise in any sport has had
the greatest owner ever
the greatest coach ever
the greatest pg ever
3 of the top 5 centers ever
4 of the top 5 all time scoring leaders
the first superstar in basketball
the greatest tv announcer ever
part of the best rivalry in sports
we have had a player that is the face of the nba (sometimes shared) for 24 of the past 35 seasons
that guy in the logo on that celtics players jersey? yeah hes a laker
i would say thats a decent history for a franchise
1 magic
2a kobe
2b west
4 kareem
5 mikan
in terms of just basketball
1a magic
1b kobe
3 west
4 kareem
5 shaq
for players that i have actually watched
1 kobe
2 shaq
3 pau
4 fish
5 lamar
but being a lakers fan this is hard since we have so much to choose from what other franchise in any sport has had
the greatest owner ever
the greatest coach ever
the greatest pg ever
3 of the top 5 centers ever
4 of the top 5 all time scoring leaders
the first superstar in basketball
the greatest tv announcer ever
part of the best rivalry in sports
we have had a player that is the face of the nba (sometimes shared) for 24 of the past 35 seasons
that guy in the logo on that celtics players jersey? yeah hes a laker
i would say thats a decent history for a franchise
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Jerry West is arguably #1 because of his contributions as a player (even though it "only" resulted in one championship) and general manager.
He's had a hand in nearly every championship won in LA.
He's had a hand in nearly every championship won in LA.
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Yall really gon keep claiming Karl Malone aren't you?
Ever since Kobe broke 30K Karl has been yall boy
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i mean you can take him out of my post if you want, just pointing out that all (most of) the greats have seen the lakers as a way to win a championshipYall really gon keep claiming Karl Malone aren't you?Ever since Kobe broke 30K Karl has been yall boy
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I feel his reputation is unfairly diminished for having played in the Bill Russell era. West's playing career meant so much to the fledgling Los Angeles Lakers that we can't accurately measure what he means to the franchise, for how do we account for "greatness" beyond championships and statistics? It becomes intangibles that are argued about, and those have a way of both under and overvaluing impact.
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1. Smush Parker
2. Brian Cook
3. Kwame Brown
4. Luke Walton
5. Chris Duhon
is on my list
2. Brian Cook
3. Kwame Brown
4. Luke Walton
5. Chris Duhon
is on my list
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How about everyone's favorite/best coaches?
Pat, obviously. Phil, of course.
Magic? LOL
Pat, obviously. Phil, of course.
Magic? LOL
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Mike Brown, Mike Dunleavy and Mike D'Antoni.
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http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/se...lakers-retire-jersey/5154a7f32b8c2a10f30000fd
Shaq, Phil, Jeanie and Rambis for a half hour interview.
Shaq, Phil, Jeanie and Rambis for a half hour interview.
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Sooooooo disappointing Dr. Buss isn't able to attend the ceremony tonight. |I
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Adding on to the Shaq list I said above.
He's on NBATV answering questions and thanking his previous teammates. Also bringing up how "luck" had to do with some of those championships.
He said "If it wasn't for D-Fish hitting that .4 shot I wouldn't of had one of my rings..". Like I said above, I think he's the greatest center of all time but Shaq's recollection and memory was never his strong suit. He didn't win a ring that year.
Shaq gon Shaq tho, that includes messing up on TV, all the damn time
He's on NBATV answering questions and thanking his previous teammates. Also bringing up how "luck" had to do with some of those championships.
He said "If it wasn't for D-Fish hitting that .4 shot I wouldn't of had one of my rings..". Like I said above, I think he's the greatest center of all time but Shaq's recollection and memory was never his strong suit. He didn't win a ring that year.
Shaq gon Shaq tho, that includes messing up on TV, all the damn time
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We don't love him for his mind
6 Rings G.O.A.T.
Supporter
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What are your guys' top 5 Lakers of all time
Kobe, Magic, West have to be givens right
I pick six..
D
Deleted member 38182
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Well he last played in the 70s...No, rck, I did not see Wilt play. Not even close man.
Actually ya that's my bad, cuz that would make you 50
I know you ain't that old 
