All-Time Lakers Starting Lineup

When you look at the all-time rosters of teams around the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers, far and away, have the most All-Stars to choose from. That task becomes even more pressing when you narrow down that list to a starting five. It doesn't please us, but some Hall of Famers will just have to be left out.

But who made our all-time greatest starting lineup for the Lakers?

PG: Magic Johnson

Johnson was a no-brainer. After all, he's the greatest point guard to ever play in the Association and would make the league's all-time starting five. Over his Hall of Fame career, he averaged 19.5 points, 11.2 assists, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game, while shooting a remarkable 52% from the field. Additionally, Magic won three consecutive MVPs at one point, was named to 12 All-Star teams, and, most notably, was a five-time champion.

SG: Jerry West

We couldn't not include The Logo, right? West was simply one of the greatest scorers of all time as he averaged a whopping 27 points per game in his career. He was an elite passer as he dished out 6.7 assists, natural rebounder (5.8 per), and his defensive prowess was finally recognized from a statistic perspective in his final season in the league when the Association started recording steals. During that campaign, he logged a mind-boggling 2.6 per game.

Mr. Clutch, a Hall of Famer, was a 14-time All-Star, former scoring and assist champ, won a Finals MVP, and hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 1972.

SF: Kobe Bryant

The Black Mamba -- another no-brainer. One of the greatest scorers and perimeter defenders to ever do it averaged 25 points per game while shooting 45% from the floor. Unfortunately, there isn't a stat to back up his all-time great clutch gene, but we know how lethal Bryant was in crunch time. Over his surefire Hall of Fame career, he was an 18-time All-Star, a two-time scoring champ, made 12 All-Defensive teams, won an MVP and five championships.

PF: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem, quite simply, is most accomplished and decorated NBA player of all-time. For starters, he averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 56% from the field. He's scored the most points in the history of the league, is third all-time in rebounds, has won the most MVP awards with six, and made the All-Star team the most times with a gargantuan 19 nods. Abdul-Jabbar was also a two-time scoring champ and four-time block champ.

Oh yeah, and he's a six-time champ!

C: Shaquille O'Neal

Shaq Diesel's inclusion means that Wilt Chamberlain is left out. If you ask us, that's a fair settlement because, for them, it comes down to impact on the Lakers. The Big Dipper didn't come to La La Land until the final five years of his career. While he was still great, he wasn't nearly as imposing and historic as his earlier seasons. That alone gives the nod to O'Neal, even though Chamberlain was obviously the more decorated player.

Shaq Daddy spent almost a decade with the Lakers and won four championships with the franchise. He was simply the most dominant force of nature to ever grace the hardwood and averaged 23 and 10 in his sleep. He was a 15-time All-Star, two-time scoring champ, a former MVP, and three-time Finals MVP.

Nothing more needs to be said.