This NBA Finals between the Lakers and Celtics is stirring up all sorts of nostalgic feelings for the glory days of Magic, Bird, Kareem and McHale.
With everyone reminiscing, we thought it would be the perfect time to dip deep into Lakers history and determine the franchise’s all-time team.
So starting today — with your help, of course — we’re going to pick it, position by position. We’ll start with center, end with coach and cover forwards and guards in between.
Here are profiles of the centers. Below you can cast your vote.
KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR (1975-89)
Lakers stats: 22.1 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.46 bpg, 56.7 fg%
Skinny: The NBA’s all-time leading scorer led the Lakers in scoring for 11 consecutive seasons (1975-86) and played on five Lakers championship squads. Ranks first or second in team history in points, games, minutes, field goals, rebounds and blocks.
WILT CHAMBERLAIN (1968-73)
Lakers stats: 17.7 ppg, 19.2 rpg, 4.3 apg, 60.5 fg%
Skinny: Member of the Lakers’ 1971-72 title team that won an NBA-record 33 games in a row and a then-record 69 regular-season games. Named MVP of the ‘72 Finals, averaging 14.7 points and 21.0 rebounds. Lakers all-time leader in field-goal percentage.
GEORGE MIKAN (1948-56)
Lakers stats: 23.1 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 78.2 ft%
Skinny: Basketball’s first dominant center led the Minneapolis Lakers to five NBA championships. Hall of Famer, six-time all-NBA first-team selection and four-time All-Star
led the league in scoring three times and in rebounding twice.
SHAQUILLE O’NEAL (1996-04)
Lakers stats: 27.0 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.49 bpg, 57.5 fg%
Skinny: O’Neal teamed with Kobe Bryant and a strong supporting cast to lead the Lakers to three consecutive titles (2000-02), earning Finals MVP honors each time. League MVP in 2000, when he averaged 29.7 points (career high), 13.6 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks.
Coming Wednesday: Forwards.
