Los Angeles Lakers: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history
By Frank Urbina
8. A.C. Green (SF/PF) — No. 23 pick in 1985 NBA Draft
Career stats (as a Laker): 735 GP, 10.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.9 STL, 0.5 BLK, 1.3 TOV, 50.3 FG%, 24.5 3P%, 71.4 FT%
No. 8 on our list is Oregon State’s A.C. Green, who spent an illustrious nine season in Los Angeles, spanning over three separate decades.
Much like Fisher, Green was far from a star. However, he more than made up for his worth by being one of the best defenders in the NBA during the late 1980s, and an all-important glue guy for the Lakers during two separate eras of team dominance.
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Green was an All-Defensive second team member in 1989 and an All-Star in 1990. Most importantly, he played a crucial role in three Lakers title teams, in 1987, 1988 and 2000. Think about it, he was around so long that he suited up next to both Magic Johnson and a just-starting-to-find-his-peak Kobe Bryant.
Along with his defense, Green was also a tenacious rebounder, which was vital considering that by 1985, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar‘s body forced him to pick and choose when to attack loose balls. (Essentially, the legend rebounded like a point guard in his later years.) Green led Los Angeles in boards during most of his first stint with the storied franchise.
Still not sold on his position in our rankings? Fine, you leave me with no choice but to pander. Here’s a video of him dunking all over Larry Bird in 1987.
I knew that’d convince you.