Los Angeles Lakers: 5 all-time greatest players not named Kobe Bryant

Jerry West

Career stats with Lakers:  27 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 6.7 APG, 47.4 FG%

While Baylor was busy owning opponents in the paint, Jerry West the guy making things happen on the perimeter. The starting point guard during the Lakers’ string of Finals appearances in the 1960s and 1970s, West was everything today’s NBA wants in a facilitator.

Not only was he a tremendous passer, but he had no trouble shouldering the scoring burden when his teammates weren’t hitting it. West was one of the pioneers of the combo guard, possessing elite abilities as a passer and scorer. On top of that, his defense was elite as well — just ask the five NBA All-Defensive team honors he received during his career.

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All in all, West was one of the driving forces behind the Lakers’ dominance during that era. Before he retired, he had earned 14 All-Star and 10 All-NBA First Team selections. Here’s the most impressive award in his name, though: West is the only player in NBA history to win Finals MVP as a member of the losing team.

Unlike Baylor, West stuck around just long enough to earn that elusive ring. In 1972, he helped the Lakers win a title after losing in their previous eight Finals appearances.

Once his playing career was over, West also spent time with the Lakers as a coach and general manager. Put simply, he put his heart and soul into helping this franchise succeed, whether he was on the court or working behind the scenes. In the end, though, it was his unreal contributions as a player that earned him this spot on the list.