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Los Angeles Lakers: 10 best power forwards in team history

By Amaar Burton

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 12: Kobe Bryant #24 and Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers react after a 96-91 win against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 12, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 12: Kobe Bryant #24 and Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers react after a 96-91 win against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 12, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Some of professional basketball’s greatest sidekicks and second options have suited up at power forward for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Historically, if you’ve played power forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, it’s been like playing left tackle for an NFL team.

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Knowledgeable fans of the game will recognize and appreciate your value to the team. If you do your job well, the team has a very good chance of being successful. You can make a lot of money and earn all-league and even Hall of Fame accolades for your work.

But you’re not going to be “The Man” getting the glory. You’re going to be viewed as a sidekick to the ball-dominant superstar, No. 2 at best in the hierarchy, part of “the help” for the No. 1 guy.

For as many legends of the game that have played for the Lakers, somehow none of their power forwards have been considered the leader of the team or the face of the franchise.

Pau Gasol, Vern Mikkelsen and A.C. Green were invaluable contributors to multiple championship teams in L.A., but they were always overshadowed by the Kobe Bryants, George Mikans and Magic Johnsons of the world.

Other famous power forwards like Karl Malone, Spencer Haywood, Bob McAdoo and Carlos Boozer have played for the Lakers, but they didn’t land in L.A. until after their best days were behind them. Former No. 1 options on other teams, they played supporting roles with the Lakers.

History could change in the very near future.

This summer, the Lakers traded for three-time All-NBA and three-time All-Defensive Team power forward Anthony Davis. At 26 years old, Davis is in the prime of his career. He’s arguably the best big man in the game right now.

Last season, Davis averaged 25.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.4 blocks per game for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Thanks to injuries and the team reducing his role following a midseason trade request, Davis played in just 59 games, and his 33.0 minutes per game were the lowest since his rookie year.

Presumably healthy and happy since being traded, Davis should be an MVP contender this season and could the Lakers’ top star — except there’s another future Hall of Famer standing in the way.

To the mainstream public, the Lakers are still very much LeBron James‘ team.

LeBron, however, is approaching 35 years old. Davis may be the focal point of L.A.’s future, but many would argue he should also be the face of its present.

If LeBron wants to win a fourth, fifth or sixth NBA championship, his best bet might be to take a step back and let Davis be the go-to guy.

Since Davis has yet to play a game for the Lakers, I didn’t put him on this list of the franchise’s all-time best power forwards. But if he is as good as advertised, he’ll take his place among legends soon enough.

Here are the 10 best power forwards in the history of the Lakers.

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