Hoops Habit
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: 10 best centers in team history

By Amaar Burton

LOS ANGELES - FEBRAURY 12: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal pose for photos during the American Express Celebrates the Rewarding Life of Earvin Johnson event on February 12, 2004 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - FEBRAURY 12: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal pose for photos during the American Express Celebrates the Rewarding Life of Earvin Johnson event on February 12, 2004 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 11
Next
(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1975-89)

A lot of people believe Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the greatest basketball player of all time. If not that, at least the greatest center of all time. And the bulk of that GOAT resume was built during his tenure with the Lakers.

Kareem was already a legend by the time he was traded by Milwaukee to LA in 1975. He’d already won a championship, Finals MVP, three league MVPs and two scoring titles.

In his 14 years with the Lakers, Kareem would add five more championships, another Finals MVP, three more league MVPs, and a boatload of All-NBA, All-Star and All-Defensive Team selections. He averaged 22.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.6 blocks per game with the Lakers.

Statistically, Kareem’s first season with the Lakers was his best with the franchise. He put up 27.7 points, a league-leading 16.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and a league-leading 4.1 blocks per game. He was voted league MVP even though the Lakers missed the playoffs.

Kareem won league MVP again the following year, when the Lakers made it to the Western Conference Finals before losing to the eventual champion Trail Blazers.

In 1979-80, Kareem won his sixth league MVP. He was on his way to copping Finals MVP when he injured his ankle and had to miss Game 6 against the 76ers. Rookie point guard Magic Johnson famously started the game at center in Kareem’s absence and claimed Finals MVP after leading the Lakers to victory.

But even Magic himself says the trophy should have gone to Kareem, who averaged 33.4 points, 13.6 rebounds and 4.6 blocks in the series.

Kareem added his second Finals MVP in 1985 after the Lakers beat the Celtics for another championship. He was 38 years old.

Next. Each team's best era. dark

Kareem retired in 1989 as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, a record he still holds today.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers