8. Elmore Smith (1973-75)
Elmore Smith holds an interesting place in Lakers’ lore. He is the seven-foot bridge that stood between Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the team’s starting center.
When Chamberlain left the NBA in 1973, Smith was acquired by the Lakers from the Buffalo Braves to replace “The Stilt.” In 1975, Smith was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks so the Lakers could get Abdul-Jabbar.
Smith might be a historical footnote, but he was no slouch during his time with the Lakers. He averaged 11.7 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game in two seasons. In 1973-74, Smith led the league with 4.9 blocks per game. The next season, he led the league in total blocks (216) and finished second in blocks per game (2.9) to Abdul-Jabbar.
Smith swatted 17 shots in a 1973 game against the Portland Trail Blazers, which remains an NBA record.
Still the @NBA single-game record for "Elmore the Rejector" RT @caseyreporting: Today in 1973 Elmore Smith of the @Lakers blocked 17 shots.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 28, 2011
The Lakers made the playoffs once with Smith, losing to Abdul-Jabbar’s Bucks in the first round in 1974. In Game 3 of that series, Smith posted 30 points and 17 rebounds in an LA victory, outplaying Abdul-Jabbar, who had 29 and 15.
Trading Smith as part of the package to get Abdul-Jabbar formed the beginning of the foundation for the Lakers’ 1980s dynasty. Smith went on to play a few more years for the Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers before retiring.