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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) /
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(Original Caption) Fingertips New York: Wilt Chamberlain (#13) of the Los Angeles Lakers and Willis Reed (#19) of the New York Knickerbockers go after a rebound during game at Madison Square Garden here Feb. 18th. /

4. Wilt Chamberlain (1968-73)

Wilt Chamberlain has valid arguments to be considered the greatest scorer in basketball history, the greatest center in basketball history and the overall greatest player of all time.

Many of the most impressive parts of his career, however, happened before he was traded from the 76ers to the Lakers in 1968. That’s why he doesn’t rank higher on this list, even though he is arguably a better overall player than anyone on the list.

The 100-point game, the 50-points-per-game season, the nine straight seasons averaging 20-plus rebounds per game, the bulk of his 32 career 60-point games … that was all prior to Wilt’s arrival in L.A.

In his five seasons with the Lakers —  after he famous decided to focus less on individually destroying everything in his path and play more of a team game — Chamberlain averaged 17.7 points on 60.5 percent field-goal shooting, 19.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. He led the league in rebounding four times and ranked No. 1 in field-goal percentage three times.

The four-time league MVP finished third and fourth, respectively, in MVP voting his final two seasons with the Lakers. He was a two-time All-Defensive First Team pick in L.A., a four-time All-Star, and All-NBA Second Team once.

Chamberlain led the Lakers to a championship in 1972 — the second title of his career — and was voted Finals MVP after putting up 19.4 points and 23.2 rebounds per game against the New York Knicks.

Chamberlain left the Lakers in 1973 to join the ABA’s San Diego Conquistadors, where he intended to be a player-coach. But he had to settle for just coaching after the Lakers blocked him from playing due to the contract he still had with them.

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