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Los Angeles Lakers: 7 best out-of-prime Lakers

By Orestis Rantis

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 27: Dwight Howard #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers leaves the court with four fouls in front of Pau Gasol #16 and Steve Nash #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on January 27, 2013 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 Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 27: Dwight Howard #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers leaves the court with four fouls in front of Pau Gasol #16 and Steve Nash #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on January 27, 2013 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 Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
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3 & 2. Karl Malone and Gary Payton

Moving on to yet another pair that belongs mentioned together, one could say that Karl Malone and Gary Payton were the Nash and Howard of the previous decade. They even featured a hidden player past his prime, Horace Grant.

Similar to the aforementioned, this duo joined a championship with Bryant and O’Neal, in pursuit of their first championships. Did they succeed? Once again, similarly to Nash and Dwight, the answer is a stiff no.

To be frank, this might be a word for word prequel for the superteam established in 2012. Just like that team, the 2003-04 Lakers also struggled with team chemistry, especially after Karl Malone made some inappropriate comments towards Vanessa Bryant.

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Regardless of all the locker room drama, this team managed to make it to the NBA Finals, where they lost in five games against the Detroit Pistons. Unfortunately, Malone and Payton would play horrific basketball, eventually providing zero help to the team.

Both Payton and Malone were still great players, despite being way past their prime. Malone would spend his last season in the league with the Lakers, while Payton would go on to win his only NBA championship as a backup point guard for the Miami Heat.

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