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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
Los Angeles Lakers Photo by: Ron Kuntz Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images /

1. Wilt Chamberlain

This may seem as a stretch to some people. Wilt Chamberlain was an NBA champion and an All-NBA player for the Los Angeles Lakers while his jersey with the number 13 hangs above the Staples Center at this very moment.

How could this be considered out of prime? Well, when it comes to Wilt the Stilt, the word “prime” just loses its value.

In those five seasons that Wilt spent with the Los Angeles Lakers, he averaged 17.7 points and 19.2 rebounds per game. He was an unstoppable beast and shot 60.5 percent from the field, despite his age. Not bad for a player past his prime, huh?

By carefully observing his previous years, one can clearly see that Wilt Chamberlain was figuratively in a league of his own. The fact that he averaged 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds per game for an entire season should be enough to back up that hypothesis.

As a result, despite being an All-Star, rebounding champion, All-NBA player and a Finals MVP, it is clear to the naked eye that Wilt had taken a step back in his professional basketball career.

He was just that good, despite approaching retirement.

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