Dynasties come and go. Stats pile up. But dominance? That lives in the gut. Many of the players who make up the top 10 Lakers in history possess this fierce aura. It’s the fear opponents feel. The aura that Los Angeles Lakers has. The stretch where you couldn’t be stopped.
And fans are still arguing about it:
So let’s rank the 10 greatest Lakers ever by their peak powers — not just careers, but when they were untouchable.
1. Shaquille O’Neal (1999–2002)
30-13 in the playoffs. Three Finals MVPs. Two MVP snubs. At his peak, Shaq was a skyscraper in sneakers.
“There was nothing you could do with him. Nothing.” — Phil Jackson
He bullied seven-footers. He turned paint into punishment. No Laker has ever hit a peak this terrifying.
| GP | GS | PPG | APG | RPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 514 | 514 | 27.0 | 3.1 | 11.8 | 2.9 | 55.7% | 0% | 48.4% |
2. Kobe Bryant (2006–2007)
He didn’t have the best teammates. But he was the best player alive. 35.4 points per game in ’06. Back-to-back scoring titles. An 81-point night that felt like a video game glitch.
He was pure fury in motion. And when it clicked with Pau later? Championships followed.
| GP | GS | PPG | APG | RPG | SPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1346 | 1346 | 25.0 | 4.7 | 5.2 | 1.4 | 44.7% | 32.9% | 83.7% |
3. Magic Johnson (1987)
23-12-6 in ’87. MVP. Finals MVP. The brain of a coach with the flair of a showman. Magic didn’t just run Showtime — he was Showtime.
And when Kareem got hurt in the ’80 Finals? He played center. As a rookie. And dropped 42.
| GP | GS | PPG | APG | RPG | SPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 906 | 870 | 19.5 | 11.2 | 7.2 | 1.9 | 52.0% | 30.3% | 84.8% |
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1976–1980)
Five MVPs as a Laker. Led the league in scoring and blocks. And the skyhook? Still undefeated.
His dominance was methodical. Clinical. The numbers don’t scream. They whisper, “good luck.”
| GP | PPG | APG | RPG | BPG | FG% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1093 | 22.1 | 2.5 | 9.4 | 2.5 | 55.9% | 72.1% |
5. LeBron James (2020)
2020 bubble LeBron wasn’t young. But he was in full control. 27-11-8 in the playoffs. A title with Anthony Davis. And no home-court advantage to lean on.
“I want my damn respect.” — LeBron James
Here’s the reason he demanded respect.
Peak LeBron in a Lakers jersey was smarter than ever. And just as dangerous.
| GP | GS | PPG | APG | RPG | SPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 416 | 416 | 26.6 | 8.1 | 7.9 | 1.1 | 51.3% | 36.0% | 72.8% |
6. Jerry West (1965–1970)
Called “Mr. Clutch” for a reason. Ten straight seasons of 25+ PPG. An NBA Finals MVP on the losing team in ’69. Who does that?
If he played today, we’d be comparing him to Steph with defense.
| GP | GS | PPG | APG | RPG | SPG | FG% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 932 | 932 | 27.0 | 6.7 | 5.8 | 2.8 | 47.4% | 81.4% |
7. Elgin Baylor (1961)
Averaged 38 and 19 in the same season. Scored 61 in the Finals. And did it all while flying commercial and serving in the Army.
He was ahead of his time. A small forward who played like a 2020s hybrid monster.
| GP | PPG | APG | RPG | FG% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 846 | 27.4 | 4.3 | 13.5 | 43.1% | 78.0% |
8. George Mikan (1949–1954)
The league changed rules to stop him. He was the first dynasty. No Mikan, no NBA.
Sure, it was black-and-white TV. But he owned that era.
| GP | PPG | APG | RPG | FG% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 439 | 23.1 | 2.8 | 13.4 | 40.4% | 78.2% |
9. James Worthy (1988)
“Big Game James” dropped 36-16-10 in Game 7 of the Finals. That alone earns this spot.
He was the perfect complement to Magic. Silent. Deadly. Fast-break royalty.
| GP | GS | PPG | APG | RPG | SPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 926 | 717 | 17.6 | 3.0 | 5.1 | 1.1 | 52.1% | 24.1% | 76.9% |
10. Pau Gasol (2009–2010)
No Pau, no repeat. His footwork, finesse, and toughness in ’09 and ’10 Finals flipped narratives. He outplayed Dwight. Battled Garnett.
He finally got his jersey retired in 2023 — a moment Lakers fans had waited for.
| GP | GS | PPG | APG | RPG | BPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 429 | 429 | 17.7 | 3.5 | 9.9 | 1.6 | 52.2% | 0% | 78.9% |
