Why the Los Angeles Lakers: The most successful teams in the NBA?
The Los Angeles Lakers are playing in the Western Conference as a member in the Pacific division of the National Basketball Association, commonly known as the NBA, as a professional basketball team originating from Los Angeles, California.
Staple Center is the home arena of the Lakers also shared along with the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA, and the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL. Being the most successful franchises in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers are also regarded as one of the most successful teams since the formation of the National Basketball Association with a record of 17 championships. This record is only shared with the Boston Celtics who also happen to be their fiercest rivals in NBA history.
In 1947 the Los Angeles Lakers were born after the disbandment of the Detroit Gems who were a team in the National Basketball League (NBL). Early on the franchise played in Minneapolis, Minnesota going by the name the Minneapolis Lakers. The Minneapolis Lakers won their first title in the 1948 NBL championship before joining the Basketball Association of America (BBA). In the BAA the Lakers went on to dominate the next six championships winning five. The Minneapolis Lakers struggled financially in the 1950s after the retirement of star player George Mikan. They made Los Angeles their new home from the 1960-61 season.
| Established | 1947 |
| Conference | Western and Northwest division |
| Head Coach | Frank Vogel |
| Arena/Stadium | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California |
| Owner | Buss Family Trusts |
| General manager | Rob Pelinka |
| Main Sponsor | Bibigo |
| Championships | 17 (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020) |
| Conference titles | 19 (1972, 1973, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2020) |
| Divisional titles | 33 (1950, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2020) |
The Lakers made the NBA Finals six times led by Elgin Baylor in the 1960s but lost every series to their fiercest rivals the Boston Celtics. These losses to the Celtics, the team upturn in their fortunes started when they acquired four-time MVP Wilt Chamberlain and head coach Bill Sharman in 1972. This acquisition led to the Laker’s sixth championship which was their first since relocating to Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Kareem Abdul-Jabbal in 1975 after the retirements of Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain. An ownership change in the late 1970s brought a vision of entertainment to games and the acquisition of 1979 first overall draft pick, Irvin Magic Johnson.
New head coach Pat Riley had a very solid team in Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and James Worthy regarded as the league’s best team ever in NBA history. In the 1980s the Los Angeles Lakers nicknamed the “Showtime Lakers” went on to become a league powerhouse. This was due to their fast style of play with Magic Johnson at the heart of the team. In 9 years, the Los Angeles Lakers won five championships and a couple of memorable duels with their fierce rival, the Celtics.
The team drafted Kobe Bryant after their early 1990s struggles and signed Shaquille O’neil in 1996 both led the team with Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson would propel the team to three consecutive championships at the start of the new Millenium. The Los Angeles Lakers have won three more championships in 2009, 2010, and recently in 2020 after they acquired league stars Antony Davis and Lebron James coach by Frank Vogel regarded as one of the best players of this era secured their 17th championship title. The Lakers are still a force to reckon with in the NBA but have not quite replicated the dominance of their glory days.
To know more about the Lakers visit: Wikipedia