Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers is a National Basketball Association team based in Los Angeles, California. They are notable for having the highest number of wins (2,621), the highest winning percentage (61.9%), the most number of finals appearances (28), and the second most championships (14). They also have the record for most number of consecutive wins in a season (33).
General information - Founded: 1947 in National Basketball League, joined NBA in 1948.
- Formerly known as: Minneapolis Lakers 1947-60
- Home Arena: STAPLES Center
- Uniform colors: Purple and Gold
- Logo design: A yellow basketball, the purple letters "LOS ANGELES LAKERS" superimposed
- National Basketball League Championship: 1948
- NBA Championships: 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002
- 2004-05 Record: 34-48
Miscellaneous information - As the Minneapolis Lakers, the team holds the record for the lowest-scoring NBA game ever played along with the Fort Wayne Pistons. On November 22, 1950, the Lakers were leading until the fourth quarter, when the Pistons pulled ahead to win 19 to 18. This took place in a time before efforts were made to speed up gameplay, such as the addition of the shot clock.
- Los Angeles is the only city to have two NBA teams (the other is the Los Angeles Clippers.)
- The 2004-05 season marks only the fourth time the Laker franchise has failed qualifying for the post-season since the team moved to Los Angeles in 1960.
Players of note - 11 Bob McAdoo
- 13 Wilt Chamberlain
- 17 Jim Pollard (Minneapolis)
- 19 Vern Mikkelsen (Minneapolis)
- 22 Slater Martin (Minneapolis)
- 22 Elgin Baylor (Minneapolis-Los Angeles)
- 25 Gail Goodrich
- 32 Magic Johnson
- 33 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- 34 Clyde Lovellette (Minneapolis)
- 42 James Worthy
- 44 Jerry West
- 99 George Mikan (Minneapolis)
- 02 Christopher Barragan
Not to be forgotten: - Happy Hairston
- Jamaal Wilkes
- Norm Nixon
- Michael Cooper
- Byron Scott
- A.C. Green
- Shaquille O'Neal
- Robert Horry
- Derek Fisher
- Karl Malone
- Gary Payton
Retired numbers: - 13 Wilt Chamberlain
- 22 Elgin Baylor
- 25 Gail Goodrich
- 32 Magic Johnson
- 33 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- 42 James Worthy
- 44 Jerry West
- Microphone Chick Hearn
Current Players
Starters:Kobe Bryant - Shooting Guard, 6'6", 220Lamar Odom - Power Forward, 6'10", 225Caron Butler - Small Forward, 6'7", 215Chucky Atkins - Point Guard, 5'11", 160Chris Mihm - Center, 7'0", 265 Reserves: Vlade Divac - Center, 7'1", 260Brian Cook - Power Forward, 6'9", 235Tierre Brown - Point Guard, 6'2", 190Devean George - Small Forward, 6'8", 240Brian Grant - Center, 6'9", 255Jumaine Jones - Small Forward, 6'8", 220Slava Medvedenko - Power Forward, 6'10", 250Luke Walton - Small Forward, 6'8", 235 Rookies: Sasha Vujacic - Shooting Guard, 6'7", 195Tony Bobbitt - Guard, 6'4", 190 Draft Picks (June 2004): Sasha VujacicMarcus Douthit
Coaches and others Chick Hearn (broadcaster; Basketball Hall of Famer)Bill Sharman (Basketball Hall of Famer; enshrined both for his playing career with the Boston Celtics and as a coach)John Kundla (Hall of Fame coach during Minneapolis years)Bud Grant played for team before playing and coach footballJerry Buss owner since 1979. Purchased LA Lakers and Great Western Forum from Jack Kent Cooke.Pat Riley Head Coach from 1981-91. The Lakers won 4 titles under his tenure and accumulated a 0.733 regular season win percentage.Phil Jackson coached team 1999-2004, won 3 consecutive NBA titlesRudy Tomjanovich 2004, resigned February 2 citing health concerns
External links Los Angeles Lakers official web siteLakerfreak-For fans by a fanLakerStats.com - Stats, News, DiscussionLakersground.net - Online Fan CommunityLakersTalk - Laker's Online ForumKobeBryant8.net: The #1 Unofficial Kobe Bryant Site on the net!Los Angeles Lakers TicketsWhere the Los Angeles Lakers Play in the SummerLos Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant Case central
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