Shaquille O’Neal is undoubtedly one of the greatest centers of all time. The legendary big man was an unstoppable force throughout his career, compiling a resume that few can compare to.
Shaq’s career peaked while in the City of Angels with the L.A. Lakers, leading the franchise to a dynasty in the early 2000s. O’Neal was the best player on this team, forming an iconic duo with Kobe Bryant.
Shaq has always been confident in his own standing among the greats. Therefore, it was pretty surprising when “The Big Aristotle” shared his list of the ten greatest Lakers ever, where he ranked himself.
O’Neal would be most franchises’ GOAT with what he accomplished in Los Angeles, but not with this team. Here is Shaq’s ranking of the ten greatest Lakers ever.
10 LeBron James
You won’t see LeBron James this low in any other ranking. The transcendent small forward has played seven seasons in purple and gold and led the Lakers to their most recent championship in 2020.
LeBron has spent the twilight of his career in Los Angeles, but he has still been among the ten best players in the league this whole time.
Including the championship, one of the highlights of James’ career came on February 7, 2023, when he broke the NBA’s all-time scoring record. Shockingly, LeBron’s cement is still not dry at age 40.
9 George Mikan
George Mikan was the original franchise legend, leading the then-Minneapolis Lakers to five NBA championships. The physical center was a dominant force that intimidated opponents on both ends with his imposing size.
Even though the league did not have as much talent as it did a decade later, Mikan does deserve more respect when it comes to all-time great big men and is a deserved inclusion on a list like this.
8 Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor is another underrated Laker legend who revolutionized the league with his unparalleled athleticism and body control. The DC native was renowned for his acrobatic finishes at the rim, which led to ten All-NBA First Team selections.
Even though he never won a championship, Baylor would be a huge snub if he didn’t make this kind of ranking.
7 Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain was an other-worldly athlete who was so dominant that the NBA had to change the game to try to contain him. It still didn’t work out, and “Wilt the Stilt” still set many records that may never be matched or exceeded.
Chamberlain was not in his prime during his time with the Lakers, but he played six seasons with the franchise, winning a championship and Finals MVP in 1972.
6 James Worthy
James Worthy was the ultimate glue guy for the “Showtime” Lakers, playing his best games on the biggest stage. “Big Game James” was a classic playoff riser who won three championships during his twelve years with the franchise.
That included winning Finals MVP during the 1988 series win over the Boston Celtics. There’s an argument for Worthy to be a little lower on this list, but he had to be included. Shaq would’ve loved playing alongside a versatile forward like James.
5 Shaquille O’Neal
Speaking of Shaq, this is where the beloved center put himself in his top 10. O’Neal, who shockingly signed with Los Angeles in the summer of 1996, made sure Lakers’ fans did not have to wait long for their next dynasty.
For three years, the first-ballot Hall of Famer was the best player in the world. Could O’Neal have put himself higher on this list? Yes. Is it not outrageous to have four players in front of him on this kind of list? Also yes.
4 Jerry West
“Mr. Clutch” is one of the most underrated players in NBA history and a victim of the Bill Russell-led Boston Celtics. Jerry West and the Lakers lost six times to the Celtics in the Finals during the 1960s.
Nevertheless, the all-time great shooting guard continued to play his best during these moments, while also being selected to 14 All-Star teams and making twelve All-NBA squads. West finally got to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 1972, beating the New York Knicks in five games.
West also served as an executive for the Lakers for close to 20 years, winning six more championships with the franchise, and was one of the greatest basketball minds the league has ever seen.
3 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had what is still perhaps the most unguardable shot ever, which led to 38,387 career points. The 7-foot-2 big man is generally the majority pick when it comes to the greatest center ever, and he put together a basketball resume that puts him squarely in the GOAT debate.
Kareem spent 14 seasons with the Lakers, making 13 All-Star teams, ten All-NBA squads, while winning three MVPs, one Finals MVP, and five championships.
2 Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson was a transcendent point guard who changed the NBA with his size, speed, and incredible passing ability. The Lansing, Michigan native’s extraordinary basketball IQ created some of the league’s most iconic moments, leading to five championships.
Magic spent his whole career in Los Angeles, winning three regular-season MVPs and three Finals MVPs. A case can certainly be made that the transcendent point guard deserves the top spot on this list.
1 Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant embodied the Lakers’ winning culture, leading the team to five NBA championships over two decades. “The Black Mamba’s” relentless work ethic and competitive drive inspired millions who saw his entire basketball journey take place in “La-La Land.”
Bryant developed into a star alongside Shaquille O’Neal in the early 2000s, and subsequently became one of the faces of the league after O’Neal’s departure in 2004.
Statistically, Kobe ranks as the all-time leading scorer in Lakers history, delivering countless iconic performances in both the regular season and playoffs.
Beyond the numbers, Kobe’s loyalty to playing his entire 20-year career with the Lakers cemented his legacy as a symbol of dedication and greatness for the franchise. It’s fitting that Shaq has his good friend as No. 1 in this ranking.