10 Greatest Moments in Lakers History
In the history of the NBA, there aren’t many franchises close to being on the same level as the Los Angeles Lakers. Since the franchise was founded in 1947 as the Minneapolis Lakers, there has been an endless parade of championships and memorable Lakers moments. To this day, getting your hands on Lakers tickets and attending a game in person is a special experience, more so than seeing any other NBA team. But in the proud history of this prestigious franchise, what moments stand out the most? We wanted to answer that question, so we decided to create a list of the ten greatest moments in Lakers’ history.
Arriving in LA
There’s no way of knowing for sure, but it’s safe to say the Lakers would have never become the Lakers if they had stayed in Minneapolis and never moved to Los Angeles. Being called the Lakers still doesn’t make a lot of sense. But the glitz and glamour of LA have been a big part of what has defined the franchise and led to such on-court success, making the move to Los Angeles one of the most defining moments in franchise history.
2020 Bubble Championship
In an unprecedented situation, it was the Lakers who triumphed after the NBA returned to action in 2020 amidst an ongoing pandemic. Behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers had been the best team during the regular season before the season was paused. They continued to dominate inside the bubble, going 16-5 in the playoffs to end a decade-long championship drought.
Phil Jackson Arrives
The arrival of Jackson to Los Angeles was one of those watershed moments for the Lakers. At the time, the Lakers hadn’t won a title in over a decade and had become somewhat ordinary. But that changed when the Zen Master arrived in the summer of 1999. Across two stints with the Lakers, Jackson coached the team to five NBA titles, making the Lakers the most accomplished franchise of the 21st century.
Kobe’s Final Game
The fact that Kobe died prematurely under tragic circumstances makes his final game with the Lakers even more memorable. Not only was it the end of an era and the end of one of the most brilliant careers in NBA history, but Kobe showed that he could still play. In his final game, Kobe scored 60 points and put on an absolute show, going out like the superstar that he was.
Kobe’s 81 Points
It may not have been as much as Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game, but Kobe’s 81 points against the Raptors in 2006 in a comeback win for the Lakers is surely among the greatest individual games in NBA history. Kobe spent the entire game in the zone, hitting seven of his 13 three-point attempts and securing 18 of his 20 free-throw tries. His 81 points weren’t just because he was a ball hog, Kobe was efficient, scoring those 81 points on just 46 shots, and he did so while carrying the Lakers to a win.
Playoff Comeback Over Trail Blazers in 2000
Not all championships are created equally. The 2000 championship for the Lakers was special because of how it happened. After leading the Western Conference Finals against the Trail Blazers 3-1, the Lakers lost two in a row, forcing a Game 7. Portland continued that momentum, taking a 15-point lead into the fourth quarter of Game 7. However, the Lakers pulled it together for the final 12 minutes, coming back to win the game and winning the NBA Finals for their first of three straight championships.
Game 7, 2010 NBA Finals
Two of the greatest franchises in NBA history crossed paths in the 2010 NBA Finals when the Lakers played the Celtics. It was the 12th time the two teams met in the finals, with the Celtics winning in six games just two years earlier, giving Boston nine wins in those 11 NBA Finals showdowns. But the Lakers finally got the last laugh in what can only be described as an epic Game 7, winning 83-79 to capture the title.
The Arrival of Kobe and Shaq
One of the greatest partnerships in NBA history came to fruition during the summer of 1996. In a move that was criticized at the time, the Lakers traded star center Vlade Diviac for the rights of high schooler Kobe Bryant. Soon after, they signed free agent Shaquille O’Neal. In short order, the Lakers acquired two of the biggest legends in NBA history. While volatile at times, that partnership would eventually lead to three consecutive titles and countless memories on the court.
Magic Coin Flip
The Lakers got a little bit of luck back in 1979 when a coin flip decided who got the first overall pick in the draft. The Lakers won the coin flip and selected Magic Johnson. David Greenwood was the second overall pick. But since they won the coin flip, the Lakers got Magic, and the rest is history, as Magic helped the Lakers to win five NBA titles during his illustrious career.
1985 NBA Finals
Heading into the 1985 NBA Finals, the Celtics had won all nine NBA Finals in which they came up against the Lakers. Boston had earned bragging rights against the Lakers time and time again, including the previous season. However, 1985 was the year that the Lakers finally turned the tide and became the pre-eminent team in the NBA. Behind 29 points from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and 14 assists from Magic Johnson, the Lakers won Game 6 at Boston Garden to win the series. The win catapulted the Lakers to become the most successful franchise in the NBA for decades, making it the most memorable moment in franchise history.