LA Lakers All-Time Team: Kareem, Shaq, Or Wilt? 🤔

**TommieGunshot** · 04-10-20, 09:50 AM

Easily Kareem. Played more than twice as many games for LA than O'Neal, Finals MVP even at age 37. Wilt only had a few good years for the Lakers.

**TommieGunshot** · 04-10-20, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by Goat Milk

Shaq is not top 10, guy was a shell of himself after he left Kobe. Started bouncing around to every top player in the league to try and get as many rings as possible. Wade, Lebron, Nash, the legends in Boston. Lost respect for Shaq after that.

Most everything you just said is re-writing history: When Shaq went to Miami, Wade was coming off a rookie year average 16 points per game. Hardly anywhere close to one of the top players in the league. Shaq was definitely the best player on the Heat and still an MVP candidate those first two years. It wasn't until Wade took over in the Finals when he became one of the top players in the league. Shaq then went to Phoenix on a mid-season trade, not by his choosing. Being old and out-of-shape, he couldn't force his way to Cleveland like stars can today, he went there because they wanted him. Same with Boston.

**ChuckyTheGoat** · 04-10-20, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by Hman

Which center would you plug into your Lakers team?

This answer should be pretty ez. Focusing JUST on Laker contributions...it has to be Kareem.

Even when u extend the Q to: Who had the best career?

Still has to be Kareem. His longevity was amazing. Created an un-stoppable shot.

Go watch video of his young days in Milwaukee. He could run the break w/ fluidity. His size/range made him truly unstoppable. Almost unfair to play vs him. I'm dis-appointed Bucks didn't get a 2nd title...although they got to a 7th game vs Boston.

**JIBBBY** · 04-10-20, 12:44 PM

Shaq was the most dominate center of all time. He was a physical freak of nature that only comes around once in a blue moon..

**stevenash** · 04-10-20, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by ChuckyTheGoat

This answer should be pretty ez. Focusing JUST on Laker contributions...it has to be Kareem.

Even when u extend the Q to: Who had the best career?

Still has to be Kareem. His longevity was amazing. Created an un-stoppable shot.

Go watch video of his young days in Milwaukee. He could run the break w/ fluidity. His size/range made him truly unstoppable. Almost unfair to play vs him. I'm dis-appointed Bucks didn't get a 2nd title...although they got to a 7th game vs Boston.

That was a remarkable effort to get to game 7 in the 1973-1974 finals.
Besides Kareem and a good Lucius Allen running the point that Bucks team wasn't that deep that year.
Most teams would have rolled over and played dead.

Karerem played six years in Milwaukee, from 1970-1975.
Look at what Larry Costello and his Bucks did there his five years with Kareem.
Let's give credit to Costello, he did a great coaching job there.

Bucks and Costello from 1970-1974


Season	W	L	W/L%	Finish
1969-70	56	26	0.683	2
1970-71	66	16	0.805	1
1971-72	63	19	0.768	1
1972-73	60	22	0.732	1
1973-74	59	23	0.72	1

5 seasons	304	106	0.741

Playoffs from that five year run they were 36 and 21 against the leagues elite teams.

**TommieGunshot** · 04-10-20, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by stevenash

Let's give credit to Costello, he did a great coaching job there.

If he really did a great coaching job with Kareem and deserves, he should have also been able to do great coaching jobs without him. He didn't. All the evidence points to a mediocre coach who was lucky enough to have the best player in the world for a few years.

**SBR_Guest_Pro** · 04-10-20, 02:05 PM

don't forget lebron james. greatest of all time

**JIBBBY** · 04-10-20, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by SBR_Guest_Pro

don't forget lebron james. greatest of all time

Another physical freak like Shaq.. Not many Lebron's come around often either...

**stevenash** · 04-10-20, 04:07 PM

Originally posted by SBR_Guest_Pro

don't forget lebron james. greatest of all time

James wasn't a center.
And Jordan (who wasn't a center either) > James

**JIBBBY** · 04-10-20, 04:19 PM

Originally posted by stevenash

James wasn't a center.
And Jordan (who wasn't a center either) > James

Magic Johnson and Bill Russel were really the only players that have played all five positions on the court effectively.. Some say Charles Barkley as well but he was just a tiny bit short to play the center position..

**rm18** · 04-10-20, 04:30 PM

Lamar Odom and Derrick Coleman also

**JIBBBY** · 04-10-20, 04:36 PM

Originally posted by rm18

Lamar Odom and Derrick Coleman also

Lamar I could see maybe when he's not smoking rock, Coleman at point I don't see. Not sure Lamar had the handles to bring the ball up court either under the press at the point guard position..

Lamar Odom could probably get it done at all five positions in his prime though..

**Goat Milk** · 04-10-20, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by TommieGunshot

Most everything you just said is re-writing history: When Shaq went to Miami, Wade was coming off a rookie year average 16 points per game. Hardly anywhere close to one of the top players in the league. Shaq was definitely the best player on the Heat and still an MVP candidate those first two years. It wasn't until Wade took over in the Finals when he became one of the top players in the league. Shaq then went to Phoenix on a mid-season trade, not by his choosing. Being old and out-of-shape, he couldn't force his way to Cleveland like stars can today, he went there because they wanted him. Same with Boston.

Wade average 24 5 and 7 assists his second year in the NBA
27 5 and 7 his 3rd year.

Not sure where you getting your facts. Wade was always the best player on the Heat, always.