It is very difficult to place one Laker over another, as each one of them has brought glory and success to the franchise. Generally, critics and analysts look at a player’s statistics and championships to determine their legacy. Usually, the player with more rings and MVPs gets the edge in the competition. However, there is still no clear cut winner.
Instead of choosing which player is the greatest of all-time, let’s look at the best player based on jersey number. The Lakers have signed hundreds of players, and they are remembered for the number they wore.
Forgot naming the best player of the decade or of all-time, instead let’s name the best player for each number 00-99.
Next: 00-10
00: There has only been one player to ever host the number 00 in Lakers’ history. In 1993 Benoit Benjamin wore the unique number, and he showed it off proudly. However, his stint in Los Angeles ended that same year. Benjamin did not have much success with the Lakers, but he will be remembered as the pioneer for number 00.
0: The number zero is gaining some popularity in the NBA, first Gilbert Arenas immortalized the number, but it quickly fell into shame after the gun incident. Currently Russell Westbrook is wearing the number zero, and he is doing a great job at it. As for the Lakers, there have been only three players to ever wear the number 0: Calvin Garrett, Orlando Woolridge and Soumaila Samake. I doubt anyone remembers who these players were, and for good reason. These set of Lakers did not accomplish much during their time in Los Angeles. However, Woolridge has won the honor after his mediocre two season with the Lakers, when he averaged 11.2 ppg and 3.3 rpg.
1: The number one is a very popular number outside sports. It symbolizes the greatnesses and prestige in a player or human being. However, the number one has a bad reputation in Lakers’ history. Perhaps the most ridiculed player in recent memory, Smush Parker, wore this number. As most Laker fans know, Smush Parker was not the point guard the team was looking for. The other noteworthy player who bore number one was Caron Butler. Butler was Kobe’s prodigy, and for the most part Butler did not upset the Lakers fan. With all that being said, Butler wins this matchup due to the sole fact that Parker was horrible (I say that with the utmost respect.)
2: Despite the fact that Derek Fisher will most likely never be an all-star or hall-of-famer, he holds a special place in Laker fans hearts. Fisher has helped the franchise win five championships, and he has worked along side Kobe Bryant for all of them. Thanks to his clutch threes and unforgettable moments, Derek Fisher is the greatest Laker to wear number 2.
3: The number 3 has been wore many times by Laker players, but only two of them stand out. Devean George and Trevor Ariza are the two most famous holders of the number three. Although George helped the Lakers win three championships, he never made the explosive dunks like Ariza. Ariza was a fan-favorite in Los Angeles, and he was a major player in the Lakers championship run in 2009. The edge goes to Ariza for his stellar play in Los Angeles, which sadly ended in the summer of 2009.
4: Byron Scott is the greatest player to wear the number four, and there is no debate in that. Yes, Scott coaches the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers, but he was a key player in the Showtime era. If it weren’t for Scott, Magic Johnson would have lost one of his best finishers. Scott played a big role on the Lakers team, and he deserves this coveted award.
5: Ah, the number five. This number has been worn 11 times in Lakers history, and is currently on the jersey of Steve Blake. The number five, however, was made famous thanks to Robert Horry. “Big Shot Rob” made several game winning shots with the number, and no one can forget his game winner vs. the Kings. Mr. Big Shot, you have won the honor as the greatest Laker to wear number five.
6: Eddie Jones wore the number six from 1997-1999, and he put up very impressive stats. Jones averaged double-digit points, and he was a key player for the Lakers in the late-1990s. Eddie Jones faced very little competition in this race, since he had to beat out Adam Morrison for the award.
7: Lamar Odom also faced little competition for his number. Odom has been a fan-favorite in Los Angeles for his versatility and occasional highlight plays; there is no question that Lamar Odom is the greatest player to ever wear the number seven.
8: The number eight was worn by Kobe Bryant from 1997-2006, and he accomplished many incredible feats with the number. Kobe won three championships and he scored 81 points in a single game while wearing the number eight. Although he switched to the number 24, Bryant should still be regarded as the best player to wear the number.
9: Nick Van Exel was perhaps the Lakers’ best player in the 1990s, and he dazzled fans with his spectacular plays and moves. Van Exel wore the number for five seasons and in those seasons he averaged nearly 15 points per game.
10: Norm Nixon is currently the Lakers analyst on Fox Sports West, but he was an incredible player back in his hay-day. Nixon wore the number for all of his six seasons with the Lakers and he put up stellar numbers.
Next: 11-20
11: The number 11 has been worn 17 times in Lakers history; Gail Goodrich wore the number and his jersey has been raised to the rafters. However, under Goodrich’s name is the number 25. Goodrich did not have an incredible stint with the number 11, so he looses this battle. Bob McAdoo arrived to the Lakers with one thing in mind, win championships. McAdoo was a key bench player and he worked alongside Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Bob McAdoo, you are the greatest player to wear the number 11.
12: The number 12 is currently worn by the highflyer Shannon Brown, and he has excited the Staples Center crowd from the minute he was traded from the Bobcats. Brown has been a fan-favorite in Los Angeles and he has won the honor due to his dunks and exciting play.
13: There is no question Wilt Chamberlain is the greatest player to wear the number 13 in Lakers’ history. Chamberlain’s “13” jersey is currently hanging from Staples Center, and he was perhaps the most dominant player in his era. Although he only won one championship in Los Angeles, Wilt Chamberlain still wins the prize.
14: Sam Perkins played for the Lakers for a few years, but he still had a productive career in Los Angeles. Perkins wins the crown for his 15.0 ppg with the team.
15: The only player that stands out in the list of players who wore the number 15 is Ron Artest. Artest has not accomplished much while wearing this number, except for losing his championship ring. Ron Artest you are now able to add another accomplishment to your resume, you are the greatest Laker player to wear the number 15.
17: Pau Gasol’s wingman, Andrew Bynum has also added another trophy to his trophy case. Bynum has been the man in the middle for the Lakers, and his defense presence is something the Lakers cannot replace. Without Bynum the Lakers have trouble defending teams, with Bynum the Lakers are the best team in the NBA
18: The two players battling for this distinguish honor are Kurt Rambis and Sasha Vujacic. Vujacic was once a fan-favorite in Los Angeles and he was considered the “Machine.” However, Vujacic lost his shooting touch and his popularity at the same time. As for Rambis, he is loved by Laker fans to this day and he was most known for his hard-nose style of play. But, Rambis had most of his signature plays while wearing number 31, so the winner is Sasha Vujacic.
19: Many fans do not remember who Vern Mikkelsen was and that is because he played along side George Mikan during the Minneapolis days. Mikkelsen was the game’s original power forward, and he paved the way for players like Tim Duncan and Pau Gasol. Vern Mikkelsen was a pioneer not only for the Lakers, but the NBA as well.
20: 21 players have worn the number 20, and the greatest of them all still sits on the Lakers’ sidelines. Brian Shaw is the Lakers assistant head coach, and according to many Shaw will replace Phil Jackson once he leaves. Shaw helped the Lakers win three titles in the early 2000s thanks to his three point shooting abilities.
Next: 21-30
21: Michael Cooper was a key player for the Lakers during the Showtime era and he spent all of his 12 seasons in Los Angeles. Cooper averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.2 rpg, but he was most known for his effort and hustle plays.
22: Elgin Baylor is another player who had his jersey retire by the franchise, and for good reason. Baylor was an assassin on the court, and he could score from anywhere he wanted. Although Baylor never won a title, his accomplishments must be cherished.
23: Cedric Ceballos had an amazing two seasons in Los Angeles. When he played for the Lakers, Ceballos wore the number 23 and the averaged an incredible 21 ppg. Even though Ceballos never won a title, he deserves this prize due to his productive career in Los Angeles.
25: Gail Goodrich finally wins the battle after being edged by Bob McAdoo for number 11. His number “25” was retired by the Lakers, which automatically wins him the honor.
26: There has only been one player in Lakers’ history to wear number 26, and it was Danny Schayes. Schayes was with the Lakers for only one season, and he wins the award by default.
27: Art Spoelstra was also the only player to wear the number 27, and he too wore it for only one season. Although very few people know who you are Mr. Spoelstra, you are the greatest (and only) player to wear the number 27.
28: Didier Ilunga-Mbenga is the only player to wear the number 28 on a purple-and-gold jersey. D.J Mbenga, known as “Congo Cash,” has added another accolade to his resume.
30: The number 30 has not seen much success in Lakers’ history. Even though the number has been worn 15 times, there isn’t any player who stands out. Due to lack of competition, George Lynch will be named the winner.
Next: 31-40
31: Kurt Rambis wore number 31 for most of his career, and the majority of his highlight plays happened when he wore the number. Rambis was a fan-favorite in Los Angeles, and he had exactly what Coach Pat Riley wanted in a player.
33: Magic Johnson’s go-to-man was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Jabbar also won five championships with the Lakers, and he finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. Adbul-Jabbar was a dominant force in the inside, and his hook-shot was the greatest shot to ever appear in the NBA. Kareem Adbul-Jabbar averaged 24 points per game and nearly 11 rebounds per game.
34: Shaquille O’Neal wore the number 34 in his days with the Lakers. Shaq was the most dominate player in the league, and he led the Lakers to three NBA championships. In his eight seasons in Los Angeles, O’Neal averaged 25.9 ppg and 11.3 rpg.
35: Mark Madsen did not put up great stats, but he was perhaps the “funniest” player on the Lakers in the early 2000s. Madsen was the laughing stock of the NBA after his dance at the Lakers championship parade, and that is why he has won.
37: The only player in Lakers’ history to wear the number 37 is the Humanitarian Ron Artest. Artest wore the number in remembrance to Michael Jackson and his album “Thriller.” Artest also won a NBA championship while wearing the number 37, and he was perhaps MVP of Game 7 of the Finals.
40: There weren’t a lot of great players who wore the number 40, so the 4.9 ppg average of Mike McGee will be enough to win.
Next: 41-50
41: Glen Rice played for the Lakers for two seasons and he had a very efficient stay in Los Angeles. Rice averaged 17.7 ppg and 4.1 rpg, but his career in Los Angeles was very short.
43: Mychal Thompson spent his final 4 ½ seasons in Los Angeles and he had mediocre numbers. Thompson played during the Showtime era and he averaged nine points per game.
44: Jerry West was the Lakers original superstar, and the current NBA logo is designed after him. West is the Lakers’ second all-time leading scorer and he won one championship in 1972. Although West did not achieve much in terms of titles, he is still the greatest player to ever wear 44 on the coveted purple-and-gold.
45: A.C. Green played for the Lakers during the Showtime era and in the early 2000s. Green had the privilege to win a title with both Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal.
49: Mel McCants was the only player to wear the unique number 49. McCants wore the number in 1990, and he has won the crown.
50: There have been only four players to wear the number 50 in Lakers’ history, and Ed Fleming had the best statistical career of the pack. Fleming played for the Lakers in the Minneapolis era, and averaged 7.2 ppg and 4.6 rpg while wearing number 50.
Next: 52-99
52: Jamaal Wilkes spent eight seasons with the Lakers and he won two champions while in Los Angeles. In his NBA career, Wilkes averaged 17.7 ppg and 6.2 rpg,
53: James Edwards was the one and only player to wear number 53, and he wore it proudly; Edwards will walk away with the honor.
54: Horace Grant was a hard-nose player and he did all the dirty work for the Lakers in the early 2000s. Grant played along side Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, and he helped the young duo win the 2001 NBA championship.
55: Billy Thompson beat out Brian Grant for the blue ribbon, thanks to stats and championship rings. Neither of these players had spectacular careers, but in this round Thompson’s championship ring did all the talking.
73: Dennis Rodman will be remembered most for this time with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls, but he did spend one season with the Lakers. In the 1999 season, Rodman averaged 2.1 ppg and 11.2 rpg.
89: Clyde Lovellette was the only brave soul to wear the rare number 89. Despite his odd number, Lovellete had a great NBA career with the Minneapolis Lakers, and he was inducted into the basketball hall-of-fame in 1988.
99: The game’s original superstar was George Mikan. Mikan played for the Minneapolis Lakers, and he paved the way for all the future stars. Mikan started the NBA’s first dynasty, and he won five championships with the Lakers. There would be no Shaquille O’Neal or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar if it weren’t for Mr. Basketball.