After the departure of Earvin “Magic” Johnson from the Lakers, the debate has emerged once again; who is
the greatest Laker of all-time, Kobe Bryant or Magic Johnson? The OC Register has asked the question , “Is Kobe the best L.A. has ever seen.”
Kobe Bryant did not receive a lot of success in his early years in the NBA, unlike Magic who won a championship in his first season in the league. However, once Kobe found his place on the Lakers and in the league, he became one of the most dangerous offensive players.
Magic was never really a dynamic scorer, but instead he was an all-around great player. Magic carried the Lakers during the “Showtime” era and led the team to five championship, while winning three Finals MVPs. Magic Johnson ended his career at 19.5 points per game, 11.2 assists per game and 7.2 rebounds per game.
Kobe Bryant has been one of, if not the, best player in the NBA for a long time. His explosive offensive game and unquestionable leadership has brought Kobe to the discussion of the greatest players in NBA history. As of October 2010, Kobe Bryant has won five championships and two Finals MVPs. Over his 14 years in the NBA, Kobe has averaged 25.3 points per game, 4.7 assists per game and 5.3 rebounds per game.
So Lakers Nation, let the debate begin. Where does Kobe rank in Laker history?
