This is our list of the top power forwards in Laker history. The Lakers have had many great big mans throughout their years in existence. The Lakers had dominating big men during the Minneapolis era and also the Los Angeles era. These big men were unstoppable forces in the paint and were deadly away from the basket. The Lakers’ power forwards were not limited to the traditional style of play, these players were versatile and extremely talented.
Honorable Mention: Lamar Odom
Lamar Odom began his career in Los Angeles, the Clippers that is. Odom had a very successful rookie season with the Clippers, as he averaged 16.6 ppg and 7.8 rpg. Odom would continue playing home games at the Staples Center until the 2003-2004 season, when he was traded to the Heat.
Odom when then be traded back to Los Angeles, this time the Lakers. However, Odom did not join the star-studded team that won three straight titles, as Shaq was headed to Miami in the same trade.
To this day, Odom plays for the Lakers and is a valuable piece of the bench. Double-doubles are not an uncommon thing for Odom and when Odom is concentrated, he can win games single-handedly.
His only downfall is his inconsistency, as if it weren’t for that, Lamar Odom may have cracked the top five. However, his future looks bright and there will be many more championship opportunities for Odom. Who knows, he may be considered one of the best power forwards once its all said and done.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaFqYqV6Zc8
Next: Robert Horry
5. Robert Horry
Robert Horry is a champion, he has more title rings than Kobe or Shaq, in fact Horry has to use two hands in order to order to fit all his “bling.” Horry won three of his seven titles in Los Angeles, and developed the nickname, “Big Shot Rob.”
Although his stats are not amazing, Horry won many games for the Lakers with his clutch shots. One of the most famous game winning shots came in the 2002 Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers were facing the Kings and were down by two with only 11 seconds left. Kobe and Shaq both missed shots and the ball seemed to just fall right into Horry’s hands. He shot the three, the buzzer sounded and the Lakers won the game.
Horry may never become a hall-of-famer and his stats will never impress people. However, if it weren’t for Robert Horry, the Lakers may have never three-peated.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp19op8uK1E
Next: Kurt Rambis
4. Kurt Rambis
Kurt Rambis was always the coach’s favorite player, he never backed down from a challenge and always made the hustle plays. Rambis was part of the Showtime Lakers and played for the team from his rookie season, 1981-1982, up until the 1987-1988 season.
Rambis however retuned to the Lakers for his last two seasons in the NBA. Rambis did not have stellar stats, but he did not care about what showed up on the box score. Rambis did what he was told, if he had to score he would or if he had to get rebounds, he would. Rambis was all about hustle and doing whatever the team needed.
During his time with the Lakers, Rambis never averaged more than 10 points per game, or more than 10 rebounds per game. He didn’t have to score much because he played along side Magic and Kareem. Rambis won four titles in his career, all coming with the Lakers.
Kurt Rambis is considered won of the best power forwards in Laker history because of the way he played and his never-back-down mentality. Look back at history and you can see that every team had a player like Kurt Rambis.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srjlaWsrPv4
Next: AC Green
3. AC Green
AC Green was drafted by the Lakers with the 23rd pick in the 1985 NBA Draft. The Lakers came off winning a championship the season before and were expected good things from their rookie.
Green had a solid first season, as he averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.6 rbg. Green spent eight seasons with the Lakers before moving on to the Phoenix Suns. During that time, Green helped the Lakers win back-to-back championships in ’87 and ’88 and earned the nickname “Iron Man.”
Green finally rejoined the Lakers in the 1999-2000 season. The Lakers had a pretty good roster at that point, with a young Kobe Bryant and the dominant Shaquille O’Neal. Just like how he helped Magic and Kareem win a title, AC Green brought the 2000 championship back to Los Angeles.
Green would spend his last year with the Miami Heat and eventually retire after a season in South Beach. AC Green left the league as a three-time champion and one of the best power forwards in Laker history.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_rn2y4vHKE
Next: Vern Mikkelson
2. Vern Mikkelson
In case you don’t know who Vern Mikkelson is, you aren’t alone. Mikkelson played along side George Mikan during the Minneapolis days. Mikkelson is considered the “NBA’s first power forward,” and he too was a pioneer for his position.
Mikkelson spent ten seasons with the Lakers and averaged 14.4 ppg and 9.4 rpg. Mikan and Mikkelson were the NBA’s first dynamic duo and they won four titles together. Mikkelson appeared in six all-star games and was a four-time selectee for the All-NBA second team.
Just like Mikan, Mikkelson did not have the greatest stats, and compared to current players, Mikkelson does not stack up. But, he was a pioneer, not only for the Lakers, but also for all future power forwards.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTIBrIyI2TE
Next: Pau Gasol
1. Pau Gasol
The Lakers have just won two straight titles and are looking to win their third straight this year. Perhaps the sole reason why the Lakers have become champions is because of the Spaniard, Pau Gasol.
The Lakers acquired Pau Gasol in the middle of the 2007-2008 season, and Gasol made an immediate impact. The Lakers were a struggle team and found it hard to even make it to the playoffs, but in Gasol’s first season, the Lakers made it to the Finals. The Celtics may have beaten the Lakers in the 2008 Finals, but Gasol proved to the world that he is one of the best big men in the league.
In the two and half years with the Lakers, Pau has helped the Lakers win two titles in three Finals appearances. In the purple and gold, Gasol averages 18.6 ppg and 9.5 rpg. Even though Pau has only been here for a few years, he transformed the Lakers the minute he stepped on the court.
The Lakers were still trying to rebuild after the Shaq era ended, and Gasol turned out to be the savior. No player in recent history has made a bigger impact that Pau Gasol. If it weren’t for Pau, the Lakers may be fighting for the seventh or eight seed in the West.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4anR-gjTMLQ&feature=related