The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled early this season. In his first year as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, Mike Brown has been successful in establishing his defensive mentality. Unfortunately, the Lakers have been having problems scoring the ball.
Although you can argue that defense wins championships, some of the Lakers’ championship teams of the past have been prolific scoring teams. This week we take a look at some of the most exciting high-scoring Laker teams that were ultimately successful and ended up as NBA champions.
5. Los Angeles Lakers: 2008-2009
This Laker team was fresh off a painful loss in the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics. With the motivation to avenge the loss and reach the NBA Finals again the Lakers were an explosive offensive team. During the season they averaged 106.9 points per game, and that was the third best mark in the league. Kobe Bryant led the way with 26.8 points per game. The Lakers would go on to win the NBA title against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um10HO3r_oo&feature=related
4. Los Angeles Lakers: 1979-1980
The Los Angeles Lakers had not won an NBA title in several years, but this 1979-1980 season they had a special rookie point guard by the name of Magic Johnson to go along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Lakers would average 115.1 points per game, and that was the second best in the NBA that season. They were led by Abdul-Jabbar with 24.8 per contest. Magic and Kareem would capture their first NBA title as the dynamic tandem.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYNDWaEmqto
Next Page: More Showtime
3. Los Angeles Lakers: 1986-1987
The purple and gold had failed to reach the NBA Finals in the previous season, and Showtime was eager to get back to the top. Magic Johnson would lead the team with 23.9 points per game, and the Lakers would have the second highest scoring offense in the league by averaging 117.8 points per game. To make matters even sweeter, the Lakers would defeat the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals that year.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSdPatx9ds
2. Los Angeles Lakers: 1984-1985
Once again, the Showtime Lakers are going to be part of this list, but they have earned it. This Laker squad was a prolific scoring bunch as they averaged 118.2 points per game, which was once again the second best in the league. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would be leading scorer for them that season with 22 points per game. Just like the number three spot on this list, the Lakers would reach the NBA Finals and eventually beat the hated Boston Celtics.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4FjNlpomAs
Next Page: The First of Many
1. Los Angeles Lakers: 1971-1972
When the Lakers made the move to Los Angeles it took them about 10 years to finally be crowned NBA Champions. During that 1971-72 season the Lakers were helped by Jerry West, who averaged 25.8 points per game. But the leading scorer that season was Gail Goodrich, who would average 25.9 points per game. The Lakers also had one of the all-time leading scorers in Wilt Chamberlain, but he only averaged 14.8 points. As a collective unit, the Lakers averaged a league-leading 121.0 points per game. That year they were finally able to capture the NBA title as they defeated the New York Knicks. Although the Showtime era was known for their tempo and scoring, this Laker team is by far the best offensive team the Lakers have ever had.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRhTtQO7W8Y