LA Times Readers' Lakers 75th anniversary team
First-place votes in parentheses.
1. Magic Johnson — 60,262 points (2,714)
Many readers commented on his unbelievable passing and the joy he brought to the game.
2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — 53,000 points (1,320)
A bit of a surprise he beat out Kobe for the second spot, but there may be no Laker in history more respected than Abdul-Jabbar.
3. Kobe Bryant — 49,185 points (1,045)
Might have finished second or first, but while Magic and Kareem were on almost every ballot, many people left Bryant off the ballot entirely saying he was "selfish" or "not a team player."
4. Jerry West — 46,379 points (682)
The first four on this list were miles ahead of everyone else and are clearly the Mt. Rushmore of the Lakers.
5. Elgin Baylor — 29,140 points (12)
Those who saw him play are still in awe of his athleticism on the court. He would have been a megastar in today's game.
6. Shaquille O'Neal — 27,747 points (18)
Almost always listed behind Kobe on ballots that featured the two. People who left Shaq off said his dedication to the game and to the Lakers was lacking.
7. Wilt Chamberlain — 21,603 points (146)
Many said they would have had him higher if he had spent more time as a Laker.
8. James Worthy — 16,817 points (3)
As a couple of voters said "Magic and Kareem got all the press, but the Lakers don't win all those titles without Big Game James."
9. George Mikan — 12,635 points (92)
Good job by readers for remembering the Lakers' first big star. Just think: Mikan retired 66 years ago.
10. Chick Hearn — 7,830 points (128)
Our experts considered only players. Our readers said it's possible Chick created more Lakers fans than any player did.
11. Jerry Buss — 5,896 points (91)
The creator of Showtime and still missed by most fans.
12. Gail Goodrich, — 4,869 points
Led the Lakers in scoring for four straight years. Many commented on his heart and desire.
13. LeBron James — 3,920 (21)
Seems to have become a very polarizing figure. He was left off a considerable number of ballots because he is a "carpetbagger" and only won one "Bubble Title."
14. Pau Gasol — 3,524 points
It looked like he might finish ahead of LeBron for a while.
15. Michael Cooper — 2,076 points
Our readers liked him more than our experts, with many calling him the greatest defender in Lakers history.
16. Pat Riley — 2,035 points
In the battle of great Lakers coaches, Riley beats out Phil Jackson.
17. Phil Jackson — 1,485 points
Jackson was respected, but Riley had that cool factor.
18. Jamaal Wilkes — 1,375 points
Silk is still one of the best nicknames of all time.
19. Derek Fisher — 1,082 points
More than one voter liked Fisher because he was the only one who could stand up to Kobe.
20. Robert Horry — 605 points
If you are down to your last shot, you could do worse than having the ball in Horry's hands.
21. Byron Scott — 458 points
He was the outside shot the Lakers needed in his prime.
22. Norm Nixon — 385 points
Some fans still rue the day the Lakers traded Nixon.
23. Anthony Davis — 311 points
If we do this in five years, he could be much higher.
24. Kurt Rambis — 275 points
Best inbound passer in Lakers history and secret weapon in the Lakers' fast break.
25. Jack Kent Cooke — 238 points
Without Cooke, there may have been no Fabulous Forum or Purple and Gold (or, as he preferred, Forum Blue and Gold).
Other receiving votes, in order:
Slater Martin, A.C. Green, Mychal Thompson, Jim McMillian, Bill Sharman, Nick Van Exel, Happy Hairston, Walt Hazzard, Eddie Jones, Jeanie Buss, Vern Mikkelsen, Bill Bertka,
Laker Girls, Alex Caruso, Dancing Barry, Ron Harper, Stu Lantz, Rudy LaRusso, Jack Nicholson, Jim Pollard, Gary Vitti and Russell Westbrook.