Seriously...what clueless fans are voting for the current kobe-gasol team? Were you guys not fans during shaq-kobe days to know how badly we dominated??
Gary - 14 years ago
Following the Lakers and Chick's play by play of the 71-72 Laker Championship team was in my mind unforgetable while establishing the modern record for consective wins (33) and also seeing the Lakers get their due after losing all those years to the darn Celtics.
James - 14 years ago
I'm not old enough to experience Wilt/West to my disadvantage.
Showtime is what I cut my teeth on. The epic battles they had with the Bird-led-Celtics and to a lesser degree the Detroit Bad Boys is what to me makes them the best Lakers team to me. Without a proper, consistent foil to play against for all the marbles, the truest essence of a team cannot be seen.
Terry Crow - 14 years ago
Its not even close. The 71-72 team is probably the best of all time, much less the best of the Laker teams. I do not believe that Shaq was stronger than Wilt. The man once averaged 50 PPG for an entire season. The combination of West and Goodrich, as a duo, are/were superior to any other Laker guards and Happy Hairston, as a rebounder and scorer, stood above any the Lakers have had since at his position. Jim McMillan was also a top notch player. In addition, that team's bench far exceeded any that the Lakers have had since. The 33 wins in a row should be enough proof for anybody as all of the teams in the NBA at that time were good, and all had stars. I can understand if you never saw these guys play, but if you did, there is no comparison.
Don - 14 years ago
Didn't play pro basketball, but I'll second Mike Heckman's comments. I saw the '72 Lakers, and they were the best.
Chas - 14 years ago
This era's team over Wilt/West?? This show the complete lack of basketball knowledge of current Lakers' fans. Just ask Phil. He is old enough to remember.Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, Jim McMillian, Elgin Baylor, Happy Hairston, Pat Riley. PLEASE!
maceoc - 14 years ago
And I might add magic had Larry Bird & his Celtics to push him & the Lakers like no one else could. Not to mention a strong push from the Dr. J 76ers.
maceoc - 14 years ago
A good case can be made for all 4 and some might include the George Mikan era (I wouldn't). I have seen up close all 4 era's and as hard as it is to vote against Kobe, Shaq, or Jerry West the Showtime Lakers had a winning attitude & talent second to no one. Magic was the best at finding a way to win & inspiring his teammates: Kareem, Worthy, McAdoo, Norn Nixon, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper (who could shut down anyone), Mychal Thompson....catch some footage from those teams and you might agree.
Jack Kamis - 14 years ago
The current team because today the game is more sophisticated than ever, thanks to Mr. Phil Jackson. Kobe is showing greatness with his determination, open mind and adaptation to the various players on his team: from Shaq the tough to Gasol the smart, a truly marvelous personality. Enjoy the legend in action.
Mike Heckman - 14 years ago
Those of us that played pro basketball and have seen all of the above teams know you couldn't get a rebound away from Happy Hairston and the Big Dipper. Plus, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich and Jimmy McMillan could out shoot any one, even today. The 1972 Lakers were and are the best basketball team ever assembled.
Kenneth - 14 years ago
Although I voted for the Magic era team, the one wild card would still be Shaq. From 2000 to 2002, during Shaq's prime, he was just demoralizing everyone's frontline, including Duncan and Robinson together. So if Shaq could demoralize, Kareem, Wilt, Bynum and Gasol with his brute strength that he had, the Kobe-Shaq team could possibly beat all of them. Lets not forget that this team also had big shot Rob, Fox, D-Fish, Harper and B-Shaw.
Seriously...what clueless fans are voting for the current kobe-gasol team? Were you guys not fans during shaq-kobe days to know how badly we dominated??
Following the Lakers and Chick's play by play of the 71-72 Laker Championship team was in my mind unforgetable while establishing the modern record for consective wins (33) and also seeing the Lakers get their due after losing all those years to the darn Celtics.
I'm not old enough to experience Wilt/West to my disadvantage.
Showtime is what I cut my teeth on. The epic battles they had with the Bird-led-Celtics and to a lesser degree the Detroit Bad Boys is what to me makes them the best Lakers team to me. Without a proper, consistent foil to play against for all the marbles, the truest essence of a team cannot be seen.
Its not even close. The 71-72 team is probably the best of all time, much less the best of the Laker teams. I do not believe that Shaq was stronger than Wilt. The man once averaged 50 PPG for an entire season. The combination of West and Goodrich, as a duo, are/were superior to any other Laker guards and Happy Hairston, as a rebounder and scorer, stood above any the Lakers have had since at his position. Jim McMillan was also a top notch player. In addition, that team's bench far exceeded any that the Lakers have had since. The 33 wins in a row should be enough proof for anybody as all of the teams in the NBA at that time were good, and all had stars. I can understand if you never saw these guys play, but if you did, there is no comparison.
Didn't play pro basketball, but I'll second Mike Heckman's comments. I saw the '72 Lakers, and they were the best.
This era's team over Wilt/West?? This show the complete lack of basketball knowledge of current Lakers' fans. Just ask Phil. He is old enough to remember.Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, Jim McMillian, Elgin Baylor, Happy Hairston, Pat Riley. PLEASE!
And I might add magic had Larry Bird & his Celtics to push him & the Lakers like no one else could. Not to mention a strong push from the Dr. J 76ers.
A good case can be made for all 4 and some might include the George Mikan era (I wouldn't). I have seen up close all 4 era's and as hard as it is to vote against Kobe, Shaq, or Jerry West the Showtime Lakers had a winning attitude & talent second to no one. Magic was the best at finding a way to win & inspiring his teammates: Kareem, Worthy, McAdoo, Norn Nixon, Byron Scott, Michael Cooper (who could shut down anyone), Mychal Thompson....catch some footage from those teams and you might agree.
The current team because today the game is more sophisticated than ever, thanks to Mr. Phil Jackson. Kobe is showing greatness with his determination, open mind and adaptation to the various players on his team: from Shaq the tough to Gasol the smart, a truly marvelous personality. Enjoy the legend in action.
Those of us that played pro basketball and have seen all of the above teams know you couldn't get a rebound away from Happy Hairston and the Big Dipper. Plus, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich and Jimmy McMillan could out shoot any one, even today. The 1972 Lakers were and are the best basketball team ever assembled.
Although I voted for the Magic era team, the one wild card would still be Shaq. From 2000 to 2002, during Shaq's prime, he was just demoralizing everyone's frontline, including Duncan and Robinson together. So if Shaq could demoralize, Kareem, Wilt, Bynum and Gasol with his brute strength that he had, the Kobe-Shaq team could possibly beat all of them. Lets not forget that this team also had big shot Rob, Fox, D-Fish, Harper and B-Shaw.