Under Jerry Buss‘ ownership the Lakers reached the NBA Finals a staggering 16 times in 33 seasons, winning 10 titles and burnishing the purple and gold as one of the nation’s elite franchises. After the passing of Buss this morning — and owner so successful even bleeding-green Celtics fan Bill Simmons has paid tribute — it’s time to look back at those titles and see which was the best and why.
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10. 1987-88
Why here: The triple-double by James Worthy (36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists) in Game 7 of the Finals against Detroit is one of the least-remembered great performances in Lakers history.
What it’s remembered by: This was the year the Bad Boys took on their stylistic opposite, the Lakers. The seven-game series is still one of the best because there seemed to be a resentment going both ways about how each team played the game. The Lakers, and fun basketball, triumphed.
Defining stretch: A 36-21 third quarter brought the Lakers back from the brink of losing the title to a 108-105 victory. For a team that shot 50 percent in the first half — hardly poor — the Lakers’ offense hit another gear.
9. 1981-82
Why here: After firing Paul Westhead 11 games into the season, Buss changed the franchise’s future by promoting Pat Riley.
What it’s remembered by: Riley didn’t look much like a former radio announcer, going 50-21 and ripping through the playoffs with a 12-2 record for the title. Buss also showed his instincts as an owner by giving the go-ahead to sign Bob McAdoo at midseason, which changed the team’s offense even more into an open canvas for Magic Johnson.
Defining game: All Magic did to clinch Game 6 and the title against Philadelphia was get a triple-double.
8. 2001-02
Why here: Until you get to the playoffs this team wasn’t all that memorable compared to its other Laker teams. Sure, they started 16-1 but then faded because of injuries to Shaq and Derek Fisher. It seemed to be the perfect example of a team “turning it on” at the right time.
What it’s remembered by: Shaq became the first player since Michael Jordan to win a third straight NBA Finals MVP.
Defining play: Game 4, 2002 Western Conference Finals. Big Shot Robert Horry broke the Kings’ back to tie the series at 2-2 and swing the series back to the Lakers. This alone makes the case this could be even higher on the list.
7. 2008-09
Why here: The first title of Kobe Bryant’s career in the post-Shaq era.
What it’s remembered by: A meeting with LeBron and the Cavaliers wasn’t to be because of Orlando’s Eastern Conference Finals upset, but it was sweet for Bryant just a year after losing to Boston.
Defining play: Derek Fisher’s two dagger shots in Game 4 gave L.A. the win.
6. 1986-87
Why here: Buss gave the OK to acquire Mychal Thompson from San Antonio, which triggered the best offensive rating per 100 possessions of any Buss title.
What it’s remembered by: Magic Johnson earned his first MVP for his 23.9 points and 12.2 assists per game.
Defining play: Magic’s baby hook in Game 4 of the Finals beat the Celtics, 107-106, to take a 3-1 lead.
5. 2009-10
Why here: It’s heresy to not include the first Lakers’ Finals victory over Boston since the 1980s in this list’s top five. Helping Jackson to his 11th title as coach doesn’t hurt, either.
What it’s remembered by: Beating the Magic the year before was Bryant’s first post-Shaq, but how good was Orlando, really? Beating the Celtics in Game 7 was payback for the 2008 Finals loss and evened the NBA’s archetype rivalry in the process.
Defining play: The Lakers and Suns were tied 2-2, with Phoenix riding a two-game win streak, in the Western Conference Finals. On the Lakers’ final possession, Ron Artest tipped in a missed Kobe shot to win the game. The Lakers would win Game 6, too.
4. 1999-00
Why here: The Lakers’ first title under Phil Jackson came after a leave-no-doubts 67-win season (after a 25-5 start), the highest winning percentage of any of Buss’ title teams.
What it’s remembered by: Phil Jackson showed his magic touch existed outside of Chicago and didn’t need Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. And it will be remembered for the first title of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal‘s tenure together. Shaq was dominant to the highest degree, recording a 30.6 PER that is still the highest of any player in any season that Buss was an owner for.
Defining play: Shaq’s alley-oop from Kobe brought the Lakers back in the Western Conference Finals from 13 points down in Game 7. This is even more of a dagger for Trail Blazers fans than the drafting of Greg Oden or Sean Elliott’s three-pointer over Rasheed Wallace.
3. 1984-85
Why here: If you think Showtime, you think of this season. The Lakers shot an absurd 55 percent from the field as a team this season with 62 wins in the regular season. The Lakers were off on their no-look-passing way in style despite Jamaal Wilkes being injured halfway through the season.
What it’s remembered by: This was Pat Riley‘s second title as coach and came against Boston, the team L.A. had never beaten in eight previous NBA Finals attempts.
Defining play: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar came back from the Memorial Day Massacre in Game 1 to huge games in Games 2 and 3. In Game 2 he had 30 points, 17 rebounds, eight assists and three blocks and in Game 3 he showed his angry side, getting 26 points and 14 rebounds and one epic fast-break post move.
2. 2000-01
Why here: Compared with the team that won a title before it, this team could barely figure itself out with a major injury to Derek Fisher and a huge challenge from Sacramento in the regular season. And yet, it’s No. 2 because …
What it’s remembered by: … It wasn’t about what these Lakers did in the regular season, but the postseason that mattered. They tore off a 15-game win streak, sweeping Portland, Sacramento and San Antonio, before knocking off Philadelphia in five games for the title. It was simply one of the most dominating final two months of a season in NBA history.
Defining video: Kobe Bryant, taking over.
1. 1979-80
Why here: The first NBA title of Buss’ ownership was also the greatest because of the host of problems that could have derailed the championship. Paul Westhead took over as head coach when Jack McKinney was hurt in a biking accident. Buss was just a neophyte owner. They had a rookie in Magic Johnson who was talented but not yet proven.
What it’s remembered by: It’s No. 1 because this season hosted the greatest game in Laker history. In Game 6 of the NBA Finals against Philadelphia, Johnson had 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists while he stepped in to play center for an injured Kareem. He was just 20. It wasn’t Boston and L.A., but it was the greatest of Buss’ 10 titles.
Defining game: All of the Finals’ Game 6 by Magic.
What do you think is No. 1?
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