How to Rank the Greatest Lakers Teams of All Time
Every Laker fan has that one lineup they swear is the ultimate squad—whether it’s the Showtime era, the early 2000s dynasty, or the recent championship run. Pinning down a definitive ranking is trickier than it sounds, but with a clear framework you can weigh the key ingredients that make a team truly great.
What Makes a Lakers Squad Legendary?
Before diving into the list, it helps to outline the criteria most experts use. These aren’t rigid rules; think of them as guiding lights.
- Championships Won – Trophies speak loudly, but the context matters.
- Dominance During the Season – Regular‑season record, point differential, and winning streaks.
- Star Power – Presence of Hall‑of‑Fame talent and how they complemented each other.
- Impact on the League – Innovations, style of play, and cultural footprint.
- Depth and Role Players – Bench contributions that turned good teams into unstoppable forces.
Step‑by‑Step Ranking Method
1. Gather the Data
Start with a spreadsheet. List every Lakers season that reached the playoffs, noting wins, losses, playoff round reached, and major accolades (MVPs, Finals MVPs, etc.). Sources like Basketball‑Reference make this a breeze.
2. Assign Weight to Each Criterion
Not all factors should count equally. A common weighting looks like this:
- Championships – 35%
- Season Dominance – 25%
- Star Power – 20%
- League Impact – 10%
- Depth – 10%
Feel free to tweak the percentages based on what you value most. If you’re a purist who loves cultural impact, bump up the “League Impact” slice.
3. Score Each Season
Give each team a 1‑10 score for every criterion. For example, the 2000‑01 Lakers might earn a 9 for Championships (they won), an 8 for Dominance (they went 56‑26), a 10 for Star Power (Shaq, Kobe, and a solid supporting cast), and so on.
4. Calculate the Composite
Multiply each score by its weight, sum the results, and you have a final rating out of 10. This number becomes your ranking anchor.
Top Five Lakers Teams (According to the Method)
1. 1986‑87 “Showtime” Lakers
Led by Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar, and James Worthy, this squad combined flash with efficiency. They posted a 65‑17 record, dominated the NBA with a 12‑game winning streak, and clinched the title over the Celtics in a dramatic seven‑game series. Their impact on fast‑break basketball still echoes today.
2. 2000‑01 Lakers
Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant at their peak formed a duopoly few have matched. The team dropped a 56‑26 regular‑season mark but surged in the playoffs, sweeping the Blazers and Nets before a hard‑fought Finals win over the 76ers. Depth came from veteran role players like Derek Fisher and a reliable bench guard in Rick Fox.
3. 2001‑02 Lakers
After a modest regular season (58‑24), the Lakers turned up the heat in the postseason, posting a historic 15‑1 playoff record—the best winning percentage in NBA history at the time. The Shaq‑Kobe tandem was bolstered by the surprising emergence of a young Pau Gasol, who added a versatile front‑court option.
4. 1999‑2000 Lakers
This team marked the beginning of the early‑2000s dynasty. With a 67‑15 record, they combined the veteran savvy of Magic’s successor—Kobe—with Shaq’s sheer dominance. They also featured a well‑rounded supporting cast: Robert Horry’s clutch shooting and Rick Fox’s defensive tenacity.
5. 1971‑72 Lakers
Before “Showtime,” there was a 33‑game winning streak that still stands as a benchmark. Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and Gail Goodrich blended inside‑out scoring in a way that pre‑dated modern positionless basketball. Their 69‑13 record and subsequent title cement their place among the elite.
Why Some Great Teams Miss the Cut
Take the 2010‑11 squad, for instance. Kobe’s 31‑point performance in the Finals was unforgettable, yet the team fell short in the West Finals against the Mavericks. Their lack of a true second star and an injury‑marred bench kept them from reaching the top‑five tier.
Similarly, the 1996‑97 Lakers, despite a 47‑35 record and a deep run to the Conference Finals, lacked the consistent star power and cultural impact necessary for a higher ranking.
Putting Your Own Spin on the List
The beauty of this approach is its flexibility. Want to emphasize "clutch performances" over regular‑season dominance? Adjust the weightings. Prefer a “fan favorite” factor, perhaps based on merchandise sales or social media buzz? Add a new column and watch the rankings shift.
Ultimately, ranking the greatest Lakers squads is part statistic, part storytelling. By following the steps above, you can craft a list that reflects both the hard numbers and the intangible magic that makes Laker history so unforgettable.
