The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most iconic and successful franchises in the history of professional basketball. Founded in 1947, the Lakers have won a total of 17 NBA championships, tied with the Boston Celtics for the most in league history. Over the years, the Lakers have been home to some of the game's greatest players and coaches, and have become a staple of American sports culture.
The early years of the Lakers were marked by mediocrity, as the team struggled to establish itself in the newly-formed Basketball Association of America (BAA). However, in 1949, the BAA merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) to form the NBA, and the Lakers began to find success. Led by center George Mikan, the team won five championships in six years between 1949 and 1954, establishing themselves as one of the premier teams in the league.
After Mikan's retirement in 1956, the Lakers went through a period of rebuilding. The team struggled to find its footing throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, but in 1960 they drafted a young guard out of West Virginia University named Jerry West. West quickly became the team's star player, and helped lead the Lakers to the NBA Finals in 1962, where they were defeated by the Celtics in seven games.
The Lakers continued to build their team around West, and in 1968 they acquired center Wilt Chamberlain from the Philadelphia 76ers. With West and Chamberlain leading the way, the Lakers reached the NBA Finals in 1969, but were once again defeated by the Celtics. The following year, however, the Lakers finally broke through, winning their first championship in Los Angeles and the first in franchise history.
The 1970s were a period of transition for the Lakers, as the team underwent several changes in ownership and coaching staff. However, they continued to remain competitive, with West and Chamberlain leading the way. In 1972, the Lakers won their second championship in Los Angeles, and their fifth overall, with a team that included West, Chamberlain, and a young forward named Elgin Baylor.
In 1979, the Lakers drafted a young point guard out of Michigan State University named Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Johnson quickly became a fan favorite with his flashy play and infectious personality, and he helped lead the Lakers to the NBA Finals in his rookie season. The Lakers lost that series to the Celtics, but it was clear that they had a new star on their hands.
Over the next decade, the Lakers and Celtics would engage in one of the most heated rivalries in sports history. Led by Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy, the Lakers won five championships in the 1980s, while the Celtics won three. The two teams met in the NBA Finals three times during the decade, with the Lakers winning two of those series.
The Lakers continued to be a dominant force in the NBA throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Led by superstars such as Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, the team won three championships in a row from 2000 to 2002, and then added two more championships in 2009 and 2010. Bryant, in particular, became a beloved figure in Los Angeles, leading the team to five championships over the course of his career and establishing himself as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
In recent years, the Lakers have continued to be a marquee franchise in the NBA, with a roster that includes some of the game's most exciting young players. In 2019, the team acquired forward Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans, giving them another superstar to pair with LeBron James.
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