Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary.
During the Lakers’ 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years.
In 1975, two years after the legendary Wilt Chamberlain left the Lakers, they traded for another dominant center by the name of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He arrived from the Milwaukee Bucks at age 28 and in his absolute prime, but his first few seasons with the Lakers were frustrating. They missed the playoffs in 1976, and they failed to reach the NBA Finals in the following three years, even as he put up tremendous numbers.
But that all changed when the Lakers drafted Earvin “Magic” Johnson in 1979. Johnson filled in all the blanks they were missing, which freed Abdul-Jabbar up to do his thing and not have to take on any excessive responsibilities. “Showtime” was born, and that dreamy era resulted in five NBA championships for both Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar.
Abdul-Jabbar retired in 1989 after 20 seasons. He had career averages of 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.6 blocks, and he ended up with a record six league MVPs, six world titles and two scoring titles, not to mention 19 All-Star game selections and more points than anyone else in league history. The University of California, Los Angeles product was also the owner of the most unstoppable shot in basketball history — the skyhook.
His 38.387 career regular-season points and those 19 All-Star game selections remained league records until LeBron James broke both of them. James became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in 2023, and the following season, he earned his 20th selection to the league’s midwinter classic.
Until James aged like fine wine into his late 30s, Abdul-Jabbar had played at an elite level longer than anyone else in basketball history. In 1985, when the Lakers won it all against the Boston Celtics, the 7-foot-2 center was named the finals MVP — at age 38.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers jersey history No. 33 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
