Let’s Talk About the Lakers

Few teams have brought highs and heartbreak like the Los Angeles Lakers. Between eras of dominance and unforgettable games, the franchise has found as many ways to win as to lose. With that in mind, here are 10 of their best and worst moments.

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1. Western Forum

The Great Western Forum debuted with a franchise-defining statement win that solidified its place as basketball’s “Mecca West.” Headed by Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, the Lakers took down Oscar Robertson and his Cincinnati Royals in dominant fashion. That first night set the stage for years of championship basketball in one of the most legendary arenas in NBA history.

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2. Shaq & Kobe

The Lakers were on the verge of defeat, but they came back from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter against Portland in Game 7. The climax was Kobe Bryant's unforgettable alley-oop to Shaquille O'Neal. That epic comeback jump-started a dynasty and established a winning formula for three consecutive titles.

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3. Celtics

The Lakers put an end to their long hatred of the Celtics in a rugged, hard-fought Game 7. Kobe Bryant couldn't get the ball to fall, but he carried the Lakers with a relentless drive, and Ron Artest made important shots at key times. It was even sweeter to beat Boston on the biggest stage of all.

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4. The Skyhook

On the line for the series, Magic hit one of the most legendary shots in Finals history. His running junior skyhook over McHale and Parish shocked Boston and swung the series. It was Magic's defining moment against Larry Bird.

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5. 81

Kobe Bryant's 81-point performance was the highest-scoring output of the modern era, no easy feat in an age of increased athleticism. No great size, no layups: Kobe battered the Raptors with pure skill, footwork, and will. Fifty-five points in the second half made a forgettable regular-season game one of the most immortal moments in basketball history.

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6. Robert Horry

On the brink of a series collapse against the Kings, the Lakers needed a miracle in Game 4. After a wild sequence of Kobe and Shaq misses, Robert Horry casually drilled the game-winner. "Big Shot Bob" saved the title run and reminded the world why he was so trusted in the clutch.

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7. Champs in ’85

The Lakers had not beaten the Celtics in the NBA Finals for decades of misery. Emerging from the "Memorial Day Massacre" humiliation, they won 4 of 5. The thrill of hoisting a trophy on Boston's home floor was one to cherish forever.

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8. 1980 Finals

In Kareem's absence, rookie Magic Johnson filled in at center and became a hero in the Finals clincher. He played all five positions to the tune of 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists. It's still one of the most jaw-dropping performances in history and an unforgettable way to launch a legend's career.

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9. Magic’s Return

Four months after Magic Johnson retired because of HIV, he returned to the NBA in the All-Star Game. In a moment that was controversial and emotional, he performed magnificently, doing so with grace and great joy. He was the best player on the court, and he was voted MVP. It was an incredible moment that went beyond basketball and paid tribute to Magic’s impact on the game.

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10. James Worthy

Facing history and immense pressure, James Worthy played the greatest game of his life. Recording the only triple-double of his career in a Finals Game 7, Worthy led the Lakers over Detroit. The performance solidified his nickname, Big Game James, in NBA history.

Now that we talked some about the greatest Laker moments, here are the 10 worst ones.

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1. 2004 Finals

The 2004 Lakers had stars all over the place, with the additions of Karl Malone and Gary Payton to their already superlative lineup. But in the face of an organized, no-nonsense Detroit Pistons team that magnified their every weakness, their title dreams ended with the five most one-sided games of a Finals in the new millennium. As the Shaq-and-Kobe era came to a humiliating end in a landslide Finals defeat, the fallout from this collapse would rock the franchise for years.

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2. O’Neal Is Traded

Trading Shaq was unfathomable. After years of drama and a bitter Finals collapse, the Lakers bet on Kobe Bryant. Shipping O'Neal to Miami had a feel of finality to it, ending one of the NBA's most dominant eras. The move divided fans and set the tone for the franchise's future.

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3. Mike Brown Era

Mike Brown had an impossible task to follow Phil Jackson. From the jump, expectations were through the roof. Although he posted a solid overall record, his failure to get Steve Nash and Dwight Howard to buy into a cohesive system doomed him from the start. A 1–4 start and on-court exasperation ended his time with the team. Kobe Bryant's iconic "death stare" became the lasting image of a dysfunctional unit.

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4. Legal Scandal

The 2003 offseason was a dark period for the Lakers franchise. Kobe Bryant's arrest and subsequent trial took center stage in the media, overshadowing all things basketball. The ordeal was later resolved, but it was a deeply regrettable moment in the team's history. The stain was on an otherwise golden era.

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5. Phil Jackson

Jackson's exit was the last thread to unravel from the dynasty. His tell-all book The Last Season tore through dirty laundry no fan was prepared to face. Losing the man that brought five championships was an irreplaceable blow. It was a painful and draining farewell to a legend.

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6. Dennis Rodman

Signing Dennis Rodman seemed fascinating on paper, but awful in practice. He seemed out of it, played only 23 games, and added next to nothing other than rebounds. The lack of effort and focus ruined the experiment quickly. It is still one of the weirdest moves in Lakers history.

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7. Game 6

The Spurs’ blowout snuffed out the Lakers’ three-peat hopes. Cameras panned to Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher crying as the clock ran out. The end of an era. A harsh reminder that all dynasties come to an end. Heartbreak for Lakers fans in real time.

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8. Bynum Knee Injury

There’s nothing worse than when a player gets injured during a game. Well, that’s exactly what happened in 2008, when young center Bynum had a devastating knee injury near the end of the season. This led to an unfortunate conclusion for fans.

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9. 2008 Finals Blowout

In 2008, the Lakers returned to the Finals only to have their dreams dashed once again. This time, their biggest rivals beat them. After a comeback at the end of the series, the Lakers were completely embarrassed in Game 6. Their 39-point loss on Boston's home court was a harsh awakening to how much work still needed to be done. Revenge was sweet, but the hurt remained.

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10. Kermit Washington

Kermit Washington's 1977 on-court punch to Rudy Tomjanovich is one of the most gruesome moments in NBA history. The blow left Tomjanovich with serious, life-altering injuries. It also brought bad publicity to the Lakers and ended the career of another player. The legacy of the incident remains incredibly disturbing.

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