In 1960, the Minneapolis Lakers became the Los Angeles Lakers, and began what was to be a very successful run in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Before their move to Los Angeles, the Lakers won six championships in the various leagues they had played for, six conference titles, and five division titles.
As the Los Angeles Lakers, the team has enjoyed immense success winning ten more championships, twenty-four conference titles, and twenty-six division titles, the most recent of each of those being in 2009. They were the first team in the NBA to be located on the West Coast.
The Lakers are probably one of the most well known teams in the NBA due in large part to their success and to the fame of many of the players. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson are just a few of the big names who have played for the team, all of whom are Hall of Fame Inductees.
Of course being a major contender in any sport means making a few enemies and the Los Angeles Lakers are no exception. The Lakers and Celtics rivalry is well known throughout the NBA. The teams have met eleven times in the NBA Finals with the Celtics winning a majority of the championships, but not by much.
The Los Angeles Lakers share their home court with rival team the Los Angeles Clippers. The Staples Center is known throughout the country and has been voted best venue in the league twice, with many more nominations. With seating for almost 19,000 people the arena is not only a great sports venue but hosts other types or entertainment, such as concerts, and was home to the 2000 Democratic National Convention.
Probably almost as famous as the players themselves is the dance team the Laker Girls. The talented women appear at home games as well as community events throughout the area.
In the community, the Los Angeles Lakers definitely give back to their fans as much as possible. They promote and donate to many causes in the area, benefiting those who are less fortunate. The area disadvantaged youth are a big priority and the Lakers are active in promoting health, fitness, and education throughout Southern California.
Because of their location, the Lakers have many fans as famous as they are themselves. Songs have been written about various players and many home games are graced with the presence of a movie star or two, some of whom hold season tickets.
During basketball season there is no better night out than a Lakers game. You're sure to see some of the best basketball in the league, as well as amazing entertainment on the sidelines. It's a great time to relax, cheer on the team, and maybe even do a little star gazing.
Previous Seasons
The man that returned championship basketball to the Los Angeles Lakers is back on the sideline of the Staples Center. Phil Jackson is ready to do it again in 2005. But he’ll have to figure out how to get the best out of Kobe Bryant, whom he said was “un-coachable” in his latest book. Despite his off-the-court problems, Bryant is one of the NBA’s premier players. He’s looking to prove his critics wrong by winning another NBA title without the help of Shaquille O’Neal. It won’t be easy, though, as the Western Conference once again boasts some of the NBA’s best teams, like the defending champion San Antonio Spurs and the high-scoring Phoenix Suns. But if history truly repeats itself, Kobe and Jackson might have something to celebrate by the end of the season.
The Los Angeles Lakers have put together one of the most incredible records in sports history. Lakers history includes 9 NBA Championships between 1972 and 2002, and the roster of NBA greats that have donned a Lakers uniform reads like an NBA Hall of Fame list. Few sports franchise can match the Lakers for their record of unprecedented success.
The Lakers came to Los Angeles in 1960 after beginning life as the Minneapolis Lakers. Arriving in LA, the Lakers kept their old name and spent their first season in California battling their way to a 36-43 record, reaching the Western Conference Finals. For the first few seasons in Los Angeles, the Lakers were consistent winners but failed to capture an NBA Crown. That changed in 1972.
Starting out with a new head coach in Bill Sharman, the Lakers put together a 33 game winning streak and a 69-13 overall record. After sweeping the Chicago Bulls in the first round, Los Angeles knocked off the defending NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks in a six game series to hit the NBA Finals. The franchise’s first NBA Championship in LA was earned with a five game NBA Finals series win over the New York Knicks.
NBA Championship #2 came in 1980. With Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar on the court, the Lakers ran out to a 60-22 season record and knocked off the Phoenix Suns and Seattle Supersonics in the first two rounds of the playoffs. In the NBA Finals the Lakers were faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers and battled to a 2-2 tie in the first four games. Jabbar stepped up and scored 40 points to win Game 5. Magic Johnson was the hero of Game 6, as he won the Finals MVP Award with a performance for the ages, scoring 42 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists along the way to lead the Lakers to another NBA Championship.
The Lakers will continue their search for NBA gold with an impressive 2009 regular season record of 65-17. After eliminating the Utah Jazz in the first round, the Lakers find themselves in a dogfight with the Houston Rockets. Led by a rejuvenated Kobe Bryant along with Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum, season ticket holders and fans expect the Lakers to clash with the Cavaliers in the finals. It was in fact the Orlando Magic who came out of the East as the Eastern Conference Champions. The Lakers took out the Magic in 5 games to become the 2008-09 NBA Champions.
The Lakers would claim the NBA Crown again in 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2008. Along the way the roster featured NBA stars like Coach Phil Jackson, center Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and a host of others. Altogether the Lakers history between 1961 and 2004 includes appearances in 26 Conference Finals, 22 NBA Finals berths, and stunning 9 NBA Championships.
2007/08 – Western Conference Champions
2006/07 – Lost Western Conference First Round
2005/07 – Lost Western Conference First Round
2004/05 – Did not reach the playoffs
