The History: The Greatest Lakers Of All Time

Wilkes was a key component of L.A.'s success during the Showtime era. His 37 points against the 76ers in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals helped clinch the Lakers' seventh championship, and he also contributed to the '82 and '85 title runs. Legendary Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn used to call his reliable jump shot "a 20-foot layup."

JAMES WORTHY
F
CAREER: 1982-94
17.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 52.1 FG%, 76.9 FT%

The No. 1 pick of the 1982 draft, Worthy quickly succeeded Wilkes as L.A.'s next great small forward. Nicknamed Big Game James, he lived up to the moniker by averaging 21.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in 143 playoff games. His spectacular fast break finishes and low-post moves were regularly showcased in sports highlights.

PAT RILEY
COACH
CAREER: 1981-90
533-194 record, 4 NBA titles, 7 NBA Finals

Before he wore power suits, Riley was a pesky guard in high shorts and tube socks, helping L.A. win the 1972 title. As a coach he reached the NBA Finals in each of his first four years, winning two of them. Riley trademarked three-peat after titles in '87 and '88 but fell short of the accomplishment in 1989 against the Pistons.

SHAQUILLE O'NEAL
C
CAREER: 1996-04
27.0 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.5 bpg, 55.7 FG%, 52.0 FT%

No matter which nickname he gives himself, Big is certainly appropriate for O'Neal, who brought excitement and winning back to L.A. Under coach Phil Jackson, O'Neal developed into a ferocious scorer, an intimidating defender and an excellent passer, forcing helpless defenses to employ the Hack-a-Shaq strategy.

A Star-studded Lineup

HEY, IT'S L.A., SO A LAKERS FAN SHOULD UNDERSTAND better than anyone else this exercise in make-believe. We selected the 12 top Lakers of all time, gave them a coach and imagined them playing together. The result: a squad that even special effects couldn't duplicate.

STARTING FIVE