Top 10 Los Angeles Lakers Championship Teams

Well It’s no secret when I say this…I’m a Los Angeles Lakers Fan! Being born and raised in Southern California, I was basically born an LA Laker Fan and I know I’m not the only one. But it doesn’t matter if you are in Orange County, LA County or anywhere in the Southern California, either you are a diehard Laker Fan or not. It’s really hard to argue that not only the Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most celebrated teams in Pro Basketball, it was one of the most well known franchises in sports that is under the same breath of the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball, Duke Basketball in the NCAA, the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL. When you hear “Los Angles Lakers” you think Magic Johnson, you think Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Pat Riley, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal, Phil Jackson and the recognizable and legendary voice of the Lakers, the late great Chick Hearn. Not only did the team have a history of legendary figures, they are the 16 Time NBA Champions and have some of the best rivalries in NBA’s history. Now here I put out my own Top 10 All-Time Greatest Los Angeles Lakers Championship Teams…So Far.

#10 2008-2009 Los Angeles Lakers

The year before, the Lakers were embarrassed by the Boston Celtics as they were unable to win the NBA title that year so this Laker team was determined to make up from last year…But it wasn’t an easy road as they had to go through 7 games against the Houston Rockets in the second Round and overcoming a tough Denver Nuggets team in the Western Conference Finals, winning it in 6. The Lakers lead by a determined Kobe Bryant defeated the Orlando Magic in 5 to win the NBA title. This was the Lakers first championship in the Post Shaq-Kobe era and removes Kobe from Shaq’s shadow earning him the first NBA title without the Big Shaq Diesiel.

#9 1999-2000 Los Angeles Lakers

The first ever NBA Championship in the Phil Jackson coached “Shaq-Kobe Era” in LA. They had an awesome regular season record of 67-15. They went through Sacramento 3-2 and went through the Phoenix Suns 4-1 with their only defeat being losing by 30 in Game 4. Then the Lakers survived a brutal 7 Game Series against The Portland Trail Blazers with the Lakers having to come back huge in Game 7 rallying back from a 75-60 4th quarter deficit with a 25-4 run to clinch the Western Conference Final and then they defeated the Indiana Pacers lead by Reggie Miller and coached by Laker Rival Larry Bird to win the Championship.

#8 1979-1980 Los Angeles Lakers

The team that started the Showtime Era in LA and it marked their first NBA Championship in eight seasons. The team will be remembered for Rookie Ervin “Magic” Johnson’s phenomenal playoff performance scoring 42 points and grabbing 15 rebounds and 7 assists taking over for an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to clinch the title in six games against a Philadelphia 76ers team lead by “Dr. J” Julius Erving.

#7 2001-2002 Los Angeles Lakers

The team that delivered the Three-Peat and the conclusion of the “Shaq-Kobe era” in LA. The swept through the New Jersey Nets to win the title. They had a seven game thriller against the Sacramento Kings that had Robert Horry hitting a huge buzzer beater in Game 4 of the Western Conference Playoffs.

#6 1971-1972 Los Angeles Lakers

The franchises best regular season record of 69-13 lead by Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West. They defeated the New York Knicks in 5 to clinch their first ever championship in Los Angeles.

#5 1981-1982 Los Angeles Lakers

The first NBA Championship under the Pat Riley era. Swept through the first two rounds and defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 4-2 to win their second title in three years.

#4 1986-1987 Los Angeles Lakers

This Laker Team won their fourth NBA title under the Showtime Era with an elite lineup that had Magic Johnson, the season’s Defensive Player of The Year Michael Cooper, A.C. Green and of course Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. They defeated the Boston Celtics in the rematch from their past Finals encounter two years before winning the series in 6 Games. Of course, there was the legendary Game winning Sky Hook from Magic Johnson in Game 4 as well.

#3 2009-2010 Los Angeles Lakers

Had basically the greatest 7 Game Series in the Los Angeles Lakers-Boston Celtics Rivalry with a 7 Game Series that felt like a Heavyweight Championship Bout that got to the last round. Plus the fact that the Lakers won Game 6 and Game 7 to win Back To Back Championships.

#2 2000-2001 Los Angeles Lakers

15-1 Playoff Record, Swept to the Playoffs with the only loss being Game 1 in the finals against the Allen Iverson led Philadelphia 76ers. Only for them to bounce back and won 4 Straight.

#1 1984-1985 Los Angeles Lakers

The prime of “The Showtime Era” in LA. 15-4 Playoff Record and the sweetest treat of them all, especially for Laker Fans…THEY DEFEATED BOSTON IN THE GARDEN TO CLINCH THE TITLE!!!