Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers play in the Pacific Division of the NBA's Western Conference. The Lakers have won 29 Conference titles, 28 Division titles, and 14 NBA Championships, with 9 in the city of Los Angeles.

The Lakers made the NBA Finals in 2008, but lost to the Boston Celtics in six games.

Fast Facts:

1. 14 NBA Championships
2. Owner: Jerry Buss
3. General Manager: Mitch Kupchak
4. Head Coach: Phil Jackson
5. Team Colors: Purple and Gold
6. Arena: Staples Center

Early Years

The Lakers franchise started in 1944 in Detroit with the team name of the Gems. In 1947, they moved to Minneapolis and became the Lakers. In Minnesota the team would establish themselves as one of the league's all-time elite teams, and a legitimate sports dynasty with Championships in 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953 and 1954.

The Lakers later would move to Los Angeles, yet awkwardly keeping its franchise name in 1960. With a collection of talented Hall-of-Famers including Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich and in later years Wilt Chamberlain, the core of this team would win Conference titles in 1970, 1972, and 1973, but only winning one NBA championship in 1972.

Showtime Years

In 1979, a young point guard nicknamed Magic Johnson was drafted by the Lakers out of Michigan State University. In his rookie season, the talented point guard with the support of Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would lead the team to the NBA Championship against Julius Erving and the Philadelphia 76ers. The franchise would enjoy a second dynasty, with championships in 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987 and in 1988. With it's high octane, fast paced offense and the passing skills of the creative, 6'9" point guard, the media would refer to the wildly, popular spectacle and this period as Showtime.

Shaq, Kobe, and Phil

After the untimely retirement of Magic Johnson due to his acquisition of the HIV virus, the Lakers would endure an awkward transition process from championship contender to pretender. That would change in 1996 with the signing of NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal, and the acquisition of a little known high school superstar by the name of Kobe Bryant. For three years the team struggled to find it's form, displaying spurts of greatness but never putting it all together for a legitimate championship run. In 1999, the Lakers signed Phil Jackson as Head Coach. The architect of six NBA Championships with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, Jackson was considered the final piece to return the Lakers to championship form and he did not disappoint. During his tenure the team enjoyed a three year run as NBA Champions in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

Lakers Timeline:

• 1946: Lakers Formed in Minneapolis
• 1960: Los Angeles
• 1971-1972: NBA Champions
• 1979-1980: NBA Champions
• 1981-1982: NBA Champions
• 1984-1985: NBA Champions
• 1986-1987: NBA Champions
• 1987-1988: NBA Champions
• 1999-2000: NBA Champions
• 2000-2001: NBA Champions
• 2001-2002: NBA Champions
• 2008: Lost in the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics

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