Has Lakers superstar LeBron James accomplished enough in his time in L.A. to have his jersey retired by the iconic franchise?
After a few years of debate, the growingly-divisive question saw a surge in interest on Friday after Lakers owner Jeanie Buss confirmed future plans to retire James’s number once he enters the Naismith Hall of Fame.
Set to enter his sixth season in Tinseltown, James, 38, is widely-hailed as one of the NBA’s all-time greats, with some tabbing the recently-cemented NBA all-time leading scorer as the greatest of all-time. However, while few dispute the greatness the Cavaliers and Heat legend has displayed in 20 seasons, his Lakers tenure has seen its share of detractors.
James’s five-year run has seen him earn his fourth ring and Finals MVP after leading L.A. to a 17th title in the much-criticized 2020 Orlando bubble, and five of his 19 consecutive All-Star nods. This past February, he set the mark as the league’s all-time scorer, passing fellow Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Given his résumé, it appears, to Buss and others, that James already meets the club’s high standards for a jersey retirement, despite having one ring in L.A. and not ranking among the franchise’s top-10 in any major statistical category. As the debate continues to rage on, let’s take a brief look at the careers of the 12 Hall of Famers whose numbers have been retired by the Lakers:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (No. 33)
A member of the Lakers for 14 seasons, Abdul-Jabbar stamped his place among the game’s titans during a run that included five NBA titles, one Finals MVP, three MVPs and 13 All-Star nods.
Elgin Baylor (No. 22)
Baylor, the Lakers’ all-time leading rebounder, spent his illustrious 14-year career with the Lakers, compiling 11 All-Star appearances and a NBA title in 1972* (note: He did not play in the Finals after retiring nine games into the season).
Kobe Bryant (Nos. 8, 24)
The franchise’s all-time leading scorer, Bryant earned five NBA titles, two Finals MVPs and 18 All-Star appearances among other accolades across a highly-decorated 20 seasons.
Wilt Chamberlain (No. 13)
Much like James, Chamberlain’s legendary Lakers run, while brief, made a lasting impact. “The Big Dipper” won his second ring and first Finals MVP in 1972, and earned three All-Star nods in five seasons.
Pau Gasol (No. 16)
Gasol, the most recently retired Laker, won two titles alongside Bryant while earning three All-Star selections in six seasons.
Gail Goodrich (No. 25)
Goodrich, a key member of the ’72 title team, earned four All-Star nods across a combined eight years over two stints with the Lakers.
Magic Johnson (No. 32)
The franchise’s all-time assist leader, Johnson set the all-time standard for point guards in a dazzling 13-season stretch that included five rings, 12 All-Star selections and a trio of Finals and NBA MVPs.
George Mikan (No. 99)
Mikan’s storied career with the then-Minneapolis Lakers saw him earn five NBA championships en route to becoming the first star big man in league history.
Shaquille O’Neal (No. 34)
A four-time champion and three-time Finals MVP, O’Neal dominated the NBA across an eight-season Lakers run that also saw him nab seven All-Star selections.
Jerry West (No. 44)
Known simply as “The Logo,” West made the All-Star team every year during his 14 seasons, and took home a NBA title in 1972.
Jamaal Wilkes (No. 52)
Wilkes earned three of his four NBA titles, and his only three All-Star nods during eight seasons with the club.
James Worthy (No. 42)
Worthy, a.k.a “Big Game James,” earned three NBA titles, a Finals MVP and seven All-Star appearances in 12 seasons in L.A.
