"Lakers" redirect here. For other uses, see Laker.

The Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and are notable for having (at the end of the 2004–05 season) the most wins (2,621), the highest winning percentage (61.2%), the most finals appearances (28), and the second most championships (14), behind the Boston Celtics who have 16. They also have the record for most consecutive wins in a season (33). The Lakers are known to have had some of the best centers in NBA history with George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O'Neal, as well as featuring some of the greatest guards of the past and present in Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, Magic Johnson, and Kobe Bryant.

Home arenas

Minneapolis Auditorium (1947-1959)

Minneapolis Armory (1959-60)

(The Minneapolis Auditorium was the primary arena for the Lakers in their first 12 years, and the Armory was the primary arena their final year. However, because of scheduling conflicts, the Lakers often played in the Armory during the years their primary home was the Auditorium, and vice versa. They also played some games in the St. Paul Auditorium.)

Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena (1960-1967)

The Forum (formerly Great Western Forum) (1967-1999)

Staples Center (1999-present)

Team history

The Lakers began in 1946 when Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen bought the Detroit Gems of the National Basketball League for $15,000 and relocated it to Minneapolis. As the Gems had by far the worst record in the NBL, the Lakers had the first pick in the 1947 dispersal draft of players from the Professional Basketball League of America, which they used to select George Mikan, later to become arguably the greatest center of his time. With Mikan, new coach John Kundla and an infusion of former University of Minnesota players, the Lakers won the NBL championship in that 1947-48 season and joined four other NBL teams in jumping to the Basketball Association of America, where they promptly won the 1948-49 BAA championship. The NBL and BAA merged to become the NBA in 1949.

The Minneapolis Lakers were one of the dominant teams of the fledgling NBA. With Hall of Famers George Mikan, Vern Mikkelsen, Jim Pollard, Slater Martin, and Clyde Lovellette, they were the NBA's first "dynasty", winning five championships in six years (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954).

After their move to Los Angeles in 1960, the team featured Hall of Famers Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, and Wilt Chamberlain, but despite the wealth of talent, they were repeatedly foiled by the Boston Celtics, losing the championship to them six times in eight years. It wasn't until 1972 when they strung together a record 33-game win streak under Coach of the Year Bill Sharman that they were able to secure their first championship in Los Angeles.

However, even with the addition of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, they weren't able to win another championship until the arrival of Earvin "Magic" Johnson in 1979, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers thanks to an MVP performance by the rookie Johnson, who, starting for the injured Abdul-Jabbar, had 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists to clinch the series. Under coach Pat Riley, a former Laker player, the Lakers then went on to dominate the 1980s, appearing in the finals eight times in the decade and being crowned champions five times, including consecutive championships in 1987 and 1988, the first team to do so since Boston in 1969.

Although they made another finals appearance in 1991, they spent most of the 1990s fielding teams that were not considered legitimate championship contenders. During the 1996-1997 offseason, the Lakers acquired Shaquille O'Neal from the Orlando Magic and Kobe Bryant, the first pieces to the championship puzzle. In 1999, the team brought in Phil Jackson as the new head coach and the result was a run of three straight NBA championships.

The relationship between O'Neal and Bryant was frequently a contentious one, as was the relationship between Bryant and Jackson. The battles came to a head after the 2004 season, with the Lakers having failed to claim the championship for a second consecutive year. O'Neal was traded and Jackson retired, leaving Bryant as the team's unquestioned focal point.

A rough season ensued for the team, resulting in their missing the playoffs and prompting the return of Jackson to coach in the 2005-2006 season. The Lakers showed remarkable improvement and all visible signs of past difficulties between Bryant and Jackson were gone. The Lakers reclaimed a place in the Western Conference playoffs, losing in the first round to the Phoenix Suns. It was a disappointing finish for the team, as they became only the eighth NBA team ever to squander a 3-1 playoff lead and lose the series. Nevertheless, the team's progress over the previous season has restored fans' optimism regarding the Lakers' future.

Celebrity fanbase

The team is renowned for the fan base of celebrities, such as musicians and movie stars who attend its games. Without question, many are present only during successful times for the team. During such times, near-court seats at an important Laker game are a desirable place for entertainment figures to "be seen". Each network broadcast, and many local broadcasts, of Laker home games invariably includes a few moments taken out to show on camera the various celebrities present at that particular game.

There are a number of celebrities who appear to be genuine basketball fans and have supported the team with regular attendance over the years, in both good seasons and bad. The best known of this latter group are actors Denzel Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio, Edward Norton, Andy Garcia, Dyan Cannon, and most prominently Jack Nicholson, who maintains courtside seats next to the visitors' bench and has been a Lakers season ticket holder since 1967.

The California-based popular rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers also attend every game when not traveling themselves. The song "Magic Johnson", a tribute to the "Showtime"-era Lakers, can be found on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' album Mother's Milk. As of the 2005-2006 season, Chili Pepper's bassist Flea, a self-proclaimed Lakers fanatic, writes a blog on the Lakers for NBA.com.

Season-by-season records

Detroit Gems (NBL)
(Not included in W/L totals) 1946-47 4 40 .091 Minneapolis Lakers (NBL)
(Not included in W/L totals) 1947-48 43 17 .717 Won First Round
Won NBL Semifinals
Won NBL Championship Minneapolis 3, Oshkosh 1
Minneapolis 2, Tri-Cities 0
Minneapolis 3, Rochester 1 Minneapolis Lakers (BAA)
(Included in W/L totals) 1948-49 44 16 .733 Won First Round
Won BAA Semifinals
Won BAA Finals Minneapolis 2, Chicago 0
Minneapolis 2, Rochester 0
Minneapolis 4, Syracuse 2 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA) 1949-50 51 17 .750 Won First-Place Game
Won Division Semifinals
Won Division Finals
Won NBA Semifinals
Won NBA Finals Minneapolis over Rochester
Minneapolis 2, Chicago 0
Minneapolis 2, Ft. Wayne 0
Minneapolis 2, Anderson 0
Minneapolis 4, Syracuse 2 1950-51 44 24 .647 Won Division Semifinals
Lost Division Finals Minneapolis 2, Indianapolis 1
Rochester 3 Minneapolis 1 1951-52 40 26 .606 Won Division Semifinals
Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals Minneapolis 2, Indianapolis 0
Minneapolis 3, Rochester 1
Minneapolis 4, New York 3 1952-53 48 22 .686 Won Division Semifinals
Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals Minneapolis 2, Indianapolis 0
Minneapolis 3, Ft. Wayne 2
Minneapolis 4, New York 1 1953-54 46 26 .639 Round-Robin
Round-Robin
Won Division Finals
Won NBA Finals Minneapolis 3-0 over
Rochester and Ft. Wayne
Minneapolis 2, Rochester 1
Minneapolis 4, Syracuse 3 1954-55 40 32 .556 Won Division Semifinals
Lost Division Finals Minneapolis 2, Rochester 1
Ft. Wayne 3, Minneapolis 1 1955-56 33 39 .458 Won Second-Place Game
Lost Division Semifinals Minneapolis over St. Louis
St. Louis 2, Minneapolis 1 1956-57 34 38 .472 Lost Division Tiebreaker
Won Division Semifinals
Lost Division Finals St. Louis over Minneapolis
Minneapolis 2, Ft. Wayne 0
St. Louis 3, Minneapolis 0 1957-58 19 53 .264 1958-59 33 39 .458 Won Division Semifinals
Won Division Finals
Lost NBA Finals Minneapolis 2, Detroit 1
Minneapolis 4, St. Louis 2
Boston 4, Minneapolis 0 1959-60 25 50 .333 Won Division Semifinals
Lost Division Finals Minneapolis 2, Detroit 0
St. Louis 4, Minneapolis 3 Los Angeles Lakers 1960-61 36 43 .456 Won Division Semifinals
Lost Division Finals Los Angeles 2, Detroit 0
St. Louis 4, Los Angeles 3 1961-62 54 26 .675 Won Division Finals
Lost NBA Finals Los Angeles 3, Detroit 2
Boston 4, Los Angeles 3 1962-63 53 27 .663 Won Division Finals
Lost NBA Finals Los Angeles 4, St. Louis 3
Boston 4, Los Angeles 2 1963-64 42 38 .525 Lost Division Semifinals St. Louis 3, Los Angeles 2 1964-65 49 31 .613 Won Division Finals
Lost NBA Finals Los Angeles 4, Baltimore 2
Boston 4, Los Angeles 1 1965-66 45 35 .563 Won Division Finals
Lost NBA Finals Los Angeles 4, St. Louis 3
Boston 4, Los Angeles 3 1966-67 36 45 .444 Lost Division Semifinals San Francisco 3, Los Angeles 0 1967-68 52 30 .634 Won Division Semifinals
Won Division Finals
Lost NBA Finals Los Angeles 4, Chicago 1
Los Angeles 4, San Francisco 0
Boston 4, Los Angeles 3 1968-69 55 27 .671 Won Division Semifinals
Won Division Finals
Lost NBA Finals Los Angeles 4, San Francisco 2
Los Angeles 4, Atlanta 1
Boston 4, Los Angeles 3 1969-70 46 36 .561 Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Lost NBA Finals Los Angeles 4, Phoenix 3
Los Angeles 4, Atlanta 0
New York 4, Los Angeles 3 1970-71 48 34 .585 Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals Los Angeles 4, Chicago 3
Milwaukee 4, Los Angeles 1 1971-72 69 13 .841 Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals Los Angeles 4, Chicago 0
Los Angeles 4, Milwaukee 2
Los Angeles 4, New York 1 1972-73 60 22 .732 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals Los Angeles 4, Chicago 3
Golden State 4, Los Angeles 1 1973-74 47 35 .573 Lost First Round Milwaukee 4, Los Angeles 1 1974-75 30 52 .366 1975-76 40 42 .488 1976-77 40 42 .488 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals Los Angeles 4, Golden State 3
Portland 4, Los Angeles 0 1977-78 45 37 .549 Lost First Round Seattle 2, Los Angeles 1 1978-79 47 35 .573 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals Los Angeles 2, Denver 1
Seattle 4, Los Angeles 1 1979-80 60 22 .732 Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals Los Angeles 4, Phoenix 1
Los Angeles 4, Seattle 1
Los Angeles 4, Philadelphia 2 1980-81 54 28 .659 Lost First Round Houston 2, Los Angeles 1 1981-82 57 25 .695 Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals Los Angeles 4, Phoenix 0
Los Angeles 4, San Antonio 0
Los Angeles 4, Philadelphia 2 1982-83 58 24 .707 Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Lost NBA Finals Los Angeles 4, Portland 1
Los Angeles 4, San Antonio 2
Philadelphia 4, Los Angeles 0 1983-84 54 28 .659 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Lost NBA Finals Los Angeles 3, Kansas City 0
Los Angeles 4, Dallas 1
Los Angeles 4, Phoenix 2
Boston 4, Los Angeles 3 1984-85 62 20 .756 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals LA Lakers 3, Phoenix 0
LA Lakers 4, Portland 1
LA Lakers 4, Denver 1
LA Lakers 4, Boston 2 1985-86 62 20 .756 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals LA Lakers 3, San Antonio 0
LA Lakers 4, Dallas 2
Houston 4, LA Lakers 1 1986-87 65 17 .793 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals LA Lakers 3, Denver 0
LA Lakers 4, Golden State 1
LA Lakers 4, Seattle 0
LA Lakers 4, Boston 2 1987-88 62 20 .756 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals LA Lakers 3, San Antonio 0
LA Lakers 4, Utah 3
LA Lakers 4, Dallas 3
LA Lakers 4, Detroit 3 1988-89 57 25 .695 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Lost NBA Finals LA Lakers 3, Portland 0
LA Lakers 4, Seattle 0
LA Lakers 4, Phoenix 0
Detroit 4, LA Lakers 0 1989-90 63 19 .768 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals LA Lakers 3, Houston 1
Phoenix 4, LA Lakers 1 1990-91 58 24 .707 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Lost NBA Finals LA Lakers 3, Houston 0
LA Lakers 4, Golden State 1
LA Lakers 4, Portland 2
Chicago 4, LA Lakers 1 1991-92 43 39 .524 Lost First Round Portland 3, LA Lakers 1 1992-93 39 43 .476 Lost First Round Phoenix 3, LA Lakers 2 1993-94 33 49 .402 1994-95 48 34 .585 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals LA Lakers 3, Seattle 1
San Antonio 4, LA Lakers 2 1995-96 53 29 .646 Lost First Round Houston 3, LA Lakers 1 1996-97 56 26 .683 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals LA Lakers 3, Portland 1
Utah 4, LA Lakers 1 1997-98 61 21 .744 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Lost Conference Finals LA Lakers 3, Portland 1
LA Lakers 4, Seattle 1
Utah 4, LA Lakers 0 1998-99 31 19 .620 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals LA Lakers 3, Houston 1
San Antonio 4, LA Lakers 0 1999-2000 67 15 .817 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals LA Lakers 3, Sacramento 2
LA Lakers 4, Phoenix 1
LA Lakers 4, Portland 3
LA Lakers 4, Indiana 2 2000-01 56 26 .683 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals LA Lakers 3, Portland 0
LA Lakers 4, Sacramento 0
LA Lakers 4, San Antonio 0
LA Lakers 4, Philadelphia 1 2001-02 58 24 .707 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Won NBA Finals LA Lakers 3, Portland 0
LA Lakers 4, San Antonio 1
LA Lakers 4, Sacramento 3
LA Lakers 4, New Jersey 0 2002-03 50 32 .610 Won First Round
Lost Conference Semifinals LA Lakers 4, Minnesota 2
San Antonio 4, LA Lakers 2 2003-04 56 26 .683 Won First Round
Won Conference Semifinals
Won Conference Finals
Lost NBA Finals LA Lakers 4, Houston 1
LA Lakers 4, San Antonio 2
LA Lakers 4, Minnesota 2
Detroit 4, LA Lakers 1 2004-05 34 48 .415 2005-06 45 37 .549 Lost First Round Phoenix 4, LA Lakers 3 Totals 2793 1772 .612 Playoffs 382 254 .601 14 Championships

Current roster