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‘There’s no second’ – Magic Johnson picks all-time Lakers starting 5 but explains why one icon stands above rest
Magic Johnson was the main act of the Los Angeles Lakers dynasty known as ‘Showtime.’ As the second-winningest franchise in NBA history with 17 Championships, Los Angeles boasts a star-studded list of former players worthy of Tinseltown. Few could compete with magic for showmanshipGetty Five of those titles were won with Magic pulling the strings as the Lakers dominated The Association with an all-action playing style between 1979 and 1988. Johnson was named MVP three times over that period as part of an epic rivalry with Larry Bird, who won three rings and as many MVPs with the Boston Celtics, winners of a record 18th crown in 2024. With greats like Jerry West coming before Magic, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar playing alongside him and Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James following, picking a starting five is a mission beyond Tom Cruise’s iconic character Ethan Hunt. It could get even harder by the time five-time All-Star Luka Doncic is done after his stunning trade. Magic was asked to do the impossible on Byron Scott’s Fast Break podcast and had a hard time. “You’ve got to start with Cap [Kareem Abdul-Jabbar],” he said. “You got Kobe. That’s easy. Those two are easy.” Scott pushed Magic to include himself and he reluctantly agreed, saying: “I don’t really talk about myself like that.” Two spots left. Shaq and LeBron got the nod. West — a 14-time All-Star who played a huge role in Showtime as general manager — may disagree. “But you got Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, you got Clever [Johnson’s teammate James Worthy],” added Magic. GettyKobe is one of basketball’s all-time greats[/caption] GettyAbdul-Jabbar is a six-time NBA champion, winning his first in 1971 and last in 1988[/caption] The Laker great loved naming his top fiveGetty “You got so many dudes that it’s hard to say just five. “You almost have to say 15 or 20, and no other franchise — Boston would probably be right there with us — but not too many franchises can say they got this many dudes who were all-time greats. “I mean, Jamaal Wilkes, it’s just so many guys. That’s what makes us special.” If naming five players was tough, picking just one is a brutal task but one name did stand out. “I don’t really try to look at an all-time greatest list for the Lakers because it’s just too many of them.” Johnson began. “I would say this — Kobe, one of my favorites. Cap, one of my favorites, because nobody in this league has ever dominated like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and nobody’s dominated this city. “Remember this now—this dude got more championships, and nobody in college did what Kareem did. Three straight national championships and three straight MVPs of the Finals as well. “The greatest college player in history by far — there’s no second. “What he’s been able to do for the game of basketball, I would say this — the greatest to ever change basketball forever… “Nobody’s done what Kareem/Lew Alcindor [Kareem’s birth name] was able to do for the game, both in college and the NBA. What he’s been able to do is amazing.” Kareem, Magic, Kobe, Shaq, and LeBron. Is there a team that comes close? Luckily, Michael Jordan never donned the purple and gold or a brutal decision would get even harder.
Magic Johnson was the main act of the Los Angeles Lakers dynasty known as ‘Showtime.’
As the second-winningest franchise in NBA history with 17 Championships, Los Angeles boasts a star-studded list of former players worthy of Tinseltown.
Five of those titles were won with Magic pulling the strings as the Lakers dominated The Association with an all-action playing style between 1979 and 1988.
Johnson was named MVP three times over that period as part of an epic rivalry with Larry Bird, who won three rings and as many MVPs with the Boston Celtics, winners of a record 18th crown in 2024.
With greats like Jerry West coming before Magic, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar playing alongside him and Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and LeBron James following, picking a starting five is a mission beyond Tom Cruise’s iconic character Ethan Hunt.
It could get even harder by the time five-time All-Star Luka Doncic is done after his stunning trade.
Magic was asked to do the impossible on Byron Scott’s Fast Break podcast and had a hard time.
“You’ve got to start with Cap [Kareem Abdul-Jabbar],” he said. “You got Kobe. That’s easy. Those two are easy.”
Scott pushed Magic to include himself and he reluctantly agreed, saying: “I don’t really talk about myself like that.”
Two spots left. Shaq and LeBron got the nod.
West — a 14-time All-Star who played a huge role in Showtime as general manager — may disagree.
“But you got Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, you got Clever [Johnson’s teammate James Worthy],” added Magic.
“You got so many dudes that it’s hard to say just five.
“You almost have to say 15 or 20, and no other franchise — Boston would probably be right there with us — but not too many franchises can say they got this many dudes who were all-time greats.
“I mean, Jamaal Wilkes, it’s just so many guys. That’s what makes us special.”
If naming five players was tough, picking just one is a brutal task but one name did stand out.
“I don’t really try to look at an all-time greatest list for the Lakers because it’s just too many of them.” Johnson began.
“I would say this — Kobe, one of my favorites. Cap, one of my favorites, because nobody in this league has ever dominated like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and nobody’s dominated this city.
“Remember this now—this dude got more championships, and nobody in college did what Kareem did. Three straight national championships and three straight MVPs of the Finals as well.
“The greatest college player in history by far — there’s no second.
“What he’s been able to do for the game of basketball, I would say this — the greatest to ever change basketball forever…
“Nobody’s done what Kareem/Lew Alcindor [Kareem’s birth name] was able to do for the game, both in college and the NBA. What he’s been able to do is amazing.”
Kareem, Magic, Kobe, Shaq, and LeBron. Is there a team that comes close?
Luckily, Michael Jordan never donned the purple and gold or a brutal decision would get even harder.
