The Los Angeles Lakers Have Been a Championship Team Every Decade

Located in Los Angeles, California, the Los Angeles Lakers are a professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association. They compete in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division.

History

Throughout the history of the Lakers, they have been a championship contender in every decade of the league. They have also had some of the best executives, owners, and star players in the history of the game.

The history of the Lakers is a fascinating one. Fans can look back at their favorite basketball events in Lakers history. They can also see how the team has grown from an organization crisis to an NBA champion.

In 1948, the Lakers were playing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The team moved to Los Angeles before the 1960-61 season. They joined the Basketball Association of America, which was a merger of the National Basketball League and the BAA.

The Lakers made their first NBA title in 1972. They also made six NBA finals in the 1960s. In 1968, they lost to Boston in seven games. The Lakers lost the NBA Finals to Boston again in 1966. In 1973, they were defeated by the Knicks.

In the 1980s, the Lakers won more titles than the Celtics. In that decade, the Lakers had their own version of the Showtime era.

Reign of dominance

During the 1980s, the Los Angeles Lakers led by Magic Johnson became one of the most dominant teams in NBA history. They also won five titles, including a record three consecutive championships. But it was also during this time that the Lakers suffered one of their most painful seasons. They missed the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. In addition, they lost to the Boston Celtics in the finals.

The Lakers also saw a major improvement in the 2016-17 season, which saw them win nine more games than in the previous year. But the team’s reign of dominance came to a halt when a pandemic known as COVID-19 forced the team to suspend play. This was followed by a trade that saw Lamar Odom leave the team to join the Dallas Mavericks. In the offseason, the Lakers drafted UCLA point guard Jordan Farmar. They also traded Derek Fisher to Houston for Jordan Hill.

The Lakers set a franchise record in 1971-72 when they won 33 games in a row. This streak is now the longest in NBA history. But the Lakers lost to the SuperSonics in the playoffs. It also marked the end of Wilt Chamberlain’s storied career. After a record-setting season, Chamberlain retired.

Third consecutive finals appearance

Having won the NBA title in 2009, 2010, and 2012, the Los Angeles Lakers are the only team to make three consecutive appearances in the Finals. This is the most consecutive appearances in NBA history. It also marks the first time that the Lakers won a title on the road in Boston Garden. In fact, the Lakers have won 17 titles, including a combined 17 BAA and NBA titles.

LeBron James has reached the Finals eight straight seasons. It’s the most consecutive appearances in NBA history by a player. He averaged 25.3 points and seven assists in the Finals. He was also named the finals’ Most Valuable Player (MVP).

He’s also the sixth-most successful basketball player of all time. He’s also one of five players to make multiple Finals appearances. He’s also the only player to earn Finals MVP awards three times in a career.

LeBron’s team defeated the Miami Heat in six games in the Finals. The Lakers also beat the Orlando Magic in five games and the San Antonio Spurs in six games.

Seventh consecutive Pacific Division title

Despite a 42-40 record, the Los Angeles Clippers are still in contention for the Pacific Division title. But will they be able to outdo the Warriors?

The Golden State Warriors are currently the best team in the Western Conference. They’ve had an unforgettable run of form from 2014-19. They’re also the only Bay Area team to win five straight division titles. They’ve beaten teams from the East, including the Philadelphia Sixers and New York Knicks, during this stretch.

The Phoenix Suns are also chasing the title. They’ve won the Pacific Division each of the last two seasons. They’ve also won the best regular season record in the league, and are the top team in the Western Conference, despite a difficult start to the season.

The Lakers have won 24 division titles in their NBA history. They’ve also had the most playoff wins of any team in the NBA. They have the best winning percentage in the league, and hold several other NBA records. They’re currently +225 to win the division.

The Pacific Division is home to some of the most interesting teams in the NBA. It’s also the most competitive division in the league, with rivalries such as the Lakers and Clippers.

Rivalry with the Celtics

During the 80’s, the Lakers and the Celtics faced off in the best-of-five NBA Finals. The Lakers beat the Celtics in three of the five. But the Lakers and the Celtics have been battling for decades.

In the 1970’s, the NBA suffered from a lack of general enthusiasm and a meager television viewership. The Lakers and the Celtics were able to revive the league with the help of two stars in Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

The Lakers and the Celtics have met in 359 regular season games and 359 NBA Finals games. They are two of the few teams with a positive winning percentage against each other. But the Lakers and the Celtics are not the only teams that have been involved in a rivalry. Other teams such as the Miami Heat, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Clippers have also played against each other in the NBA.

The Lakers and the Celtics are two of the greatest rivalries in the history of the NBA. They have each won 15 NBA titles and each has at least one NBA championship runner-up.

Signing of Shaquille O’Neal

Among the most memorable moments in Lakers history was the signing of Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal was the first of the Lakers’ franchise players. He helped the Lakers win three consecutive NBA titles from 2000 to 2003. He won several individual team awards as well.

O’Neal joined the Lakers after four seasons with the Orlando Magic. He was unhappy with the lack of success the Magic had. Ultimately, the Magic failed to meet his contract demands.

The Lakers made their offer to O’Neal more than $95 million over seven years. But O’Neal had a ‘out’ clause. This allowed him to test the free-agency market again in three years.

O’Neal agreed to sign a seven-year, $120 million contract with the Lakers. It was the biggest contract ever given in the NBA. The deal tilted the balance of power in the league.

The Lakers had been in a rut since the 1980s. The team was mired in mediocrity, so the team decided to hire a player who could change the team’s fortunes. Ultimately, the Lakers lost to the San Antonio Spurs in six games.

Trade with the New Orleans Pelicans for Anthony Davis

During the offseason, the Lakers made aggressive offers to the New Orleans Pelicans in trade talks. Several players were part of the deal, including Kyle Kuzma, De’Andre Hunter, Mo Wagner and Marcos Louzada Silva.

The Lakers also traded for a top-five player, Lonzo Ball, and an unprotected first-round pick in 2024. They also received a protected first-round pick in 2021, a protected 2021 second-round pick, a protected 2022 first-round pick and a future second-round pick.

The Pelicans will also receive the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft, the top-eight protected first-round pick in 2021 and a top-eight protected first-round pick on 2023. They also have the right to trade the first-round pick they received in the trade with the Lakers.

The trade is a major turning point for the Pelicans. They have the most talent of any young team in the NBA, and they have the potential to be one of the best teams in the league. Moreover, they have the ability to compete for titles within the next few years.

The Pelicans will also receive Josh Hart, Isaac Bonga and Brandon Ingram. They also have the ability to trade their first-round pick in 2024, as well as their first-round pick in 2025.

Loss of Julius Randle

Throughout his first four seasons in the NBA, Julius Randle wore the Lakers colors. He was a promising young player with plenty of potential. But he was also a part of a team that had fallen apart.

Randle wore Lakers colors for four seasons, averaging 22.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. He earned All-NBA honors last season and was named a first-time All-Star. He is also a solid triple-double threat. But he has regressed in recent years.

Randle’s injury during his Knicks debut was a huge blow to the rebuilding process. He was supposed to be the savior for the organization, leading the team toward the top of the East.

But his debut also came at a cost. Randle suffered a broken tibia in his right leg and will undergo surgery. He is expected to miss the rest of the season. The Knicks lost 122-115 in overtime to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

During the game, the Knicks blew a 21-point lead. They turned the ball over seven times in the first half. They have lost two straight and are 2-8 in their last 10 games.

‘Dark Horses’ Lakers

Currently, the Lakers are slotted for the third pick in the upcoming draft. This is the best time for the team to make a move. The Lakers are still very young, and they have a lot of potential to improve, with the Lamar Odom trade exception. They also have a ton of picks to look forward to.

The Lakers are a team that has the potential to be a dark horse. They were one of the biggest contenders last season, but they failed to capitalize on their chances. They also signed free agents DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball. These two combined for more than 100 points per game, and they may have the right mix of youth, experience and athleticism to make a serious run at the NBA title.

The Lakers have made their mark on the court with their high energy style of play, which is evident from their win-loss record. They are also one of the few teams to boast a winning record against four other teams with a winning record. The Lakers have also improved by averaging more rebounds than opponents per game.

Having a winning record, the Lakers aren’t the most storied franchise in the NBA, and that’s a fact. They are a team that could improve with some free agency and trade buyouts. They are also one of the more well-rounded teams in the NBA. They have a strong starting lineup, but they could use some help on the other end of the floor.

The Lakers are currently the only team in the NBA with an above-average record against four other teams with a winning mark. The Lakers are still one of the best teams in the league, and they may be the best dark horse team in the NBA.