How Many Retired Lakers Jerseys Are Displayed in the Team’s Iconic Staples Center-

How Many Retired Jerseys Do the Lakers Have?

The Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic franchises in the history of the NBA, have a rich tradition of excellence on the court. This excellence is not only reflected in their numerous championships but also in the numerous retired jerseys that adorn the rafters of the Staples Center. The question that often arises among basketball enthusiasts is, how many retired jerseys do the Lakers have? This article delves into the history of these retired jerseys and their significance to the franchise.

The Lakers’ first retired jersey was that of George Mikan, who wore number 4 during his illustrious career from 1947 to 1955. Mikan was a dominant center who redefined the position and was instrumental in the Lakers’ rise to prominence in the early years of the NBA. His jersey remains a symbol of the team’s early success and his enduring legacy.

Following Mikan, the Lakers retired the jersey of Jerry West, who wore number 3 from 1960 to 1974. West was a shooting guard extraordinaire and one of the greatest scorers in the history of the NBA. His retirement jersey is a testament to his incredible scoring ability and his role in leading the Lakers to their first championship in 1972.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who wore number 33 during his 20-year career with the Lakers, had his jersey retired in 1996. As the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a 6-time NBA champion, Abdul-Jabbar’s jersey is a symbol of his incredible skill, athleticism, and leadership on the court.

Magic Johnson, who wore number 32 from 1979 to 1991, had his jersey retired in 1991. Johnson’s retirement jersey is a symbol of his unparalleled playmaking ability, his leadership as the Lakers’ point guard, and his role in leading the team to five championships during the 1980s.

Another retired jersey is that of Elgin Baylor, who wore number 22 from 1950 to 1963. Baylor was a dominant forward during his time and was the first player to score 20,000 points in the NBA. His jersey is a symbol of his incredible scoring ability and his impact on the early years of the NBA.

In addition to these legendary players, the Lakers have also retired the jerseys of more recent stars such as Shaquille O’Neal (number 34, 1996-2004) and Kobe Bryant (number 8, 1996-2016). O’Neal’s retirement jersey is a symbol of his dominant inside presence and his role in leading the Lakers to three championships during the early 2000s. Kobe Bryant’s jersey is a symbol of his incredible scoring ability, his leadership, and his role in leading the Lakers to five championships during the 2000s.

In conclusion, the Los Angeles Lakers have retired a total of 8 jerseys, each representing a different era of the team’s history and a different legend who graced the Staples Center court. These retired jerseys are a testament to the team’s rich tradition of excellence and the countless contributions of these legendary players to the franchise.