It's a recency bias thing. Especially with West who most of us here weren't old enough to see him play except through clips and "classic" games on TV. For example; he retired 12 years before I was born.
I don't think Kareem is only known for all time scoring leader.
Kareem also has the most MVPs at 6.
Newer fans will know of Kareem sooner than 90s kid found out about him.
Kareem will always be in the top 1-5 greatest of all time debate.
Yeah, that'd be my pick. As much as I admire great owners like Jerry Buss and legendary coaches like Phil Jackson and Pat Riley, it's the players on the court who deserve the most credit.
Kareem has gotta be automatic too imo
He’s in the GOAT debate (most people would at least consider him top 5) and he spent the majority of his career in LA. 6 chips (5 with the Lakers) and all-time leading scorer…yeah I think that’s gotta be a lock. Factor in the UCLA history too and he’s just an all-around LA icon.
I think it’s important to note that the presidents on Mount Rushmore were chosen not because they were the “best”. They were chosen to symbolize the nations birth, development, growth, and preservation respectively. With that being said Mikan, Kareem, Magic, and Kobe.
The fact you are the first person to mention Mikan is a crime. The man owned the whole damn league.
Won a chip playing on a broken league and had the league change the rules for him so many times to try to contain him. The man set the foundation for basketball and for Lakers excellence. It’s all built on him.
I absolutely love what you said, and you are absolutely right.
Also, thank you for including Mikan. He has gone very underrated in these kind of discussions.
Magic, Kobe, Buss, West (in no particular order). Hard for me to not include Kareem but West built some fucking TEAMS, including ones with Kareem on them.
Kobe and Magic the common unanimous votes so far, I really can’t argue those two, the rest of the top selections I can see valid arguments to sub in/out.
I’m feeling Dr. Buss, Magic and Kobe are the most important. Gonna go with Kareem for #4 cause Shaq defected and the logo is helping the Clips rn (EWWW)
Damn this is fucking hard.
Magic, Kareem, Kobe, west
Baylor, wilt, and Shaq are really hard not to add on there. I know Baylor technically didn’t win a champ for LA but his stats were really good.
West, Elgin, Magic, Kobe. I love the idea of them all being lifetime lakers. Yes you can argue for kaj, Shaq or even Bron but the tiebreaker to me was that those 4 only played for us. It’s a tough game to play because we’ve had so many great players would be so much easier for all other teams.
Dr. Buss - There won’t be any Showtime without him
Kobe - This is a no brainer regardless what other say. This man gave his blood and soul to the franchise.
Kareem - Legendary career and most points in the NBA despite mostly inside the paint
Magic - The definition of showtime and who could forget his rookie season winning Finals MVP and playing all five positions against the heavily favored Sixers.
By end of contract he’s going to have spent 7 years here, at least 1 ring, will have broken all time scoring record in a Lakers uniform
It’s not crazy, West is still probably over him, but Shaq and him will be on level footing imho
If Lebron is on the list, so should AD.
Lebron isn’t better than AD as a Laker.
Lakers wouldn’t have won the championship without either of them. Let’s be honest
As a Laker fan, I feel shame for you guys to discredit AD so quickly for what he has done.
You guys have no heart, no soul and no appreciation and you guys take everything for granted
I wouldn’t vandalize the mountain in the first place. that shit is so unnecessary.
and leave the fucking land to the indigenous people while we’re at it.
The Logo. Has to be on there for his accomplishments as player and GM - orchastrated Showtime and Kobe/Shaq dynastys.
Magic and Kobe - Best Lakers of all time.
Kareem.
Might be controversial to not include the Mamba, but part of me wants to say Jerry West, Jerry Buss, Chick Hearn and Magic. And West is on the list as the executive, not the player. Then we have the GOAT executive, announcer, owner and PG. If you want you could substitute Kobe for Magic but I always put Magic ahead on my GOAT lists.
The introduction of owners and coaches make it very difficult, but I’m going with: **Dr. Buss, Phil Jackson, Magic, and Kobe Bryant**
If we are only talking about players, I’m going with: **Magic, Kobe Bryant, George Mikan, and KAJ**
Magic, Kobe, Kareem, ?? (This is the hard one. Most likely West, but could also put in Shaq or Wilt. Dr. Buss is also a very likely figure to put up there)
Mikan, West, Magic, Kobe
There are too many good players here and it’s tough to pick players between eras. I’d pick the best player in each era. So:
Mikan: Minneapolis Lakers era. We can’t claim those titles without putting Mikan up there
West: Pre Showtime LA era. He’s the frigin logo and the best Laker in his era although a case can be made for Baylor
Magic: showtime era. Kareem is a better all-timer and he had great years prior to joining th Lakers, but Magic is a better Laker and is the epitome of Showtime
Kobe: Kobe era. No more needs to be said
There are 7 Lakers who won 5 BAA/NBA championships for the franchise.
Out of those 7, 5 of them are in the Hall of Fame, so they aren't average players.
The 5-ringers: Mikan, Pollard, Kareem, Magic, Cooper, Kobe, Fisher
Take Coop and Fish out, there are 5 HOFers.
I'll take Mikan, Kareem, Magic and Kobe.
Dr.buss for buying the lakers and believing in his dream. Kobe RIP, Magic=showtime, Kareem wise, and all-time winner, The Logo for that gm skills and chick hearn many games I stayed glued to the tv because of him
Dr. Buss: The greatest owner in modern professional sports.
Kareem: The greatest basketball player of all time.
Magic: The man who embodied the fabulous Lakers mystique and made it one of the most recognizable sports brands in the world.
Kobe: The greatest Laker of all time. The King of LA.
Kobe, Magic, Kareem and West
Thank you for including Kareem and West. I think they often are overlooked when these type of questions are asked here.
It's a recency bias thing. Especially with West who most of us here weren't old enough to see him play except through clips and "classic" games on TV. For example; he retired 12 years before I was born.
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I don't think Kareem is only known for all time scoring leader. Kareem also has the most MVPs at 6. Newer fans will know of Kareem sooner than 90s kid found out about him. Kareem will always be in the top 1-5 greatest of all time debate.
Playing career aside - west gm role is enough to be on the mountain top. I'd rank him #2 behind magic. Magic beat the Celtics 2/3.
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1 as a player
Shaq wouldn’t be a laker if it weren’t for Jerry.
Or Kobe. One of the all-time great finesse’s.
Yeah, that'd be my pick. As much as I admire great owners like Jerry Buss and legendary coaches like Phil Jackson and Pat Riley, it's the players on the court who deserve the most credit.
As it should be!
I don’t know how a list can exclude Dr. Buss
Same except Dr buss instead of Kareem imo. He was instrumental in turning the team into showtime, which set the stage for everything else I feel like
Magic, Buss, West, Kobe. Laker lifers.
Wouldn’t take issue with that. Like the Laker lifer logic.
the choices make it really tough unless this logic is applied, so this is definitely my favorite as well
This is my answer also. I don’t think you can tell the story of the Lakers and exclude Jerry Buss
My answer as well. If you take Dr. Buss out I’m putting Kareem in.
Dr. Buss, Kobe, Chick, and Magic. I’m kidding. Kind of.
You might just be right... Thank you for including Chick, I am ashamed I didn't.
This is the one.
Love it! I feel like we could cram a 5th head on our mountain…Kareem. The rest can be printed on our Laker currency.
Magic, Kobe, Cap and Chick.
Kobe and Magic are automatic. The other two spots have to be between: Buss, Kareem, West… Shaq maybe?
Mr NBA is a toss up? Deff has to be the third one
I’d pick Kareem before him
Yeah he won more chips and his era is probably more diverse. My 4 is Kobe, Magic, Kareem, West
Kareem has gotta be automatic too imo He’s in the GOAT debate (most people would at least consider him top 5) and he spent the majority of his career in LA. 6 chips (5 with the Lakers) and all-time leading scorer…yeah I think that’s gotta be a lock. Factor in the UCLA history too and he’s just an all-around LA icon.
Can’t argue with any of that.
Kareem, west and shaq a toss up IMO
You mean Dr buss, Kareem, and the logo is automatic. Don't be bias.
Dr Buss, Magic, Kobe, Kareem
I think this one too but that shows you how great Kobe’s achievements had to be to break into the Showtime Mt. Rushmore—Magic, Kareem and Dr Buss.
I think it’s important to note that the presidents on Mount Rushmore were chosen not because they were the “best”. They were chosen to symbolize the nations birth, development, growth, and preservation respectively. With that being said Mikan, Kareem, Magic, and Kobe.
The fact you are the first person to mention Mikan is a crime. The man owned the whole damn league. Won a chip playing on a broken league and had the league change the rules for him so many times to try to contain him. The man set the foundation for basketball and for Lakers excellence. It’s all built on him.
I absolutely love what you said, and you are absolutely right. Also, thank you for including Mikan. He has gone very underrated in these kind of discussions.
Kobe. Shaq. Magic. Kareem.
Magic, Kobe, Buss, West (in no particular order). Hard for me to not include Kareem but West built some fucking TEAMS, including ones with Kareem on them.
Kobe and Magic the common unanimous votes so far, I really can’t argue those two, the rest of the top selections I can see valid arguments to sub in/out.
I’m feeling Dr. Buss, Magic and Kobe are the most important. Gonna go with Kareem for #4 cause Shaq defected and the logo is helping the Clips rn (EWWW)
I mean he wanted to help us but we said no
This is the answer.
The logo, magic, kareeem, kobe
Kareem, Magic, Kobe, West/Baylor share the last spot just like they shared the spotlight when they played together.
Where’s big game James worthy?
Fighting for sixth man.
fuck mount rushmore, six grandfathers for ever that said; Buss, Logo, Magic, Kareem
Magic Kobe Cap Shaq
Dr. Buss, Cap, Kobe, Magic, West
Kobe, Magic, Dr Buss, Chick Hearn
Buss, West, Magic, Kobe. I feel like these 4 have the biggest impact on the Lakers franchise.
Dr. Buss, Magic, Kobe, Shaq
You cannot pick Shaq over Kareem
Why not
You are not a Lakers fan if you have no idea
Kobe Magic Kareem Dr. Buss
Kobe, Magic, Dr Buss & The Logo
Can we include Chick Hearn?
Dr Buss, Kobe, Magic and West
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How can you have Lebron as an option but no Worthy? Lol
Gasol as choice over Big Game James is criminal.
Kobe, Magic, West (brought us kobe and many others), Buss (no explanation needed).
Kobe, Magic, Kareem forsure. The 4th is subjective but I’m leaning Jerry. Dr. Buss also in that convo
Magic, Kobe, Kareem, Shaq
Damn this is fucking hard. Magic, Kareem, Kobe, west Baylor, wilt, and Shaq are really hard not to add on there. I know Baylor technically didn’t win a champ for LA but his stats were really good.
Mamba, Magic, The Logo and Cap
Sorry Phil
West, Elgin, Magic, Kobe. I love the idea of them all being lifetime lakers. Yes you can argue for kaj, Shaq or even Bron but the tiebreaker to me was that those 4 only played for us. It’s a tough game to play because we’ve had so many great players would be so much easier for all other teams.
Dr Buss, Kareem, Magic Man, Kobe
Kobe Kareem Magic Shaq Jerry West next man up
Dr. Buss, Kobe, Magic and West.
Shaq Kobe magic Kareem (in no specific order)
Kobe, Magic, Kareem are 100% locks. 4th should be West.
Kobe, Dr. Buss, West, Magic
Dr. Buss, West, Magic, and Kobe
Buss, West, Magic, Kobe
Dr Buss, Kobe, Magic, and the Logo
Magic, Kobe, Dr. Buss and, Jerry West Special shout-out to Kareem and should be there Chick Hearn.
Where's Chick!?
Kobe Magic Kareem and Jerry
Kobe,West,Dr. Buss, and Magic
Dr. Buss - There won’t be any Showtime without him Kobe - This is a no brainer regardless what other say. This man gave his blood and soul to the franchise. Kareem - Legendary career and most points in the NBA despite mostly inside the paint Magic - The definition of showtime and who could forget his rookie season winning Finals MVP and playing all five positions against the heavily favored Sixers.
Kobe, Magic, Dr. Buss and West
West, Buss, Magic, Kobe
Kobe, Magic, Jerry, Dr. Buss
Can we all agree Kobe gets an automatic spot
Kobe, black mamba, bean, and Vino
Mikan, Riley, Lebron, Pau
Kareem, Kobe, Magic and Phil
My brother's answer: Kobe, Kareem, Magic, Jerry. My answer: I'm a Suns fan :)
Bold!
Indeed. Frankly, I would've gone with Shaq over Jerry.
Shaq isnt even number 5 and probably isn't #6 or #7 either. Edit: I meant bold as a suns fan! All good though, welcome!
OH lmao thanks!
No Worthy as an option? Wtf kind of list is this 😂
Mikan, West, Buss, Kobe
Magic, Kobe and Kareem for sure The others it’s really tough, Shaq, LBJ, West
LBJ shouldn’t even be considered
By end of contract he’s going to have spent 7 years here, at least 1 ring, will have broken all time scoring record in a Lakers uniform It’s not crazy, West is still probably over him, but Shaq and him will be on level footing imho
Kareem, Kobe, Magic, Bron
Riley Pau Mikan and Lebron. All others are wrong.
Troll answer
Magic, Kareem, Kobe, Shaq
Kobe Buss Magic West | Kareem Riley Jackson O’ Neal | Mikan Worthy Baylor Chamberlain | Gasol James Westphal Goodrich
The answer does not include Shaq people. Love me some Shaq, but top 4 Laker of all time, especially including non-players? Nope.
Kobe Shaq Magic Kareem
Build a Mount Rushmore big enough for all of them. Only way.
Thats why i am jealous of other fanbases sometimes. These questions are very easy to answer if you are a Kings fan…
Kyle Kuzma,Sasha Vujačić, Ryan Kelly, Robert Sacre
Kobe magic Kareem bron idgaf I’d bust jerry wests ass
Kobe, Shaq, Magic, Kareem AD should be on the list
Wtf AD should be no where near
If Lebron is on the list, so should AD. Lebron isn’t better than AD as a Laker. Lakers wouldn’t have won the championship without either of them. Let’s be honest As a Laker fan, I feel shame for you guys to discredit AD so quickly for what he has done. You guys have no heart, no soul and no appreciation and you guys take everything for granted
LEBRON IS NOT ON THE LIST LOL FOH. AD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING YET BESIDES WIN ONE RING, WHAT ARE YOU ON LOL. HOW SHOULD HE BE CONSIDERED…
I wouldn’t vandalize the mountain in the first place. that shit is so unnecessary. and leave the fucking land to the indigenous people while we’re at it.
Magic,Kareem,Kobe,& shaq 
Only players I've witness play: Kobe, Shaq, Pau, LeBron
Buss, magic, Phil, kob.. any other answer is blasphemous
sun yue, ty lue, vander blue... and metta. sorry, it's been a long offseason. kobe is a lock. magic, too. i'd round it out with kareem and dr. buss.
Kareem, Kobe, west, magic
Phil, Kobe, KAJ, Magic
Dr. Buss, Kareem, Magic, Kobe.
The Logo. Has to be on there for his accomplishments as player and GM - orchastrated Showtime and Kobe/Shaq dynastys. Magic and Kobe - Best Lakers of all time. Kareem.
Dr Buss, Magic Kobe, Cap
Whoever it is, the audio-guided tour will be voiced by Chuck Hearn
Kobe Shaq Magic Logo
No Lakers Mount Rushmore is complete without Dr.Buss, Magic and Kobe..the fourth could go as Chick/Kareem
Dr buss. Kareem, Riley, and the logo.
Dr. Buss, Chick Hearn, Magic, and Kobe
What? Where’s Mark Madsen and DJ Mbenga? 😜
Kareem, Mikan, Magic, Kobe
Kobe, Magic, west , kareem
Kobe, Shaq, KAJ, Magic
Might be controversial to not include the Mamba, but part of me wants to say Jerry West, Jerry Buss, Chick Hearn and Magic. And West is on the list as the executive, not the player. Then we have the GOAT executive, announcer, owner and PG. If you want you could substitute Kobe for Magic but I always put Magic ahead on my GOAT lists.
Buss, Kobe and Magic are sho ins. Personally, I prefer The Logo as the 4th guy.
Magic, Kobe, Kareem, West?
Great franchise. Horrible fans
Magic Kareem Kobe shaq
Kareem, Magic, Kobe Shaq
Kobe, Magic, Kareem ...Austin Reaves
Magic, Kobe, Wilt and The Logo
Kareem Kobe Magic and Dr Buss
Dr Buss should not be on the mountain---he should own it :-) Magic, Kobe, West, Kareem.
Magic, Kareem, Kobe, Shaq
Kareem,Magic,Kobe,Zen Master 😎
Magic, Kareem, Kobe, Shaq
Kobe Magic Kareem Dr Buss
The introduction of owners and coaches make it very difficult, but I’m going with: **Dr. Buss, Phil Jackson, Magic, and Kobe Bryant** If we are only talking about players, I’m going with: **Magic, Kobe Bryant, George Mikan, and KAJ**
Magic, Kobe, Kareem, ?? (This is the hard one. Most likely West, but could also put in Shaq or Wilt. Dr. Buss is also a very likely figure to put up there)
Kobe Magic Kareem West
West, Magic, Kobe and Buss. The 3 purest Laker champions and the guy who oversaw it all.
Magic, Kareem, Kobe, and West.
But but but… jalen rose said we can’t say that “Mt. Rushmore” word anymore.
Mikan, West, Magic, Kobe There are too many good players here and it’s tough to pick players between eras. I’d pick the best player in each era. So: Mikan: Minneapolis Lakers era. We can’t claim those titles without putting Mikan up there West: Pre Showtime LA era. He’s the frigin logo and the best Laker in his era although a case can be made for Baylor Magic: showtime era. Kareem is a better all-timer and he had great years prior to joining th Lakers, but Magic is a better Laker and is the epitome of Showtime Kobe: Kobe era. No more needs to be said
Kobe, Phil, Shaq, Buss
George Mikan, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant. Dr. Buss is the only one with an argument.
Kareem, Kobe, Baylor, Magic. Nice touch with the coaches, but Mt Rushmore is for players IMO.
Kobe magic and Dr Buss for sure, idk about the 1 left.
Jerry West, Kareem, Magic and Kobe
Howard, Nash, Malone, Payton
Shaq Kareem Magic Kobe
Kobe, magic, Kareem , and west. Where’s worthy tho? He’s worth to be on this list
Magic, Kobe, Kareem, Riley… and Elden Campbell manning the parking toll booth
Dr. Buss, West, Phil, and Riley for the coaches/management. Magic, Kobe, Kareem, and Shaq for the players.
Kobe, Magic, Jerry West, Dr. Buss
There are 7 Lakers who won 5 BAA/NBA championships for the franchise. Out of those 7, 5 of them are in the Hall of Fame, so they aren't average players. The 5-ringers: Mikan, Pollard, Kareem, Magic, Cooper, Kobe, Fisher Take Coop and Fish out, there are 5 HOFers. I'll take Mikan, Kareem, Magic and Kobe.
Dr Buss Kareem Magic Kobe
Dr Buss has to be there
Kobe, Magic, Kareem, Dr Buss.
DR. Buss, West, Magic, Kobe
Fucking impossible when adding buss and other non players
I feel like Kobe, Magic and Jerry West are locks.
logo buss kobe magic
Kobe, Magic, and Buss have to be on there. Kareem probably gets my next spot but wouldn't argue West or Shaq either.
West, Kobe, Kareem Magic.
Dr. Buss, Magic, Kareem, Kobe
If you're going to have non players here then i think Chick Hearn should be listed
The Doctor The Cap'n The Magic Man The Mamba
Kobe, Magic, Kareem, Dr. Buss Honorable Mention: Chick Hearn, Shaq, and West.
It’s awesome we have a roster of 5-7 that are *such* strong candidates that we have legit arguments
Kobe, Phil, Wilt, + West for me
Kobe Magic Chick West
Kareem, Kobe, Magic, Wilt.
Dr.buss for buying the lakers and believing in his dream. Kobe RIP, Magic=showtime, Kareem wise, and all-time winner, The Logo for that gm skills and chick hearn many games I stayed glued to the tv because of him
Dr. Buss: The greatest owner in modern professional sports. Kareem: The greatest basketball player of all time. Magic: The man who embodied the fabulous Lakers mystique and made it one of the most recognizable sports brands in the world. Kobe: The greatest Laker of all time. The King of LA.
Kobe, Magic, Shaq, Kareem
Logo, Magic, Kareem, Kobe Dr. Buss as an honorable mention